Rochester Police say a man they arrested after a chase on Friday was injured in a car crash during the chase. His father says 21-year-old Roy Siplin Jr. was punched in the face by police and is a victim of excessive use of force.
Roy Siplin Sr. told reporters in a news conference on Sunday that his son needed hospitalization after the arrest. Siplin Jr., who was one of three men arrested after the chase on Friday, was arraigned at the hospital.
Police say they gave chase to a car after gunshots were fired near North Union and Trinidad Streets on Friday. They attempted to stop the car because they suspected the occupants might have been involved, but the driver sped away and fled down Pennsylvania Avenue. He failed to make the turn onto Union Street and crashed.
Siplin Jr., Kaliek Francis and Jacolby Sermons, all of Rochester, were chased down and arrested. All were charged with criminal possession of a weapon because a loaded, illegal handgun was found in the car. Siplin also had a gun in his waistband according to police.
Police released body camera footage of the incident to back their claim that Siplin was injured in the car crash, not assaulted by officers.