New details are being released after a controversial arrest during the Memorial day weekend. Police were investigating accusations of underage drinking at a Wildwood beach on Saturday.
Officers said that Emily Weinman, 20, refused to cooperate after they performed a portable Breathalyzer test. They said that she was seen with alcohol on the beach. When they tried to give her a citation, police said that she would not cooperate.
Update 3:25 p.m. EDT, 5/31: Thursday, the police department's body camera footage was released.
In the video, officers approach Weinman after the Brethalyzer and she appears to push the officer. The video then cuts out. It resumes as the officer is on top of Weinman, pinning her down, his arm on her neck before swinging his arm and hitting her. That portion of the arrest, which was recorded by a cell phone, had gone viral earlier this week, CBS News reported.
As officers handcuff Weinman, it appears that she spits at them. Later they explain what happened, with an officer saying, "She kicked him. And then I just, I hit her a couple of times, CBS News reported.
Original story: A 20-year-old mother was punched in the face twice by an officer while she was arrested Saturday at a Wildwood beach, video shows.
Emily Weinman, 20, of Philadelphia, was at the beach with her baby and the child's father. She admits she was drinking underage; however, she passed a Breathalyzer test when officers approached her, according to WABC.
She said the officers continued to hang around and when they asked for her name, she refused to give it. That's when the officer said he was going to arrest her, she wrote in a Facebook post that has since been removed, according to WCAU.
She tripped and fell and an officer tackled her and pushed her head into the sand, according to WABC.
An officer repeatedly punched Weinman in the head before putting her in a choke hold and slamming her into the sand, the video shows. In the video, as she writhes in the sand, another officer appears to hold down her legs.
"You're not allowed to hit me and choke me like that," Weinman can be heard saying.
Someone else continues to shout, “Stop resisting,” as officers detain Weinman.
Police said she kicked an officer in the groin before the cellphone video started recording.
The officers have been reassigned amid an investigation into the incident, according to WABC.
Police are asking for any other witnesses to come forward to help with the investigation.
"Chief Regalbuto stated that while he finds this video to be alarming, he does not want to rush to any judgment until having the final results of the investigation," police said in a statement.
Weinman was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault by spitting bodily fluids on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstruction and minor in possession of alcohol, according to police.
About the Author
