Ex-cop broke into estranged wife’s boyfriend’s home and threatened to kill him, prosecutors say
A former Long Beach police officer was arrested and charged with attacking his estranged wife’s boyfriend then dragging her from the man’s home last year, prosecutors said Monday.
Toby Benskin, 34, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday on three counts of assault with a firearm, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count each of assault likely to produce bodily injury, criminal threats, first-degree burglary with a person present and false imprisonment with violence.
Benskin was arrested Monday in the city of Orange and was being held in Orange County jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.
On Oct. 27, 2015, while he was off duty, prosecutors say, Benskin broke into the home of his estranged wife’s boyfriend and threatened to kill him and his roommate, before dragging his estranged wife from the home, prosecutors said.
Long Beach police learned about the incident the next day and put Benskin on administrative leave. He was fired in June after 14 years on the force, police said.
“When we take our oath of office, we assume a tremendous responsibility which includes upholding the values and maintaining the integrity of our Police Department and profession,” Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna said in a statement. “When an officer betrays the public trust we have worked so hard to cultivate, they must be held accountable.”
If convicted, Benskin faces up to 25 years and eight months in prison.
For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
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