Vermilion police officer arrested

VERMILION – Vermilion Police Officer Robert Forrider, 33, was arrested Sunday morning after he allegedly strangled his live-in girlfriend during an argument about their son.

According to police reports, officers from the Vermilion Police Department responded to Forrider’s Oakview Drive house for a report of domestic violence. Deputies from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office arrived soon after, because of the conflict of interest that Vermilion officers had with Forrider.

According to the reports, Forrider’s live-in girlfriend told deputies that the incident started when she and Forrider got into an argument over their son sleeping on the couch with her. She claimed, according to the reports, that Forrider eventually became violent and began strangling her on the couch. She claimed to deputies that she struck him several times in self defense but he continued to strangle her. She said that eventually stopped when he went outside with his kids, the report states.

The reports state that Forrider claimed to deputies that they only got into an verbal argument and neither of them ever became physical.

Forrider was charged with domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor, and was transported to the Erie County Jail. Deputies, according to the report, seized three firearms from the house.

Vermilion Police Chief Chris Hartung told Huron Insider on Tuesday that Forrider is currently on administrative leave.

This article was written by Nate Hinners. Contact Nate at nhinners@huroninsider.com.