NEWBURGH, N.Y. – A New York police K9 was filmed taking down a suspect after the man punched a police officer in the face on Sunday.
Randy Martinez, a 23-year-old man who lives in Newburgh, said he was leaving his house with a friend when a man, identified as Tony Mann, 31, wandered onto his driveway and threatened him with a knife.
“I rolled down the window and was going to tell him he can’t be on my property, and then he takes out his knife, and I’m just like, ‘Oh, God, no. What’s going to happen?’” Martinez told the Times Herald-Record.
Martinez was quick to let his Facebook friends know this was simply a case of the police doing their job. Along with the video, he posted the following details:
“This is not police brutality. They were doing there (sic) job as this man came into my property and threatened me and my family. If you want the full story just contact me.”
Martinez said he called police because he was “so scared,” as his loved ones were still in the house, and started filming the scene when authorities arrived.
In the video, a police officer is seen trying to talk to Mann, who appears to make strange movements before punching the Newburgh police officer, Roman Scuadroni, in the head. As a result, Scuadroni takes a moment before he opens his police vehicle door — allowing his K9 Lee to assist with the arrest.
Lee quickly pounces directs his aim on the suspect’s arm, as the police officer puts his arms around Mann’s neck to try to restrain him. Mann is ultimately forced to the ground.
Another officer soon arrives on scene to help with the arrest, all while K9 Lee remains on the bite before he’s eventually pulled off by Scuardroni, who suffered minor cuts and injures.
Investigators said they found a folding knife on Mann, who was transported to a hospital emergency room for intoxication and to be treated for a dog bite.
He was reportedly charged with trespassing, third-degree assault, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and second-degree menacing.
