Wildwood cop, caught on camera punching man, says the man hit him first

WILDWOOD — A police officer caught on video appearing to punch a man last month said in an official police report that the other man had hit him first, according to a news report

The Press of Atlantic City identified the officer as Ptl. Lucas Bottoms, and cited the police report in which he said 55-year-old Pequannock resident Kevin Piccolo had punched him multiple times.

Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor told New Jersey 101.5 last month that officer, who had not been publicly identified at that time, was assigned to desk duty after the incident.

In the police report obtained by the Press, Bottoms said he had been in the area on another call when he was flagged by a member of a band performing in a nearby parking lot. The band member asked Bottoms to remove Piccolo from the scene as he had caused a disturbance during their performance, Bottoms said in the report.

According to Bottoms' account as described by the Press, Piccolo did not leave when he was asked to. Bottoms said he then grabbed Piccolo's arm to escort him away, and Piccolo hit him several times.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com