Police Department Releases Tony Denunzio Arrest Footage
Chief Cam Sanchez Says Arresting Officer Used Proper Amount of Force
The Santa Barbara Police Department has released dash-cam video from Officer Aaron Tudor’s patrol vehicle on October 21, the night he arrested DUI suspect Tony Denunzio in the parking lot of Loreto Plaza. The highly anticipated video illuminates some of the arrest, though questions remain about the amount of force Tudor used to make the arrest versus Denunzio’s alleged resistance during the encounter.
The District Attorney’s Office declined to press resisting-arrest charges against Denunzio, and DA Joyce Dudley said she will not pursue any charges against Tudor. Denunzio, however, will be charged with DUI, driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or above, and driving without a license. A blood sample taken from Denunzio after the incident showed a BAC (blood alcohol content) reading of .09 percent. His next court appearance is next week.
In the video — which the city attorney’s office said now qualifies as public record because of the completed investigation and evaluation of the arrest — Denunzio can be seen getting out of his car, cigarette in mouth. He looks back toward Officer Tudor, who quickly jumps out of his car, telling Denunzio, “Stay in your car.” Denunzio slowly turns his head away from the officer, who comes up behind him, grabs his left arm, and pushes him toward Denunzio’s SUV.
