- Police Brutality Watch

Police Chief Dave Hinig said a preliminary investigation by his department shows an officer was justified in shooting an alleged car thief who allegedly threatened her with a 10-inch screwdriver. Arcadia police Officer Toni Caylor, a 17-year veteran of the department, was a few feet away from Cesar Baltazar, 23, of Hawthorne when he allegedly thrust the screwdriver at her, Hinig said. Baltazar was parked in a stolen Acura with his girlfriend, Bianei Miramontes, 19, when the incident occurred at 4:36 a.m. Aug. 25 at Arcadia County Park, authorities said. Caylor was investigating the car because its trunk lock and ignition were damaged, leading her to believe it had been stolen, police said. Caylor fired several shots at Baltazar, hitting him once in the arm, before he drove away, Hinig said. He and Miramontes were arrested about 90 minutes later. [more

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