A Hollywood Police lieutenant faces serious allegations after being accused of battery against an elderly woman. Osvaldo Perez, 50, was charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older, and with domestic abuse following the incident, according to records from the Broward Jail. The accusations include forcefully grabbing and pushing the woman into a parked car, which resulted in a shoulder fracture for the victim, as reported by WSVN.
Following the incident, Hollywood Police confirmed that Perez, a 25-year veteran with the department, has been placed on administrative leave. In a statement obtained by NBC Miami, Chief Jeff Devlin stated, "The Hollywood Police Department was made aware of allegations of domestic violence involving Lieutenant Osvaldo Perez, a 25-year veteran of HPD. The Hollywood Police Department takes domestic violence very seriously and Lt. Perez has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation." The reported assault took place earlier this week, prompting an immediate response from the authorities.
Perez reportedly turned himself in on the same day the warrant for his arrest was issued. He later bonded out of jail while awaiting further legal proceedings. Details regarding the context of the altercation or the relationship between Perez and the victim have not been disclosed.
In a step towards ensuring an impartial inquiry, Hollywood Police have relinquished the investigation to the nearby Miramar Police Department. "We are fully cooperating with the Miramar Police Department, who is handling this investigation, to ensure transparency and accountability," Devlin went on to say in the statement reported by NBC Miami.
