Police Fight Claim Of Woman Being Body Slammed In Tysons Arrest

TYSONS, VA—Fairfax County Police are fighting a claim that a woman was body slammed during an arrest at Tysons Corner Center on Thursday, April 25.

The arrest happened at the Spencer's store after the woman's friend, Molly Helmer, 22, of Annandale, was reportedly caught shoplifting and issued a summons. The woman in question, Lia Chen, 19, of Annandale, allegedly dumped water from a bottle on the store's floor as the group was leaving. Police say she began screaming and acting disorderly when an officer approached.

The video released by Fairfax County Police begins as officers brought Chen back to the store. Police claim Chen tried to break free and continued to act disorderly. Police say "to gain control and prevent her from harming herself or others, she was guided to the ground by the arresting officer and finally handcuffed after the officer gained control of her."

Chen was issued a summons for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. Mall management has banned her from Tysons Corner Center for one year.

A third person arrested in relation to the incident, Steven Bun, 27, of Fairfax, released a Facebook post claiming officers handled her roughly. A video posted to Facebook shows Bun and his girlfriend confronting police over Chen's arrest, and Bun's arrest followed. He claims he was pushed against a brick wall outside the store, injuring his hand and breaking his Apple watch.

Police claimed Bun "aggressively approached officers, cursing at them and attempting to interfere with their investigation and the arrest process." He was charged with disorderly conduct, taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and released on a $2,000 bond.