NYPD Detectives Placed on Modified Duty After Violent Liquor Store Arrest

Cellphone video shows officers wrestling with man, slamming his head into refrigerator

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:08am

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An extreme close-up photograph of broken glass bottles and a pool of blood on the floor of a liquor store, conveying the gritty aftermath of a violent confrontation.Cellphone video captures the violent aftermath of a confrontation between NYPD detectives and a man inside a Brooklyn liquor store, raising questions about use of force and police accountability.Brooklyn Today

Two plainclothes NYPD narcotics detectives have been pulled off the streets and placed on modified duty after a violent arrest inside a Brooklyn liquor store was caught on cellphone video and shared widely on social media. The footage shows officers wrestling with a man, dragging him by his foot, slamming his head into a refrigerator, and repeatedly punching him as glass bottles shatter around them.

Why it matters

Incidents of alleged police brutality and excessive force often spark public outrage and calls for transparency, as community members demand accountability for officers' actions. This case will likely lead to an internal investigation and potential disciplinary measures, while also raising broader questions about use-of-force policies and the role of cellphone video in policing.

The details

The confrontation unfolded inside BK Wine Depot on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn. In the videos, officers can be seen grabbing the man by the foot and dragging him across the floor, slamming his head into a refrigerator, and punching him repeatedly as bystanders shout that he is being attacked for no reason. The man was issued a desk appearance ticket for resisting arrest and obstruction, rather than being held in custody.

  • The incident occurred on April 15, 2026 inside the BK Wine Depot liquor store on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn.
  • The cellphone videos of the arrest were first uploaded to Instagram and later reviewed by reporters.

The players

NYPD

The New York City Police Department, whose two plainclothes narcotics detectives were involved in the violent arrest.

Jessica Tisch

The NYPD Commissioner, who called the footage of the arrest "upsetting" and said the department would have more to say as the case develops.

BK Wine Depot

The liquor store on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn where the violent arrest took place.

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What they’re saying

“The footage upsetting and the department will have more to say as the case develops.”

— Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner

“He might 'bleed out' as he lies on the ground, visibly injured.”

— Bystander

What’s next

The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is now scrutinizing the encounter, reviewing what happened inside and outside the store. While that investigation plays out, the two detectives have been reassigned to modified duty, a step that usually strips officers of their guns and shields while keeping them on the payroll. If Internal Affairs determines that the detectives crossed the line, they could face internal discipline and, potentially, criminal charges if the Brooklyn district attorney's office decides to step in.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and community members, as well as the role that cellphone video can play in exposing alleged instances of police brutality. It will likely lead to calls for greater transparency, accountability, and reform within the NYPD.