Cops: Elmont woman assaulted ex with pliers

A 23-year-old Elmont woman was arrested Tuesday evening after police said she violated an order of protection by entering her ex-boyfriend's apartment and striking him in the face with a pair of pliers.

Tricia Mercier, of Woodstock Street, was arrested at the scene in Elmont on charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, aggravated criminal contempt, first-degree criminal contempt, fourth-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. She faces arraignment Wednesday in First District Court, Hempstead.

Nassau County police said the victim, a 45-year-old man, suffered facial bruising and lacerations during the attack, which broke his glasses.

The incident began at about 5:30 p.m., police said, when Mercier placed a series of phone calls to the victim, in violation of a court-mandated protection order. The calls were described by police as "alarming in nature."

Minutes after those calls, police said, the victim heard a car horn honking outside his residence -- and saw Mercier in her car.

The woman then entered the apartment, police said, and struck the victim in the face with a pair of pliers.

The man was treated at a hospital and released.