Man Filmed Dancing Naked Atop Police Car Hit With Misdemeanor
Written by SOURCE on June 19, 2022
A 38-year-old man was taken into custody this week after he managed to climb atop a police patrol SUV and seemingly taunt officers. Oh, and he did it completely nude.
According to NBC Los Angeles, the incident took place Friday morning in the area of Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue. Video shows the man, who was later identified as Benny Martinez, dancing and jumping on a squad car while a group of officers looked on. Martinez can be heard shouting obscenities at them, but it remains unclear what prompted his behavior.
The Los Angeles Police Department said officers were dispatched to the area shortly after 7 a.m., to assist colleagues responding to a disturbance of peace situation. The department said backup was requested after an individual refused to comply with officers’ demands.
“Officers continued to use de-escalation techniques and the suspect eventually climbed down and was taken into custody without incident or use of force,” the LAPD statement.
Martinez was placed in the backseat of a patrol vehicle, but moments later, he allegedly started kicking the window and ultimately shattered it.
“Officers attempted to roll down the window to prevent damage,” the LAPD said in a statement. “As the window was being rolled down, the suspect kicked it causing it to shatter.”
Martinez was then taken to the LAPD’s Hollywood station, where he was booked for misdemeanor vandalism. He has since been released.