Phoenix Officers Fired, Arrested Over Unreported Violent Traffic Stop
Two Phoenix police officers were fired and arrested Saturday, August 22, 2026, on aggravated assault and kidnapping charges tied to an unreported violent traffic stop in Phoenix on August 5.[1]
The officers were identified as Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez, and each was held on a secured $100,000 bond.[1] Investigators allege the officers smashed a car window, punched the male driver, threatened to shoot him, handcuffed the female passenger and used a Taser on both occupants.[1]
Tempe police first found an abandoned vehicle and treated the case as a possible attempted carjacking by people posing as officers.[1] Phoenix investigators then used automatic vehicle locator data to place a department vehicle at the scene and identify their own officers as suspects.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The traffic stop occurred late at night on August 5, 2026, in Phoenix and was never reported by the officers involved.
- Officers Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez were fired and arrested on charges including aggravated assault and kidnapping, with $100,000 secured bonds set for each on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
- Investigators allege the officers smashed a car window, punched the male driver, threatened to shoot him, handcuffed the female passenger, and used a Taser on both occupants.
- Phoenix police used automatic vehicle locator data to place a department vehicle at the scene, leading them to identify their own officers as suspects.
- The Tempe Police Department initially treated the incident as a possible attempted carjacking by police impersonators after finding the abandoned vehicle.
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