PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The attorney for a young couple involved in a violent traffic stop with two fired Phoenix police officers is sharing a new theory about why the stop happened.
David Myers, the couple’s attorney and a longtime family friend, said the couple wants to return to their lives.
“That’s what they’re looking for, is just to get back to life. They’re scared,” Myers said.
Former officers Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez face a long list of charges, including kidnapping and aggravated assault, tied to a late-night traffic stop last month.
Myers said the couple was driving home from a date on Aug. 5 when they were pulled over near 19th Avenue and Broadway by Felix and Vasquez. The former officers are accused of beating, tasing and threatening the couple at gunpoint after forcefully removing them from their car.
Attorney describes theory behind stop
Myers said he believes the officers were trying to steal the car.
“In my opinion, the police were trying to steal the car. They had it covered so there would be no record, no cameras, no nothing in Phoenix,” Myers said.
Myers believes the plan fell apart when the driver sped off and crossed into Tempe.
“They didn’t realize that it could go into another jurisdiction. In fact, it did. It went into Tempe, Tempe files, and then Phoenix says, whoa, something’s wrong here,” Myers said.
Couple still afraid, attorney says
Myers said the couple is still traumatized and too afraid to go back to work.
“They have a problem even going outdoors,” Myers said.
Myers said a lawsuit is possible in the future, but the couple is not currently seeking money.
“They know there’s money involved. There could be money involved. That’s not their aim. Their aim is to get back to leading a normal life,” Myers said.
Myers also said the couple and the former officers did not know each other before the stop.
Both Felix and Vasquez are out on bond as they wait for their next court appearance.
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