Boardman woman reports assaults by boyfriend, his family


By Jordyn Grzelewski

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

A woman reported to township police that between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, her boyfriend hurt her — and his relatives then came to her residence and assaulted her in retaliation for his arrest.

Leslie Williams III, 25, of Melrose Avenue, faces charges of domestic violence and operating a motor vehicle while impaired after township police responded to a 911 call at his residence late Tuesday. His girlfriend and mother of his 4-month-old child told police that he berated her, pulled her hair and grabbed her arms after she returned home that night from the hospital, leaving her with visible injuries.

Police found Williams driving along Indianola Road. After stopping him, they discovered that he was impaired, according to a police report.

When an officer tried to have Williams perform a field sobriety test, Williams reportedly tried to get out of it by offering the officer free pizza from a local restaurant where he works.

Williams then was arrested on domestic-violence and OVI charges, at which point police said he became “agitated.” Williams repeatedly mentioned his business and that he could give officers pizza and also used slurs while addressing the police. He also refused to submit to an OVI test.

Williams was taken to the Mahoning County jail and later posted bond.

A separate police report filed early Wednesday by the same victim and a friend alleges that two relatives of Williams texted the victim threatening things after his arrest, and then came to the Melrose Avenue residence, forcibly entered and attacked the woman.

The suspects reportedly punched the victim multiple times in the head, dragged her across the floor by the hair and knocked her against a chair. One of the suspects reportedly pushed the woman’s friend who was present during the incident.

The suspects also reportedly took the victim’s phone and deleted the threatening messages.

The victim was taken to the hospital for her injuries, and her child was released to the custody of her friend.

Police are investigating the incident as a case of aggravated burglary, assault, retaliation, tampering with evidence and telecommunications harassment.

Williams is scheduled to appear in Mahoning County Area Court today.