Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Yonkers police are being accused of using excessive force in the arrest of a city couple on Hamilton Avenue last night, an allegation that comes just two days after federal law enforcement officials announced a probe into brutality claims against the department.
Eric Brown, 27, and his wife Monique Vasquez were arrested yesterday evening after a confrontation with police that injured three officers and outraged witnesses. They were walking a dog on Hamilton Avenue at Post Street at about 5 p.m. when, according to Yonkers police, officers approached Brown because his dog defecated on the sidewalk and he did not clean it up.
Yonkers Lt. Phillip Collins said when officers tried to give Brown a summons, he became extremely agitated and started yelling, causing a crowd to gather. Police arrested Brown after he allegedly he raised his hands toward an officer and, Collins said, found a small amount of marijuana in Brown's front right pocket.
When Brown began struggling with the officers, Vasquez tried to get between them, flailing her arms and kicking her feet, Collins said.
But residents who witnessed the incident told a local cable news reporter that eight officers were on top of Brown, and that they repeatedly used racial epitaphs, including the "N" word. News 12 also ran a clip of an amateur video showing a large police presence on the street and, at one point, several officers carrying a handcuffed person away. The person who shot the video couldn't be determined this morning.
Brown and Vasquez were charged with disorderly conduct, a violation and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. Brown faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. Both are scheduled to be arraigned today at about 11 a.m. in Yonkers City Court.
As feds probe, new allegation emerges against Yonkers PD
Eric Brown, 27, and his wife Monique Vasquez were arrested yesterday evening after a confrontation with police that injured three officers and outraged witnesses. They were walking a dog on Hamilton Avenue at Post Street at about 5 p.m. when, according to Yonkers police, officers approached Brown because his dog defecated on the sidewalk and he did not clean it up.
Yonkers Lt. Phillip Collins said when officers tried to give Brown a summons, he became extremely agitated and started yelling, causing a crowd to gather. Police arrested Brown after he allegedly he raised his hands toward an officer and, Collins said, found a small amount of marijuana in Brown's front right pocket.
When Brown began struggling with the officers, Vasquez tried to get between them, flailing her arms and kicking her feet, Collins said.
But residents who witnessed the incident told a local cable news reporter that eight officers were on top of Brown, and that they repeatedly used racial epitaphs, including the "N" word. News 12 also ran a clip of an amateur video showing a large police presence on the street and, at one point, several officers carrying a handcuffed person away. The person who shot the video couldn't be determined this morning.
Brown and Vasquez were charged with disorderly conduct, a violation and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. Brown faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. Both are scheduled to be arraigned today at about 11 a.m. in Yonkers City Court.
As feds probe, new allegation emerges against Yonkers PD
