“I want to make it clear to all of our community that this investigation is to objectively — and I do repeat objectively — determine if the force used was reasonable if it was necessary, if it was appropriate and proportionate to the level of actions that were described,” Luna said.
He repeatedly declined to offer an opinion on whether the deputy’s actions appeared to be appropriate or within department policy, insisting he did not “know the facts” and wanted to ensure the internal investigation is conducted fairly. But of the video, he said, “It’s disturbing. There’s no ifs and buts about it.”
Cell phone video of the June 24 altercation outside a WinCo store in the 700 block of West Avenue K-4 surfaced late Monday night, and the sheriff’s department responded by releasing deputy-worn body camera footage. Luna said deputies went to the store in response to a call from an employee who said two customers “were assaulting loss-prevention employees.” Video shows two deputies at the scene, one of them detaining a man who Luna said matched the description of one of the suspects given by store officials.
As that person is being detained, a second deputy approaches a woman standing nearby using her cell phone to record the deputies’ actions. The deputy grabs the woman and eventually forcibly throws her to the ground then struggles to handcuff her, ultimately using pepper spray in an effort to detain her.
“What we’ve directed our command staff to do is to organize a meeting with community stakeholders later on this week,” Luna said. “Those phone calls have already started. We’re still trying to identify a location and work with others to put this (together) but it will give the community an opportunity and our community leaders out there to bring forward their concerns regarding this incident. And our full intent is to work with the community and based on some of the community outcry that I’ve heard. There has been some challenges out in that area.”
“… I always think we can do better, but again, I don’t know all the facts and as we get them, we’ll be sharing them with our community,” Luna said.
The relationship between the man and woman involved in the confrontation was unknown, despite some reports suggesting they were a married couple. But Luna said the pair went into the WinCo store together and were both involved in an altercation with store security. On the various videos of the incident, there are suggestions the woman has cancer. Luna said the man and woman were ultimately arrested then cited and released on alleged violations including resisting an officer, attempted petty theft and interfering with a businesses. According to Luna, the woman seen being thrown to the ground was taken to a hospital and treated for pain to her eyes from the pepper spray and abrasions on her arms.
In addition to the sheriff’s internal affairs investigation, probes are also likely to be conducted by the county Inspector General’s office and the Department of Justice, which oversees sheriff’s operations in the area due to the federal consent decree. Luna asked anyone who witnessed the confrontation or who may have additional video to come forward.
“We do take the use of force — any use of force that occurs within our agency — very seriously,” Luna said. “But again, we need to determine the actual facts of what happens and … I’m going to make sure that it’s a very objective review.”
He asked for “the community’s patience to allow us to look at this objectively and (determine) exactly what happened.” He said he was unclear how long the department’s investigation might take, but he hoped it would be within 45 days. A group of protesters gathered outside the WinCo store Wednesday night, demanding the firing of the deputies involved. They also questioned why Luna did not learn about the confrontation until Friday.
After speaking out during a news conference, many members of the group made their way inside the store to continue the protest.
The body-worn camera video is available at www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-1/ and www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-2/.
Previous related story: Sheriff’s department to investigate use of force at Lancaster store
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Flicker says
Another reason not to shop in Lancaster. There are plenty of other options around the valley.
Oyuki says
Who cares about it if you don’t like them calling the cops on your cause your stealing than don’t go to WinCo go to stater bros. And even they will call cops on thieves
Tired of their crap she deserved it .
Fatima says
Oyuki, this is the same attitude that cost the taxpayers millions when Rex declared war on Section 8. How many millions are you willing to give on account of the Lancaster bravado? We know Rex doesn’t care because it doesn’t affect him, but that money could be used to improve things around here. Heaven knows Lancaster needs a lot of help.
Lisa says
We pay for all the non workers stupidity they go around commiting crimes and stealing from everywhere they go enough is enough
Lisa says
African Americans need to stop acting like they can get away with everything. This happens a lot because they act like animals .
