LI Man Punched Ex-Girlfriend, Held Pillow To Her Face: Police

FARMINGDALE, NY — A man was arrested in Farmingdale after he was accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend on Sunday evening, Nassau police said.

Patrick Okula, 31, of Bethpage, became involved in a domestic dispute with his 28-year-old ex-girlfriend at a Farmingdale home around 6:20 p.m., police said. Okula punched the woman and forced a pillow over her face to obstruct her breathing, police said. The woman freed herself and called 911 on her cell phone before Okula snatched the device away, police said. Okula then forced the pillow over her face several more times before she was able to contact police, officials said.

The woman suffered minor injuries, and her 5-month-old son was there during the altercation, police said.

Okula resisted arrest but was eventually brought into custody, police said. He was found to have the woman's cell phone, police said.

Okula was charged with second-degree attempted murder, second-degree robbery, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Mineola.