quote:

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It's all good stuff. I guess if someone really did commit a crime or have something to hide then they might be better off taking the fifth in many respects.

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See, here's what bothers me. I believe every word, about the guy that was in "Outer Banks" but some dippy chick claims that he was in town that night. His claim becomes distrusted after policeman testimony makes it two to one against him and he is convicted on the basis of an inaccurate eye witness testimony. Hey, she could have been wrong on the day, hell, it was last year?

On the other hand, our buddy Scott Peterson produced a parking receipt that placed him at the scene of the crime after Lacey and Connor broke loose of her concrete anchors. I'm sure he did it because he couldn't be sure that somebody wouldn't remember that he was fishing 90 miles away, on Christmas eve. Brilliant plan, perfect execution, w/catch 22.

Good hunting. LB
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 13, 2010, 09:10 AM:
 
Good points Leonard.

And I think your points are examples to the effect that solid evidence from a crime scene holds more weight in a court of law than does witness testimony.

If I remember correctly, Peterson was found with some of the materials used to make the anchors with his boat? As well as him growing a beard (disguise) and heading to the border loaded with Viagra. Actions speak louder than words sometimes.

Thankfully his plan didn't work.
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 13, 2010, 09:23 AM:
 
I watched both videos. I will stick to my guns.

Dont consent to search. EVER.

Dont talk to police. EVER.

It cannont help you but it can hurt you.
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 13, 2010, 09:49 AM:
 
Okanagan,

I just watched part II.

My impression is that the detective is a skilled investigator turned attorney/future defense attorney. He is up there promoting his new career.

Interesting, as he is still a police officer but refers to us as "them" a few times in his talk.

The one thing I did like is the fact that all his references involved subjects who are guilty of a crime. He never said nor inferred that the innocent should not speak with police as the professor did.

Andy, I said it before...do what you need to protect yourself. All I know is that if I were wrongly accused of a crime I would be proclaiming my innocence with a few "MF's" in there to boot.

As an aside, most people consent to search because if they are in fact hiding something they figure we will find it any way with a K-9 or search warrant. If they have nothing to hide they consent, well, because they have nothing to hide. Isee it every day.

But let's not forget that we have a public to protect. To remove too many tools the police can utilize in their job will unfortunately put too many child molesters and rapists back out on the streets.

There is a delicate balance between ensuring peoples' rights and having the tools necessary to convict a criminal.
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 13, 2010, 10:07 AM:
 
You see it everyday? 49, are you one of those fishing expedition cops that ask every car they pull over if they can search?
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 13, 2010, 10:27 AM:
 
Hasn't happened to me because I never allow a search, and it's on principle, not because I have something that could incriminate me.

But, there are these videos we see where the cop asks, very innocently, is there anything in the car that shouldn't be there? No? Can I take a look, then?

So, he finds a 9MM under the seat and a bag of weed in the glove box.

The idiot that gave permission for a search CLAIMS that that stuff wasn't his! Who's going to believe that? But, it is true that stuff in your vehicle might have been put there by a passenger and you didn't know it.

I was hunting with Scott Huber in South Dakota last year. After I left, he found my binoculars under the front seat. He mailed them to me.

Okay, but what if I had some weed in there? What if he was stopped? What if he had nothing to hide and allowed a search? Would it do any good to claim that asshole Leonard left that in my truck?

I didn't think so. Therefore, it has nothing to do with having nothing to hide and everything to do with knowing your rights and not allowing a warrantless search.

By the way, I generally don't give permission for Border Patrol to search my vehicle, but I'm not exactly sure how far I can go with the refusal? Anybody know? I did open the back of my camper once when it appeared that it was going to delay my trip. But, they coerced me with the delay and I caved.

Good hunting. LB
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 13, 2010, 10:42 AM:
 
I always search my car after we take somebody in to make sure they didnt stuff something in the seat. We always search them before putting them in the car too, but it doesnt hurt to make sure. But you could always miss something.

Im with you LB. Loco left his howler in my truck and I didnt find it til later and had to mail it back.

