Westerville police are reviewing the actions of an officer who arrested a theft suspect, who allegedly stole almost $700 worth of Pokemon cards from a Meijer on Sunday evening.
In body camera and store surveillance footage, an unidentified Westerville police officer approaches a red vehicle in the parking lot of a Meijer store, located at 100 Polaris Parkway, with his gun drawn and immediately points it at the suspect and tells him to get out of the car. The man suspected of the theft has been identified by police as 35-year-old Ernest Fields of Lancaster.
When the officer begins arresting Fields, he appears to have difficulty getting him in handcuffs and tells Fields to stop resisting arrest. A physical struggles begins and Fields tries to get away from the officer. The officer tazes Fields and takes him to the ground.
The video shows Fields struggling and swinging at the officer multiple times before being tased.
Once the officer tases Fields, he is able to get him on the ground. The video then shows the officer on top of Fields. The officer then punches Fields' head into the pavement 13 times before other officers show up to assist in the arrest.
After Fields was in handcuffs, the arresting officer was examined by another Westerville police officer. The arresting officer also approached Fields, asked if Fields was "good," and apologized to Fields.
A statement from Westerville Police said the incident is under investigation by the department's Professional Standards Bureau.
Westerville police are not naming the officer, citing Marsy's Law, a 2017 constitutional amendment that gives victims of crimes and their families certain rights and protections.
Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler said in a statement that the footage shows Fields initiated the assault. Chandler did not directly defend the officers actions, but he said officers are expected to take action in situations like these.
"Officers are prepared to potentially place themselves in harm's way with little information or facts, requiring them to take action in situations that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving," Chandler said.
Chandler also said as chief, he has a responsibility to protect the community and uphold the department's "high standards."
"The actions in this case will be thoroughly investigated to ensure compliance with the policies, training and expectations that WPD has for every one of our officers," Chandler said.
An off-duty employee of Columbus news station NBC-4 began filming the incident. That video begins as the officer began punching Fields.
An initial police report released earlier this week made little mention of the altercation, but police released body camera footage and a statement Tuesday showing more of the conflict after the TV station reported on the incident based on what the employee recorded.
The police report, which also redacted the officer's name, stated the stolen Pokémon trading cards, valued at $670, were found inside the vehicle Fields was in. Police say they also found other Pokémon cards that were likely stolen from another unknown location. The report also stated officers found containers with white powder in them, which police suspected to be drugs.
According to the report, Fields told officers the substance was cocaine, but he told staff at Mount Carmel St. Ann's Hospital that he used methamphetamines and fentanyl.
The statement said both Fields and the officer were treated for minor injuries at the hospital. Fields was taken to the Delaware County Jail. His mugshot appears to show several injuries on his face.
Fields has been charged with felony assault for assaulting the officer, but has not been charged with theft yet as of Wednesday afternoon. Fields also had an outstanding warrant because he pleaded guilty to a May 2021 arson charge, but skipped his sentencing hearing.
