A Reading police officer was charged Thursday with asautling a juvenile suspect while the youth was handcuffed and belted inside a prisoner-transport van, Berks County authorities announced.
Aaron J. Andre, 49, faces simple assault and official oppression charges. Since both charges are misdemeanor offenses, Andre will receive a summons to appear in district court, officials said.
According to detectives:
The Reading Police Department contacted the district attorney’s office on June 26, requesting county detectives investigate a suspected excessive-force incident involving one of its officers.
The incident happened the previous day, about 9 p.m., after police were dispatched to the 500 block of McClellan Street for a domestic assault incident involving a combative 16-year-old male.
The juvenile was transported to Reading Hospital for an evaluation after he had assaulted his sibling earlier in the evening and fought with responding officers.
After arriving at the hospital, Andre entered the transport van and tried to remove the suspect from the vehicle. The teen displayed aggressive behavior toward Andre, who then punched him several times and pushed the teen’s head against the inside wall of the van.
At the time, the 16-year-old was handcuffed behind his back and restrained by seat belts.
Reading officials were not immediately available for comment.
Source: Berkshire mont
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