Videotaped arrest of suspect in Chester sparks investigation

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- The videotaped arrest of a man in Chester is sparking controversy but the Delaware County District Attorney says an initial investigation does not reveal that police did anything wrong.

"From my review, at this point in time, I don't see excessive force in that video," said Jack Whelan, Delaware County District Attorney.

The arrest was captured on cell phone video.

It started with police responding to a call of a burglary in progress in Chester.

The first officer to arrive says he almost got into a collision with a car driving the wrong way on a one way street.

He stopped the car and says he noticed the driver, Walter Moat, acting suspiciously.

"At the time he pulled him over, he notices his behavior with his belt in an area that it looks like he's trying to conceal something," said Whelan.

Police say that something turned out to be a handgun that had been stolen.

When they took the gun off Moat, police say he punched two of the officers and tried to get away.

They called for backup and were joined by officers from Chester and Chester Township.

The officers used a Taser on him several times, but they say he kept resisting.

Moat has a long criminal record going back to 1985. He's been arrested dozens of times and he's been convicted before on resisting arrest charges.

The D.A. says that may explain his attempt to get away.

"That's why I'm suggesting that he was engaged in this type of behavior because of his background, and he's been in and out of the prison system and he knows he's on his way back," said Whelan.

Police say Moat continued to struggle at the hospital, spitting at the nurses.

The D.A. says police are justified in using force to make an arrest, even deadly force at times, and that there does not appear to be anything excessive about how the officers handled Moat.

"From my review of his criminal history, from my review of the circumstances of this case, he's very dangerous," said Whelan.

Whelan says he understands how Moat's family may be upset when viewing the video, but, at this point, he has no evidence of improper police conduct.

Meanwhile, investigators still have witnesses to interview before a final determination.

As for the officers involved, they remain on active duty.