Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Violent Target Arrest Video Began With Fight Over Recycled Bottles, DA Says

 Police struggled to arrest Alando Brissett  on trespassing charges after a dispute in a Brooklyn Target over a receipt for recycled bottles, authorities said.
Police struggled to arrest Alando Brissett on trespassing charges after a dispute in a Brooklyn Target over a receipt for recycled bottles, authorities said.
View Full Caption
YouTube/Michael Rolland

BROOKLYN — A fight over a receipt for recycled bottles sparked an argument at a Brooklyn Target on Saturday that ended with NYPD officers caught on video punching a man while arresting him inside the store, prosecutors said.

The struggle started when the man — identified by authorities as Alando Brissett — asked a Target custodian for a receipt in exchange for recycled bottles around 7:45 p.m. on July 25 at the store located at 1598 Flatbush Ave., according to court records.

When the custodian told him the store couldn’t give out receipt for that kind of exchange, Brissett began arguing with him and the custodian told him to leave, the charges said.

When Brissett refused, police moved in to arrest him, as seen on a 14-minute video of the incident which shows a group of officers on top of the man.

One of the officers is seen slamming his knee into the suspect's head before he and a female officer punch him, according to the video uploaded to YouTube.

Court papers said Brissett “did resist a lawful arrest by flailing [his] arms,” stiffening his elbows and kicking at the officers around him.

Brissett, named as “John Doe” in court documents because he refused to give identification to police, was charged with resisting arrest and criminal trespassing at his arraignment Monday.

Requests to speak to his attorney at The Legal Aid Society were not immediately returned. 

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said Brissett had exhibited “concerning behavior” before Target staff summoned police during the incident.

"At Target, we take the safety and security of our guests, team members and property very seriously," she said.

Brissett was released without bail, according to court records. He is due back in court Sept. 8.