Written by AARON CASTREJON | City Watch Editor
WEST COVINA - Police are investigating a traffic stop caught on cell phone video that shows a West Covina officer attempting to forcefully take a woman’s cell phone April 12.
Eileen Aquino and her husband Chris Moreno believe their civil rights were violated during the stop. The unidentified officer’s demeanor changed from friendly to stern when he discovered that Moreno was on probation for a gun violation, Aquino told KTLA 5 news. Aquino said one of the officers punched and kicked her handcuffed husband, while her dress came up while she exited her vehicle to be handcuffed, partially exposing her bottom and the officer refused to let her adjust her dress. The traffic stop was initiated at Meadow Road and Garvey Avenue last Thursday over husband and wife’s vehicle not displaying plates. Aquino and Moreno said they provided officers with the paperwork. Aquino and Moreno said the officers denied their request to have a higher-ranking officer to be present during a vehicle search, but began complying once Moreno was cuffed and taken out of the vehicle. Aquino began recording the officers, much to their chagrin.
One of the officers told her to put the phone down and remove her seatbelt and place her purse on the driver side, but she refused.
“No, I am going to hold my phone because I have my rights. My mom worked for the Sheriff’s Department, she’s still working,” KTLA 5 reported. The officer then forcefully entered the vehicle and tried to grab the still-recording cell phone. The department is investigating the incident, Sgt. Tim Rodgers of the West Covina Police Department told KTLA 5 news. Aquino and Moreno were apparently not cited for the license plate issue, instead cited over having an open marijuana container to which Aquino said there was only residue in the container. |
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