Prison Employee Charged With Assaulting Girlfriend

Julio Bagu, 37, of Bedford Hills was arrested after he allegedly punched his girlfriend in the face and left her home, taking her cell phone to prevent her from calling emergency services.

Police responded to her residence in Bedford Hills at 11:15 a.m. after the alleged victim was able to contact police. She said she and Bagu were in a relationship and they had an argument during which he assaulted her. After he punched her repeatedly and threw her to the ground, she said, he fled the Rome Avenue residence.

Police said she was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Police said they found Bagu at the Taconic Correctional Facility, where he is employed. Police found the phone belonging to Bagu's girlfriend's in his car during a consent search. Bagu was arrested and charged with first degree criminal contempt, third degree assault with intent to physically injure, fourth degree criminal mischief/disable equipment to prevent emergency, petty larceny and fourth degree criminal possessoion of stolen property.

Bagu was arraigned by Judge Jacobsen and an order of protection was put in place for his girlfriend. He was taken to Westchester County jail in lieu of$10,000 bail. He is due in Bedford town court this week.

South Salem man charged in driving arrest

Robert Ford, 49, of South Salem was arrested on April 13 after being observed by Bedford police allegedly using his cel phone while driving.

Police said they observed him driving a Chevy Suburban while using his phone in Depot Plaza in Bedford Hills and pulled him over on Adams Street. A computer check revealed he had a suspended license. Ford was charged with third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a car and using a cel phone while driving. He was released without bail pending a return to town court.