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RR: March 2002 #8
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On the 29th of March 2002 I was out with a great big bunch of other riders, hoping to have a fine peaceful, orderly ride. The MPD had different plans however...

After we were coralled back into Loring park and regrouped, the ride tried to move out of the park again. With police cruisers circling like bloodthirsty sharks, we tried to escape near the greenway. I found myself at the front of the line as we turned left on 13th ave. I was leading the pack, riding alone (no one beside me) with a few folks behind me. At the corner of 13th and Harmon, a police roadblock was set up, with 2 officers outside of the squad car telling me to stop my bike.

I stopped my bike, and when asked if my bike was registered i showed them the registration tag. Having a registered bike, I was allowed to pass. No one else was, however. I turned around to observe the police apprehending 4 other rider's bikes. I stopped my bike on the sidewalk, wanting to be off the street. It was then that officer #6374 approached and told me to give him my bike. I asked why, and he stated that I was in the business district and that riding a bike on the sidewalk in the business district was illegal. I replied that I wasn't riding my bike, but simply standing there. (I was simply standing there, witnessing the theft of 4 other bikes) While pushing me off the curb into the street, Officer Mathes then took my bike out of my hands and said that I can pick it up at the station.

I was given no citation, nor proof that my bike was taken... it was stolen.

Later, after a walk to the police station, myself, my brother Chad, Amanda Meyer, and 2 others observed a flatbed truck full with bikes being callously unloaded. When asked about getting our bikes back, the officers there were excessively rude, stating that we had run a red light, were riding three abreast, and obstructing traffic. (is there even such a charge as obstructing traffic??? I always thought one was traffic when riding a bike) None of the officers we spoke with were present when my bike was taken. None of them had any basis for these accusations.

Later, officer Suchta #6995, and Mathes, who were both involved with stealing my bike, arrived. After one hour of being accused of running a red light, and blocking traffic, I was issued a citation for interfering with traffic by officer #4439. This officer was not guilty of the physical act of stealing my bike (he wasn't there... I suppose he is complicit by cooperating with bike theives, but he was nowhere near 13th and Harmon). By the way, I was issued the citation at 7 pm, though officer #4439 made sure to predate the citation for 6 pm.

I managed to get my bike back on Monday morning without fines.

thanks for requesting our testimonies. I hope this helps. Nick Balster