LOS ANGELES — Three brothers are suing the Pomona police department and its officers, alleging racial discrimination and assault.
Jose Pelayo, Jesus Pelayo and Victor Pelayo filed a complaint Oct. 4, in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against the city of Pomona, Pomona Police Department, Police Chief Paul Capraro, and officers Austin Dossey, Frank Sacca, Tim Dorn and Prince Hutchinson, and Does 1-10, alleging violation of the plaintiffs' civil rights.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 6, 2015, while in their apartment complex on East Pasadena in Pomona getting ready for work, the defendants approached the brothers in the parking lot with flashlights and un-holstered firearms.
The suit says the brothers were handcuffed and placed under arrest without any explanation and escorted by the defendants to patrol cars parked a few blocks down the street.
The lawsuit states the Pelayos were told they were arrested for assault and resisting a peace officer, based on an false story concocted by the defendants. As a result, the suit says, the brothers sustained physical and emotional injuries and medical expenses.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants failed and refused to impartially investigate, discipline or prosecute peace officers who committed the acts of felonious dishonesty and crimes of violence.
The Pelayo brothers seek trial by jury, general, special and punitive damages, with attorney fees, costs of suit, and all other relief the court deems proper. They are represented by attorney Narine Mkrtchyan of Mkrtchyan Law in Pasadena.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:17-cv-07292-PSG-SK