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Two former Phoenix police officers have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies following allegations of an unreported traffic stop and violent assault on a man and a woman, authorities announced Saturday.
Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano confirmed that officers Luis Vasquez Jr. and Antonio Felix have been terminated from the department and face serious charges, including aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and intimidation.
According to a police report, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on August 5. The man and woman told Tempe police they were pulled over in Phoenix by an SUV displaying police lights and sirens. The two officers reportedly exited the vehicle without identifying themselves and immediately began assaulting the pair, including punching, restraining, and using a stun gun while they remained inside their car.
The report details that one officer allegedly pulled out a handgun, threatened to shoot the man if he did not exit the vehicle, and handcuffed the woman, forcing her face-down on the ground. The man managed to escape, drive away, and later informed a Tempe officer of the incident when his car broke down. The woman was allegedly warned, “We know where you live now,” before being released.
The Tempe officer initially suspected the assailants were impersonating police officers, prompting a referral to Phoenix authorities. However, after detectives interviewed Vasquez and Felix for the first time, the former officers were arrested on Saturday.
Chief Giordano condemned their conduct, emphasizing that such actions erode public trust and violate the standards expected of law enforcement personnel. Both officers were on duty during the incident and did not activate their body cameras. Investigators have also found no security footage of the event.
Following a bond hearing, Vasquez and Felix were ordered held on $100,000 bail each. Prosecutors described them as a danger to the community and potential flight risks. The Phoenix Police Department is conducting a broader investigation to determine if others were involved or if there are systemic issues within the department.
Giordano reiterated that the department is committed to accountability and transparency as this case moves forward. The identities of the man and woman involved, as well as details of their injuries, have not been disclosed.