Atlanta Police Release IHOP Incident Report: Read It Here

The Atlanta Police Department has released its official incident report regarding an altercation between an Atlanta police officer and several IHOP patrons, a video of which has become a YouTube sensation.

The report states that Officer Jose Vidal was working an extra job at the International House of Pancakes at 3122 Peachtree Road. Around 4 am Saturday morning, he reported that three patrons - Roberta Caban, Cynthia Freeman and Vanessa Chancey – were sitting at a booth directly behind him, talking loudly.

After asking Freeman to refrain from talking so loudly, “Ms. Freeman responded that she is a criminal justice major … and she knows her First Amendment rights,” Vidal said in the report.

Vidal said he told Freeman she would have to leave if she continued yelling. Caban told Vidal to “leave them alone.”

“I ain’t going nowhere,” Freeman said, according to the report. Vidal said he then attempted to place Freeman under arrest, and she resisted.

“Ms. Caban grabbed my arm,” Vidal reported. “I got on the radio and asked for assistance. I continued to try to get Ms. Freeman into custody and she continued to resist. Ms. Freeman started throwing punches.”

Vidal reported that another patron, Ashley Leavell, came over to the booth and started yelling for Vidal to leave Freeman alone. “Ms. Leavell punched me in the left side of my face,” Vidal said in the report. “I returned the punch and struck her in the face. Ms. Leavell resisted arrest. After a short struggle I placed her in custody.”

Vidal reported that Leavell was using “vulgar language and continued acting in a boisterous manner.” He said Leavell also smelled of alcohol.

Vidal stated the restaurant’s manager and another employee witnessed the incident.

Both Leavell and Freeman were checked out by Grady medical units before placed into custody. Caban and Chancey were also arrested.

Earlier this week, Buckhead Patch reported that Vidal has been placed on administrative duty.

“The officer involved in the arrest and confrontation with a patron at the IHOP in Buckhead has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards," APD spokesman Carlos Campos said in a statement earlier this week.

"Use of force by police officers is a matter the department takes seriously, and the OPS investigation will determine if the officer acted within established guidelines. Chief [George] Turner has pledged to have the OPS investigation concluded in 10 business days.”