Stamford Man Charged With Strangling Girlfriend and Assaulting a Minor

Elmin Amaya-Lopez, 27, of Stamford, was arrested at 12:42 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and charged with over ten felonies, including third degree sexual assault, strangulation, reckless endangerment, and six counts of threatening.

"He was arrested on two warrants, one from Special Victims Unit and one from Special Investigations Juvenile Offenses," SPD Sgt. Adrian Novia said.

Amaya-Lopez's first warrant was approved based upon an investigation that took place on Aug. 22.

"Officers were sent to Stamford Hospital to investigate a report of a minor who'd been fondled," Novia said.

The suspect's second warrant was approved in response to a report of assault and strangulation by his girlfriend.

"After the victim had been dating the suspect for one year, he began showing violent tendencies. He apparently attacked her numerous times during that period," Novia said. "On the evening of Aug. 24, she informed him that she was ending the relationship. He told her that if she left, he'd kill her. At 7:30 p.m. that evening, he became angry, punched her in the back and the shoulder, and then choked her. Also, during that evening, he threatened her with a handgun."

According to SPD, the adult victim didn't report earlier incidents with Amaya-Lopez out of fear for her life.

"The investigations were simultaneous," Novia said. "At 12:20 p.m on Aug. 25, police went to serve the warrants at 191 Frederick Street, Stamford. He resisted arrest, but was still taken into custody."

In total, Amaya-Lopez is charged with six counts of threatening, three separate counts of risk of injury, one count of sexual assault, two counts of strangulation, one count of assault, one count of disorderly conduct, and one count of reckless endangerment.

Amaya-Lopez is currently being held on a combined bond of $400,000, which he has not posted. He will appear in court Friday afternoon.