A California police officer hit a suspected shoplifter in the head while arresting her for allegedly stealing $2,000 worth of goods from a shopping mall, according to a now-viral video.
The 50-second video, which has more than 780,000 views on TikTok, begins with the end of a car chase in Vallejo on Friday, as officers attempted to handcuff the suspect, who allegedly robbed with an accomplice at the Gateway Plaza shopping center.
The officer approaches the driver, who had not been identified, and pulls her out of the car as she resists. The officer then slams her against the car before grabbing her by her hair and throwing her to the ground.
As the woman appears to resist while lying on the ground, the arresting officer can be seen punching her in the head, and police said it was necessary to force her to comply.
A Vallejo, California, police officer punched an alleged shoplifter in the head on Friday.romyrhamilton/TikTok
The officer then holds the woman still with his knees while she attempts to squirm, and may handcuff her while other officers arrive at the scene.
Vallejo police said the incident began after a loss prevention officer flagged down officers and told them about a duo who had stolen merchandise from the shopping plaza, KTVU reports.
Officers were able to locate the suspects based on the loss prevention officer’s description, but when they initially attempted to arrest the driver, she allegedly resisted and drove away.
The car chase was short-lived when the suspects ran a red light and collided with two vehicles, including a cement truck and a pickup truck carrying a mother and her two 4-year-old children, police said.
The suspect resisted when the officer pulled her out of the car. romyrhamilton/TikTok
While the mother was reportedly injured, the two children were unharmed in the accident.
When the officer arrested the driver, her alleged accomplice fled the scene. The fleeing woman was eventually stopped by a passerby.
Vallejo police said they recovered $2,000 worth of merchandise from the car. Officials added that the duo appears to be the same pair of suspects who stole about $1,000 in merchandise from a store on September 26.
After hitting her, the officer was able to restrain the suspect and put handcuffs on him.romyrhamilton/TikTok
Records show the driver was already on probation for felony grand larceny and shoplifting and had previously been arrested on Oct. 4 for stealing $30,000 worth of merchandise from another business, police said.
His accomplice, who was also not identified, has a $10,000 warrant out of San Mateo for robbery and a $50,000 warrant out of Napa for grand theft.
Authorities said both women were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
The arrest is currently under review by the Vallejo Police Department under its use of force policy.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn