© Screen CaptureNYPD Officer Luis Vega prepares to punch Ehud Halevy after being confronted about sleeping on a couch in a synagogue.
New York City, NY - Disturbing video captured a man being brutally beaten by police after he was discovered sleeping on a couch inside a synagogue. The man was struck dozens of times with fists and a baton, even though the man had permission to be there. The beating was ruled justified and the officers were cleared.
The incident took place during the early morning hours of October 8th, 2012. Ehud Halevy, 22, was sleeping in the back room of the A.L.I.Y.A. (Alternative Learning Institute for Young Adults) building in Crown Heights. The facility is a synagogue and outreach center for troubled youths.
Halvey had received permission to sleep there for the night, yet a security guard had evidently not been made aware. Although individuals were sometimes allowed to sleep there, the guard decided to call the police instead of simply talking to the man himself.
Two NYPD officers from the 71st Precinct arrived and roused Halevy, who was sleeping shirtless on a couch. Surveillance video shows Officers Luis Vega and Yelena Bruzzese getting grabby with the man, who in turn tried to keep himself from falling into their clutches.
That's when the cops unleashed a torrent of New York-style brutality on the man. Officer Luis Vega, 49, slugged Mr. Halevy in the face, toppling him backward onto the couch. Vega then got on top of his prey and repeatedly struck him with both fists, as Halevy curled up in a ball and tried to protect himself.
The onslaught continued as Officer Bruzzese assisted in pummeling Halevy with her truncheon. The bludgeoning continued as a third officer arrived and helped to drag the victim onto the floor.