Police probing brutality claim

WILKES-BARRE – State police are investigating the alleged beating of a 23-year-old man by city police officers Tuesday morning.

Luzerne County District Attorney Jacqueline Musto Carroll said her office was asked to have state police look into the allegations of excessive force used on Luis Cruz of Wilkes-Barre.

Cruz was treated for his injuries Tuesday night and released from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, his family confirmed.

Hospital staff contacted Musto Carroll about Cruz’s injuries. The district attorney said she then notified the state police at Wyoming because the brutality claim is against city police officers.

Two state police troopers were sent to General Hospital to investigate. State police Cpl. Christopher Wilson, of Forensic Services Unit, could not be reached for comment.

Attempts to contact city administrative coordinator Bridget Giunta about the incident on Tuesday night were not successful.

Melba Cruz, 25, of Wilkes-Barre, who was at the hospital Tuesday night, alleged police used excessive force on her brother, Luis Cruz, who was arrested on charges of resisting arrest around 10 a.m.

She said she learned about the incident on Stanton Street from a neighbor who told her of the alleged brutality.

“My brother tried to cooperate but ran because they (police) kept on beating him,” she said.

Cruz said her brother was treated for welt marks from a baton, bruises from head to toe, possible broken ribs, and a half-inch gash above his left eye from the alleged attack

“We’ve been at the hospital all day,” Melba Cruz said.

A psychiatrist was evaluating Luis at the hospital, according to Melba Cruz. Luis Cruz has had some prior mental conditions, she said.