An early morning chase today ended with a man being Tasered and kicked by police officers who said he was resisting arrest and trying to escape. A WTHR (Channel 13) helicopter took video of officers kicking Felipe Alvarado, 26, at least five times as he was on the ground. In the end, Officer Jason Scott appears to shove Alvarado’s head down with his foot. One blow appeared to strike Elverado's head while arms were pinned behind his back. Police said the officers' actions appeared to be justified. "The kicks are beyond reasonable force," said the Rev. David W. Greene of Second Baptist Church on the city's north side. "I'm questioning the mentality of police officers. Do they believe they are above the law?" Today’s chase began about 6:45 a.m., when witnesses told police a man who had broken into several vehicles was fleeing in a van near Mitthoefer Road and East 21st Street.

The driver led police on a 10-minute pursuit that ended when the van spun in a field north of 21st Street and Riley Avenue. Police said the man ran across nearby railroad tracks, where officers caught him. One fired his Taser, Mount said, sending the man to the ground. The video shows two officers struggling to subdue the man. The video apparently shows one officer kicking the suspect three times and the other kicking him twice. Scott then approaches and uses a foot to deliver a blow to the man’s head. Mount said Scott appeared to be using his foot to push the man’s head down while the man was in handcuffs.

Greene said many inner-city residents, especially blacks, have a deep distrust for police despite department efforts to build bridges within the community.

Police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Mount said the officers were justified in kicking the suspect who had led them on a 10-minute pursuit and continued to resist arrest. The man resisted even after being shot with a Taser and appeared to be reaching for a knife.

The chase began about 6:45 a.m. on the city's east side when witnesses told officers a man who had broken into several vehicles was fleeing the area. [MORE] and [MORE]