CORAL SPRINGS, FLA. (WSVN) - Cellphone video captured a South Florida man being arrested for petty theft. However, it’s the officers’ actions that has prompted an investigation.
The video, provided by a 7News viewer, shows what appears to be a Coral Springs officer kicking 28-year-old Gabriel Narcisse-Beckford as he’s on the ground in handcuffs.
Narcisse-Beckford was seen surrounded by four officers who were visibly struggling with the suspect. Officials said he was subdued with a Taser prior to being moved to the curb where the kicking allegedly occurred.
We have seen the video of an incident involving some of our officers. We take this matter very seriously. Due to the gravity of the situation we are conducting a criminal investigation. At this time all the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) December 5, 2018
According to the viewer, the incident took place on Tuesday night in the area of Northwest 81st Avenue and West Sample Road.
“I could not believe that this was actually happening right in front of me,” the viewer told 7News. “One of the officers tased him to the ground. He was cooperating, everything was good, and then another officer came, and then he kicked him in the head — straight to his face.”
Coral Springs Police officers said the suspect started resisting at the time of his arrest.
He was being arrested for allegedly stealing from the 7-24 Sun Mart along West Sample Road. The store clerk said he stole a drink and candy.
“I tried to call him, ‘Aye, yo, come back. You gotta pay for that. Either pay or return the things,'” cashier Anthony Leon said. “He just walked away and left. That’s it.”
As for the witness, he’s just thankful he was at the right place at the right time.
“This officer probably would have said this never happened,” the viewer said. “This guy did not deserve to get kicked in his head while he was on the ground.”
Narcisse-Beckford appeared in court on charges of petty theft, battery on an officer and resisting an officer with and without violence.
The officers in the video were placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Coral Springs Police are expected to hold a news conference on Thursday.
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