Crimes & Justice

Two central Illinois police officers have been charged with beating a man who claims he was pepper-sprayed, kicked, punched and shocked with a stun gun following a police chase that was videotaped by a squad car camera. Peoria, Illinois Officers Andrew Smith, 29, and Gerald Suelter, 39, were arrested Monday night on charges of official misconduct, aggravated battery, battery and mob action according to the police department.

Police spokesman Doug Burgess declined to comment on specifics of the case, saying only that the officers were on unpaid leave. He wasn’t sure how long either officer had been with the department, only that both had worked there fewer than seven years.

Scott was beaten early May 3 after leading officers on the car chase, authorities said. The squad car video shows Scott’s SUV being chased, stopping at a stop sign and, after a shouted order from a police officer, the driver sticking his hands out the driver’s side window.

An officer then opens the SUV’s door and the driver steps out before quickly dropping to the ground and out of the frame. One officer kneels over the spot where the driver appears to be, another officer is seen stomping over the same spot, and screaming and moaning can be heard.

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