San Jose police announced that a video on social media showing officers using force to arrest a suspect occurred on Saturday night in East San Jose after the suspect attacked an officer with a bottle and resisted arrest.
The video, posted Sunday on Facebook and other social media sites, appears to show a San Jose police officer repeatedly jabbing a suspect with the end of a baton and several officers trying to subdue the suspect, who is heard groaning and yelling.
Sgt. Enrique Garcia said today that the Police Department is reviewing the incident on the video and that the department had yet to launch its planned pilot program for some officers to wear body-worn video cameras.
Police said that the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Juan Moreno-Lopez, had been walking east on Story Road east of White Road at 8:45 p.m. Saturday and as two officers approached, he threw something into some bushes and tried to flee on foot.
Officers chased him to the middle of the intersection of Story and White roads, where he turned toward them in a combative manner, attempted to attack one officer with a bottle and engaged in a fight with both officers, according to police.
"Officers were attempting to have this person comply," Garcia said. "And he was not complying."
The officers called for emergency backup and additional officers arrived to help subdue Lopez, who continued to resist, police said.
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Police said Moreno-Lopez fought with officers while being handcuffed, hit with batons and punched and Tasered multiple times.
Lopez continued to resist after police placed him in handcuffs and because of his violent behavior, paramedics at the scene placed him on a gurney in an additional restraint and transported him to a hospital for medical examination, according to police.
Once he was released from the hospital, Lopez was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, being under the influence of a stimulant, possession of methamphetamine and destruction of evidence, police said.
Roberto Tejada witnessed the violent incident and said his brother took the cell phone video. Through a translator, Tejada said he thinks police went too far.
"It seemed a bit cruel the treatment he was receiving, although he did seem a bit drunk," Tejada said. "But I think it was excessive force."
Police said criminal and internal investigations are underway for the incident.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident involving Lopez to contact the department's assault unit at 408-277-4161.
