Complaint #201910753,
December 15, 2019

Summary

On December 15, 2019, at approximately 12:23 a.m., [redacted] and his twin brother, [redacted] were walking in the vicinity of Morris Avenue and East 153rd Street in the Bronx when Sgt. Thomas Demkiw, PO Austin Hieronymi, and PO Podlovits, of Patrol Borough Bronx Specialized Unit, stopped them (Allegations A and B: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Hieronymi allegedly told them to put their "fucking hands up" (Allegations C and D: Discourtesy, [redacted]). PO Hieronymi and Sgt. Demkiw approached [redacted] and both officers allegedly frisked him (Allegation E: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]) (Allegation F: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Hieronymi and Sgt. Demkiw allegedly placed their hands in [redacted]'s jacket and pants pockets (Allegations G and H: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). [redacted] took out his phone to record the interaction and PO Podlovits approached him and told him to stop (Allegation I: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Podlovits frisked [redacted]'s chest area (Allegation J: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Podlovits asked if he had pills in his jacket's inner breast pocket and allegedly asked if he had marijuana in the same pocket (Allegation K: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]) (Allegation L: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Podlovits allegedly searched [redacted]'s jacket's inner breast pocket (Allegation M: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Podlovits further frisked his jacket and pants (Allegation N: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). [redacted] asked for the names and shield numbers of PO Hieronymi and Sgt. Demkiw. PO Hieronymi provided his shield number and allegedly refused to provide his name (Allegations O: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). Sgt. Demkiw allegedly did not provide his name or shield number (Allegations P and Q: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). [redacted] entered the street to take a photograph of the police vehicle and PO Hieronymi and Sgt. Demkiw allegedly threatened to arrest him if he did not return to the sidewalk (Allegations R and S: Abuse of... Read report for details.