Authorities Wait on Whether to Charge Santiago : Arrest: District attorney’s office to decide after getting results of blood test. Police chief offers to investigate Padre catcher’s allegation he was mistreated by officers.

Misdemeanor charges likely will not be filed against Padre catcher Benito Santiago until results of a blood/alcohol test come back, Ed Checkert, deputy district attorney in the South Bay office, said Friday.

Checkert said that likely would take at least two weeks, “probably longer.”

Santiago was arrested Sunday at 11:33 p.m. in the area of the Coronado Toll Plaza for resisting arrest and suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Checkert said the paperwork arrived in his office Friday from the Coronado Police Dept.

“In all likelihood, we’ll wait for the results of the test before taking any action or filing a complaint,” Checkert said. “I think that’s the prudent thing to do.”

Santiago, who said he was innocent, alleged he was beaten by three officers. He sustained a black eye, scratch on the side of his face, sore neck and sore forearm.

Santiago, a National League All-Star in 1990, said he was leaving a dinner at his physician’s house in Coronado with his wife, Blanco, in one car. His sister, Eneida, and daughter, Benny Beth, were following him in another car. Police pulled over a Toyota Celica--the car Eneida was driving--when it appeared she might have been intoxicated.

Santiago, driving a Porsche Carrera, pulled over as well. Santiago said he was attempting to help his sister, who does not speak English, and aid Benny Beth, who was crying. Coronado Police Chief Jerry Boyd said he launched a oral tirade against officers and, when a back-up car arrived and a sobriety test was administered to Eneida, said Santiago left his car “with his fists clenched, obviously very irate, advancing toward Officer (Steve) Cavner.”

Boyd said Officer Ishmael Fonseca warned Santiago in English and Spanish to stop. When Santiago didn’t, Fonseca grabbed Santiago by the arm.

“Santiago spun and pushed Fonseca, and it was basically a wrestling match,” Boyd said.

Santiago said three officers beat him; Boyd said two officers subdued him. Meanwhile, officers had determined that Eneida Santiago was sober.

Boyd said the officers did not find out Santiago was a Padre until they reached the Coronado Police Station, and that fire department emergency medical technicians were called to the station to examine Santiago. According to Boyd, Santiago said he didn’t need medical aid.

“At that time, he apologized for his conduct,” Boyd said.

His drunk driving arrest was added a few minutes later, Boyd said, when officers smelled alcohol on his breath. Boyd said Santiago then was given a blood test and booked in County Jail, where he spent four hours before being released.

Scott Boras, Santiago’s agent and attorney, said Friday he and Santiago still are contemplating their next step.

“Our plan of attack at this point is we’re going to see what charges he is booked for--if any,” Boras said. “And we’ll proceed after that is revealed. . . . All I know is that there are some very unusual circumstances relating to this arrest. . . .

“Benito just wants to do a fact-finding expedition and determine what his legal rights are and what they’re filing against him.”

Said Boyd: “If they are concerned with the way it was handled, on his request, we would be happy to conduct a thorough internal affairs investigation. I have preliminarily reviewed it, and nothing leads me to believe that the officer’s actions were inappropriate or excessive.”

Boras said he received supportive calls Friday from Padre President Dick Freeman and Manager Greg Riddoch.

Said Freeman: “From the ballclub’s standpoint, I think it’s inappropriate to comment, except from the standpoint we’re concerned about (Santiago). If there’s anything we can do to help him, I wanted to express that.”

Santiago, who made $1.25 million in 1990, is not yet under contract for 1991. He is eligible to file for contract arbitration in January.