3 Dover police officers accused of punching restrained man during arrest

A group of Dover police officers has been accused of repeatedly punching a man who was restrained during an arrest over the weekend.

News 12 Staff

May 20, 2019, 8:17 PM

Updated 1,796 days ago

Share:

A group of Dover police officers has been accused of repeatedly punching a man who was restrained during an arrest over the weekend.
The arrest was caught on video. Authorities say that 19-year-old Cyprian Luke was wanted for an aggravated assault charge. Officers were able to track him down due to a phone tip and tried to arrest him outside a Krauszer’s convenience store around 2 a.m. Sunday.
Luke’s friend Marcus Robinson filmed cellphone video of the arrest.
In the video, police officers are heard shouting “stop resisting” while they have Luke on the ground with at least two police officers on top of him. He is instructed to roll over, and then when he fails to do so an officer is seen punching Luke in the face.
“He looked up at the camera and he wasn’t moving and he just punched him one time,” Robinson says. “When I first got over there, he got Maced. He was like trying to cover his eyes.”
Luke’s face appeared to be bruised and his eyes red in the video. Robinson says that Luke did not roll over because an officer had placed a knee in Luke’s stomach.
Warning: The following video may be disturbing for some viewers.

Eventually, Luke is handcuffed and taken to an ambulance. Robinson is heard asking for the officers’ badge numbers. One of the officers swats at Robinson’s phone, while another tells him to stand back or he could be arrested himself.
As for whether Luke was resisting arrest, Dover Police Director Daniel DeGroot says, “If a person is not resisting, they’re not going to tell them to stop resisting.”
Dover Mayor James Dodd says that he has seen the video and was disturbed by it. He says that the attorney general’s office will be investigating.
But the mayor also adds, “I urge everyone to show restraint until all the facts come out and the investigation completed.”
Three officers have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation takes place.


More from News 12
1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12