Iconoclast says
Let’s see what the video shows inside the store before the deputies arrived. We have seen the body camera and we may see the one videoed outside by the woman. Then we should read the deputies reports. Then see what the employees in Winco said. Finally, we should see if there was any evidence on the two people. Nevertheless, they both were resisting arrest and assault on a deputy which is clear on the video. You must comply with law enforcement requests.
Kayla says
So they go protest and try to boycott WinCo but there all in there panic shopping . To top it off the person that started all this was in WinCo buying her money order that audacity these people have is unbelievable
Kiki says
This city is getting way to rachet with all these people stealing and driving around like maniacs cause they don’t have jobs . They think they can get away with everything and they can’t so tired of them all yes all of those rachet people in the av
ACE says
THIS POOR COUPLE WAS PROBABLY ONLY STEALING A LOAF OF WONDER BREAD BECAUSE THEIR KIDS WERE CRYING AND STARVING –
***
THEN THE MEAN COPS SHOWED UP –
***
AND THEY HADN’T YET GOTTEN TO BEAT UP ANY OLDER INNOCENT BLACK LADIES WHO WERE JUST TAKING VIDEOS THAT DAY –
***
Listen to me says
I wasn’t there. I just caught a glimse of the video, so my opinion goes right to the top of the list.
Truth says
Luna said it was disturbing. Good, finally someone admits that robbing stores and attacking security is not right. These people protesting the store for calling in a robbery and the police catching the robbers, better be ready to shop 50 miles away when Winco closes… Dummies!
Kiki says
Exactly they were in there protesting and want it shut down but yet all the protesters stay shopping at WinCo there all in there getting groceries looking like fools
Janel says
I went to WinCo once it was so many ghetto people in there eating everything throughout the store not paying for it and letting their kids run around the store super ghetto in there never went back
Rob says
U janel r an out right liar. I have used Winco since the store opened . And I have never seen anyone during what u claim. U people r not ashame. Liar
Mrs M says
Rob, have to agree with you. I’ve never seen that happening at Winco. Been going there for a few years now.
Janel is right says
I went to Winco two times EVER. Both times I witnessed the same behavior Janel claims to witness.You might want to consider also…was it the first of the month? Don not go to stores around the first of the month. During that time even Costco has random wrappers of food eaten in stores, as if the samples are not enough, cold foods on unrefrigerated random shelves ( like your feet don’t work anymore), and a group all shopping together blocking the whole isle (come on, do any of yous have jobs)?
Oyuki says
You know it’s true you are trying to fit in but fact is yes they do this crap in every single store.
Annoyed Shopper says
Totally not surprised some ratchet behavior like this would occur at that Winco.
Maggie says
Don’t support thieves support the hard working citizens that have to put up with the non working people that have crappy attitudes cause they are low on money . Huh not our problem you don’t have money go get a job and maybe you will have money.
Non Ya says
Another Race War !
Lisa says
Why would they support this lady they were shoplifting? They should do the same effort in looking for a job and stop stealing from other people . She is no victim.
Tim Scott says
Next time you get a traffic ticket I hope the cop drags you out of the car by the hair and beats your face into the pavement. That way we can all shrug and say “That Lisa was committing a crime, she had it coming.”
Wronggggg says
Not the same, nice try…
Try having a trumpet blasting in your ear with unintelligible content on a loop while your trying to do your job with the fear of physical disruption.
A traffic ticket is a mere simple, I f-d up and accept the infraction transaction. Not a chimp out
Tim Scott says
I used to sell cars. Plenty of people came to my place of employment yelling and screaming. I NEVER thought that meant I could attack them without suffering consequences.
Figures says
“I used to sell cars”
I don’t think anybody here is surprised by that, lol
Let me guess, you also sold cutco knifes and Kirby vacuums, lol
Tim Scott says
Nobody should be surprised, since my life is literally an open book. No vacuum cleaners or knives though, just cars.
