Posted on 03/02/2005 7:09:34 AM PST by esryle
AURORA, Colo. -- Aurora police have reviewed a weekend incident in which a man accused of stealing salad from a Chuck E. Cheese salad bar was hit with a stun gun twice by officers and said that proper procedures were followed.
The incident began at 4:05 p.m. Sunday when officers were called to the restaurant on a report of a larceny in progress.
Police talked to the Chuck E. Cheese manager, who told them that a customer had refused to show proof that he had paid for food. The manager said the man was seen "loading" his plate at the salad bar.
The officers confronted Danon Gale, 29, who was at the restaurant with his children, aged 3 and 7. Patrons said the popular kids pizza parlor was packed with children and families at the time.
According to police, Gale was asked to step outside to discuss the incident.
"According to witnesses (Gale) refused to cooperate with police and a struggle ensued," said Larry Martinez, a police spokesman. He said that Gale became argumentative and shoved one of the officers, a fact disputed by another patron.
"One of the officers kept poking the gentleman in the chest," Felicia Mayo told the Rocky Mountain News.
She was there with her 7-year-old son. She told the newspaper that Gale told the officer "You don't have to do that." She said Gale never put his hands on the officer who was confronting him
The argument escalated until Gale was shoved into the lap of Mayo's sister, who was sitting two booths away, holding a 10-month-old baby. That's when police pulled out a Taser stun gun to subdue him.
"They beat this man in front of all these kids then Tased him in my sister's lap," Mayo told the newspaper. "They had no regard for the effect this would have on the kids. This is Chuck E. Cheese, you know."
Gale's two children were "screaming and hollering and crying" as Gale was hit two times with the stun gun.
Police arrested Gale as his children and other customers watched. They took him outside, leaving his children inside the restaurant.
Gale was arrested for investigation of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and trespassing.
His two children were picked up by a relative.
The manager of the restaurant declined comment and Gale said he couldn't talk about it, after hiring an attorney.
An Aurora Police spokesman said that the sergeant on the scene wrote a report on the incident and forwarded it to his commander who determined that proper police procedures were followed relating to the use of the Taser gun .
I often throw them away immiedately after getting them.
I don't have a receipt for the shirt I am wearing either. I supposed someone could claim I stole it and my lack of recipt would be proof of theft.
In theory.
I think the legal standard is "probable cause" or "reasonable cause". Did someone see him walk in, bypass the cash register, and pick up a plate and start eating?
This is along the lines of that debate about receipt checkers at electronic stores. Legally you don't have to stop unless someone witnessed you concel something and had a continuous line of sight on your as you walked out the door.
The guy already got an attorney. If the lack of recipt was the only "probable cause", he'll probably get some money from both parties.
Hardly. I have never had my hand or my child's hand stamped while at Chuck E. Cheese. But thank you for playing R.
Tasering the guy inches away from an infant was both totally unnecessary and irresponsible in the extreme. Of course the cops shouldn't have "just walked away," nor did I even remotely suggest they should've. But they could've got him to the ground and handcuffed him. .....IF they were competent cops.
Andy probably would have paid for the family's meal and gone off to more important things.
The Violence of Chuck E. Cheese
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1047377/posts
"One of the officers kept poking the gentleman in the chest," Felicia Mayo told the Rocky Mountain News.
She was there with her 7-year-old son. She told the newspaper that Gale told the officer "You don't have to do that." She said Gale never put his hands on the officer who was confronting him
The argument escalated until Gale was shoved into the lap of Mayo's sister, who was sitting two booths away, holding a 10-month-old baby. That's when police pulled out a Taser stun gun to subdue him...
She's only quoted that he never put his hands on the cops. She's not quoted as to whether he was argumentative or that he refused the cops request to step outside. Other witnesses (plural) claim Gale shoved one of the cops. She wasn't the only witness, and with most incidents, there will be several versions of what happened. Somewhere in the middle is the truth.
Thanks for posting this excerpt of the article.
You're right...but there's a right way and a wrong way to police a Chuck E. Cheese salad bar.
Should arrest the manager for MWS...."Managing While Stupid"
You do pay in advance in Austin and San Antonio and you do get a receipt.
So if the court case shows the police to be wrong, you will be back here defending the fellow and excoriating the police? Calling for the cop to be prosecuted? LOL
I love fantasies.
Please enlighten me as to the real facts. Where did you get them?
Yeah, a stolen 50 cent head of lettuce is comparable to bankrupting a major city hospital ....: )
You don't know if he didn't pay for it.
I've been setupon by power hungry petty managers before. They can be very disrespectful and try their best to humiliate you in front of others. Because they think they have the power.
And all for about $2.50.
This is not a serious crime.
The guy probably spent a lot on pizza and drinks for his family and may not have been his only time at the place so in proper context even if he did forget to pay for salad one time so what. Give the customer the benefit of the doubt.
The manager had no proof the guy didn't pay. Not saving a reciept for salad is not a crime.
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