Pa. Patriot ARRESTED at the OC dinner @ The Old Country Buffet in Dickson City 5/9

[Pa. Patriot]

First, yes, I'm home. Thanks for the concern but in the end they decided they did not want the likes of me in their jail.


As for the incident itself. There is very little I will say at this time. Suffice it to say the following:

Tonight, I WAS ARRESTED. I was arrested for knowing the law, and my rights, better than the arresting officer.

Nothing more, nothing less.

As I sat in the back of the police car, I could see quite an amusing display of commotion going on outside the restaurant. There were no less than 6 different officers on and off the phone, going in and out, talking to each other, etc.
I knew at that time that they were probably not going to try and book me. IOW: They figured out on their own I was correct and they were mistaken.

Now, there are many problems here. The police arrived because of a citizen complaint. Instead of walking in, seeing nothing wrong and leaving, or perhaps just asking us what was up, they rounded us up and demanded ID's LTCF's, etc. They also demanded my wife stop video taping the encounter where she was in here legal right to do so.

I was arrested for failure to identify myself and disorderly conduct.

As stated, they released me before transport or booking.
We talked for nearly and hour afterwards. While schooling the officers I was given my primary weapon and other possessions back but told I could not have my BUG since it did not come back "registered" to me in the (illegal) PSP database. I informed them that that was not acceptable, and why, and that I would pursue legal action if they did not return my property.
The officers made a couple phone calls and I was informed that the DA had told them, on the advice of other attorneys that work for the DA, that I would have to prove ownership of the weapon.
I said that was fine, I will take the appropriate legal action and demanded a receipt.
I was told they do not have receipts but I could get one at the station. I then requested a hand written rcpt which they complied with.

Now, unless instructed otherwise by council, I will be calling chief Stadnitski first thing Monday morning to request an appointment. I will be requesting immediate return of my property and filing my official complaint against the department and officers involved as well as my legal demand for all reports and information pursuant to the Right to Know law.

The schooling has just begun.

[JoeWilliams]

You need to take this to federal court, with criminal civil rights violation complaints against the officers involved.

Oh, and as much as I dislike them, ACLU may be interested in your wife being illegally told to stop videoing the cops.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by JoeWilliams

You need to take this to federal court, with criminal civil rights violation complaints against the officers involved.

Criminal and civil proceedings are being discussed.

Anyone involved tonight I ask that you all refrain from discussing details of the encounter on the board, at least for now, until we can nail down counsel and we'll go from there.
I will be contacting everyone individually concerning litigation, but probably not for a day or two.

[JoeWilliams]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

Criminal and civil proceedings are being discussed.

Anyone involved tonight I ask that you all refrain from discussing details of the encounter on the board, at least for now, until we can nail down counsel and we'll go from there.
I will be contacting everyone individually concerning litigation, but probably not for a day or two.

Frankly, such complaints won't result in much if any action against the cops, but it is an outstanding way to make them spend money defending themselves, and return to them the favor of being hassled. Might make others think twice when they mistake their badge for being something more than it is.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by JayBell

so, nobody checked with mgmt of the OCB for an OC meet before showing up?

We don't ask permission, so to say, to OC. If they do not want our business they can ask us to leave and we will.

That said. Mrs.PaPatriot talked with the asst manager while I was crunched in the back of the police car and she told my wife that the responding LEO's asked her about the group returning to the restaurant (after the illegal detainment/ID checks were done) and she told them they had no problem with the group returning and that there was no problem with the group OC'ing at all.

[Brown-Bear]

Well at least OCB's mgmt has the idea right. I'm sorry for your perdiciment. If you need help you know you can find it here. I know we've had our differences in the past but this is not acceptable. As a firm OC convert please keep us posted.

My prayers go out to you and yours.

Dave

[TakDwn]

I'm typically the quiet one....reading, watching, and learning from the masses.

To be honest I don't know if some of us would have faired as well as you had tonight. Either due to our (not mine) tempers, or having the wits about ourselves in such a stressful situation to reasonably discuss the laws surrounding LTCF with the 'arresting' LEO.

I admire your courage to stand up, respectfully, and be a voice for the rights of many.

You've obviously taken the time to understand the laws regarding LTCF. Its an unfortunate thing to have happen, however I'm glad it happened to YOU. Now you have the ability to educate the ignorant.

Please continue to follow through with this. For all of us.

I'm new here but see that you are well liked and respect in our community. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.

Please keep us informed on the events when you can.
Thank you.

[Keith4001r]

Originally Posted by TakDwn

Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything.

Please keep us informed on the events when you can.
Thank you.

Yeah, Pa. Patriot, please PM me if there's anything the Schoolmarm and I can do. The schooling has begun.

All the more reason for us all to go to as many OC events as we can.

Keith

[righteousbarbarian]

Wow that's intense Patriot! I hope you get them for taking your BUG and that your case sets a legal precedence that eventually leads to the destruction of the illegal hangun registry.

[Pyrotek85]

I cant' believe they're pulling this 'proof of ownership' crap with you. Let 'em have it.