http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2585482423715017278&sourceid=docidfeed&hl=en St. Louis County, Missouri threaten to arrest a teenager for refusing to discuss his personal travel plans.
A teenager harassed by police in St. Louis, Missouri caught the incident on tape. Brett Darrow, 19, had his video camera rolling last month as he drove his 1997 Maxima, minding his own business. He approached a drunk driving roadblock where he was stopped, detained and threatened with arrest when he declined to enter a conversation with a police officer about his personal travel habits. Now Darrow is considering filing suit against St. Louis County Police.
"I'm scared to drive for fear of being stopped at another checkpoint and arrested while doing nothing illegal," Darrow told TheNewspaper. "We're now guilty until we prove ourselves innocent to these checkpoint officers."
On that late November night, videotape confirms that Darrow had been ordered out of his vehicle after telling a policeman, "I don't wish to discuss my personal life with you, officer." Another officer attempted to move Darrow's car until he realized, "I can't drive stick!" The officer took the opportunity to undertake a thorough search of the interior without probable cause. He found nothing.
When Darrow asked why he was being detained, an officer explained, "If you don't stop running your mouth, we're going to find a reason to lock you up tonight."
The threats ended when Darrow informed officers that they were being recorded. After speaking to a supervisor Darrow was finally released.
"These roadblocks have gotten out of hand," Darrow told TheNewspaper. "If we don't do something about them now, it'll be too late."
A full video of the incident is available here. A transcript is provided below as the audio is at times very faint.
Article Excerpt:
Transcript of audio made by Brett Darrow:
00:40 Officer #1: How are you tonight sir? Brett: Hi. Officer #1: Can you put your window down for me. (I roll the window ALL the way down.) Officer #1: Do you have a driver's license and proof of insurance? (I begin to get my information out of my wallet) Officer #1: Where you headed tonight? Brett: I don't wish to discuss my personal life with you officer. Officer #1: Alright, come on up here. (I start to move my car) Officer #1: As a matter of fact, just stop your car right here and step out. (I stop the car, roll up my windows, pull up the emergency brake, and shut the car off)
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