Robert Luna

Long Beach Detective Arrested on Suspicion of Assaulting Ex's Boyfriend

A former Long Beach police detective was arrested Monday on a felony complaint alleging he assaulted his estranged wife's boyfriend.

Toby Benskin, 34, faces three counts of assault with a firearm, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count each of assault, making criminal threats, first-degree burglary and false imprisonment.

He's being held on $200,000 bail and set to be arraigned downtown on Wednesday on the charges, for which he could face up to 25 years and eight months in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors allege Benskin -- while employed as a city police officer -- broke into the alleged victim's Long Beach home on Oct. 27, 2015, and assaulted and threatened to kill the man before threatening his roommate.

Benskin then allegedly forcibly dragged his estranged wife out of the residence.

The Long Beach Police Department learned of the alleged off-duty crime the following day, launched an administrative investigation and placed Benskin on administrative leave.

Benskin, a 14-year veteran who was assigned to the LBPD's Investigations Bureau, was fired on June 20 and the department presented the case to the District Attorney's Office.

"When we take our oath of office, we assume a tremendous responsibility which includes upholding the values and maintaining the integrity of our police department and profession,'' Long Beach police Chief Robert Luna said in a statement. "When an officer betrays the public trust we have worked so hard to cultivate, they must be held accountable.''

Benskin was arrested this morning by Orange County sheriff's deputies in the city of Orange.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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