The police-brutality activist accusing Denver police of unlawfully entering his home and using excessive force was arrested on suspicion of interference for risking officer safety, according to police records.
Officers arrived at Larry Hales’ apartment in the 1100 block of York Street on Friday night for a parole visit. Hales and his girlfriend had taken in a recent parolee and agreed to unannounced searches — but only of the parolee’s property when he was home, Hales said.
The parolee was not home, but Hales repeatedly gave the parole officer false locations, which spurred the search, police said.
The officers forced their way into the apartment and refused to give Hales business cards, Hales said, but according to his summons, police continued with the search to ensure their safety.
“Live ammunition and a gun-cleaning kit had just been located within reach of Hales,” the summons said.
Hales admitted the bullets were his but said they were eight to 10 years old and that he had forgotten he had them.
According to the summons, Hales was told four times to “relax and sit down” but refused to back out of the area police were searching and struggled when officers tried to arrest him.
Hales said he was trying to close his apartment door so his cats wouldn’t escape, and he was thrown against a wall and wrestled to the ground by four cops.
“They kept yelling, ‘Stop resisting, stop resisting,’ but I’m barely over 5 feet tall,” Hales said. “How am I gonna resist against four cops each weighing an average of 180 pounds?”
The arresting officer said Hales continued to struggle while being escorted to a squad car, but Hales said he was pushed around barefoot and with his shirt over his head by the officer, forcing him to fight to stay on his feet.
Cassie Hewlings: 303-954-1638 or chewlings@denverpost.com
