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A good Samaritan claims Albuquerque police filed a bogus felony charge against him in a harebrained sting they set up by planting a backpack with beer, cigarettes and a computer outside a high school. He says he picked up the backpack so children wouldn't drink the beer or smoke the cigarettes - for which he was charged with felony larceny.
I have frequently picked up wallets, or the like, to turn them in to the nearest appropriate authority (or in some cases contact their owners directly). I suppose I will have to reconsider that behavior. I just picked up someone's cellphone on a bus this past week. I guess I am lucky nobody arrested me before I could hand it over to the bus driver. (I realize the case discussed here is a bit different, but I think being concerned with keeping alcohol and cigarettes away from minors is legitimate. Of course, they problem can easily get their hands on those things, along with marijuana and heroin and various prescription drugs, but it's still a nice thought.)
A good Samaritan claims Albuquerque police filed a bogus felony charge against him in a harebrained sting they set up by planting a backpack with beer, cigarettes and a computer outside a high school. He says he picked up the backpack so children wouldn't drink the beer or smoke the cigarettes - for which he was charged with felony larceny.
I have frequently picked up wallets, or the like, to turn them in to the nearest appropriate authority (or in some cases contact their owners directly). I suppose I will have to reconsider that behavior. I just picked up someone's cellphone on a bus this past week. I guess I am lucky nobody arrested me before I could hand it over to the bus driver. (I realize the case discussed here is a bit different, but I think being concerned with keeping alcohol and cigarettes away from minors is legitimate. Of course, they problem can easily get their hands on those things, along with marijuana and heroin and various prescription drugs, but it's still a nice thought.)
I hnestly don't know anyone who wouldn't pick up a backpack full of beer, cigs, and a computer, regardless if whether their intention was to take/consume it or try to return it. if true, that's way out of hand and should be stopped.
A good Samaritan claims Albuquerque police filed a bogus felony charge against him in a harebrained sting
Quote:
Originally Posted by JordanJP
that's way out of hand and should be stopped.
This all happened about nine months ago, August of 2010...
Pretty much taken care of.
Is this delayed paranoia?
"bogus felony charge"? come on.... Being charged and convicted are two things...
The APD's backpack bait operation was stopped. The DA's office says it will dismiss nine of the cases. APD arrested ten people for picking up a backpack on the side of the road with a laptop, beer and cigarettes near downtown. "We found 9 cases where APD officers made an arrest, but we think it would be difficult for us to move the criminal intent necessary to get a conviction in trial," District Attorney Spokesman Pat Davis said. He says the DA filed paperwork this afternoon to dismiss 9 out of ten arrests. Only one case will move forward because the Davis says the defendant admitted to police that he stole the backpack. The District Attorney's office also met with the officers who were involved in the backpack sting operation. They talked about the cases, the legality of them, and how future operations can be done to ensure they can be prosecuted.
Its a horrible waste of Police resources that they would even do an operation like this. Planting stuff in plain view for people to pick up so they can be arrested is nothing short of harrasment.
The Chief of Police must be as smart as a brick wall to even approve something like that ...
In my own personal experience, I've come to the conclusion police officers aren't exactly the brightest crayons in the box. This story just reinforces that.
It is? Do you have some statistics on Sting Operations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianH
Planting stuff in plain view for people to pick up so they can be arrested is nothing short of harrasment.
Hummm... I guess you didn't read the articles, but it looks like 10% of those caught did in fact admitted on the intent of stealing the backpack... So if you see something on the street that does not belong to you, go ahead and steal it???
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianH
The Chief of Police must be as smart as a brick wall to even approve something like that ...
As I recall, I believe Police Chief Schultz was not aware of the sting in advance. I have met Police Chief Schultz briefly. I think he is doing a good job. Now if we had more citizens who would... well, never mind...
I dont need statistics on sting operations to say that is a waste of resources. Albuquerque has bigger problems that doing stupid stuff like that, just ask the police officers themselves.
It says at least 10 people were arrested, so 10% being ONE admitted they were going to steal it. So that means 9 people who were arrested were doing the right thing and looking to see what was in it to maybe return it.
Well then hes not a very good Chief if he does not know what his own staff are up to. If more citizens would what ? Quit trying to help other by trying to recover lost property to its rightful owner ?
It is? Do you have some statistics on Sting Operations?
You don't need statistics to tell you what common sense should. Between the police department and the attorney general's office hundreds of man hours were wasted on this only to have all but one case dropped.
Quote:
Hummm... I guess you didn't read the articles, but it looks like 10% of those caught did in fact admitted on the intent of stealing the backpack... So if you see something on the street that does not belong to you, go ahead and steal it???
So after spending thousands of dollars in taxpayer money, they found one person who wasn't very honest. And in the meantime, they arrested 9 good samaritans trying to do the right thing. They got to spend the day in jail (possibly longer), had to suffer the embarrassment of calling a friend or family member to bail them out, had to pay the expense of a bail bond and probably had to hire lawyers. All because a handful of cops have the sense of a pile of rocks. Yeah, that was a great idea.
Quote:
As I recall, I believe Police Chief Schultz was not aware of the sting in advance. I have met Police Chief Schultz briefly. I think he is doing a good job. Now if we had more citizens who would... well, never mind...
Rich
Whether he knew about it or not, he's ultimately responsible for what happens in his department. If he didn't know about it, the question is were the officers disciplined. If not, he sucks at his job.
Never mind. I understand. Sorry to have wasted your time.
Rich
Right dude if you cant engage in a conversation dont bother then. Stamp your feet and walk away :S
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