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Video Shows Texas Police Officer Using Taser on 76-Year-Old Over Car Inspection Sticker

Dashcam footage shows a Victoria officer grab and wrestle the older man to the ground, even though he pointed out dealer tags on the vehicle that exempted it from inspection.
Image via YouTube

VICE News is closely watching policing in America. Check out the Officer Involved blog here.

A 76-year-old in Victoria, Texas, has accused a police officer of using excessive force after he was arrested and tased twice over an expired car inspection sticker. Nathanial Robinson, a 23-year-old Victoria police officer, has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his treatment of Pete Vasquez, much of which was captured on the police cruiser's dashboard camera.

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Last Thursday, Robinson stopped Vasquez after noticing the expired sticker. The Victoria Advocate confirmed with the police department that because the car displayed dealer tags, it was technically exempt from inspection. Vasquez, who was returning the vehicle to an auto repair lot, exited the vehicle and pointed out the dealer tags to the police officer.

Dashcam footage then shows Robinson suddenly grabbing the 76-year-old's arm. When Vasquez pulls away, the officer can be seen pushing him against the hood of the car and then wrestling him to the ground. According to the police, Robinson then used a Taser gun on the man twice. Though this took place outside of the dash cam's frame, Robinson can clearly be seen pointing the weapon at Vasquez as he shouts for him to put his arms behind his back.

Vasquez was handcuffed and escorted to the hospital, where he was released without charge or citation.

"He just acted like a pit bull, and that was it," Vasquez remarked to the Victoria Advocate. "For a while, I thought he was going to pull his gun and shoot me."

Victoria Police Chief J.J. Craig opened an internal investigation into Robinson's conduct, and personally apologized to the 76-year-old.

Watch the video of Vasquez arrest below: