City council candidate Joaquin Beltran claims harassment by Councilwoman Claudia Frometa in a video posted to his Instagram account. (Photo via screen grab)

DOWNEY - District 4 city council candidate Joaquin Beltran alleged that his opponent, Councilwoman Claudia Frometa, harassed and called the police on him while he campaigned outside of a grocery store Tuesday evening.

In a video posted to Instagram, Beltran said he was campaigning outside the Ralph’s store at Firestone Boulevard and Gallatin Road at around 10:45 pm when Frometa approached him and threatened to call police because he was “not allowed to be campaigning here.” He also said Frometa “touched his shoulder.”

Up to five Downey Police cars arrived on scene soon after, Beltran said.

Beltran says he had the permission of the Ralph’s manager to campaign outside the store and post fliers.

Beltran alleged that Frometa harassed the manager to have the fliers removed.

“I am stunned,” said Beltran. “This is a complete abuse of power.”

According to Frometa, the exchange between she and Beltran amounted to “less than a minute.”

“I went to pick up a few items at the local Ralph’s, and I was approached by Mr. Beltran who was at the entrance… and I told Mr. Beltran that it was a little late and inappropriate for him to be campaigning, especially potentially harassing people as they’re coming to do their shopping; that’s really the extent of our conversation,” said Frometa. “He was not very pleased I made that comment. I proceeded to do my shopping, and that’s really where it ended.”

Frometa confirmed she called the Downey Police Department but said it was only to verify the legality of Beltran’s campaigning at Ralph’s. She said she was unaware if officers responded to the scene.

Frometa said she had received complaints from residents that Beltran – along with regular council critic and protestor Rudolpho Cortez Barragan – “had been harassing” and “ambushing” people at the only open entrance at Ralph’s around 11 pm the prior Sunday.

“I received some messages from residents just upset about their behavior,” said Frometa. “Once again, when they’re standing right at the entrance of the store and stopping everybody that is going in — that is an issue.

“As a sitting council member, I did tell Mr. Beltran last night that that was not appropriate, that was not an appropriate behavior.”

Downey Police did not respond to a message seeking more details.

City council candidate claims harassment by Councilwoman Frometa