Boyfriend who claimed moped-riding duo stabbed girlfriend to death on City Island NYC road charged with murder

A 44-year-old Bronx man was charged Friday in the murder of his 30-year-old girlfriend — after he initially cast blame on a moped-riding duo who he claimed stabbed his gal pal while he relieved himself on the side of the road, cops and sources said.

Franklin Batallas, 44, was arrested at 1 p.m. and charged with murder, two counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the Wednesday night murder of Anthonella Contreras Linarez, 30, on City Island, police confirmed.

Batallas initially claimed that he and Linarez were on their way to dinner around 8:10 p.m. when the couple pulled over just outside Rodman’s Neck — allegedly because the man had to urinate, law enforcement sources said.

He claimed two men pulled up on a moped while he was doing his business, tried to rob Contreras Linarez and stabbed her multiple times when she resisted before they fled.

He said he then rushed back to the car and tried to stop the thugs, only to be slashed while trying to play hero, sources said.

Linarez, who was stabbed multiple times all over her body, was rushed to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, police said.

Batallas, who had a stab wound on his right forearm, was taken to the same hospital in stable condition before he was ultimately connected to the crime, police said.

“Devastated,” Contreras Linarez’s heartbroken dad, Marcos Contreras, told The Post Thursday, while cops were still probing what had happened.

“Police are investigating, so I can’t say it wasn’t that way. I have to wait until the police investigate.

“There is always doubt,” the grieving father added.

Contreras Linarez had worked as a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Morningside hospital.

“The Mount Sinai Health System community is mourning the loss of one of our own,” a hospital spokesperson said Thursday. “We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to family, friends and colleagues, and ask that you keep them in your thoughts.”