Parking officer says cop assaulted him

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- A New York parking enforcement agent says an off-duty police officer beat him up and had him arrested after he ticketed the officer's girlfriend.

Eric Celemi told the New York Daily News that people on the street cheered when he was taken away in handcuffs, bleeding from the alleged assault by Police Officer Eladro Mata.

"I had been writing tickets and people standing on the street were applauding when I got arrested," Celemi said. "I always try to treat people in a nice way but I understand people don't like traffic agents. I knew that before I got the job and I learned it even more now."

Celemi said he wants Mata charged with assault for the April 16 incident. But the officer, although now on desk duty, has not been charged so far.

The Bronx District Attorney's Office told the newspaper the case is still under investigation.

Celemi said he ticketed the car because it was double parked. Mata and his girlfriend showed up while Celemi was still writing the ticket, and the officer became furious when Celemi put it on the windshield.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International