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New York Post

Fired NY cop cleared on charges he kicked, punched suspect 10 times in caught-on-camera scuffle

A Westchester County jury on Monday found an ex-Yonkers cop not guilty of charges that he beat and kicked a suspect in a caught-on-video tussle following a high-speed car chase. Former Detective Sgt. Hector Cartagena, a 31-year veteran of the Yonkers force before he was fired over the March 14 incident, was facing assault charges before he was cleared by the panel. 'Today's full acquittal of Sergeant Cartagena marks the completion of a long and difficult journey to justice,' the cop's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said in a statement to The Post. 'This was a case that should never have been brought. Advertisement 3 Police bodycam shows then-Yonkers Detective Sgt. Hector Cartagena strike suspect Torrell Hook on March 14, 2024. Yonkers PD 3 Westchester County prosecutors said Yonkers Detective Sgt. Hector Cartagena punched or hit Torrell Hook 10 times. Yonkers PD 'Not only do we owe Sergeant Cartagena a verdict of not guilty — we owe him our gratitude,' he said. 'For 31 years he has served our community with courage, honor and dedication. He is a true hero.' Advertisement Police bodycam footage of the incident starts with cops pulling over the alleged victim, identified as Torrell Hook, after a high-speed chase that broke out when cops responded to call about a stolen car in the Westchester County city. The video shows Cartagena and at least one other cop scuffling with the driver, who continues to struggle despite being zapped with a Taser — with Cartagena hitting him to subdue him. 3 Yonkers Detective Sgt. Hector Cartagena, a 31-year veteran, was fired after the March 14, 2024 incident. GiveSendGo Prosecutors said Hook was struck at least 10 times during the incident and suffered a fractured orbital bone, while Cartagena was charged with assault and later fired from the job. Advertisement But Tacopina said Hook twice brake-checked cops, flew through the city at 95 mph and nearly struck at least one pedestrian — then brawled with police when they caught up with him. Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said she 'strongly' disagreed with the court's verdict. 'The defendant's conduct, as shown through body camera footage displayed at trial, speaks for itself,' Cacace said in a statement.