NYPD officer charged with kidnapping in Paterson domestic violence investigation

A New York City police officer was arrested this month in a domestic violence investigation in Paterson stemming from December of last year, officials said.

Hariton Marachilian was charged Dec. 1 with first-degree kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, criminal restraint and criminal coercion.

Marachilian stands accused of kidnapping and assaulting a woman, causing her serious injuries, on Dec. 10, 2022, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said.

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According to the affidavit of probable cause, Marachilian and the victim were leaving a restaurant in Paterson when the two got into a verbal dispute. While in the car, Marachilian is accused of smashing the victim's head into the dashboard of his vehicle. The report also says the NYPD officer choked and punched the victim, causing her to sustain visible bruises and swelling on her face.

The affidavit says the victim tried to flee from Marachilian, but he "dragged her back to his vehicle causing her to sustain injuries on her legs and feet." The two were described in the affidavit as having an "affair."

The NYPD told NorthJersey.com that the officer has been suspended without pay.

If convicted, Marachilian could face up to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison for first-degree kidnapping and up to 10 years for second-degree aggravated assault.

He will attend a pretrial detention hearing in front of a Superior Court judge on Dec. 12.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ investigation leads to charges against NYPD officer