HyperSpeed
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2009
- Messages
- 117
- Reaction score
- 8
We've all probably developed a bias towards people who get accused of crimes, sometimes we may get a feeling that they are guilty before knowing any facts--even though innocence should be presumed. Recently I had started watching the series called Making a Murderer, and it was an interesting watch. While I don't know the truth of that whole story, it really had me thinking about how scary it would be to be accused of a crime that the police want to believe you did, when you didn't do it. I would soon find out the hard way, and experienced the strangest thing that's ever happened to me.
A couple of months ago I was up one night cleaning my garage which I had all torn apart to build new shelves and bring in a new Bridgeport mill. I simply love my Dymo labelmakers and the Plano type plastic organizers with many compartments (the kind known for tackle holding). This is because I have a huge inventory of small items like special machine screws, small heatsinks, laser components and optics, optics, and more optics. That night I realized how much new stuff I had that really needed it's own containers instead of being mixed together. I had just seen for the first time Plano's new sealing plastic containers that a rather small, which have a large O-ring seal around the lid perimeter and waterproof. That moment I decided that I wanted some to get things labeled and packed away asap. I moved quickly and headed to the Fleet Farm that carries that stuff, which is the nearest store. When I pulled up they were almost closed, it was about 5 minutes before they closed. I didn't even think I would get in the store, so I left my car running while parked (not to mention it was cold and I thought I would be back in 5 minutes), but the doors opened right up to let me in. When I walked in there was 2 younger girls chatting by the front desk, and I told the one that looked at me that "I'm buying a container back there" and I pointed that direction, figuring she knew what I meant.
Once I was back near the containers I kept wanting to make sure I didn't miss anything new that arrived, but I hadn't. Yet I was in a small tossup. Couldn't decided whether I wanted the bag with multiple cases in it which was more money or just a few of the smaller cases. Ah what the heck I thought, I grabbed the big bag full of stuff since it would definitely find a use.
As I am walking up to and right near the front desks now, I heard the manager name some people on the intercom, saying the could leave. Uh oh. So I started walking down the direction of more checkouts, hoping everyone was not gone, surely with me in the middle of an isle with multiple workers seeing me, someone knows I'm still there, I hope. The moment I began walking down the checkout isles (behind them not through them) it was a series of loud clicks, which was all of the main lights shutting off. I believe I heard one final noise which sounded like the last person leaving, like a distant door slam outside.
So now I am officially locked inside a department store for the first time of my life. I didn't know what to do. First off, it was a little embarrasing, but I figured that I would get out on my own. The first thing I thought of was that there was a side door which is used by customers; a more conventional door with twist lock. That had to be my way out I thought right then. I walked over to that door on the other side of the building, and I twisted the lock. I thought it for sure unlocked, just felt a little tight. I pushed, but the door didn't move. It felt like it was still locked, even though I thought the bolt knob turned. I tried again, still stuck shut. I didn't want to begin damaging property, kicking windows out or anything like that. So I walked back to the front of the store, as I knew sometimes these stores have night security that may show up and be able to help. When I was in the front of the store again, I again heard what sounded like a door shutting and keys jingling. So I started yelling at the top of my lungs, "HELLO? HEY I'M LOCKED IN HERE!.......". Nothing. The noise just went away. But I knew it was a person, I just knew it. I stood there longer, hoping I would hear another noise, but I didn't. Once again I headed back for the side exit door to figure out why I could not open it. I got back there, I turned the lock back and forward, it was indeed unlatching something, so I try both ways to push, nothing. I thought somehow there was another lock somewhere I could not see, and frustrated, I was about to go grab a pair of pliers as there was tools laying out everywhere in the auto service area near the door. Right as I started walking away from the door, I saw flashlight beams hit the windows. Thank god, I thought. Finally I can tell them what happened and get to my car, which is still running on the other side of the parking lot.
I only thought it was good seeing police arrive because I thought they were helpful when I needed help. After all, I do not look like the type of person who lives on the street and breaks into stores for fun, I still had my work attire on which was dress clothes. The moment they saw me, I had hands out of my pockets and may have even waved through the window as they were looking at me, and the door I had been trying to open for 20 minutes flew upon. They said "Don't move!" so I froze, and they grabbed me and handcuffed me. I immediately tried to tell them exactly what had happened, and that I was locked inside. This is when they basically started telling me that I was just a liar. I really do not understand how he opened the door right up but it had to have been unlocked by me, and each time I pushed my 150lb weight may not have been very helpful towards realizing it really was open when I thought it was not. I told them please watch the video, you'll see I did not open that door even a crack while pushing against it. They just ignored everything I said. The lead cop had the younger cop watch me while I sat in the back of a cop car. I told the younger cop that my car is still running on the other side of the parking lot, and I asked if we could please shut it off. He said, "we will in a little bit".
