Caught on Tape: Officers Kick, Punch Prone Suspect After Chase

From WJLA Channel 7:

COLUMBIA, Md. - At least two law enforcement officers kicked and punched a suspect who was already laying on the ground after a high-speed chase Thursday, something the Howard County police chief called "not acceptable."

It was caught on tape by NewsChopper 7.

"It looks like he initially tries to grab the officer's foot, but it's really hard to tell," said retired FBI (web) Special Agent Brad Garrett when ABC 7 / NewsChannel 8 showed him the video. "If there's some indication or some information that he could be armed, you're going to want to stop his arms, and maybe the only way you can stop him is to punch him."

"I've seen the video and I have some concerns," said Chief Bill McMahon. "Some of what I saw on that video is clearly not what I expect from my officers. It is not acceptable."

McMahon says an internal investigation into the behavior of some of the officers is already underway.

"I have directed our internal affairs division to conduct an investigation into some of the actions that took place during the arrest," Chief McMahon said in a statement. "Even though this suspect put innocent lives at risk on the road, I always want my officers to meet the highest possible standards."

The chase began around 12:55 p.m. at Dorsey Run Road and Patuxent Range Road in Jessup, Md., when officers attempted to stop Stephen Zombro, 40, police said.

Zombro had been under police surveillance, police said. He had been driving erratically, they said.

An armada of officers pursued the suspect. Investigators say it remains unclear where the pursuit began.

During the chase, officers threw Stop Sticks at the vehicle -- devices that disable tires. Police credit them for blowing out three of the pickup's tires.

After the suspect vehicle pulled a U-turn through the median on Route 32, officers rammed his vehicle twice, spinning it out of control. It came to a stop in the eastbound lanes of Route 32 between Cedar Lane and Route 29.

When the suspect vehicle stopped, a man exited the driver's side and laid on the ground. Officers swarmed him and subdued him.

People who live in Columbia, Md. near where the chase ended had mixed reactions when they watched the footage.

"Oh look, I don't see any reason they should be hitting him," said Columbia resident Jeff Crooks. "He laid down immediately."

"It seemed there that the ends justified the means, had to take this guy down," countered Columbia resident Brent Hildebrand. "Wasn't even sure if he had weapons on him."

Zombro was transported to Howard County General Hospital, police said. A preliminary evaluation has revealed no serious injuries, police said.

One officer received minor injuries in the chase that led to the arrest.

Zombro faces charges of fleeing and eluding police, assaulting law enforcement officers and reckless endangerment.

Investigators say they are also charging him with possession of heroin and crack cocaine.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• police
• brutality
• police-brutality

[ch1mpanzeethat]

driving like that he endangered the lives of hundreds of innocent people, and thats before we go into the fact he was a fucking junkie. Got exactly what he deserved, great police work, we need american cops here in the UK.

[spoiala199]

why don't they kill him and get over it because they will say they where affraid or somthing and theyshot him that seems fair wright? bitches!!!FUCK THE POLICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ch1mpanzeethat]

@macheteboy3590 how about we say to criminals "behave, or the police will fuck you up". Thats what i believe, and no one else's opinion means a thing to me.

[macheteboy3590]

@nicklez456 Facist pigs.

[macheteboy3590]

@mercy777ish Corruption at it's finest. Plice brutality is a very serious and punishable crime.

[macheteboy3590]

@spoiala199 Fucking filthy pigs

[macheteboy3590]

@ch1mpanzeethat He was driving fast why? Oh yeah, because pigs were chasing him. Where's the spike strip? I am pretty sure ramming a car on a highway is more dangerous than traveling at faster than legal speeds.

And the police who committed this brutality should be arrested and stripped of their power. Filthy corrupted pig. Laws are made to punish for crimes. Physical violence on behalf of your own opinion is barbaric and to be frank, childish.

Please grow up, we don't need savages.

[mercy777ish]

Beautiful job, officers ! Love it !!

[Lauren199612]

thats not great police work at all, that was disgusting.

and the fact that the suspect got out of the car and laid straight to the ground, there was no need for the police officers to engage like that.

[mrstuperstefan]

@nicklez456 I must have missed the beating.

[nicklez456]

from 1:10 tO 1:33 these cocksuckers are taking turns kneeing him... fag pig bitches.. FUCK POLICE