Caught on camera: Haverstraw officer slams, allegedly chokes underage teen outside bodega
The video has no sound but shows what appears to be a Haverstraw police sergeant suddenly choke-slamming the teen, Andres Garcia, into the storefront window.
A 17-year-old from Haverstraw is speaking out after a violent encounter with police that was caught on camera.
News 12 has obtained exclusive surveillance footage showing the incident, which occurred just after 10 p.m. Sunday outside Central Market La Bodega on Broadway - hours after the town’s Dominican Day parade.
The video has no sound but shows what appears to be a Haverstraw police sergeant suddenly choke-slamming the teen, Andres Garcia, into the storefront window. Moments later, more officers are seen rushing in and surround him.
“It was a blur. I didn’t expect him to strangle me like that,” Garcia told News 12.
Garcia says he had gone to the store after hearing about a friend’s arrest and was asking officers why people were being told to leave when the situation escalated.
News 12 also obtained surveillance footage from about 15 minutes earlier, showing the man Garcia said was arrested, with his arm in a sling being taken to the ground by police and seemingly punched in the ribs. It’s unclear what led to that arrest.
Garcia was arrested in the incident and issued an appearance ticket for disorderly conduct.
Some community members say the officers’ actions went too far.
“There’s a difference between doing your job and excessive force. I think they take it too far,” said Robert Vasquez, of Spring Valley.
Garcia says the experience left him shaken.
“Last night I kept on rewatching the video and I cried to it,” he said. “I was traumatized.”
He is calling for an apology and wants the sergeant involved to be retrained.
Haverstraw Police Chief John Gould Jr. tells News 12 the incident is under investigation and that any complaint made against an officer is taken seriously.
News 12 has also reached out to Town Supervisor Howard Phillips Jr., who released the following statement:
"There were numerous violations that evening ranging from disorderly conduct to local ordinance violations. This occurred after the Latin Festival ended which sent a large population into the downtown area of the Village of Haverstraw. The matter is currently under investigation. The Chief of Police with the Town Attorney will be questioning all the officers and any individuals in the public involved in the incident."
