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A 36-year-old San Mateo man was arrested and charged in connection to an assault on a police officer at Sequoia Station on Tuesday, according to an advisory from the Redwood City Police Department.
Victor Montano was charged with seven misdemeanors stemming from alleged crimes that began on Sunday, Oct. 24 through Tuesday, Nov. 2, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. Charges include willfully resisting arrest, resisting arrest by means of threats or violence and battery upon a peace officer.
Around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1400 block of El Camino Real where the suspect was reported to be displaying “erratic” behavior. Police say he took a basketball from a group of children on the sidewalk, threw objects at passing vehicles, attempted to push a bicyclist off his bike and tried to open the doors of several parked vehicles.
According to RCPD, the suspect fled northbound on foot along El Camino Real when they arrived at the scene. He ran into the street and was eventually detained in the parking lot of Pet Food Express at Sequoia Station. Officers alleged that he resisted arrest and bit one officer but was ultimately handcuffed. A request for comment to the police department was not immediately returned.
The suspect also sustained injuries, according to reports, and was examined by medical personnel before being taken to the San Mateo Medical Center for a physical and emotional health assessment.
He was cleared for booking later that night. According to RCPD, he attempted to flee again when they arrived at the emergency room. They used a leg restraint on the suspect before transporting him to the San Mateo County Jail where he was booked for multiple counts of resisting arrest and battery.
Tuesday’s events were reportedly the man’s fourth arrest and fifth police contact with San Mateo County law enforcement in the past nine days. Redwood City Police said in a statement that they are currently coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office and other local agencies to “explore additional supportive service options to assist with or identify the cause for [the suspect’s] consistent erratic behavior.”
An administrative review is being conducted to evaluate whether the responding officers’ actions and use of force met legal and RCPD policy standards.
A video recording of the event was taken by a community member and obtained by the Redwood City Police Department. In the video, which does not show what happened before the arrest, three officers can be seen restraining the man and leaning on top of him. A fourth officer stands beside them. The man tells officers that he can't breathe and groans as officers pull his arms behind his back. A fifth officer arrives on the scene to assist the four policemen already on the scene.
*(The video below does not belong to the Redwood City Pulse and remains the property of Twitter and its creator. It could be graphic in nature to some.)
redwood city police department abusing their power. #fuckrwcpd #ftp pic.twitter.com/W9gHVivlT3
— bestie jess🦂✨ (@Jessicagodinez_) November 3, 2021
The man remains in custody at Maguire Correctional Facility, according to court records. He will appear in court on Friday, Nov. 12.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Donovan at 650-780-7103, or the Redwood City Police Department’s tip line at 650-780-7110.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
