MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Three Miami Beach Police officers are facing serious charges following a rough arrest.
The officers were seen on surveillance video carrying out the arrest of two men at the Royal Palm South Beach Hotel on July 26.
Five officers were relieved of their duties in August, and three of the officers involved have had their charges upgraded to felonies.
Miami Beach Police Chief Richard Clements released a statement on the upgraded charges on Thursday.
“The Miami Beach Police Department has been made aware of the upgraded charges,” the statement read. “We remain committed to the process and allowing the investigation to take its course.”
According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Sgt. Jose Perez and Officer Kevin Perez each face one count of felony battery.
Officer Steven Serrano faces one count of official misconduct for allegedly writing a bogus police report following the incident.
According to police, a man on a scooter, 24-year-old Dalonta Crudup, hit an officer then ducked inside the hotel.
After he was placed in handcuffs, officers could be seen kicking and punching Crudup as he lied on the ground.
“It was just unfathomable,” said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “It was unspeakable. It is inexcusable.”
“This is by no means a reflection of the dedicated men and women of the Miami Beach Police Department,” Clements said following the incident. “Moving forward, I can tell you that my staff and I promise you as individuals and as an agency we will grow from this, and we will do better.”
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