Victor Valley deputies arrest suspect following vehicle/horseback pursuit

[Wrightwood]

[SkierBob]

I can only begin to imagine if he was black...

The guy will be lucky if he lives

[sharyn]

I realize that cops are human too and can get caught up in emotions but this is not acceptable.  Once the man was down they should have just cuffed him. If they cannot control themselves they need to find a different line of work. 

[SkierBob]

This what is commonly referred to among deputies as a "Dog Pile".

I believe the first two officers should already be behind bars and possibly the other nine in the near future.

I'm also a firm believer that if you run from the cops you get what's coming.

[tcaarabians]

I'm reserving judgment on this one. And, I did see the video as shown on TV.  I thought the horse was quite well mannered despite its injuries from that idiot stealing him and racing off.  I do note that the horse evidently kicked a deputy. You never want to be kicked by a horse. It's worse than a taser. Course, I've never been hit by a taser.. just kicked by a horse.

This guy was a really bad guy with a long rap sheet. I'm still going to reserve judgment as to whether the level of force to subdue him and take him into custody was warranted or not.  It did look excessive from the news helicopter in the air.  I just note that he led Sheriff's on a multiple-hour chase, came across some people riding, stole one of their horses,  took off and then seemed to be resisting arrest when the horse threw him off.

At this point all I really think was that was a very, cool horse. cheryl o7o
 

[SkierBob]

I'm still going to reserve judgment as to whether the level of force to subdue him and take him into custody was warranted or not.

It's looks pretty cut and dry to me.  The LEO's beat the living crap out of him and perhaps beat him to death.  I read he was arrested for animal abuse so I'd say karma works. 

I found it funny the horse hung out just feet away from the excitement especially when he wasn't attached to anyone involved.  Must be a good horse. When I fall off my horse he kinda does the same thing. Just stands their with a 'what's your problem" look on his face. 

[Highlander]

I've noticed in the last ten years or so that it's hard to tell the players without a scorecard. The deputies (no matter which county) resemble gang members. Shaved heads, menacing eye contact, tattoos & a "bully swagger". Don't tell it's a hard job, blah-blah. I'm from a cop family & I was a LASD candidate in the early 80's.
What I saw on the news was a gang mentality. All on one, one on all, just like a street gang where no one fights one on one.
The perp is a scumbag & deserves an a-kicking just in general, however, when the perp goes to trial, his civil rights have been violated AND he suffered injuries at the hands of deputies. That settlement that will be paid is coming out of our pockets!
Gang members with a "do anything I want badge" and a legal gun. Too bad.
 

[SkierBob]

This statement made by officials does not fit the video "The horse threw the suspect off and a Taser was then deployed but it "was ineffective due to the suspect's loose clothing," the sheriff's department said in a statement. A use of force then occurred "

After the Taser was used the guy surrendered spread eagle then put his hands behind his back... then the use of force occurred. 

It looks like the guy has motocross pants and boots on. 

and yes he's a dirt bag. I have to wonder what type of women would spend 13 years with a guy that has a conviction for animal cruelty.  That alone allows me to have zero sympathy for him. 

[Wrightwood]

Update after San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon Friday news conference

http://4.nbcla.com/1Nm564I

[Wrightwood]

Updated 9 mins ago
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) --
Ten deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave after video showed a horse chase suspect being beaten while being taken into custody.

http://abc7.com/news/10-deputies-on-leave-after-beating-arrest-of-horse-chase-suspect/648396/

[tcaarabians]

I'm not going to go back and look at the video again. I will leave that to you sleuths. Gotta say, if that booking photo was taken after the incident yesterday.. he doesn't look like he's been beaten within an inch of his life. And, regardless of what a scumbag he appears to be.. no one deserves to be beaten if they're giving up.

I do wonder if the taser may have hit the horse?? And, that caused the horse to buck and throw him off. And, perhaps that is how he suffered some of his injuries?? Heck if I know. I've had worse bruises when a horse rolled me.

Anyway, all those officers are now on paid administrative leave while this investigation proceeds. It does sound like the Sheriff here is being forthcoming and wants to do a thorough investigation that no one will be happy with when it's over. And, we're ten deputies short for a while. I still really like that horse. cheryl o7o

[Wrightwood]

[Highlander]

Well, at least the horse didn't get worked over for abetting.......

