Complaint #200000898,
February 18, 2000

Summary

[redacted] was interviewed on March 7, 2000. On February 18, 2000, at approximately 6:30 p.m., [redacted] made a purchase in the Rite Aid Pharmacy on the southwest corner of 145th and Broadway. She had been accompanied there by her companion, [redacted] who drove [redacted]s car, a tan four-door 1996 Oldsmobile Archiva. [redacted]s children, [redacted] and [redacted] sat in the back seat.
When they left the pharmacy, [redacted] drove south on Broadway to 144th Street where he made a U-turn onto the northbound side of Broadway. [redacted] then turned right onto 145th Street traveling east towards Amsterdam Avenue. When they reached the middle of the block, [redacted] noticed a marked RMP driving behind them with its lights flashing. [redacted] believed that the RMP wanted to pass her and [redacted]. [redacted] was prevented from pulling to the side of the road by double-parked vehicles. Seconds later, a marked police van stopped at the intersection of Amsterdam Avenue and 145th Street, effectively blocking [redacted]s vehicle. [redacted] noticed that the RMP did not pass her vehicle, but stopped behind it.
Two officers (later identified as P.O. Demarco and P.O. Nuñez) exited the RMP and approached [redacted]s car. P.O. Demarco, his gun drawn and pointed toward the vehicle, approached [redacted]'s door. P.O. Nuñez, who stood on [redacted]s side of the car, also had his gun drawn and pointed at the occupants of the vehicle. Two unidentified officers stepped out of the van, drew their weapons, and stood in front of the car.
P.O. Nuñez yelled, instructing the occupants of the car to open the doors. Other voices joined his to command the occupants to open the doors. P.O. Demarco and P.O. Nuñez pulled on the doorhandles. However, the doors on [redacted]s car lock automatically if one attempts to pull them open while they are being unlocked. The doors reacted in this way when P.O. Demarco and P.O. Nuñez attempted to open them. Finally, the officers managed to open the doors, and holstered their weapons. P.O. Nuñez... Read report for details.