As for BP, I dont know how far you can push that. Ive never had but one ask and it was pretty easy to see that I had no Messicans hiding anywhere. I did have a deputy follow me from Mc Neil to the checkpoint all the way up by Sunizona on 191, with all my family in the truck. After being cleared by BP, they told me to pull over, the deputy wanted to talk to me. Chickenshit. He said my truck screamed stolen. After checkin my license, insurance and registration on the truck, I guess he was convinced it was my truck.

So, just so you guys know, if you drive a F250 4 Door Diesel, with your wife and 2 kids in the truck with you, it screams stolen to Cochise County Deputies. Fucksticks didnt have anything to do and didnt even have the nuts to pull me over 60 miles or so earlier. Had to wait for backup at the checkpoint.

[ March 13, 2010, 10:43 AM: Message edited by: Andy L ]
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 13, 2010, 10:56 AM:
 
Yeah, and for 60 miles, you didn't go a mile over the speed limit, did you? Watching your instruments instead of the road, a swerve here and there, always checking your mirrors, etc. I think they love fucking with ya.
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 13, 2010, 01:43 PM:
 

quote:

---

You see it everyday? 49, are you one of those fishing expedition cops that ask every car they pull over if they can search?

---

Noooo....I thought I had explained myself on the other thread. Maybe it was on a different forum? Anyway I don't feel like going back to check and since the weather here stinks and I am stuck inside I will elaborate.

Yes Andy, I have searched a few cars in my career. If I thought I had something as per the indicators I received (RAS)from the stop I would ask for consent, lacking any PC. Here in NJ we have always had to get a signed consent during the course of my career. We even have a specific form for it, so there are no incidences like what happened to Leonard back in October of 1980, I think. But to answer your question....no. I didn't ask to search every car I stopped. I only went further with those stops that gave me a reason to because it was my job.

The reason I see it "every day," is because I don't make road stops any more. I thought I mentioned on the other thread that my present duties involve me reviewing and overseeing stops with consent searches that other officers conduct here. I review the tapes from the dash cameras. My job is to review the stops to ensure the officers are not violating anyone's civil rights, making sure the guys follow proper procedure, making sure their safety practices are up to standard, and making sure the officers treat the public with dignity and respect. This is how I see it every day Andy. To be honest, it's a lousy job and I would much rather go back to shift work and running a squad, which I enjoyed. But I was recruited for this job, and here I will stay until I can't stand it any more or until a more prominent position offers itself.

I can tell you that the guys here are very good. I run into a few minor problems but nothing major so far.

Now where is Tom? I am used to you two guys double teaming me on these threads.

Leonard, I guess it is possible that someone could leave a bag of "weed" in your car, but believe me it doesn't happen very often. Those people don't forget their narcotics. They might forget their kids in the bath tub, but they don't forget their narcotics. Anyhoo, you strike me as the conservative type and I don't think you hang around with pot heads. That's just my impression, so I think your scenerio is even farther removed than you make it out to be.

When I was on the road I stopped cars on highways and in remote areas by myself all the time. Does it make those guys fucksticks because they waited until they got to a safer area? Maybe and maybe not. Perhaps they didn't know who was in your truck? You too Andy...maybe they didn't know. That's all I am saying.

I get it...you guys don't like "us" cops. But we are a necessary "evil" you know? The only other alternative would be to fire all the police in the country and see what happens.

Edit for typo.

[ March 13, 2010, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
 

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Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on March 13, 2010, 01:59 PM:
 
Come on Andy, use your head.

Think about all of the right reasons why you were checked at the BP check point, and not before.
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 13, 2010, 03:10 PM:
 
Yeah, I'm a conservative type and believe in law and order. However, I have only seen mary jane once and wasn't positive that's what it was? And, guess what? It was left in my vehicle after giving a couple chicks a long ride down the mountain. Long story, some other time, but I believe it was a gift, in appreciation, in leu of money? No way it was a forgotten item. And, guess what? It happened October 1980, I shit you not! What I can't recall is if it was the day before, or the day after?

I could get along with law enforcement just fine, if they would lose the attitude. I very much resent being treated like I am a possible law breaker, and they can't help themselves. I know that.

Good hunting. LB
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 13, 2010, 03:14 PM:
 
Dont bet on LB not hangin with Pot Heads. He is from the Land of Fruits and Nuts where it is legal now....