I continued to wait, running through my head how crazy this event was, fearing the idea that they wouldn't accept the real story. I did not have anything I was trying to steal, I wasn't piling boxes by the door, the only thing I had done after realizing I was locked in the store was attempt to get out, then attempt to yell for someone. I waited a long time in the car, over a half hour, then 2 more police showed up. Apparently the person I heard was in fact the store manager coming back into the store due to the silent alarm, and knowing about such things I figured I had triggered such an alarm.
Here's what happens next. I assumed I was getting released, because nothing there would have said that I was trying to steal anything at all, nor would I ever want or need to. They take me out of the car, and now all 4 cops start taking jabs at me. The cop who had arrived later said he was the one who got to see the video with the manager, and he started talking about it. I felt relieved, because I knew that seeing me yelling for help, trying to get out a door, that would show anyone I just wanted to get out of the store. The cop then said to me, "I know some events are really screwed up and the people aren't always as bad as it looks or seems to be; I think this was one of those situations". Whew, OK great he realized reality, I thought. He wasn't done speaking, though. After he said that, then he says, "So can you just tell us what it was you were doing in there? I can understand if times are tough and you just needed a bite to eat, I get it." My jaw about dropped. I'm driving a new vehicle without a scratch on it, I'm wearing a $100 coat that I bought from that very store last year, khakis, dress shoes, and a button-up dress shirt, and this cops best method of camaraderie is to try to get me to admit that I am poor and starving. Uh hello, it's a store, I shop there, I was running in quickly at the last minute, two girls at the front saw me because I told one I was buying a container and pointed that direction. They wouldn't accept that if a store locks doors and you're inside, then you're inside. Then the cop said, "I watched that video with the manager, and you weren't trying to get out of the store". That really felt horrible. The first thing I said was, if you watched the video, did you see me putting my hands next to my mouth shouting 'Hello I'm locked in!' or did you see me actually trying to get out the side door multiple times? "No", he said, "I didn't see that". That's because he didn't possible watch the video, because if he had watched the video he would have had to see what I did.
They still wouldn't shut my car off. At that point they told me that I was going to be processed at the station. I couldn't believe this was really happening. I was cooperating the best I could while telling the truth. The only person in the area I could call at that time from the police station was my father. He arrived, and apparently spoke with the cop that was supposedly writing whatever it was they were arresting me for. I did not think to tell the police that I was diagnosed with ADD, and that I had just started a new medicine the day before. I didn't really want to, I was afraid they would simply say there was more things wrong with me and try to say I was trying to steal because I was on medication. Nothing would surprise me after what had just happened. Well, my father actually knew about me starting new medication for ADD, and he told the officer that clearly I shop at the place because I was wearing a coat you can only purchase there locally. He also told the officer sometimes I take a while to decide what I am going to buy, have ADD, and was just put on new medication. All of which is very true; I'm sure I took way too long trying to decide on something as simple as a plastic container. I guess when he told them these things, the cop said OK well I didn't know that, and said to my father they were only going to give me a trespassing charge.
After we left and I tried to put that night behind me, my father said luckily he told them about my attention problems, because they were going to charge me with criminal trespassing. That shocked me. How can any officer say he is there to serve and protect that willingly throws someone merely trying to shop in the back of a cop car because the store closed? It's a very scary thought to me. I of course had a court date now. I was not really sure how it worked so I was very nervous when I was there, I just knew that I would not plead guilty. There was two lawyers calling names at the front and when one of them called my name I went up there, and he said that the judge was not in today so they needed to reschedule for a month later. Then I saw the charge, it said criminal trespassing! I do not know why he told my father it would be for trespassing and then also lie to him, because we were both very polite and following instructions for them.
I talked to a lawyer and he wants $1200 to do anything, he made me even more afraid though I suspect that's part of selling the client his service, it's just that I really cannot afford that right now after Christmas. Is this something I can potentially win without a lawyer or using the public defender? I know that many of you will tell me to get legal advice but really I'm just hoping to get any others advice. I also wanted to share my story, because it basically changed the way I will forever view this world. You have to be careful not to get near police or possibly become a criminal--that's what it now feels like.
