TONAWANDA, N.Y. — On July 20, 2022, two teenagers, 15 and 16 respectively, were arrested by Detective Robert Clontz.
The details of that arrest sparked an investigation by the office of NYS Attorney General Leticia James.
The OAG released their 11-page report regarding the incident and concluded that Detective Clontz improperly arrested the two boys and used excessive force when he put the 15-year-old teenager in a chokehold.
According to New York State law, it is illegal for an officer to use a chokehold.
The report outlines the ordeal, beginning near the intersection of Main St. and Niagara St. in the city of Tonawanda. For reasons the report doesn't outline, the boys were asked to leave Canal Fest.
The boys began leaving, but according to the report were yelling about the situation. Detective Clontz began following the two boys by himself as they headed towards North Tonawanda by way of the Renaissance Bridge.
According to the report, once one of the boys began filming the ordeal, Detective Clontz tried to place them under arrest.
A scuffle involving other TPD detectives and the boys ensued. The report says that Detective Clontz placed the 15-year-old boy in a chokehold for at least 50 seconds while the boy was on the ground.
The boys were eventually detained on a variety of charges.
But the arrests weren't warranted, according to the report issued by the OAG.
The report cites that the boys were not yelling to a degree that could be reasonably considered disorderly conduct. The report also clearly states that Detective Clontz failed to de-escalate the encounter and affirmatively escalated it.
As for what's next, the OAG recommended that disciplinary action be taken against (now) Chief Clontz. In addition, the whole department receives at least 8 hours of physical force training and interacting with young people training.
2 On Your Side reached out to the city of Tonawanda Police for comment, but they said they wouldn't discuss the report until they had time to review it in full.