Cops: Levittown man charged in teen's choking

A 47-year-old Levittown man was arrested after police said he choked an 18-year-old girl he claimed to have seen drinking alcohol, and then he identified himself as a federal agent to responding officers.

Nassau County police said Warren J. Collins is a bail bondsman. He was arrested after the incident in Elmont Saturday night, charged with first-degree criminal impersonation and obstruction of breathing.

He was arraigned Sunday in First District Court in Hempstead. Records show he was ordered held on $20,000 bond or $5,000 cash bail, which, according to records, he did not post.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.

Police said Collins, of 76 Abbey Lane, was holding the victim "on the ground choking her" when officers arrived at the scene of a reported disturbance near the intersection of Meacham Avenue and Eagle Avenue at about 10:15 p.m.

He told officers he was a federal agent, police said.

"He thinks this 18-year-old girl is drinking," a police spokesman said. "He approaches her. She doesn't know him, so she tries to walk away. He grabs her. I'm a federal agent, he says. He's not a federal agent. He's still choking her when the officers arrive."

Police said the victim, whose identity was not released, was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released.

Police said in addition to the charges against Collins an investigation revealed he had an open warrant for third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle.