PHOENIX — Two Phoenix officers under criminal investigation for a violent and unreported traffic stop have been arrested and fired, the Phoenix Police Department announced Saturday.
ABC15 first confirmed the arrests of Officers Luis Vasquez Jr. and Antonio Felix through multiple sources.
The Phoenix PD has arrested former officers Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez Jr. on numerous charges. Police Chief Giordano announced the arrest and their firing from the department today. pic.twitter.com/IblePpoiiK
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) August 23, 2026
Police say Officers Vasquez Jr. and Felix stopped a vehicle on Aug. 5 at around 11:30 p.m. in the area of 19th Avenue and Broadway Road and proceeded to use force on a man and woman.
The traffic stop was not reported, and there was no body-worn camera activation, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
WATCH HERE: Phoenix Police Department provides details on investigation into unreported stop
"Detectives have confirmed that the two former officers physically assaulted both the man and woman during the traffic stop. The investigation also shows that a taser was used on the victims during the traffic stop," Phoenix Chief of Police Matt Giordano said.
Both officers were arrested on several felony charges, including:
- Aggravated assault
- Aggravated robbery
- Kidnapping
- Felony assault involving a bound and otherwise physically restrained individual
- Threatening and intimidating
- Criminal damage
- Hindering prosecution
- Tampering with evidence
ABC15 also received an email that was sent to department staff.
While officials state there is no video evidence showing the assault, Giordano says they have proof both were in their city vehicle through AVL technology (automatic vehicle locator system) and were able to confirm that they were in their traditional police uniform.
Both officers gave voluntary statements in the presence of their attorney.
Both officers were placed on administrative leave on Aug. 13, according to authorities.
There is no indication the officers knew the victims involved.
The Professional Standards Bureau will move forward to identify any other individuals involved and determine whether there are broader systemic concerns.
"No community members should suffer what happened here. We recognize this erodes community trust, and I am committed to rebuilding that trust starting today," Giordano said.
The criminal investigation into Vasquez Jr. and Felix began after Tempe police received a call about a disabled vehicle.
See previous ABC15 Investigator coverage of the incident in the player above.
According to a police report released by Tempe police earlier this week, the city’s officers spoke to one of the car’s passengers who escaped and reported being assaulted during a violent and chaotic traffic stop in south Phoenix.
A Tempe officer found the man’s story so concerning that he thought it had to have been done by criminals posing as police officers and reported it to Phoenix for further investigation.
Sources told ABC15 that’s how Phoenix figured out it could have been two of its own officers who conducted the unreported stop.
Both officers worked out of the South Mountain Precinct.
No other officers are on leave.
One officer had been with the Phoenix Police Department for eight years, and the other for nine years. According to Giordano, both officers had prior "policy violations."
As of now, the motive behind the traffic stop is unclear.
The officers will be transferred to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Saturday evening.
Contact ABC15 Chief Investigator Dave Biscobing at Dave@ABC15.com and ABC15 reporter Ford Hatchett at Ford.Hatchett@ABC15.com.
