A just released report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety reveals new details in the violent takedown of a handcuffed theft suspect by former Williams Police Lieutenant John Romero.
According to the DPS report, Romero told a police dispatcher that he was going to “f*ck some sh*t up” as he was leaving the Williams police station on his way to the arrest scene of theft suspect Brian Lopez.
Minutes later an already handcuffed Lopez was unconscious on the ground and bleeding from a serious head wound after Romero allegedly violently and unnecessarily threw Lopez to the ground according to the report.
Video from arresting Officer Nicole White’s body camera showed Lopez was already handcuffed and was not resisting arrest. Lopez was being arrested for allegedly stealing a single can of beer from a local gas station.
After reviewing the evidence, a Grand Jury indicted Romero on 2 felony counts of aggravated assault. Romero has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Former Williams Officer White told DPS investigators that Lopez was “completely compliant” and under control when Romero intervened. White told an ABC15 reporter that “There was no reason, in my opinion, for him to go to the ground with such force. He was already controlled”. White further stated “I thought he had been killed at that moment.”
According to the DPS report, Romero told told investigators the incident was an accident and that Lopez slipped. However, the DPS found no evidence that Lopez was resisting arrest or had slipped.
Also in the DPS report, an outside review by the Page Police Department only examined reports and videos without interviewing key witnesses, including the victim.
The initial reviews of Romero’s actions by the former Williams police chief and the Page Police Department cleared him of any wrongdoing. This was despite former Officer White’s statements regarding the events.
Williams hired a new Police Chief, James Gregory, in January 2025. James re-examined the case and fired Romero in April of 2025 because of his involvement in Lopez’s arrest and asked the Arizona Department of Public Safety to launch a new investigation into his actions.
Williams Police Chief Gregory told ABC15 news his department had no comment on the charges Romero is now facing or new findings from the DPS report. According to City Manager Tim Pettit, it was the city that requested the DPS to investigate the incident after the new police chief “inadvertently discovered additional information.”
Many in the community are unsatisfied with that explanation and would like an investigation into the original determination the Romero did nothing wrong by the former Police Chief Tad Wygal. One resident who requested anonymity fearing retaliation told us, “it sure looks like there was an attempt at covering the whole thing up.”
Romero is currently awaiting trial on the 2 felony charges. The Mohave County Attorney’s Office is handling to prosecution at the request of the Coconino County Attorney. Romero faces the possibility of significant prison time if convicted.