49, Im just yankin yer chain. Its rainin, Im bored and its fun. Nothin more or less....

Joe, I guess Im not sure what you mean? Family of four, two days after Christmas, nearly new 50k truck, MO plates, Southern AZ, I mean I dont think we looked like car theives. I guess maybe they thought drug runners, but never asked to search, although my camper shell wasnt tinted and there were at least a half dozen guns in plain sight back there. There were two deputies in the ride following us. I dont know exactly how far, it was from McNael, cant spell it right because of blocks on here, to the Kansas Settlement cutoff, where the checkpoint is. Just seemed kind of chickenshit to me. I guess I should add, when I turned north on 191, I was leaving Tim Behles house and they were across the intersection from me, so it wasnt like they couldnt see in the truck from the start.

Just kind of stupid in my opinion. And like LB said, it does kind of put you on high alert and apt to make a mistake. I guess I never gave them any probable cause to stop me, must have driven well, and they thought the BP place was their chance to nab us.
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 13, 2010, 03:26 PM:
 
Where is Tom? Here I is!

Double teaming? Dude you need to wake up and see just why it is on every forum you visit, you have these issues. You definately have an "us vs. them" attitude. I figured out I can't change anything so why bother? You sure ain't gonna change my mind on anything.

Now this is not to say I won't debate any calling issue or maybe even a law issue but I don't hide around and wait for my chance to dogpile anyone. I speak my mind, right or wrong. Just ask anyone.

Moving right along,
I had an instructor tell us one time that if we are asked for permission to search, it's better to let them "inventory" your vehicle instead. That is if you don't want to just say no.

It seems our instructor was at the border in an airplane (don't know any details) and was asked for consent to search. They had no worries and said yes go ahead. That gave them promission to dismantle the airplane and of course they found nothing but the instructor and pilot had to wait till a certified mechanic could come and put it all back together. It wasn't cheap either but he won't let anyone "search" nothing if he has a choice.

Might be something to remember for the BP if they push the issue LB.
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 13, 2010, 03:30 PM:
 
And while I'm at it, our hometown heros have been pulling cars over right and left lately. We found out they have a grant for overtime money and to keep putting in overtime hours, they must write so many tickets per shift. Seat belt tickets are keeping our finest in overtime. Makes me sick and probably gives me an "us vs. them" attitude.

This came from a senior officer who is just as sick of the BS as I am. They need to go back to rolling drunks for extra change.

I edited it because I wanted to.

[ March 13, 2010, 03:31 PM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 13, 2010, 04:18 PM:
 
Please. Let's not run him off, folks. I appreciate the point of view. Remember, they ain't like us. He knows there is hostility, on some levels. I think he's mellow about it. Maybe it's part of the territory and part of the.....well, you know?

Good hunting. LB
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 13, 2010, 04:30 PM:
 
Not my intent to run him off, heck I almost like the guy. He does offer a different perspective but I sure didn't think I was tagging out with Andy.

Maybe he can teach us to be better civilians and we can make him a better law man?

Just foolin.
 

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Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on March 13, 2010, 05:25 PM:
 

quote:

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Please. Let's not run him off, folks

---

I don't think we'll run him off. I didn't even tell my 'Johnny Law' story.....didn't want him to think he was being dogpiled.

Tom, That explains all the law on the road last night. I drove from Antlers to home, and every town I went through had at least one traffic stop taking place.

Maintain
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 13, 2010, 05:43 PM:
 
Keep up the good front Tom. We dont want him to know what we talk about in the back room...
 

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Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on March 13, 2010, 05:49 PM:
 
Grant money and serious declines in revenue from sales tax., etc. All those fines go into the general fund and are dispersed accordingly. SO's, PD's and HP's are now key revenue generators!

4949 seems to me to be a good guy. I wish that every agency in the country went to the trouble to assure quality and compliance as is his apparently does. Sadly, this just isn't true. Couple over zealous officers with a justice syustem and court/ judge who values efficiancy and revenue over empathy and objectivity and you have a very volatile situation developing.

