Glendale police officer Gonzalo Zendejas is charged in a 2021 violent arrest that was captured on video

GLENDALE, Calif. (CNS) – A Glendale police officer was charged with aggravated assault on Monday for kicking a minor shoplifter in the head during a fight at the Glendale Galleria nearly three years ago, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

According to prosecutors, 39-year-old Gonzalo Zendejas faces charges of assault by a public official in connection with the incident on June 5, 2021, when police attempted to arrest the youth.

A date for Zendejas’ arraignment has not yet been set.

In a statement released shortly after the case was announced, Glendale police said the charges stemmed from an altercation with one of the shoplifting suspects. He resisted when officers attempted to arrest him in a store. “Officers used force to subdue the man and arrested him.”

“Due to the details of the incident, the Glendale Police Department immediately launched an internal investigation. All officers involved in the use of force were placed on leave,” the police department said in a statement.

“At the same time, the Glendale Police Department requested assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in conducting a thorough and transparent investigation of the incident, including possible criminal action.”

The agency added that its “internal administrative investigation is still ongoing as the outcome depends on the completion of the criminal investigation” and that it had provided all reports, statements and audio and video recordings to the prosecutor’s office to “ensure full transparency and assist in a full and thorough investigation of the facts and evidence surrounding the incident.”

According to Glendale police, Zendejas is still employed but has been on administrative leave since the incident pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

The agency added that three other officers were placed on leave following the incident. “However, over the past three years and during the investigation, the other three officers were returned to full duty.”

District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement: “Police officers face an extraordinarily challenging and demanding job in protecting our communities. However, that responsibility does not excuse actions that endanger others or undermine the public’s trust. This incident represents a serious breach of the duty to serve with integrity and respect.”

According to prosecutors, Zendejas could face a prison sentence of up to three years if convicted.

Copyright 2024, City News Service, Inc.