Man who flipped off Saratoga cop pleads not guilty

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Adam Rupeka, right, walks to his arraignment in Saratoga City Court (City Hall) with his attorney James C. Knox, of the E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy Law Firm, on Thursday, May 21, 2015. Rupeka was driving home Saturday afternoon when he passed office...

The man accused of flashing his middle finger at a police officer entering a not-guilty plea on charges of having an obstructed view and resisting arrest in Saratoga Springs City Court on Thursday morning.

Adam Rupeka, 35, of Troy, was pulled over May 16 after he allegedly gave the finger to city police Officer Nathan Baker. The traffic stop and Rupeka’s subsequent arrest were captured on two video recordings, both of which he made.

In the video, Rupeka refuses to give Baker his driver’s license until Baker tells him why he was stopped. Baker then tells Rupeka he has been pulled over for disorderly conduct and asks him to step out of the vehicle. When Rupeka refuses, Baker pepper sprays and forcibly removes Rupeka from the vehicle.

View video

View a video of the police arrest

On YouTube, the first video’s description states that Rupeka intended to test the officer and see if he was aware that courts have ruled that the middle finger is protected as free speech.

Baker has been placed on paid leave and an internal investigation is underway, according to city Police Chief Gregory Veitch.

“I take very seriously any allegation of improper use of force made against any officer of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, and I have been in contact with Mr. Rupeka regarding this incident,” Veitch said in a statement.

Rupeka was advised not to answer questions by his attorney as he left court Thursday.

Rupeka is scheduled to return to court June 4.