Thanks for hearing my story everyone.
A couple of months ago I was up one night cleaning my garage which I had all torn apart to build new shelves and bring in a new Bridgeport mill. I simply love my Dymo labelmakers and the Plano type plastic organizers with many compartments (the kind known for tackle holding). This is because I have a huge inventory of small items like special machine screws, small heatsinks, laser components and optics, optics, and more optics. That night I realized how much new stuff I had that really needed it's own containers instead of being mixed together. I had just seen for the first time Plano's new sealing plastic containers that a rather small, which have a large O-ring seal around the lid perimeter and waterproof. That moment I decided that I wanted some to get things labeled and packed away asap. I moved quickly and headed to the Fleet Farm that carries that stuff, which is the nearest store. When I pulled up they were almost closed, it was about 5 minutes before they closed. I didn't even think I would get in the store, so I left my car running while parked (not to mention it was cold and I thought I would be back in 5 minutes), but the doors opened right up to let me in. When I walked in there was 2 younger girls chatting by the front desk, and I told the one that looked at me that "I'm buying a container back there" and I pointed that direction, figuring she knew what I meant.
Once I was back near the containers I kept wanting to make sure I didn't miss anything new that arrived, but I hadn't. Yet I was in a small tossup. Couldn't decided whether I wanted the bag with multiple cases in it which was more money or just a few of the smaller cases. Ah what the heck I thought, I grabbed the big bag full of stuff since it would definitely find a use.
As I am walking up to and right near the front desks now, I heard the manager name some people on the intercom, saying the could leave. Uh oh. So I started walking down the direction of more checkouts, hoping everyone was not gone, surely with me in the middle of an isle with multiple workers seeing me, someone knows I'm still there, I hope. The moment I began walking down the checkout isles (behind them not through them) it was a series of loud clicks, which was all of the main lights shutting off. I believe I heard one final noise which sounded like the last person leaving, like a distant door slam outside.
So now I am officially locked inside a department store for the first time of my life. I didn't know what to do. First off, it was a little embarrasing, but I figured that I would get out on my own. The first thing I thought of was that there was a side door which is used by customers; a more conventional door with twist lock. That had to be my way out I thought right then. I walked over to that door on the other side of the building, and I twisted the lock. I thought it for sure unlocked, just felt a little tight. I pushed, but the door didn't move. It felt like it was still locked, even though I thought the bolt knob turned. I tried again, still stuck shut. I didn't want to begin damaging property, kicking windows out or anything like that. So I walked back to the front of the store, as I knew sometimes these stores have night security that may show up and be able to help. When I was in the front of the store again, I again heard what sounded like a door shutting and keys jingling. So I started yelling at the top of my lungs, "HELLO? HEY I'M LOCKED IN HERE!.......". Nothing. The noise just went away. But I knew it was a person, I just knew it. I stood there longer, hoping I would hear another noise, but I didn't. Once again I headed back for the side exit door to figure out why I could not open it. I got back there, I turned the lock back and forward, it was indeed unlatching something, so I try both ways to push, nothing. I thought somehow there was another lock somewhere I could not see, and frustrated, I was about to go grab a pair of pliers as there was tools laying out everywhere in the auto service area near the door. Right as I started walking away from the door, I saw flashlight beams hit the windows. Thank god, I thought. Finally I can tell them what happened and get to my car, which is still running on the other side of the parking lot.
I only thought it was good seeing police arrive because I thought they were helpful when I needed help. After all, I do not look like the type of person who lives on the street and breaks into stores for fun, I still had my work attire on which was dress clothes. The moment they saw me, I had hands out of my pockets and may have even waved through the window as they were looking at me, and the door I had been trying to open for 20 minutes flew upon. They said "Don't move!" so I froze, and they grabbed me and handcuffed me. I immediately tried to tell them exactly what had happened, and that I was locked inside. This is when they basically started telling me that I was just a liar. I really do not understand how he opened the door right up but it had to have been unlocked by me, and each time I pushed my 150lb weight may not have been very helpful towards realizing it really was open when I thought it was not. I told them please watch the video, you'll see I did not open that door even a crack while pushing against it. They just ignored everything I said. The lead cop had the younger cop watch me while I sat in the back of a cop car. I told the younger cop that my car is still running on the other side of the parking lot, and I asked if we could please shut it off. He said, "we will in a little bit".
