BUT An extended police chase ended in a chaotic search for suspects at the Downey Mall on Tuesday when a dog handler bit a man with no involvement in the crime under investigation.
The chase ended near the Imperial Highway and Paramount Boulevard at a liquor store.
At this time, a helicopter from the ABC station captured a man in a baseball cap walking away from a liquor store when bitten by a K-9 officer.
Nonetheless, Witnesses told ABC7 on Wednesday that the man had nothing to do with the chase. They said that the man’s name is Angel and he is a frequent customer at the liquor store.
They said he had just stopped for a drink on Tuesday evening, minutes before the police entered the area.
“My client drank beer and was bitten by a police dog”said store owner Suran Jikh.
A new video obtained by ABC7 shows a handcuffed man lying on the ground and at one point trying to talk to an officer.
The video shows how he raises his head and, as it were, says to the officers: “It’s not me. I didn’t do it.”
Experts said that for Angel, this could mean a possible legal action.
“The K-9 bite is considered a high-level force incident, so they will send a special team,” said Bruce Thomas, ABC7 law enforcement expert.
“They will actually go to the hospital and try to reduce the damage, like ‘We have a blank check, is that a good number for you?’ and if not, they may seek lawyers in the future and end up suing the county or city, depending on who owns the dog.”
As a result, the man received medical attention.
“Obviously they will take the suspect to the hospital and treat him, this is only part of the requirements when an officer uses force,” Thomas said.
The California Highway Patrol said officers later found the driver and said a total of three people were taken into custody. They have not released an update on the incident involving Angel and K-9.
The agency said they were all inside the suspect vehicle during the chase.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the driver was wanted for reckless driving, and police later discovered the vehicle was involved in an armed robbery in El Monte.
Source: La Opinion
Alfred Hart is an accomplished journalist known for his expert analysis and commentary on global affairs. He currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker, where he provides readers with in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues affecting the world today. With a keen insight and a deep understanding of international politics and economics, Alfred’s writing is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world we live in.