Police: Driver admits trying to `harass' recall group

NORMAN — A driver told police that he and two passengers tried to “harass and antagonize” Unite Norman members before being confronted by a group co-founder, who is seen on video throwing a brick at their car.

Police interviewed Is sac Braver, 18, Tuesday evening following the incident outside of El Toro Chino restaurant in the 2800 block of 36 Avenue NW.

Supporters of t he group, which is seeking to recall Norman Mayor Breea Clark and three city council members, regularly meet in an unfinished structure nearby.

Braver told an officer they were in the area when they noticed “a gathering of Unite Norman supporters,” according to a Norman Police Department news release.

“Braver stated that he started playing explicit music loudly and making rude gestures in an attempt to harass and antagonize those in the area,” police reported.

The drivers aida man, later identified as Unite Norman co-founder Sassan Moghadam, 62, confronted him and a verbal disturbance ensued, authorities said.

Moghadam is seen in the 45- second video—taken by a passenger in the car — leaning against the driver side door and extending his left arm inside the window. He is holding a brick in his left hand. The driver can be heard saying “get off the car” and “I'm going to roll up the window and I'm going to drive away .” Moghadam replies, “Go ahead!” A passenger in the car can be heard asking “are they blocking us?” followed by “he's putting it behind the wheel” as the driver puts the car in reverse. The car appears to back over the brick, which Mogh adam picks up and throws toward the car. The brick didn't hit the car.

The officer also interviewed Moghadam, who said he told Braver that he was placing him under citizen's arrest before the driver ran over the “brick and his foot,” authorities said.

“Moghadam provided the officer with a similar report of the incident citing the driver and occupants' behavior as well as their driving behavior as the reasons why he approached the vehicle and subsequently threw a brick in the direction of the vehicle after his foot was ran over,” the news release states.

The investigation was closed after “all involved parties” declined to pursue charges related to the matter, the release states.