I continued to wait, running through my head how crazy this event was, fearing the idea that they wouldn't accept the real story. I did not have anything I was trying to steal, I wasn't piling boxes by the door, the only thing I had done after realizing I was locked in the store was attempt to get out, then attempt to yell for someone. I waited a long time in the car, over a half hour, then 2 more police showed up. Apparently the person I heard was in fact the store manager coming back into the store due to the silent alarm, and knowing about such things I figured I had triggered such an alarm.
Here's what happens next. I assumed I was getting released, because nothing there would have said that I was trying to steal anything at all, nor would I ever want or need to. They take me out of the car, and now all 4 cops start taking jabs at me. The cop who had arrived later said he was the one who got to see the video with the manager, and he started talking about it. I felt relieved, because I knew that seeing me yelling for help, trying to get out a door, that would show anyone I just wanted to get out of the store. The cop then said to me, "I know some events are really screwed up and the people aren't always as bad as it looks or seems to be; I think this was one of those situations". Whew, OK great he realized reality, I thought. He wasn't done speaking, though. After he said that, then he says, "So can you just tell us what it was you were doing in there? I can understand if times are tough and you just needed a bite to eat, I get it." My jaw about dropped. I'm driving a new vehicle without a scratch on it, I'm wearing a $100 coat that I bought from that very store last year, khakis, dress shoes, and a button-up dress shirt, and this cops best method of camaraderie is to try to get me to admit that I am poor and starving. Uh hello, it's a store, I shop there, I was running in quickly at the last minute, two girls at the front saw me because I told one I was buying a container and pointed that direction. They wouldn't accept that if a store locks doors and you're inside, then you're inside. Then the cop said, "I watched that video with the manager, and you weren't trying to get out of the store". That really felt horrible. The first thing I said was, if you watched the video, did you see me putting my hands next to my mouth shouting 'Hello I'm locked in!' or did you see me actually trying to get out the side door multiple times? "No", he said, "I didn't see that". That's because he didn't possible watch the video, because if he had watched the video he would have had to see what I did.
They still wouldn't shut my car off. At that point they told me that I was going to be processed at the station. I couldn't believe this was really happening. I was cooperating the best I could while telling the truth. The only person in the area I could call at that time from the police station was my father. He arrived, and apparently spoke with the cop that was supposedly writing whatever it was they were arresting me for. I did not think to tell the police that I was diagnosed with ADD, and that I had just started a new medicine the day before. I didn't really want to, I was afraid they would simply say there was more things wrong with me and try to say I was trying to steal because I was on medication. Nothing would surprise me after what had just happened. Well, my father actually knew about me starting new medication for ADD, and he told the officer that clearly I shop at the place because I was wearing a coat you can only purchase there locally. He also told the officer sometimes I take a while to decide what I am going to buy, have ADD, and was just put on new medication. All of which is very true; I'm sure I took way too long trying to decide on something as simple as a plastic container. I guess when he told them these things, the cop said OK well I didn't know that, and said to my father they were only going to give me a trespassing charge.
After we left and I tried to put that night behind me, my father said luckily he told them about my attention problems, because they were going to charge me with criminal trespassing. That shocked me. How can any officer say he is there to serve and protect that willingly throws someone merely trying to shop in the back of a cop car because the store closed? It's a very scary thought to me. I of course had a court date now. I was not really sure how it worked so I was very nervous when I was there, I just knew that I would not plead guilty. There was two lawyers calling names at the front and when one of them called my name I went up there, and he said that the judge was not in today so they needed to reschedule for a month later. Then I saw the charge, it said criminal trespassing! I do not know why he told my father it would be for trespassing and then also lie to him, because we were both very polite and following instructions for them.
I talked to a lawyer and he wants $1200 to do anything, he made me even more afraid though I suspect that's part of selling the client his service, it's just that I really cannot afford that right now after Christmas. Is this something I can potentially win without a lawyer or using the public defender? I know that many of you will tell me to get legal advice but really I'm just hoping to get any others advice. I also wanted to share my story, because it basically changed the way I will forever view this world. You have to be careful not to get near police or possibly become a criminal--that's what it now feels like.
Thanks for hearing my story everyone.
