Couple Arrested For Asking For Directions

[Razor 0]

Couple Arrested For Asking For Directions

BALTIMORE -- Baltimore City police arrested a Virginia couple over the weekend after they asked an officer for directions.

WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reporter David Collins said Joshua Kelly and Llara Brook, of Chantilly, Va., got lost leaving an Orioles game on Saturday. Collins reported a city officer arrested them for trespassing on a public street while they were asking for directions .

"In jail for eight hours -- sleeping on a concrete floor next to a toilet," Kelly said.

"It was a nightmare," Brook said. "I was in there thinking I was just dreaming and waiting to wake up."

Collins reported it was a nightmare ending to a nearly perfect day. He said the couple went to a company picnic and watched the Orioles beat Kansas City. It was their first trip to Camden Yards and asked two people for directions to Interstate 95 South when they left.

Collins said somehow they ended up in the Cherry Hill section of south Baltimore. Hopelessly lost, relief melted away concerns after they spotted a police vehicle.

"I said, 'Thank goodness, could you please get us to 95?" Kelly said.

"The first thing that she said to us was no -- you just ran that stop sign, pull over," Brook said. "It wasn't a big deal. We'll pay the stop sign violation, but can we have directions?"

"What she said was 'You found your own way in here, you can find your own way out.'" Kelly said.

Collins said the couple spotted another police vehicle and flagged that officer down for directions. But Officer Natalie Preston, a six-year veteran of the force, intervened.

"That really threw us for a loop when she stepped in between our cars," Kelly said. "(She) said my partner is not going to step in front of me and tell you directions if I'm not."

Collins reported the circumstances got worse. Kelly pulled 40 feet forward parking next to a curb and put his flashers on while Brook was on the phone to her father hoping he could help her with directions. Both her parents are police officers in the Harrisburg, Pa., area.

"(Brook's father) was in the middle of giving us directions when the officer screeched up behind us and got out of the car and asked me to step out. I obeyed," Kelly said. "I obeyed everything -- stepped out of the car, put my hands behind my back, and the next thing I know, I was getting arrested for trespassing."

"By this time, I was completely in tears," Brook said. "I said, 'Ma'am, you know, we just need your help. We are not trying to cause you any trouble. I'm not leaving him here.' What she did was walk over to my side of the car and said, 'Ok, we are taking you downtown, too.'"

Collins said the couple was released from jail without being charged with anything. Brook is now concerned the arrest may complicate a criminal background check she's going through in her job as a child care worker.

Collins said police left Kelly's car unlocked and the windows down at the impound lot. He reported a cell phone charger, pair of sunglasses and 20 CDs were stolen.

Baltimore City police said they are looking into the incident.

http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/9229472/detail.html

Edited May 19, 2006 by Razor

[almaty 19]

#######!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ban Hammer 14,297]

a few police officers should be reminded of what protect and serve means. and then shown the door.

[Melo 1]

This is insane

[anya-D 8]

[alexil74 0]

[Jaylen Brit 1]

wow, that's REALLY gonna help tourism in that place huh?

Get lost and get arrested by a snotty policewoman with a bug (or maybe in this case, baton) up her a## and a serious lack of commonsense.

[Anyta Holland 1]

It's nice to know that the USA is being protected of serial killers like these.... For God's sake!!! What world are we living in?

[Ban Hammer 14,297]

trespassing on a public street while they were asking for directions

trespassing on a public street? what are streets for then?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Just another reason for me to dislike/distrust the police. FTP!

[I'm Gone 60]

Two young white people in that area cop probably thought they were looking to buy drugs.

[CanGal 1]

thats awful. What is everything really coming too.. sheesh, can't even pull over and ask anyone for directions anymore, thats getting sad.

[LenJayUS 0]

It's because of a few bad apples like this (assuming the arrested person's story is 100% true - which it probably is) is why so many think cops and all types of law enforement is corrupt.

[nayalamb 1]

what's the world coming to when even you can't even drive while white????

if they spent that kind of attention on the real criminals, maybe parts of b-more wouldn't be so freakin' slummy.

[Reba 2]

wow, that cop sounds like the lady at Canadian Customs that banned my husband from entering Canada

Must have been PMSing.