A surfer was tackled to the ground at arrested at Belmar Beach in Belmar, New Jersey and the public is questioning what exactly happened.
According to Facebook post, the surfer was taken into custody for not displaying a beach badge on his wetsuit despite having the badge attached to his beach bag. Beach badges are required for admission to Belmar’s beaches. They cost $12 per day and seasonal badges are available for $80.
In videos of the incident you can hear a woman pleading with the officers that the surfer did indeed have a badge while waving a badge at them. The officers took the surfer to the ground, handcuffed him and escorted him off the beach.
The Belmar Police Department is currently working on a press release about the incident which will be issued later today. We will be sure to update this story when it becomes available.
****UPDATE****
Belmar Police Department Statement:
The Belmar Police Department has been made aware of a video circulating on social media depicting a person being arrested on the beach in Belmar on Tuesday, August 20.
The individual, 28-year-old Liam Mahoney of Junction City, California, has been charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest, both disorderly persons offenses, as well as Obstruction of Justice, a petty disorderly persons offense. He was also issued a borough ordinance for Beach Badge Required.
A thorough review of the circumstances of the arrest will be conducted, in accordance with applicable New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (OAG) guidelines.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