How much of this devolving attitude could we attribute to the growing angst nationwide about government's increased intrusions into our lives? Are we just taking our frustrations out on the police? After all, isn't everyone talking about what we regard to be "chickenshit, bullshit stops" where the officer finds probable cause to stop you then exploits the opportunity to find something else to hang on you?

Arrests made after investigating? From my experience, around here, is if they investigate and show up on your door with a warrant, you're toast and you deserve it. Happenstance encounters where the guys around here have to call it at the time? Iffy at best.
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 13, 2010, 06:09 PM:
 
Tom,

I was just razzing you (and Andy) a bit.

Despite our disagreements I actually think you are a good sort. I respect a man who stands by his beliefs, even though his beliefs may differ from my own.

Us vs. Them attitude? I don't know, maybe when I was younger I had that attitude. I don't think I have it now, though I can see why you might think that. This goes back to you not knowing me personally again, remember?

I can tell you this much...people in my community who know me and know what I do for a living don't think that about me, for whatever it's worth to some of you guys. We have a lot of LEO's living in our neighborhood here. Our kids all play sports together, and the non LEO's who know my LEO friends consider me to be a lot different than they are. I am told I am not "high" on being a cop, like they say my friends are. I don't know really, but it's just what I am told. I like to think that I act like myself, and have nothing to prove to anyone else.

I always treated people like human beings at work. When people came to our station looking for accident reports or whatever, I went out of my way to help them. I charmed the old ladies, and made small talk with the guys if they were decent folk. The young cops at work were surprised at how cordial I gould be to the public considering how tough I was on them. But you know, men don't respect a pushover as a leader.

There was a line though, which was not to be crossed. I treated everyone with respect until they disrespected me or my men. When that happened all bets were off, and the nasty 49 came out.

I digress but I just think it's funny that you guys all think one thing about me, and the people who know me in person think the opposite. But like I said, I have nothing to prove...not even to you guys.

Leonard, I guess you got me with your example. So it happened to you once. It probably hasn't happened to many others but okay. These are the hazards of giving people of unknown character rides in your vehicle. But I was correct in my assessment of you. 21 years in LE and I have gotten to be a fair judge of character.

I still don't know what you guys want of law enforcement, really. Last time we argued about this very subject I told you all that there is bound to be conflict when you have twenty something year old symbols of authority out there stopping, detaining, and arresting people. Conflict is bound to happen and people are going to be offended.

It is the nature of the beast.
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 13, 2010, 06:30 PM:
 
Oh yeah....

CDog I appreciate the kind words.
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 13, 2010, 07:37 PM:
 
Nick, I know.

And don't think you'll get a search warrant for the back room either, the judge is a good friend of mine...

and don't be so sure about Elbee, you know he's from Kalifornia and even the little ol ladies smoke dope out there.

For medicinal purposes ya know.

beacuse I wanted to again.

[ March 13, 2010, 07:39 PM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 13, 2010, 08:14 PM:
 
If you want to hear the story of the two chicks walking in the woods with suitcases, I guess I can remember most of it? LB
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 13, 2010, 10:48 PM:
 
Tell us the story uncle Elbee...
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 14, 2010, 12:25 AM:
 
We'd like to hear it Leonard.

Okay, here is a situation where you would benefit from talking to the police (us)...God forbid, your wife, fiancee, or significant other is murdered. The husband, boyfriend, etc. is ALWAYS looked at first as a target. Because in the many of the cases (like Scott and Lacy Peterson), the husband, boyfriend, fiancee etc. is the guilty party. If God forbid my wife were murdered, I would cooperate with investigators so that they could eliminate me as a suspect and focus on finding the real killer. If I were to take the fifth, the detectives are going to suspect me and thus focus their efforts on me instead of allocating time and resources to find the real murderer.

That's what I would do. To each his own though.

Leonard's second incident in October of 1980 is a rare one though, it does prove the point that injustices could occur where consent searches are concerned. The fact is, much of the marijuana grown today is grown by biologists and is extremely strong smelling. Police officers often can smell it emanating from the vehicles they stop.

Having been somewhat enlightened here on HM, the fact remains that we still have a job to do out there. Though I will will have to admit I now see your point where consent searches are concerned, expecting the worst.

That having been said, the consent search still remains a viable tool in law enforcement.

