by
Andrew Delgado
SAN
ANTONIO -- An officer with the Helotes Police Department has been placed on
suspension without pay after being arrested Tuesday on suspicion of assault.
Lieutenant
Elliot Rodriguez, 42, was taken into custody after reportedly strangling a
family member, according to an affidavit.
Investigators
said Rodriguez went to his girlfriend's house after work on Sunday, around 3
a.m., and got into an argument with her over a conversation she had been having
with a male friend through text messages.
Rodriguez
allegedly became angry and grabbed the victim, choking her with enough force to
leave two red marks across her throat.
Rodriguez
has been with HPD for close to 15 years and was employed with the Live Oak
Police Department for more than a year.
The
suspension will remain in effect until the case is closed, according to HPD.
The
suspect is being forced to relinquish his badge, weapon, radio and all other
department property. He cannot use his HPD commission for any police-related
job and his position will be re-evaluated after the investigation is complete.