[Joe Schmoe]

The deputies (no matter which county) resemble gang members. Shaved heads, menacing eye contact, tattoos & a "bully swagger". Don't tell it's a hard job, blah-blah. I'm from a cop family & I was a LASD candidate in the early 80's.
What I saw on the news was a gang mentality. All on one, one on all, just like a street gang where no one fights one on one.
The perp is a scumbag & deserves an a-kicking just in general, however, when the perp goes to trial, his civil rights have been violated AND he suffered injuries at the hands of deputies. That settlement that will be paid is coming out of our pockets!
Gang members with a "do anything I want badge" and a legal gun. Too bad.

Agree with all of this. It's a cultural problem.  On top of that, we're giving these same guys military hardware of all sorts. 

[tcaarabians]

Two more thoughts/questions: 

Why is the FBI jumping on this one so quickly?

Given a few of the comments in this thread: Why do some of you have an image of the officers in the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Dept as being somewhat akin to Nazi skin heads? I do think that is an important question that we, as a community, should ask ourselves. Is this a widespread belief? If so, how do we address it?

I don't judge someone that prefers a shaved head.. anymore than I do a man that wears his hair and beard long. I know grandmothers with tattoos. Ain't my thang.. but so what?  A 'bully swagger'? Ok,, I'm thinking hemroids from driving around in a car all day.. but that is just me.

Anyway, I am going to let this investigation unfold and then make a judgement as to whether these deputies were guilty of excessive force. It seems to be leaning against, at least, a few of them that they did use excessive force. Course, that booking photo does not jive with the accounts of how many blows he may have received.

My thoughts. cheryl o7o

[Highlander]

hmmmm...Nazis? nah. Just run-of-the mill thugs.

[Highlander]

I gave a little more thought to Cheryl's post. Years ago the uniform of the day for...let's say, outlaw motorcycle clubs. Long hair, beards & scary looking. Right? The cops did not resemble the 1%er's at all. Now as I mentioned before, you can't tell the so-called "good guys" from the "bad guys". Both make this old coot nervous.
Note to Cheryl. I got your "tickle". Cheryl knows I have really long hair & a beard.

[Jim Wilkins]

"Nazi thugs?  Gang members with a badge."  Really.  Sounds like you're holding more of a grudge then you let on for not being picked up as a Deputy Sheriff in the 80's. 

As far as some in the community who have a biased opinion about Law Enforcement...remember the recent drug dealer/bank robber who ran from Sheriff's in Lytle Creek after a high speed chase and ended up here in Wrightwood?  He was sheltered in place for a number of weeks by locals...who knew his history...knew what he had done and knew his potential (he had threatened to kill his father who lived here).  These folks knew full well that he was wanted for a number of dangerous felonies and still hid him. He ended up robbing our local bank at gunpoint and still was sheltered in place by locals who enjoyed spending the money he stole and the dope he provided.  Gotta wonder what possesses people to hide someone like this in plain sight. 

I'm pleased with how quickly the issue was addressed by the Sheriff.  I am willing to give it a bit of time to see exactly what their investigation finds and what will happen to those involved after hearing the full story of how this started and what all was involved in the entire incident...not just the last few moments.   It is my belief that those who broke the law will be treated accordingly. 

Like so many of these other "headline cases", none of this would have happened if the individual had manned up and not run. 

[Highlander]

Per usual Jim, you are speculating. I was washed out of the academy because I had extensive damage done to my left eye when the helicopter I was piloting was shot down in Viet Nam.  My eye was put back together where my vision was 20/40 uncorrected. My vision began to degenerate therefore disqualifying me from the SD. What did you do during the war Jim?
I'm entitled to my opinion about the SD. I suggest you take your personal insults and shove 'em!

[Jim Wilkins]

Actually....I spent 28 months in Viet Nam (68-70) living and working in a Montagyard village near Pleiku with the 4th Infantry Div, 128th Signal Battalion, Civil Affairs Team.  We were the only non-Special Forces unit living, working and training the Montagyards in a consolidated village.  We were served by the  "Blackjacks...A Co. 4th Avn. 4th Infantry Div out of Camp Enari.   I stayed a second tour to keep my only (youngest brother who just had a kid) from going over.  They drafted him and made him 11Bravo....which of course you know was not a good MOS to have in 1969.  So to answer your question...I spent two years and four months in an isolated post that sat just on the edge of Arty support from Camp Enari...became fluent in the Jarai dialect...got both Vivex and Falcipirum Malaria (which darn near killed me).  Like you, I was RA and came to Viet Nam after initially being assigned to Germany out of MOS training at Ft Gordon and learned it was too cold for my surfer's taste.  So you see....I could have spent two years skiing, sky diving and chasing Frauleins but chose a path that was certainly more challenging and rewarding.   



You are entitled to you your opinion.  Mine is just as valid and is based on 30 years interfacing on almost a daily basis with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.  I'll reserve judgement until all the facts are in.