NYPD Officer Cleared of Assault Charge in Apple Store Incident

After a three-year legal battle, an NYPD officer accused of punching a disruptive individual inside an Upper West Side Apple Store has been acquitted of assault charges. The incident, which occurred in October 2021, sparked controversy after it was caught on camera.

Officer Salvatore Provenzano faced third-degree assault charges for allegedly striking the individual while attempting to remove him from the store located at 1981 Broadway. However, the Manhattan prosecutors’ case against Provenzano has been dismissed.

The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) hailed the decision, emphasizing that Provenzano was simply performing his duty to protect the public from a repeat offender.

PBA President Patrick Hendry criticized the indictment by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling it baseless and detrimental to Provenzano’s career.

Despite the offer to reduce the charges to second-degree harassment, Provenzano opted to plead not guilty and proceed with a judge trial.

His defense attorney, Stu London, asserted that Provenzano was merely defending himself from perceived aggression and that the incident was blown out of proportion by prosecutors.

NYPD Officer Cleared of Assault Charge in Apple Store Incident

While Provenzano’s acquittal marks a victory, Acting Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley noted that prosecutors were justified in bringing the case forward.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the importance of upholding accountability and thanked the prosecutors for their diligence.

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The altercation stemmed from a struggle captured on bodycam footage, during which Provenzano allegedly struck the individual after he attempted to resist the officer’s efforts to remove him from the premises.

Despite the outcome, the incident serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding law enforcement actions and the importance of thorough investigation and review.