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Video shows San Bernardino County deputies punching and kneeing suspect in the head

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San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies were captured on video kneeling on a man and striking him in the head during an arrest, an incident that has sparked public outrage and prompted authorities to place one deputy on leave and launch an internal investigation.

According to the Sheriff’s Department, deputies from the Hesperia station responded to a reported armed robbery in the 16000 block of Main Street on Sunday. They later identified Christian Cardenas Alonso, 36, of Adelanto, as a suspect in the case.

At 4:51 p.m. Tuesday, investigators located and pulled over Alonso at the intersection of Main Street and E Avenue. Authorities say they attempted to arrest Alonso, but he resisted and “a use of force occurred.”

In bystander video posted to social media, four sheriff’s deputies can be seen kneeling on top of a man who is lying face down on the gravel outside a car. At one point, a plainclothes officer knees the man in the head multiple times.

Jesse Vega, a local car enthusiast and smog technician who took the video, happened to be filming Alonso’s vehicle — a 1964 Chevrolet Impala — at the time.

“I’ve never seen somebody’s eyes go black the way like [his] just bruised up that fast,” Vega said. “His jaw at his right side was pretty swollen, his face looked like it was crooked.”

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement that a deputy seen striking Alonso has been placed on administrative leave as the district attorney’s office reviews the incident.

The district attorney’s office did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

After detaining Alonso, authorities said, they found items belonging to the victim of the armed robbery in his trunk. They subsequently searched his business — Califa Style Tattoo Ink, also in the 16000 block of Main Street — at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. There, investigators said they recovered a firearm, ammunition, and unspecified gang paraphernalia and confronted individuals inside the tattoo shop who they allege were gang members.

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In a statement, the Sheriff’s Department also alleged that Alonso was an “active criminal street gang member.”

Jesus Basulto, a tattoo artist who works at Califa Style Tattoo Ink, said he was about to take his 13-year-old daughter miniature golfing when deputies “came in by surprise” and pointed a gun at his child while they searched the business.

Basulto said there was “nothing gang-related” in his work and that he, Alonso, and his coworkers are innocent.

“We are all here supporting our families,” a confused and upset Basulto said in a phone interview. “We want to do something positive.”

The shop has been closed since Tuesday out of fear of harassment from law enforcement, Basulto said. He also alleged that the deputies turned off surveillance footage of the shop’s entry and falsified documentation claiming he was carrying a firearm during his arrest.

Basulto said he and other friends of Alonso planned to protest at the Hesperia sheriff’s station Friday evening.

“All of them should be held accountable,” he said.

Next door to Califa Style Tattoo Ink, Damian Rodriguez was the manager on shift at Roll Over Beethoven’s Music Store when deputies arrived. Rodriguez has worked at the music store for nine years and said Main Street “is just not that safe of a place,” but that normal business has for the most part resumed on their block.

Rodriguez said that Califa Style Tattoo Ink was a newer tenant that opened two or three years ago and seemed to be doing pretty well.

“Whenever they have flash deals or anything, like most tattoo shops they were pretty packed,” he said.

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In that time, he said, he never experienced trouble with his neighbors. In passing, Rodriguez would wave hello while taking out the trash.

“All the employees there have been real cool and wonderful with us,” he said.

The incident involving San Bernardino County deputies using force against Christian Cardenas Alonso has raised concerns and sparked outrage within the community. The video footage showing deputies striking Alonso in the head while he was on the ground has led to an internal investigation and placed one deputy on leave.

The Sheriff’s Department stated that the incident occurred during an arrest related to an armed robbery case. However, the use of force seen in the video has prompted questions regarding the deputies’ actions and the need for such aggressive measures. The involvement of multiple deputies in restraining Alonso and the use of knee strikes to the head have raised concerns about excessive force and potential misconduct.

The response from the community and individuals involved, such as Jesus Basulto and Damian Rodriguez, highlights the impact of the incident on local businesses and residents. Basulto’s account of the deputies’ conduct during the search of his workplace and the closure of the tattoo shop due to harassment reflect the fear and mistrust generated by the incident.

As the investigation continues and allegations of misconduct are raised, it is crucial for transparency and accountability to be prioritized by the authorities. The calls for holding all involved deputies accountable and seeking justice for Alonso emphasize the need for a thorough review of the incident and appropriate actions to address any wrongdoing.

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The public outcry and demand for accountability in this case demonstrate the importance of upholding standards of conduct and ensuring that law enforcement agencies are held responsible for their actions. The video footage serves as a reminder of the power of citizen journalism and the role of technology in exposing incidents of potential abuse and misconduct.

Overall, the incident involving San Bernardino County deputies and the use of force against Christian Cardenas Alonso underscores the importance of oversight and accountability in law enforcement practices. As the investigation unfolds and the community seeks justice, it is essential for authorities to address concerns, uphold standards of conduct, and work towards rebuilding trust with the public.

Intellectuals Insider

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.