Video has surfaced of an NYPD officer punching a man in the head while on the ground during an arrest on New Years Eve morning in the Bronx.
Police are now investigating the incident, in which three uniformed officers — two males and one female — are seen restraining Heriberto Nunez, 50.
Nunez is pinned to the ground and hit in the head several times by one of the male officers, as the others tried to handcuff him.
The drama unfolded on 149th Street between Cauldwell and Trinity Avenue in Mott Haven just before 10 a.m.
Nunez’ muffled screams can be heard in the video, which was uploaded by Alexis Jasmin.
According to her Facebook post, Jasmin was on the bus en route to a hair appointment when she observed the commotion.
Jasmin further described the events she witnessed, leading up to the incident, “This man was already in his car and the police were in the van getting ready to pull off.
Granted the man did stick his head out the window and say a few choice words. But please tell me why the cops got out the van, snatched him out of his car and proceeded to do this to him.
Please explain to me why the officer kept bashing his face like that.”
According to police sources, Nunez became irate after he was issued a summons for driving while using his cell phone.
He then struggled with officers as they tried to subdue him and refused to put his hands behind his back.
Nunez was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, cops said.
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the NYPD would only say, “The matter is under internal review.”
