Padres’ Santiago Jailed; Player Says He Was Beaten by Officers

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Padre catcher Benito Santiago was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and resisting arrest after an incident during which the Padre All-Star said he was beaten by three officers.

Coronado Police Dept. spokesman Detective Keith James said Santiago spent about four hours in jail. Ed Checkert, deputy district attorney in the South Bay office, said charges have not been filed.

Santiago said Thursday night that he was innocent and that he suffered a black eye, a scratch on the side of his face, a sore neck and a sore left forearm.

Ishmael Fonseca, an arresting officer, was unavailable for comment. Sgt. James Adams, a shift supervisor who said he was familiar with the case, said Santiago was not mistreated.

“What our guys did was right,” Adams said. “Benito pushed it.”

Scott Boras, Santiago’s agent and lawyer, said he is uncomfortable with the way the matter was handled.

“The entire case will be reviewed succinctly by myself and our legal department,” Boras said, “and (police) conduct will be scrutinized in accordance with provisional rules and regulations governing the conduct of police officers in that situation. If after review we find their conduct not within those standards, we will definitely pursue litigation.”

Said Adams: “Let’s go to court. When the situation comes out in court, I think you’ll find what Benito said is not accurate, and we’ll prove it.”

Padre President Dick Freeman said he knew nothing about the matter.

“I’m not aware of it,” Freeman said. “I’ve got no comment.”