EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The arrest report alleges that the 25-year-old suspect seen in a viral video being punched repeatedly by El Paso police spat on an officer’s face.
According to the arrest report, on April 22, 25-year-old Regina Viramontes ignored a police officer’s commands when they tried to pull her over for driving a car without license plates, and hid inside a retail shop located on the 1120 block of Yandell Drive in Central El Paso, leading to the viral confrontation.
RELATED: VIDEO: Female officer seen punching woman during El Paso retail shop arrest video
In the report, the officer described initiating a traffic stop after spotting the vehicle on 1100 E. Yandell Dr.
The Officer said the vehicle was parked on the 700 block of Noble Street, which Google maps shows is two blocks away from the store where the confrontation happened.
Google Maps shows the distance from where the suspect parked her car and the shop where she allegedly hid from the traffic stop. Credit: Google Maps
The officer described ordering Viramontes to stop and come to the officer, adding that they even activated the patrol’s horn and told her she was being detained.
But according to the report, Viramontes ignored the orders and continued walking towards the shop, despite turning around and seeing the officer.
The officer then described knocking on the shop’s door after Viramontes went in and explaining to a worker inside that they needed to speak to the suspect.
When Viramontes eventually came to the door, the officer said they told her she was being detained for a traffic violation.
However, according to the report, Viramontes told the officer she did not see any lights or hear any sirens and retreated into the business.
The officer then described going in after Viramontes and trying to handcuff her, but said they stopped, noting that there were other people inside the business and they feared they would gang up on them since they were alone.
This led to the officer calling for backup.
After more officers showed up to help, the report describes the confrontation as Viramontes allegedly resisting arrest.
In the report, the officer described Viramontes pulling away, stiffening her arms, and kicking officers during the struggle to put her in handcuffs.
The report then states that eventually officers were able to pin her to the ground and handcuff her.
But when officers were escorting Viramontes out of the shop, she allegedly spat on an officer’s face.
As a result, according to the report, the officer punched Viramontes multiple times to keep her from spitting again.
The report then says officers put Viramontes against a wall to search her before struggling again to take her back to the patrol car as she allegedly pushed back and kicked.
According to the report, officers had to place her in a shoulder lock to keep her from trying to assault officers.
The report also detailed that marijuana was found in her car and that the car was impounded as officers said it didn’t have insurance or a valid vehicle registration.
Jail records show Viramontes was booked into the El Paso County Downtown Jail the next day, on April 23, and charged with marijuana possession, harassment of public servant, resisting and evading arrest with a combined bond set at $6,600.
According to jail records, Viramontes was released on April 24 after posting a bond.
Video of the arrest was shared on the popular social media account @therealfitfamelpaso, which you can watch below.
Warning: the video may be disturbing to some viewers, so viewer discretion is advised.
Note: the video was edited by the bystander who took it.
WATCH:
Female officer seen punching woman during El Paso retail shop arrest video (credit: Fitfam)
After the video was made public, on the morning of April 24, the El Paso Police Police Department issued the following statement:
The El Paso Police Department is aware of a video circulating on social media involving a use-of-force encounter between an officer and a person in custody. Per standard procedure, all applications of force are reviewed.We recognize that Use of Force incidents can evoke sentiments or concerns. Each situation warrants careful assessment and consideration, to maintain balance when it comes to the safety of our public and our officers. We remain dedicated to the collective responsibility we share in ensuring public trust through committed service.
This is the second arrest caught on camera that has gone viral, showing a police officer punching a woman in April.
READ MORE: El Paso police chief: officers acted within policy in viral arrest video involving punch
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