Edited again for typo.

[ March 14, 2010, 12:31 AM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 14, 2010, 12:42 AM:
 
One last thing...

In all the stops I have seen in 21 years, whether in person or on tape, I have NEVER seen anyone act surprised over what we found in their vehicle.

NEVER.

All the suspects in the cases I saw knew they were guilty.

I am not saying it couldn't happen (as per Leonard's story) but I have never seen it.

I hope this makes you guys feel better, or at least clears things up a bit.
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 14, 2010, 04:36 AM:
 
We're here to help!
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 14, 2010, 05:09 AM:
 
When I pick up a skip, I normally ask them as Im patting them down, if they have any guns, knives, bombs, dope or anything else they dont want to take to jail with them for additional charges when they get the rubber gloves out for a real search.

Ive never found anything that they didnt tell me about. Nobody wants to get more felony charges for bringing stuff into a jail. Ive thrown a lot of little baggies of powder and leaves away. In a handful of incidents, where the SIQ was giving me a rash of shit or had fought me or whatever, I didnt give them the option and let a LEO arrest them before we went to jail so they could get themselves a felony and the cop could get a feather for a felony arrest.

Ok Uncle Elbee, please tell us the story. My popcorns gettin cold and I got a feeling that I dont want to miss this. Maybe we can make a porno out of the storyline?

Edited cause Tom always does it and Im jealous.

[ March 14, 2010, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: Andy L ]
 

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Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on March 14, 2010, 05:25 AM:
 
I was "pokin" at you Andy, all in good fun.
I think the cop you were talking about herded you right to where he wanted you.

If LB tells the "2 Blonds on the Mountain With Suitcases" story I might just tell the "Redhead at the Rock Quarry with a Flat" story.....
2nd thought, nope.
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 14, 2010, 05:51 AM:
 
But I liked your post Joe...the officers may have had good reason for stopping Andy at the checkpoint. This is a more controlled area and is safer for everyone involved.

AZ....MO license plate....pickup truck with camper....it all adds up to the deputies were looking for drug runners. Once they interacted with Andy and got a feel for him, they told him they were looking for a stolen truck and sent him on his way.

Edited because Tom can do it.

[ March 14, 2010, 06:16 AM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 14, 2010, 06:37 AM:
 
You guys don't want to get started with the editing stuff, 'cause you know, I really can do it.

quote:

---

I just love a man in uniform, want book me, Dano?

Signed: Tommy

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quote:

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pickup truck with camper

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quote:

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Back off 49, this is just startin to get good and LB is gonna keep holdin out on the details if you dont...

---

I think Leonard is dying to give us the details.

He is just toying with us now.

But okay. I'll back off because I want to hear them sooner than later. The weekend is coming to an end for us on the east coast.

(hint to Leonard)
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 14, 2010, 12:24 PM:
 
Uncle Elbee, were the girls nice?

BTW, anything west of the Kalifornia state line is enough to me nervous.

Tell us more Elbee, tell us more...

not edited because Elbee said to knock it off.
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 14, 2010, 02:19 PM:
 
Im here Uncle Elbee. Keep goin with yer story.... I wanna hear about the purty girls!
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 14, 2010, 02:44 PM:
 
If anybody else pisses Uncle Elbee off and makes him stop tellin his story, Im lockin this thread!!
 

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Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on March 14, 2010, 03:06 PM:
 
Andy please dont lock this one down !!

I can't wait to hear the rest of the story.

I wonder if Leonard is taking an afternoon "siesta" ? wake up LB !
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 14, 2010, 03:10 PM:
 
I wondered that too. Its rainin, blowin and cold here. Nasty weekend. I went in while ago to the bathroom and decided to lay down for a minute. Two hours later, I had to come catch back up on the story. LOL
 

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Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 14, 2010, 03:23 PM:
 
Hey, did you guys know that Leonard sometimes resembles a pin hed?
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 14, 2010, 03:27 PM:
 
Well, I have been busy, made an excuse to get back here for a few minutes, knowing you guys were hanging on every word.....

Let's see?

So, we were all in the cab, and somebody remarked that there he was, and he sure didn't bust his ass to drop off a couple quarts of oil, did he?

