A 19-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department is accused of assaulting a homeless man who was allegedly shoplifting pants from a Walmart, KNXV reported.
Roger Moran, 22, was arrested Dec. 8, and his mugshot shows several cuts and bruises on his face, the television station reported. According to Maricopa County court documents, Moran is accused on three occasions of resisting arrest and trying to assault an officer.
The officer, Tim Baiardi, is accused of delivering “23 knee strikes to (the suspect's) face," KNXV reported. The Phoenix Police Department has recommended Baiardi be charged with aggravated assault, the television station reported.
The report, written by a different responding officer, added "(Moran) attempted to escape again and the officer was able to deliver 45 closed fist strikes," the television station reported.
When Moran continued to resist arrest, Baiardi allegedly "struck (the suspect) about 23 more times with a closed fist," according to the incident report.
Phoenix Police Department officials said they have launched an internal investigation, KNXV reported.
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.