An activist group called Cancel the Contract said the officer used excessive force.
“That was the allegation — that they had shoplifted a cake,” member Raquel Derfler told KABC. “So let me be clear, nothing has been proven, but it was alleged … and that’s how they came in hot like that, as though they were brandishing firearms or attacking or assaulting members of the community when it was simply a cake.”
Tom Yu, an attorney for the deputies, said they were sent to handle what was reported as a robbery in progress, during which the suspects had allegedly threatened store employees.
Yu said if the woman had complied, no force would have been needed to take her down.