New Police Brutality Case in Costa Mesa Today?

A witness to a Costa Mesa arrest that occurred this afternoon on 17th Street between Newport and Orange avenues contacted the Weekly alleging a brutal confrontation between police and an unidentified man. The witness, who didn't want to be identified, said police roughed the man up around 3 p.m., then after putting him in the back of a squad car, rolled down the window and continued punching him in the head.
But that's not how it went down, says the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Costa Mesa police spokesman Sgt. Phil Myers confirmed that the man was arrested on a drug warrant in front of Coast Hand Wash. Explaining the incident looked more severe than it actually was, he said neither the suspect nor the arresting officers were injured.
"There was some use of force issues, but it was within policy," Sgt. Myers said. "I appreciate the concerns from the community but this was very routine."
The suspect is currently in custody. Police are not releasing his name at this time.