UPDATE (September 15, 2026):
The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) has placed two officers involved in a violent arrest over the weekend on ‘restrictive duty’.
Chief P.J. Smith told local outlets on Monday that all footage, including body cam video, of the arrest and surrounding circumstances will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
A video of the arrest was posted online and quickly picked up views, with many shocked by the overly aggressive tactics.
The video shows officers arresting a man around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The FWPD says that Rahiem Kubisty was flashing the lights on an SUV. Officers initiated a traffic stop, but the driver fled. It eventually stopped at Dewald and Barr, where Kubisty allegedly tried to flee on foot. However, the vehicle rolled backward and hit and FWPD patrol car.
(See more from the FWPD below)
You can see more local reporting here
ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) says it is aware of a video making the rounds of an arrest that some say was overly aggressive.
The video shows officers arresting a man around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday at Dewald and Barr Street.
After the video of the arrest started picking up views online, the FWPD released this statement:
The Fort Wayne Police Department is aware of a video circulating on social media involving our
officers making an arrest near Barr St and Dewald St. We understand the concern this has created.
We take community concerns seriously, especially when a video raises questions about police actions.
We understand people want answers quickly. We are reviewing the incident, gathering available video,
and determining the facts. Videos may show important information, but they may not show everything
that occurred before, during, or after an incident. We will review the full context and provide accurate
information.
Anyone with additional video or information is asked to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department at
(260) 427-1222.
The FWPD says that Rahiem Kubisty was flashing the lights on an SUV. Officers initiated a traffic stop, but the driver fled. It eventually stopped at Dewald and Barr, where Kubisty allegedly tried to flee on foot. However, the vehicle rolled backward and hit and FWPD patrol car.
He was eventually detained, and later today (Monday) we expect to learn more about the force used in that arrest.
The FWPD released the following on Sunday:
Release Date: September 13, 2026 Release Time: 1:30 p.m. Incident Date: September 12, 2026 Incident Location: Barr and Dewald Incident Time: 12:26 a.m.
Details/Summary: At approximately 12:26 a.m. on 9/12/26, a Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) officer saw a blue SUV traveling northbound on Lafeyette St. near Hanna. The SUV repeatedly turned its lights on and off as it was driving, ultimately leaving them off. The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted to pull the vehicle over at Lafayette and Paulding for not having its lights on when required. The SUV did not stop and continued driving. At Lafeyette and Petit, the officer activated the siren to further signal to the driver he needed to pull over. The SUV that had stopped for the red light then drove through the red light and continued northbound with its headlights and taillights still off. The FWPD officer pursued the SUV with emergency lights and siren activated.
The SUV eventually stopped abruptly at Dewald and Barr St. The driver put the SUV in reverse, got out and ran away. The SUV then rolled backwards crashing into the FWPD vehicle that was stopped behind it. The FWPD officer chased the suspect catching up to him in the 300 block of Butler where other FWPD officers were attempting to take the suspect into custody. After a brief struggle, FWPD officers were able to place the suspect into handcuffs.
The suspect was identified as Rahiem Kubisty. A routine check of BMV records showed Kubisty to be a Habitual Traffic Violator.
Kubisty was transported by FWPD to Lutheran Downtown for medical clearance prior to being taken to the Allen County Jail.
Three FWPD officers suffered minor injuries during this incident. This incident remains under review by the FWPD Internal Affairs Division and the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Suspect Arrested #1: Rahiem Shawn Kubisty, age 45, Fort Wayne Preliminary Charges: Lvl 6 Felony Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Lvl 6 Felony Habitual Traffic Violator, Class A Misd Resisting Law Enforcement Fleeing on Foot, Class A Misd Resisting Law Enforcement – Physical, and Class B Misd Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash
Comments