Two Phoenix police officers have been fired and arrested following an unreported traffic stop where they allegedly assaulted a man and woman and used a Taser on them, according to Police Chief Matt Giordano. Officers Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez were taken into custody on charges including aggravated assault and kidnapping.
Authorities confirmed that both victims were physically assaulted during the traffic stop, and a Taser was deployed. The officers did not report the incident, which occurred on August 5, nor did they activate their body-worn cameras. "There is no video evidence, but we established what we believe is probable cause that these crimes were committed," Giordano stated, adding that there was no indication the officers knew the victims.
According to a statement from Phoenix police, the male driver and female passenger reported that the officers smashed their car window during the late-night stop. Vasquez allegedly punched the man and threatened him, while the woman was removed from the vehicle and handcuffed. The male driver was able to drive away and abandon the car in neighboring Tempe. The woman was released at the scene.
A Tempe police officer responded to the abandoned car and, after checking with dispatch and the registered owner, initially believed the incident might have been an attempted carjacking by individuals impersonating police. The male driver later reported being punched multiple times and that he and the woman repeatedly asked why they were stopped. The woman stated they were both shocked with a Taser.
Giordano described his initial reaction to the details as being "so far outside the bounds of our policies." However, as detectives investigated, they determined Phoenix officers might be involved and transferred the case to a special investigations detail. Evidence, including location data from city vehicles, helped establish probable cause.
Vasquez had served eight years with the Phoenix Police Department, and Felix had served nine years. Giordano mentioned that both officers had prior policy violations, but none of this nature. The department's internal investigation and audit are ongoing. Felix and Vasquez have a court date scheduled for Friday.