Oak Forest Cop Arrested in California Stabbing Will Be Placed on Leave

An Oak Forest police officer arrested in the stabbing of a teenager in California will be placed on leave when he returns to his home department.

Arthur Roman, 28, of Tinley Park, faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and battery, according to police. He was released Monday after posting bail. He and two relatives—brother Martin Roman, 25, and sister-in-law Jessica Roman, 27—were charged following an altercation outside a gym in Huntington Beach, California. The elder Roman was on vacation from his job in Oak Forest, Daily Southtown reports.

Roman will be placed on leave while the Oak Forest department conducts an investigation. The City will determine whether the leave will be paid.

Karam Jarrah, 17, told police he was stabbed twice Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of a fitness center in Huntington Beach. He and his brother-in-law, Asem Dghem, told police they were walking by a car in which the three suspects were sitting, when one commented, "What's up Obama bam?'" Jarrah told police.

Jarrah told police the confrontation escalated to violence, resulting in the stabbing.

"I don't know if it (the comment) was good or bad, but it may have been interpreted the wrong way, so they questioned the pedestrians," said Huntington Beach Officer Jennifer Marlatt. "From there, a verbal argument ensued and then the three got out and the physical attack happened."

Police are not able to confirm the attack was racially motivated. The investigation is ongoing.