Springfield Police Officer arrested

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - 22News has confirmed that Springfield Police Officer Eleni Mendez was arrested in Somers, Connecticut.

According to the Connecticut State Police, on Tuesday, Officer Mendez damaged an acquaintance's Mercedes-Benz.

The police report states that a woman named Nataliya Smirnova made an unannounced visit to her home.

Smirnova allegedly started throwing objects in the driveway when Mendez and another relative came out of the garage with a shovel, and started smashing the car.

Officer Mendez is charged with criminal mischief, breach of peace, threatening and reckless endangerment. She is scheduled to be in court on January 23rd.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney told 22News that Mendez is considered injured on duty, and has not returned to work since suffering a severe concussion while trying to break up a fight at Fat Cat's on Worthington Street in November.