New Haven sergeant defends seizure of cell phone

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A New Haven police sergeant says he did nothing wrong by seizing a cell phone used to videotape the arrest of a man outside a city nightclub.

Sgt. Chris Rubino tells the New Haven Register he never told the woman to stop filming Saturday morning's arrest, and took the phone because he felt it was evidence in the case.

Jennifer Gondola told the New Haven Independent newspaper she was charged with interfering with police after refusing to give Rubino the phone and stuffing it inside her bra. The phone was confiscated.

The FBI and city police are both investigating whether Rubino's actions violated Gondola's rights or a department rule that allows bystanders to film arrests.

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Information from: New Haven Register