2 Phoenix officers arrested following violent traffic stop

PHOENIX - Two Phoenix Police officers were arrested following a violent traffic stop earlier this month. 

What we know:

Officers Luis Vasquez, Jr., 31, and Antonio Felix, 31, conducted a traffic stop in South Phoenix at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 5. The department said force was used and "not reported as required by policy, including the failure to activate their body-worn cameras," according to a statement from Aug. 17. 

A criminal investigation was launched into the allegations on Aug, 13 by the Tempe Police Department and the officers were placed on leave.

Chief Matt Giordano said he arrested Vasquez and Felix, and fired them following interviews on Aug. 22. The Phoenix Police Department confirmed the former cops physically assaulted the man and woman in the traffic stop. Officials said there was no indication the former officers knew the victims, or that the victims knew the officers.

"This is a very traumatic situation, which I think we all can recognize it would be, but they were willing enough, once we worked on that relationship with them, to tell us what happened," Chief Giordano said. "I felt on that date, putting them on administrative leave, in my opinion, they do no more harm to our community members, and then we investigate fully. So therefore, when this goes through the judicial process, we have everything…all our ducks in a row."

The incident stemmed from a police car being found in Tempe.

Tempe Police's Report

A Tempe Police report revealed that a couple had been pulled over near 19th Avenue and Broadway Road by two men in a Dodge Charger. The former cops allegedly tried forcing open the couple's doors before they smashed the driver's side window. A suspect opened the passenger side door, put a woman "in an arm bar" as she held onto the driver, before Felix used a Taser to the passenger's right thigh, according to the report. One of the suspects allegedly told the other to put a stun gun "on a higher setting" on her back.

The couple was reportedly handcuffed. Tempe police said the woman was left on a sidewalk, while the driver was assaulted for six minutes, including being Tased and punched "in the head with a closed dist multiple times." According to the report, a suspect "pulled pieces" of the driver's hair out, while waving his gun around. The driver reportedly mentioned Vasquez said, "he was going to shoot him in three seconds and began counting down."

The driver fled in his vehicle and later abandoned it in Tempe after it overheated near Priest and Baseline Road. Just before 1 a.m. on Aug. 6, Tempe Police requested Phoenix PD to make contact with the owner of the abandoned vehicle, which later was confirmed to match the one stopped by Vasquez and Felix. 

"When Phoenix Police dispatch saw that Vasquez and Felix had checked the license plate, they asked about it. Both former officers denied making any stop or having any interaction," the Phoenix Police Department said. 

Tempe Police originally thought the cops were people impersonating their police officers, but it happened to be Phoenix officers. "Very thankful to the Tempe Police Department for getting involved in this and making us aware of it," the chief said. 

Dig deeper:

Chief Giordano said the allegations are serious and do not reflect the department's standards or values.

"We must, and we will, continue to hold any officers involved in misconduct or criminal activity accountable," Giordano said. "Accountability is our priority."

On Aug. 17, Phoenix Police said force was used during a traffic stop that night, but the officers did not report it and failed to activate their body-worn cameras.

"We have very strict guidelines on how you do traffic stops, when you turn your body-worn camera on, when you document damage, when you document use of force, when you notify a supervisor, none of that happened," he added.

Vasquez was with the department for eight years, while Felix was with them for nine years. Both officers were assigned to patrol at the South Mountain Precinct. 

Police Chief Statement

"Their actions severely undermine trust in law enforcement and violate the standards we expect from those who serve. Many people want to understand how this could happen. There is no excuse for the conduct that these two officers engaged in. My commitment is not limited to the criminal investigation. This will not stop here tonight," Chief Giordano said on Aug. 22. "The Professional Standards Bureau will move forward to identify if any other individuals are involved and determine whether there are broader systemic concerns. Our Organizational Integrity Bureau has already begun its audits and any findings related to unacceptable behavior will be addressed accordingly. When we become aware of misconduct, we take action and we hold officers accountable. No community members should suffer what happened here. We recognize this erodes community trust, and I am committed to rebuilding that trust starting today."

PLEA Statement

Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) President Darrell Kriplean issued the following statement. 

"The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is deeply troubled by the conduct alleged against two former Phoenix police officers who have been terminated from the Department and are now facing felony charges.

The conduct described in these charges is serious and inconsistent with the standards expected of those entrusted to serve as Phoenix police officers. If proven, these actions represent a significant breach of the public trust and do not reflect the professionalism and integrity demonstrated every day by the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department.

PLEA takes seriously its responsibility to defend the rights and due process of officers who serve our community. At the same time, that responsibility does not prevent us from recognizing when allegations of misconduct warrant thorough investigation and appropriate accountability. We support Chief Giordano and the Department’s decision to terminate the officers following its investigation.

These charges are now before the courts, where the evidence will be considered and the judicial process should be allowed to proceed. Our thoughts remain with those impacted by this incident, as well as the dedicated Phoenix police officers who continue to serve our community honorably and professionally every day."

What's next:

Vasquez and Felix were charged with aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, felony assault involving a bound or otherwise physically restrained individual, threatening and intimidating, criminal damage, hindering prosecution, and tampering with evidence. The two have prior policy violations, but Phoenix police say it's nothing of this nature.

The police chief said they're still investigating a motive, and are looking through information including radio traffic and their automatic vehicle locator. 

"We worked so hard over the last several years to build trust and now to me, it seems like we're taking steps backwards," the chief said. "We need to continue to move forward and continue to look to provide a better level of service to the community."

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