Chester County Man Accused Of Abusing, Kidnapping Wife
Posted:
Updated:
Lirim Rufati, 24, is accused of physically and sexually assaulting his wife on a regular basis. (Chester County District Attorney's Office)
Ernest Manerchia is accused of slapping his wife and attempting to strangle her. (Chester County District Attorney's Office)
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. -
A 24-year-old student at West Chester University was arrested in Chester County after the District Attorney's office says he repeatedly abused his wife and eventually attempted to deport her.
Lirim Rufati is accused of physically and sexually assaulting his wife on a regular basis. Investigators say he repeatedly struck her and raped her.
After a neighbor reported the abuse, investigators say she was taken to a safe location by West Goshen Police officers. However, Rufati allegedly tracked her down and drove her to JFK International Airport in New York, where he attempted to force her onto a plane back to Macedonia, where the two met in an arranged marriage.
A police officer intervened at a check-in area at the airport, and Rufati was taken into custody.
According to the district attorney, Rufati faces aggravated assault, kidnapping and other charges.
"This case demonstrated tremendous communication and cooperation between the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, police in New York and the West Goshen Police Department," West Goshen Police Chief Joseph Gleason said in a statement.
In an unrelated case, the district attorney's office also announced Monday the arrest of a Delaware County police officer accused of slapping his wife in the face and then attempting to strangle her.
The district attorney's office says Ernest Manerchia, who lives in West Chester, is a member of the Chester Police Department's SWAT team.
Manerchia was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police and faces aggravated assault, simple assault and other related charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:19:45 GMT
Firefighters are at the scene of an apartment building fire in Allentown where authorities say one person has been found dead, but his death is believed to be unrelated to the blaze.
Firefighters are at the scene of an apartment building fire in Allentown where authorities say one person has been found dead, but his death is believed to be unrelated to the blaze.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:06:41 GMT
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:55 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:55:21 GMT
Today's weather? Cloudy, muggy, and eventually, stormy. If you get a strong to severe storm, it would probably be lat afternoon and evening. Highs in the upper 70s. Some of the storms will produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds.
This system is from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. It will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:39 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:39:12 GMT
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:59:02 GMT
The Philadelphia parents who admitted to praying for their sick baby instead of getting him medical attention are charged with third-degree murder. Herbert and Catherine Schaible's seven-month-old son,
The Philadelphia parents who admitted to praying for their sick baby instead of getting him medical attention are charged with third-degree murder. Herbert and Catherine Schaible's seven-month-old son,
Lirim Rufati, 24, is accused of physically and sexually assaulting his wife on a regular basis. (Chester County District Attorney's Office)
Ernest Manerchia is accused of slapping his wife and attempting to strangle her. (Chester County District Attorney's Office)
