NJ cop hits bunny-costume-wearing, horn-blowing prankster at police station (WATCH)
New Jersey 101.5 video. (Caution: Profanity in video.)
HOPATCONG — A police officer in Sussex County could face criminal charges after he was caught on live video hitting a man who showed up to the police station dressed as a bunny and blowing a loud air horn.
Kevin Hemmerich, 29, and his brother thought it would be funny to make a video of Hemmerich causing “a little bit of ruckus” before he turned himself in for an arrest warrant, his brother told New Jersey 101.5 on Friday.
But a police officer on duty didn’t get the joke.
In the video streamed live on Facebook by Jason Hemmerich, an officer identified by Jason as Nicholas Maresca is seen hitting Kevin in the face after cursing him out.
A second officer, identified as Christopher Lotito, confronts Jason before the recorded live stream cuts off. Jason says the officer ripped the phone out of his hands.
When the video turns back on, Jason is outside of the police station and can be heard yelling epithets about the police.
Kevin Hemmerich was taken into custody Thursday and is serving a 12-day sentence at Sussex County jail as a result of failing to show up for a 12-day sentence to the Sheriff’s Labor Assistance Program, or SLAP. Hemmerich had been sentenced to the work program after he got into a car accident and didn’t have up-to-date auto insurance.
His brother told New Jersey 101.5 that Kevin had missed his sentence after hitchhiking across the country.
Jason — who was charged a day later with obstruction, harassment and disorderly conduct — says the police officers acted inappropriately.
“He wasn’t being violent or belligerent. He wasn’t drunk or on drugs. It was a prank,” he said.
Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller says his office is investigating the incident to determine whether the officer's "physical contact" with Kevin Hemmerich was warranted and whether the charges against his brother were appropriate.
The brothers grew up in this rural borough and Jason said they know most of the cops.
Jason Hemmerich said Friday he has no regrets about the incident because he believes it ultimately helped expose "police brutality."
"It shows what's going on with our police department," he said.
The police department referred a reporter to the prosecutor's office.
Lotito has more than 19 years of experience and Maresca has more than 18, pension records show.
Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.
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