Denver Car Thief Is Suing Former Police Officer Who Tased Him

The plaintiff, Christopher Bustos, is going after Filip Perry, a former police officer who was expelled from the force over the use of excessive force in another incident that took place in the same parking lot where Bustos suffered his injuries.

Car Thief Goes After Police Officer Who Blinded Him in Lawsuit

Bustos has been sentenced to 10 years in prison due to repeat offenses, including aggravated motor vehicle theft. He was arrested by Perry in March 2023, following a brief altercation at the Ameristar Casino in Blackhawk, Colorado.

The arrest saw Perry use a taser which injured him in one eye. Perry was later dismissed from the force in June 2023, but not about the incident involving Bustos. Back in March 2023, Bustos was sitting in a car that had been reported stolen.

Perry had quickly identified the vehicle and went over to speak with the person who was inside – Bustos. Upon finding out that he had been discovered, Bustos exited the vehicle and turned himself over to Perry.

The lawsuit alleges that Perry used excessive force right from the start first pressing a gun to his head, and then taking out a taser and tasing the victim in the left eye, which has gone blind since the accident. Bustos and his lawyer insist that this was unnecessary and unprovoked.

The lawsuit alleges that although Perry was clearly carrying out his duties, and Bustos was indeed guilty of having stolen the vehicle, the manner in which the officer acted was not aligned with police standards and regulations.

Bustos did not resist, but he was tased regardless. There had been no weapon discovered about his person or on his person as well, the lawsuit stated, arguing that Perry had used excessive force.

Perry Felt No Remorse for Blinding Bustos

This argument can bear fruit because Perry has been known to mistreat suspects and show excessive force, hence his release from the role of a policeman.

Bustos’ case has even more legal standing, not least because of the July accident which led to Perry being charged with official misconduct.

He had pushed a suspect who had been apprehended into the law without cause. An internal affair investigation also obtained messages in which the police officer had bragged about his exploits, and specifically Bustos’ case, describing himself at one point as a “big, tough lawman.”