If course, that wasn’t the point. The point is that people everywhere put up with complaining customers, threatening clowns, asshats like you chiming in, etc etc etc…and the only people who seem to think “hey that means I get to physically assault someone and there’s no consequences” are cops.
Lowell says
Let’s not forget about the raging crack addiction. Tim would literally fall asleep when talking to him.
Trying to explain things to Lancasterians is tough says
If these people are proven to have shoplifted, they should be prosecuted. If the deputy is proven to have used excessive force, he should also be prosecuted. People, it’s not that difficult.
Kiki says
Definitely shoplifting
Trying to explain things to Lancasterians is tough says
Has shoplifting been proven yet Kiki? I haven’t seen the final report. If so, they should be prosecuted. That is part one. Part two is whether or not the deputy used excessive force. After viewing the videos, it appears that he did, but that still is under investigation. There is a report on AV Bulletin that the deputy who threw the woman to the ground is no longer with the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
I really don't... says
I don’t know why any respectable person in the community would want to rally around people who were shoplifting and engaging in petty theft?
Reform Now says
Why would any respectable person in the community want to rally around people who were shoplifting and engaging in petty theft? Maybe because after the man was apprehended and handcuffed, the woman who was only taking video on her phone was body slammed to the pavement for no good reason. The will be charged and will have their day in court. If they are found guilty, they should pay the penalty. That said, there was no reason to body slam the woman to the ground. The deputy clearly overreacted and now the taxpayer will have to pay for a large lawsuit.
There needs to be drastic changes and improvement in how the Lancaster sheriffs handle situations like this. It isn’t hard to see how this culture has developed, with a bully mayor and bully vice mayor setting a citywide tone. But it needs to stop. This behavior is wrong and very expensive.
Lisa says
She is a thief and has a big mouth I heard she was being a fool inside the store and she was probably doing the same outside and that’s why she got body slammed.
They have no money they are broke and looking for a pay check .
Tim Scott says
So here’s the thing…I think you are being a fool and have a big mouth. Does that mean I should be allowed to body slam you? No, it doesn’t. It also doesn’t mean that the cops have the right to body slam you. I assume that’s the way that you want to keep it.
Frame313 says
Cops aren’t legally allowed to body slam an individual because they have a loud mouth.
Or because they are expected of stealing.
Cops aren’t judge, jury and executioner.
He literally walked up, grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground, that was his FIRST interaction with the female suspect.
Cops also aren’t allowed to threaten to punch a pinned suspect in the face.
The fact that they were cited and released tells you that the cop knew he messed up.
Excuse me, former cop. He will never have authority over people again, and that’s a good thing.
Tim Scott says
Wow are you optimistic. I wouldn’t give odds that he even loses the badge he has. I certainly wouldn’t bet on that ‘never again.’ Past practices indicates that IF there is too much blowback for them to just ignore LACSD will allow him to resign before any consequences are official, and he will get a glowing recommendation when he applies at some other department.
Reform Now says
She very well may be a thief and have a big mouth. There was no justification for that body slam. The guy was in handcuffs and no longer a threat. All she had was a cell phone. Was she looking for a pay check? Maybe. Will she get one due to the incompetence of the sheriff? Probably.
Staw B says
The body slam is deserved. Disrespectful people continue in their lawless ways, meanwhile people that actually pay for their stuff get punished for the jerks that play stupid games. The only way to curb such behavior is slam it out of people.
Tim Scott says
I think Staw’s disrespect for the rule of law justifies body slamming them.
Juan says
The tax payers will have to pay for the lawsuit even if the deputies were in the right. The board of supervisors pay out lawsuits before the investigation is even completed. They hand out payments like they are on the Oprah Winfrey show “ you get a payment, everyone gets a payment”. They mayor should be the last retard to get involved, especially since he lives over an hour away in some rich coastal town.
