A California cop punched a female suspected shoplifter in the head while arresting her for allegedly stealing $2,000 worth of goods from a mall, according to a now-viral video.
The 50-second video, which has more than 780,000 views on TikTok, opens with the end of a car chase in Vallejo on Friday, when officers were attempting to cuff the suspect, who allegedly shoplifted with an accomplice from the Gateway Plaza shopping mall.
The officer walks up to the driver, who had not been identified, and pulls her out of the car as she resists him. The officer then slams her against the car before grabbing her by her hair and tossing 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, with police saying it was necessary to get her to comply.
@romyrhamiltonJust witnessed this crash right in front of me then this♬ original sound – Romyr Hamilton
The officer then holds the woman still with his knees as she tries to wriggle, and he is able to put the handcuffs on her as other officers arrive at the scene.
Vallejo police said the incident began after a loss-prevention officer waved down officers and told them about a duo who had stolen merchandise from the shopping plaza, KTVU reports.
The cops were able to locate the suspects based on the loss-prevention officer’s description, but when they initially tried 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 an SUV carrying a mother and her two 4-year-old sons, police said.
While the mother was reported injured, the two boys were not harmed in the crash.
As the officer arrested the driver, her alleged accomplice ran from 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 appear to be the same pair of suspects who stole about $1,000 worth of merchandise from a store Sept. 26.
Records show the driver was already on felony probation for grand theft and shoplifting and had previously been arrested Oct. 4 for stealing $30,000 worth of products from another business, police said.
Her accomplice, who was also not identified, has a $10,000 warrant for her arrest in San Mateo for burglary and a $50,000 warrant in Napa for grand theft.
Officials said both women were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
The arrest is currently under review by the Vallejo Police Department under their use-of-force policy.
Punch her again for the shit she stole from others and wasn’t caught.
I hope the officer did not suffer any injuries to his knuckles.
Excellent, got what they deserved from the officer. Unfortunately they won’t get anything from the cesspool court system.