Calexico resident in viral arrest video speaks out

After the video of a Calexico man’s arrest went viral, he is now speaking out about how he feared for his life after he mistook police for muggers.

“I felt someone was trying to hurt me And I was asleep and tired. I didn’t know who they were,” said Jose Torres, a Calexico resident.

Torres said he had been drinking and didn’t make it home. He said he mistook the police for muggers. “I thought they were trying to steal my papers. But I never hit anyone.”

Torres said the police officers didn’t hit him. “I fell. I hit my shoulder. I hit my head. I bled a little. Maybe when they were trying to arrest me, I slipped and fell.”

Police officials said the arrest was legal and by the book. Shaun Sundahl, with the Calexico Police Association, said, “The officer thought that he was going to get hit by the person and fearing for his safety, the officer pushed him away from him.”

Some people said the police did wrong and tried to take away the cell phone of a witness. “That makes it worse. That makes it like something’s wrong. The officer comes to the witness and tries to take the phone away for evidence. Well, that just makes it a little worse. We look really bad,” said Guillermo Hermosillo, a Calexico businessman .

Jose Torres is scheduled to appear in court on July 24 for resisting arrest and public intoxication.