Samantha Chavez, 28, of Land O' Lakes, was arrested Thursdaynight on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting an officer withoutviolence.
The mother of three told Local 6's Shaun Schaiyabhat theofficer went too far.
"I look like a crazy, insane Black Friday shopper,which was not the case at all," said Chavez.
Fellow shopper Francisco Herrera recorded the arrest.
"I panicked. I was upset. I was scared," saidChavez. "He turned me over. He pinned me to the floor. He had his knee onmy back."
According to
Police said Chavez was spotted about 15 minutes later tryingto pass the lines. She was told to get in line by an officer, and she said,"Okay," but again tried to get by, police said.
Chavez repeatedly refused to comply, according to police,who said Chavez began screaming. As police tried to escort her from the store,she threw items she apparently intended to purchase and pulled away from theofficer, officials said.
Chavez said she was trying to find her sister-in-lawsomewhere in line. She said she had already finished her shopping and grabbed afew items to bring to her sister-in-law, who was waiting in line. Chavez saidshe dropped the items to prove she had no intention of cutting in line.
"I feel extremely violated. I have no issue waiting ina line," she said. "I've never been in any trouble. I just wanted togo home."
Police spokesman Rob Pelton said off-duty police officer whointervened was justified.
"Five or six times, this officer tells her she needs togo to the back of the line; there's other people becoming upset thinking thatyou're cutting in line," said Pelton. "People are yelling out, 'Hey,this isn't fair, do something!'"
Chavez said she thinks the cop took his Black Friday job toofar.
"He grabbed me by my arm very, very strongly,"said Chavez. "At that point, I did get irate. A man three times my sizehas me by the arm. I felt very upset by that. I'm like, 'Why are you doingthis? You don't have a right to do this. I didn't do anything.'"
Police say if she was just looking for a relative she shouldhave asked the officer for help, but didn't. Chavez said she wanted to ask forassistance, but the officer wouldn't listen.
Police said the store was so crowded Thursday night, thestore was have people exit out the back of the store. So, even if Chavez wantedto leave, she likely would not have been able to do so out the front.
Walmart hired off-duty officers to help keep the peaceduring the busy holiday shopping event, and regardless of what Chavez did,their job was to prevent a bigger disturbance, said Pelton.
Chavez was released from the Seminole County Jail afterposting $550 bond, and now faces a charge of resisting arrest without violenceand a charge of disorderly conduct.
No other arrests were reported at the store.
Source-clickorlando.com
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