Allentown police justified arrest caught on video, DA says – NBC10 Philadelphia

Allentown police officers were justified in using force during a videotaped arrest in which they used a Taser on a man and struck him with a baton while responding to a report of domestic violence, officials said.

On June 22, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at an apartment located along the 200 block of North 16.^th Allentown, Pennsylvania, street. The caller told police his sister was in a domestic dispute with her husband, later identified as Michael Iucolino, 29, investigators said.

Léelo in Spanish here

Body camera footage of the incident shows officers entering the apartment as a woman is heard screaming, “Mike! Get off me!” Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said officers were legally allowed to enter the apartment because they believed the woman inside the home had been injured.

“In Pennsylvania, police officers are required to respond to an alleged domestic dispute,” Holihan said.

Body camera video shows a man — identified by investigators as Iucolino — holding a child in his arms as officers walk toward him. Investigators said Iucolino immediately became combative, punching and attempting to punch the officers. A confrontation between the officers and Iucolino ensued. Body camera footage shows Iucolino struggling with officers for nearly seven minutes as a woman is heard screaming and repeatedly telling Iucolino to stop.

The video ends with the officers hitting Iucolino with a baton and tasering him. Authorities said the use of force was in response to Iucolino pinning the leg of one of the officers, causing the officer to trip and fall to the ground.

Iucolino was eventually subdued, arrested and charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest. The woman who was in Iucolino’s apartment did not file any complaints in connection with the incident.

Iucolino is currently being held in the Lehigh County Jail after failing to post bail.

After Iucolino’s arrest, cellphone video showing part of the incident was sent to local media.

“The video previously released to some media outlets by a witness represents only a small portion of what happened and we are here today to show the body camera footage to provide a more complete picture of what happened,” Holihan said Friday.

The Allentown Police Department’s Use of Force Review Board investigated the incident and determined that the officers’ use of force was justified.

“As district attorney, I conducted an independent investigation and agree with their findings,” Holihan said. “I have concluded that there is no evidence to support the filing of criminal charges against the Allentown police officers involved in this incident. »

NBC10 has reached out to Iucolino’s attorney for comment. We will include a statement if we receive a response.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.