JAMES CITY Co., Va. - A James City County man who’s a Henrico Police officer has been charged with assault and abduction among other offenses.
24-year-old Robert Swift, who goes by Luke, was charged with domestic assault and battery, felony credit card theft and two counts of felony abduction after James City County Deputy Police Chief Steve Rubino said his wife reported him on June 2.
In an interview with News 3, Rubino said the victim is Swift's wife. He said she reported details about incidents that happened on May 27 and June 1 at their home in Toano as well as in their vehicle while driving in James City County following an argument.
“We also learned of incidents where the suspect, Robert Swift, had also prevented his wife from leaving a vehicle that they were traveling in and also from leaving a room in the residence, stealing credit cards from her in an effort to prevent her from leaving,” Rubino said.
Rubino said he doesn't know how long they've been married or how long the alleged abuse has been going on.
News 3 knocked on the Swift’s door in their Toano neighborhood Thursday, but no one was home.
“It's just a very unfortunate situation,” said Rubino. “Obviously, she felt threatened, and was concerned enough to go to the magistrate.”
The James City County Police Department worked with Henrico County officials near Richmond to facilitate serving the outstanding warrants at the Henrico County Police Department.
Henrico County Chief of Police Eric English said, “Our sworn personnel are held to a higher caliber, and we recognize the severity of the allegations. We will monitor this case through our justice system to conclusion.”
Henrico officers served Swift with an arrest warrant while he was on duty Wednesday, June 2 and took him to Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.
“They're very serious charges,” said Rubino. “We take domestic assault very serious. The fact that Mr. Swift is a police officer in another jurisdiction is also very important for us to take this complaint seriously.”
News 3 spoke with several neighbors on Rock Rose Court who did not want to speak on camera but said they’re shocked. Many of them didn’t know the couple well because they said the Swifts just moved into the neighborhood in March, adding they seemed like a nice couple with no issues.
“It takes a lot for victims to come forward and to press charges, and to participate in the prosecution,” Rubino said. “We do everything we can to support the victims of domestic violence, in order for them to be able to live a safe life.”
Police said the wife suffered a cut inside her mouth, and a criminal probe is ongoing.
Henrico Police told News 3 swift has been with the department since 2018 and was assigned to the Patrol Operations division. They say he will be administratively assigned with no law enforcement duties pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
The Henrico Office of Professional Standards will conduct its own internal investigation into the incident.
Swift had a second bond hearing Friday morning in Williamsburg at the Domestic Relations Court and was released from jail on a $15,000 bond.
His next court date is scheduled for July 9 at 9 a.m.
