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Protester Sucker Punches Officer During Eric Garner Rally, Police Say

By Sybile Penhirin | December 10, 2014 1:48pm | Updated on December 10, 2014 3:17pm
 Yotameli Sayer punched a police officer in the head during a Eric Garner protest on Dec. 4, 2014, officials say.
Yotameli Sayer punched a police officer in the head during a Eric Garner protest on Dec. 4, 2014, officials say.
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SOUTH STREET SEAPORT — A man who was protesting the Eric Garner grand jury decision was arrested for hitting two police officers within minutes, including sucker punching one in the head in an incident that was caught on video, police said.

The first case happened on Dec 4., when Yotameli Sayer allegedly hit a police officer at around 8 p.m. in front of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

A masked man is seen in the video below punching a police officer in the head and then fleeing the scene while dozens of protesters chant "I can't breathe."

About 30 minutes later, Sayer, 22, struck a second police officer, who was arresting a protester for blocking traffic at Eighth Avenue and 14th Street, police said.

Sayer, who had previous arrest for pot possession and three sealed cases, punched the police officer, a uniformed detective, in the face, according to the criminal complaint.

During that same incident, another man, Neil Bahneman, 43, hit the same detective in the back and pulled him to the ground, the criminal complaint read.

The detective suffered bruises to his head and upper back, according to the criminal complaint.

Both Sayer and Bahneman were charged with felony assault, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

On Dec. 9, Sayer was arrested for the assault that happened in front of Staten Island Ferry Terminal. He was waiting arraignment on Wednesday.

Sayer was also arrested in North Carolina on July 1, 2014 for riding on a train unlawfully, trespassing and impairing railroad operations order, according to Mecklenburg County Clerck office.

He was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation, Mecklenburg County officials said.

Sayer's lawyer and family could not be reached for comment. Bahneman's lawyer declined comment.