Police Stop, Handcuff Every Adult at Intersection in Search for Bank Robber

[donheld]

Police in Aurora, Colo., searching for suspected bank robbers stopped every car at an intersection, handcuffed all the adults and searched the cars, one of which they believed was carrying the suspect.

Police said they had received what they called a “reliable” tip that the culprit in an armed robbery at a Wells Fargo bank committed earlier was stopped at the red light.

“We didn’t have a description, didn’t know race or gender or anything, so a split-second decision was made to stop all the cars at that intersection, and search for the armed robber,” Aurora police Officer Frank Fania told ABC News.

Officers barricaded the area, halting 19 cars.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/06/police-stop-handcuff-every-adult-at-intersection-in-search-for-bank-robber/

[pnwmom]

1. Unbelievable. I hope someone sues. n/t

[Meiko]

2. So

“We didn’t have a description, didn’t know race or gender or anything, so a split-second decision was made to stop all the cars at that intersection, and search for the armed robber,” Aurora police Officer Frank Fania told ABC News.

So we had no probable cause so we made a split second decision to violate the US Constitution....much like the MADD check points we have had to put up with for years.

I believe they did catch the guy so the cops will tell us that everything is OK...look at us we be heroes.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/06/police-stop-handcuff-every-adult-at-intersection-in-search-for-bank-robber/

[1monster]

3. So the only thing that indicated that the police has their suspect was that he had

two loaded guns in his car? No bank bags, no money, no dye bomb?

Wow.

[jp11]

4. Bill of rights?

Be quiet and sit on the curb, if you're innocent we'll let you go, eventually.

[Art_from_Ark]

5. Just don't look like you're sleeping,

or you may have to pay a $1000 fine and spend a year in jail

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002773574

[Mairead]

14. Or you might even be shot to death

http://revcom.us/a/v20/980-89/989/river.htm

[cosmicaug]

6. Concern

The video talks about how it might cost the city because people might sue. I'd be more concerned if people do not sue.

[Gormy Cuss]

7. I hope that MOST of those detained sue the city.

Handcuffed and detained for being stopped at the wrong red light?

Were there children in any of these cars who witnessed their parents being cuffed?

Handcuffing someone and then "asking permission" to search the car? No coercion involved there.
What would have happened if someone HAD declined permission for them to search the car?


If I had been in one of those cars I would have called a lawyer within an hour of the incident.

[SwissTony]

8. “We didn’t have a description, didn’t know race or gender or anything..."

and that's reliable???????

Jesus wept.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

9. What. The. Fuck??????

[cosmicaug]

10. It looks like they probably did get the right guy

... but I still don't agree with this tactic and I hope the police department gets sued.

http://www.aurorasentinel.com/news/accused-bank-robber-is-former-music-teacher/
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/news/chief-defends-detaining-40-during-bank-robber-hunt/
http://www.aurorasentinel.com/opinion/perry-even-in-a-gray-world-aurora-cops-must-abide-by-unreasonable-search-and-seizure-laws/


I found those links in the comment secion of a Volokh Conspiracy post:
http://volokh.com/2012/06/05/police-searching-for-bank-robber-stop-all-cars-at-intersection-handcuff-drivers-search-cars/

[cosmicaug]

11. At the bank:

http://kwgn.com/2012/06/04/armed-bank-robbery-caught-on-camera/

Also, another report:
http://kdvr.com/2012/06/02/aurora-police-searching-for-bank-robbery-suspect/

[obamanut2012]

12. How can this be legal?

[The Northerner]

13. They ought to sue the police for being profiled as criminals

despite no evidence against them.