Civilian-shot footage of a violent arrest has spurred an excessive force investigation at a police department in California. The graphic footage was taken Sunday night during the arrest of a grand theft auto suspect, KTLA reported. At the time of this writing, none of the involved Santa Ana Police Department officers have been identified.
Police told reporters the arrest was prompted by two officers coming across a car with no license plates. The vehicle was driven by Jesus Martinez, the man seen being kicked and hit with a baton by officers in the footage. Both Martinez and passenger Gabriel Mendoza were not wearing seatbelts. When Martinez failed to follow orders to pull the vehicle over, a high-speed pursuit was initiated, ending with Martinez attempting to leave the scene on foot.
Footage shows the officers hitting, kicking, and using a taser on Martinez. At one point, an officer tells Martinez to “get your fucking hands behind your back,” but appears to be making it impossible for Martinez to do so.
“I’m very grateful that they do put themselves on the line to help us, and help all innocent people,” Roxana Cedillo, who shot the footage from her home, told KTLA. “But in that case, he was already on the ground. There was no need for the brutal part.”
Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said the investigation is being handled by the department’s internal affairs unit, who will “look at the whole incident and evaluate whether this officer’s use of force was within policy or out of policy.” Martinez and Mendoza were both arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto, handgun replica possession, and narcotics possession. According to the Orange County Register, both face possible sentence enhancements related to gang affiliations.
The Santa Ana Police Department did not immediately respond to Complex’s request for comment.
