Only On 2: Horse Pursuit Suspect Speaks Out From Jail

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com)   —  The suspect who led police on a nearly three-hour chase that culminated in nearly a dozen officers hitting, punching and kicking him in Apple Valley, spoke out to CBS2 Saturday.

It is a story that is Only on 2.

Francis Pusok -- accused of stealing a horse while police were investigating an alleged identity theft -- spoke to CBS2's Tom Wait at the West Valley Detention Center  in Rancho Cucamonga.

The reporter was able to freely speak to the suspect, for about 15 minutes -- but without any recording devices, no cameras, no tape recorders.

"Not even a pen or paper allowed inside," Wait reported

"He seemed jittery, uneasy and very nervous," Wait said. "And he also seems to be very concerned about pain and getting better."

Pusok, 30, wore an orange jumpsuit and Wait said some kind of mesh cast over one of his arms.

After Pusok fell off the horse he allegedly stole on Thursday, he was zapped with a Taser. Deputies kicked him nearly 20 times, punched him almost 40 times (as many as 15 to the head) and struck him with batons at least four times, while his hands were behind his back.

He held his chest during the entire 15-minute conversation.

Pusok's face appeared bruised, as it does in the booking photo.

He said he was still receiving medical attention for his injuries.

When asked about the actual chase and beating, he replied, "I've been advised not to talk about that. What I've said about it is already out there."

Pusok's girlfriend has said he doesn't remember much about what happened.

He told Wait he was worried about his family.

Wait also asked Pusok -- a man with a long rap sheet -- if he has a message for the public.

Wait said "he mostly shrugged," but he did express thanks to the people who believe he was not treated fairly.

He was also asked if he was being treated well in lock up, and he refused to answer the question. He would also not mention if he was being held in solitary confinement or in the general population. He would only say he wasn't with other inmates.

Ten deputies were all placed on paid administrative leave Friday pending the results of several investigations, including one by the FBI.

Pusok's attorney said his client is being held on $100,000 bail and hopes to have his release by Monday.