A skateboarder named Noah Velez was arrested following an encounter with law enforcement. The individual stands accused of ignoring police instructions and resisting arrest but vehemently denies these allegations, asserting his innocence in the matter.
The incident unfolded on July 20 at the Redondo Beach Pier, where the skateboarder was reportedly engaged in a skateboarding session.
According to reports, officers approached the skater and instructed him to cease the activity due to safety concerns and potential legal violations. However, the skater allegedly continued skating, prompting the police to take action.
Law enforcement officials claim that the skateboarder ignored their repeated orders to stop and resisted arrest when they attempted to detain the individual. The confrontation escalated as officers struggled to apprehend the skater, resulting in the individual's eventual arrest.
When asked about the incident and if it was handled according to the common standards and practices of the RBPD. “The standards for the Redondo Beach Police Department are to comply with federal, state and local laws, and the policies in place for the RBPD. So the answer to that is yes,” said Joe Hoffman, Redondo Beach Police Chief. “At that point the sergeant has given a lawful order to prevent the collision between (Velez) and the officer."
He added. "Very clearly, had (Velez) complied, this could have been avoided, which was all on the bodycam. I think the sergeant’s actions were reasonable to prevent a collision after he had given a lawful order."
"This is the type of incident that is very easily avoided. The skateboarder operating down there in and of itself is a hazard," he said. "In many police situations, it is tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving, and this was no exception. The individual took his chances by not complying and it resulted in an unintended injury."
Nevertheless, Velez has a different narrative to offer. The skater asserted his innocence, stating that he had never received clear instructions to halt riding his board and was taken aback by the sudden escalation of the situation.
The individual vehemently denied any intent to resist arrest, suggesting that the physical struggle may have resulted from confusion and surprise rather than a deliberate act of resistance.
“To be honest, I still don’t know why they gave that charge,” he said.
He explained that he was skating away toward his girlfriend’s car in the parking lot behind where a police officer stood – just outside the park’s fence where skateboarding is still illegal.
“I was skating on the Pier,” Velez said. “I’ll happily admit that. But that’s a municipal infraction, just a fine.”