Laguna Larry says
The mayor of Lancaster doesn’t care because it’s not his money. He has cost the taxpayers millions in lawsuits due to his big mouth and actions, the culture he has created in Lancaster, and his foolish pet projects such as the Eye in the Sky.
Kiki says
Why were they inside WinCo? They should be inside the sheriff’s station they are a bunch of fools .
Tim Scott says
Because protests against police violence never get any results unless they start impacting local business. Baton polishers like Lisa and ‘I really’ just start tub thumping about backing the badge unless they experience some inconvenience; then they start demanding that such protests be avoided. Probably won’t really see any call for improvements at the Lancaster station until Lancaster turns into Ferguson.
Mike R. says
tiny tim loves criminals!
Frame313 says
If he loved the criminals he’d support LASD whose ranks are filled with gangsters, thieves and thugs.
Tim Scott says
Well said.
Lisa says
Same as everyone else that have no jobs right?
Eye on Fern Street says
Tim isn’t to fond about the criminals at Fern Street. He’s pretty critical of them and their dirty deeds.
Frank Rizzo says
Well spoke from a criminal. Watch what happens if the colords try to make this like furguon.
Lancaster Larry says
Once again, Frank Rizzo displays his LancasterThink. Frank, you fit right in. You are the perfect fit for Wrecks and the good old boy network. You must be on a commission.
Fentanyl knee says
“Because protests against police violence never get any results unless they start impacting local business.”
Spoken like a true fascist
Lisa says
She should of not been stealing and nothing would have happen. Stop being a thief.
KP says
I avoid doing any shopping in Lancaster because there is always something bad happening. Palmdale and Santa Clarita have everything I need and I don’t have to deal with robbers, panhandlers, thugs, homeless, and blight.
Just saying says
Wincos does not have the power to decide the fate of these deputies…..So why were they protesting there and then to go into the store. I personally don’t think that was an effective way of getting justice. (Just me sitting on the fence scratching my head.)
Question Lancaster Authority says
The should be protesting at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station and Lancaster City Hall. The macho attitude comes right from the top with our wannabe cowboy mayor, and the station continually gets low marks from ALADS. Lancaster would benefit from an elected officials enema.
I really don't... says
Lancaster would also benefit from a general population enema! …Can we flush everything out to Kern County or Victorville?
You may call me a dreamer.... says
We can start with the small fraction of idiots who keep voting for Rex and his puppets. Then follow with the gang bangers. Most of the hard working people of Lancaster are good people. All creeds, colors, beliefs, ages. But if we got rid of the good old boy network and the gangs, it would be a much better place to be.
Tim Scott says
Lead the way.
Michael says
Apparently Winco called in the incident as a robbery. A robbery is a elevated crime then shoplifting to get a faster response from the deputies. The deputies respond in the mindset a weapon was involved. Makes a bit of a difference. Winco mis represented the situation.
Move on says
I think Winco is cursed. They found a dead person in one of the pillars. Cops throwing down women. Shoplifting. Being located in Lancaster. I feel for them. They would be smart to relocate to Palmdale, Quartz Hill, Littlerock, Lake LA, Rosamond, anywhere but Lancaster. The city is a mess.
Rough Arrest says
“…alleged violations including resisting an officer, attempted petty theft and interfering with a businesses.”
A really immersive shopping experience in Lancaster.
Tim Scott says
Not the complete Lancaster experience. No rotting corpse in the pillar out front.
Joe says
Unfortunately, Mr Luna won’t say it, but police work isn’t always pretty. The police can only say please and thank you so many times before they have to take action.
How many times have these two loudmouth crooks been in a similar situation of stealing from a business and they make enough of a scene that the business just lets them go.
What do the deputies learn from this incident? They learn (like the rest of us) Why bother getting involved?
I wish the deputies the best of luck, but unfortunately I think they’re about to be sacrificed at the altar of poor public opinion.