Complaint #202100516,
January 7, 2021

Officer: Wright, Anthony
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Wright, Anthony
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Offensive Language: Race
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Recategorized as: Offensive Language: Other
Officer: Wright, Anthony
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Force: Other blunt instrument as a club
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Nardello, Travis
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Wright, Anthony
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Force: Restricted Breathing
CCRB Conclusion: Unfounded
Officer: Nardello, Travis
Complainant: Black Male, 55-59
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical)
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Wright, Anthony Black Male, 55-59 Discourtesy: Word Unfounded
Wright, Anthony Black Male, 55-59 Offensive Language: Race Unfounded
Recategorized as Offensive Language: Other on December 9, 2024
Wright, Anthony Black Male, 55-59 Force: Other blunt instrument as a club Substantiated (Charges)
Nardello, Travis Black Male, 55-59 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Wright, Anthony Black Male, 55-59 Force: Physical force Substantiated (Charges)
Unknown Officer Black Male, 55-59 Force: Restricted Breathing Unfounded
Nardello, Travis Black Male, 55-59 Abuse of Authority: Threat of force (verbal or physical) Exonerated

Conclusion Meanings:

'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Wright, Anthony
Closed: Trial verdict reversed by PC, Final verdict Not Guilty, May 16, 2025
APU Not guilty

Summary

On January 7, 2021, at approximately 11:17 a.m., [redacted] shoplifted from the CVS store at 61-15 Metropolitan Avenue in Queens, and Detective Anthony Wright and Police Officer Travis Nardello of the 104th Precinct saw [redacted] flee the store from the emergency exit. Detective Wright exited his police vehicle and allegedly said, "You black motherfucker, get on the ground" (Allegations A and B – Offensive Language: Race, Discourtesy: Word; unfounded). Police Officer Nardello forcibly brought [redacted] down to the ground (Allegation C – Force: Physical Force, exonerated). An officer allegedly placed a knee on [redacted] back, restricting his breathing (Allegation D – Force: Restricted Breathing, unfounded). Detective Wright punched [redacted] in the face multiple times while wearing a ring with a large ornament and jagged edges (Allegations E - Force: Physical Force & Allegations F – Force: Other Blunt Instrument as Club, substantiated; Allegation I – Other Possible Misconduct Noted). Police Officer Nardello also punched [redacted] and threatened to use his Taser against him (within Allegation C; Allegations G – Abuse of Authority: Threat of Force, exonerated). During the struggle, Detective Wright allegedly said, "Shut the fuck up, motherfucker," and after [redacted] was handcuffed, Detective Wright allegedly said, "I told your ass, you were trying to be tough," and again told [redacted] to "shut the fuck up" after [redacted] apologized to him (within Allegation A). [redacted] was arrested for petit larceny (Board Review 02) and treated at [redacted] Hospital in police custody. He allegedly sustained a torn pupil/cornea, a fractured spine, broken teeth, and lacerations (HIPAA medical release forms were mailed to [redacted] to obtain his permission to request his medical records from [redacted] Hospital and FDNY, but he failed to return these forms or to respond to any follow-up contact attempts). Read report for details.


Details

Incident: January 7, 2021
Received: January 25, 2021
Closed: May 25, 2022
Last Updated: May 18, 2025

Reason for contact: PD suspected C/V of violation/crime - bldg
Location: Commercial building
In NYPD 104th Precinct Queens
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Brandyn Baltusis, Kristen Candelaria, Kevin Golden, Michael Gonzalez, Mark Guerrero, Andrew Incantalupo, Michael Ramirez
Body-Worn Camera evidence collected