Witness of San Diego police officer attacking girlfriend shares details of incident
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — Wednesday — A good Samaritan who stopped the San Diego Police officer as he was beating his girlfriend stepped forward Wednesday.
Ray Montana was visiting San Diego from Arizona. He was downtown and heard the scuffle between Officer Oscar Armenta and his girlfriend.
Cell phone footage captured that night shows a man running across the street who first tried to break it up, but he failed. Armenta immediately begins to attack him.
Montana said that by the time he arrived, he was able to get control over Armenta, holding him to the ground until police showed up.
SDPD released the following statement Wednesday.
"We hold ourselves to the highest standards and take the conduct of all our employees very seriously. This matter will be investigated thoroughly and he is facing both criminal and administrative consequences as a result of this incident."
Armenta paid his $25,000 bail on Tuesday and is out of jail. He is on paid-administrative leave as the investigation continues.
Tuesday — A San Diego police sergeant was out on bail Tuesday following his arrest over the weekend in connection with an alleged off-duty assault on his girlfriend in the Gaslamp District.
Oscar Armenta, a 13-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, allegedly battered the woman in the 700 block of Island Avenue shortly after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, according to SDPD officials. Authorities did not disclose the extent of the woman’s injuries.
The sergeant was booked into county jail on suspicion of domestic violence, then released after posting bail of $25,000.
Armenta, who has been placed on paid leave due to the allegations, "is facing both criminal and administrative consequences as a result of this incident,” public-affairs Lt. Scott Wahl said.
"We hold ourselves to the highest standards and take the conduct of all our employees very seriously,” Wahl said.
"We are currently investigating a domestic violence incident that occurred over the weekend involving Sergeant Oscar Armenta. He was arrested and booked into county jail as a result of the incident. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and take the conduct of all our employees very seriously. This matter will be investigated thoroughly and he is facing both criminal and administrative consequences as a result of this incident. He has been an employee for the San Diego Police Department for 13 years and is on administrative leave while this investigation continues," Lt. Scott Wahl said in a statement.
