Posted on 05/31/2005 10:36:27 AM PDT by Squawk 8888
A Brampton real estate agent and a surveillance tape spoke up when Toronto Police thought a homeless man was giving them the gears.
Loren Campbell says he used his savings from two months of panhandling to buy himself a new red bicycle from Zellers on May 6.
But one week ago, police officers confiscated the bike at Eastern and Carlaw Aves. because, Campbell said, they didn't believe him when he told them it was his.
"They pepper-sprayed me," Campbell, 40, said. "I told them I had bought the bike from a Zellers store and showed them the receipt."
'I BELIEVED HIM'
But the numbers on the register tape had faded and police wouldn't take his word for it, he said.
Real estate agent Roderick Stewart -- a frequent contributor to Campbell's coffers over the last six months -- first heard the story Thursday when he walked by the panhandler in his usual haunts on Yonge St. south of St. Clair Ave.
"I believed him," Stewart said. "He knew dates and places so I checked it out."
Stewart, 47, went to the Zellers at Victoria Park and Danforth Aves. and staff there went through the surveillance tapes -- where they found visual evidence of Campbell buying the bike.
So Stewart took the tape and a duplicate receipt to the 55 Division police station at Coxwell Ave. and Dundas St. E. on Friday.
"They took it upstairs and I guess that was enough for them," Stewart said.
MISSING LOCK
Police gave the $200 bike back yesterday but without the locks Campbell said he needs to ensure his bike isn't stolen overnight.
"(The police) know how to take your stuff from you but they sure don't know how to give them back, do they?" an irate Campbell said, waving the keys for his lock on the steps of 55 Division.
Stewart said he would buy the homeless man some security for his one worldly possession until police hand back the $70 lock Campbell insists they still have. "Everything he has said has been truthful from the get-go," Stewart said.
Police at the station refused to comment yesterday and referred questions to a police superintendent, who will review the case today.
I have NEVER given money to a panhandler but I think I'll make a point of tossing this guy a twonie whenever I see him.
ping
Homeless people are so truthful, just like kids.
How can a policeman take something from you if it hasn't been reported stolen by someone? Especially if you have a receipt.............Oh, Canada, I forgot!.......
Assault and Pepper, eh...?
If you carry a large sum of cash through the airport, they will take it without a shred of evidence that it is for or from the sale of drugs.
Right, even though he was lying about being destitute, he should automatically be believed about his ownership of a shiny new bike.
Well, this guy was and the cops had NO reason to disbelieve him. They did not receive any complaints about a stolen bike and did not bother to check the serial number against their records, they just saw a street person on a brand new bike, presumed him guilty of theft and took his property away.
"I believed him," Stewart said. "He knew dates and places so I checked it out."
Stewart, 47, went to the Zellers at Victoria Park and Danforth Aves. and staff there went through the surveillance tapes -- where they found visual evidence of Campbell buying the bike.
Brampton? As in "Lair of the White Worm" Brampton?
Well they haven't been issued tasers yet there.
The Drug War Cash Grab was the first thing that came to mind when I read the story.
A side of Fries...?
You'd think they would've checked out his story before confiscating his bike. Or should the police seize your personal property also and make you jump through their hoops to get it back...?
Not unusual here in Texas for people to carry large sums of cash, just never know where you are gonna find a good holdem game.
The police in several jurisdictions can, and do, already do this.
Yep, Fourth Amendment has been de facto repealed by a gutless judiciary.
Which of course is the correct thing to do in a free society....
???????????
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