Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor WEST COVINA - The West Covina Police Department issued a rebuttal Wednesday evening to the claims by a woman detained at a traffic stop that excessive force was used.
The woman, who identified herself in media interviews as Eileen Aquino, alleged 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. Aquino recorded the confrontation with the officer as he grabbed her phone and posted the recording to Facebook, but the video has since been taken down. The most damning claims made by Aquino were not recorded on her cell phone video and the West Covina Police Department refutes Aquino’s claims. Two West Covina officers conducted a traffic stop April 12 for a vehicle not displaying its license plates and upon running the license of driver, identified by Aquino as Chris Moreno, learned he was a convicted arsonist, on probation and previously arrested for possession of a loaded firearm, West Covina Police said. The driver is also a convicted felon with previous convictions for battery on a police officer, arson and being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded firearm, West Covina Police said. The officer running the license decided to investigate further by conducting a probation search of the vehicle. “The officer requested the female and male to exit the vehicle. The male initially complied but later became agitated. The female passenger delayed exiting the vehicle and was recording the incident with a cellular phone,” West Covina Police said. The officer asked Aquino to put the phone down for safety reasons. She refused to comply and a confrontation occurred. A written complaint was filed and will be investigated by West Covina Police. Aquino and Moreno were not arrested and were released at the scene. The department plans on releasing the dash camera footage, which they said disputes Aquino’s claims. |
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