Video shows cop shoving suspect to wall, ground
A video of a Denver police officer suspended for using unnecessary force shows him shoving a handcuffed shoplifting suspect face-first into a wall and then grabbing his hair and slamming him to the ground.
Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez issued a four-day suspension to Officer Rick Guzman, and ordered a written reprimand for failing to file a report about the incident.
The Police Protective Association has appealed Martinez’s order to the Civil Service Commission. The amount of force Guzman used was within department guidelines, said David Bruno, a lawyer for the union.
Guzman was arresting a shoplifting suspect held by security at the Kmart at 363 S. Broadway when the incident occurred Aug. 4, 2007, according to Martinez’s order of disciplinary action. On May 27, 2011, “an anonymous complainant” provided police with a video of the arrest.
Two arrested in investigation of robberies
Denver police have arrested two men suspected in two strings of robberies.
On Tuesday, officers arrested Dustin Sharon, dubbed the “Pretty in Pink Bandit,” in the 900 block of Hudson Street on suspicion of aggravated robbery, according to a news release from Denver police. Sharon, who allegedly wore a pink bandanna and goggles during the robberies, is suspected in at least seven robberies in Denver from Jan. 12 to 20. The 25-year-old may be connected to robberies in other jurisdictions, police said.
On Wednesday, officers arrested Wayman Paul Harrington, 24, in the 1500 block of Washington Street. Known by police as the “Pot Belly Bandit,” Harrington is suspected of robbing four small businesses between Jan. 26 and 30. He is also suspected of being involved in robberies in other cities.
Robberies are up 18 percent in Denver, and the majority of them are committed by pattern offenders.
Learjet slides off Pueblo runway
A Learjet once owned by singer John Denver slid off a runway at Pueblo Memorial Airport on Thursday night. Ten passengers and two crew escaped injury, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident happened before 7 p.m., and Runway 8L has been closed since, but no other airport operations were affected, said FAA spokesman Mike Fergus.
Records indicate the plane is currently a corporate jet owned by Extrapoint LLC of Lewes, Del.
Denver Post staff and wire reports
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, due to a reporting error, the Denver police officer suspended for using unnecessary force was misidentified. He is Officer Rick Guzman.