We kept on driving and it wasn't a mile further we saw him walking along the shoulder, oh not really, he was about fifty feet off the road with his back to us walking the same direction. We slowed a bit, looking his way and it seemed like he was studiously avoiding us, like he didn't notice a yellow truck practically stopped and pacing him for a short time. But, <shrug> we got the hint. What an asshole? So, fuck him.

Exchanged looks and kept driving toward town, still probably 25 miles downhill.

We had gone about another four, maybe five miles when we rounded a curve and saw two people walking, carrying suitcases. Turned out to be two women, but we passed them and I looked back, in the mirror.

About that time, it dawned on me and I said; hey, that's the two girls that were in the camper! So, I stopped in the middle of the road and waited for them to catch up to the truck. Very puzzled, too.

Sorry, gotta go. Fill y'all in later.

Good hunting. LB

PS My grandson's 18th birthday, gotta be there in an hour, Byee.
 

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Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on March 14, 2010, 04:08 PM:
 
I have heard this story youre gonna love it guys.
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 14, 2010, 10:33 PM:
 
To continue....but, why didn't Paul fill you in while I was busy?

These girls ran up to the truck and asked if we could give them a ride into town. I said, sure, but what's going on, what about the guy back there?

Well, the brunette was his girlfriend and the blonde was her girlfriend. They said that he got all pissed off at them because he said that they caused him to miss a deer. That's all they knew about it, but he got real ugly and kicked them both out, then and there. So, it was a total mystery to them, exactly how they managed to cause a problem, but he had a complete meltdown over it.

So, they needed to get to town and figure out a way to get back to Santa Cruz. The only problem was that they didn't have any money. Zero. But the brunette had some sort of credit card and they hoped to buy a couple bus tickets in town.

So, there was no room up front, and no window in the shell, but we put them back there and closed the door. It was totally dark in there, once the door was closed. But before taking off, we told them that we would take them wherever they needed to go. Confidentially though, we all had our doubts once they were in there and we were under way.

The ride down the hill was uneventful. We stopped at a convenience story and asked about a bus. Turned out that the place to buy a ticket was right across the street. We went in there and they accepted her credit card, which was a big hurdle, and the only thing was the wait, which we filled by buying some sandwiches for everybody.

It turned out that they had a regular bus that traveled the length of the state, a Trailways bus but they called it the Stage. The store clerk walked out and hung a sign that told the driver that there was passengers waiting at what they called "the terminal".

So, the story gets a little boring from this point forward. We said good bye and wished them well and even got a hot tip from a customer in the store.

So, off we went, back up the hill and found the canyon the local was telling us about. We drove as far as we could, intending to work up both sides of the arroyo, maybe push a buck out of the weeds? Ya know?

So, we got out and opened the back door of the camper and the first thing I saw was a clear plastic box laying on the left fender well. What the hell was that, maybe they forgot something? So, I picked it up and it was some sort of brown weed, a good sized bud, actually. (an expression I learned later) My buddy was mystified and surprisingly, so was my son; but it didn't take very long to figure out what it was.

So, here's the deal. These poor girls were in a tight spot, we were decent people and helped them as much as we could and they had no money between them. We came to the conclusion that they repaid our kindness with the only thing they had, of any value.

As 49 said previously, people don't leave their dope behind, but they did, and where it was, so prominent, in the back of an otherwise empty camper, except for three cased rifles. We thought, and I believe, to this day, it was a gift.

& I shot a decent buck, half way up that draw.

Good hunting. LB

(not exactly what you thought, was it?)

Prologue: But, think about it. Guys in the woods maybe horny, unwashed, you know what it's like to have two cute chicks want a ride, desperate, middle of nowhere? Dream on, that would never happen, right? But, it did.
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 15, 2010, 07:30 AM:
 
Well, at least 49 is on a stakeout somewhere, and I have the opportunity to pose the question.

What if, after dropping off the girls at the "terminal" (actually, a bench under the bus stop sign), we had blundered in to that checkpoint where they opened my camper door without permission, and discovered that plastic box, on the fender well? How far would we have got by cooperating? "Never saw it before, not mine!"

one more epilogue: I brought the box to work and told several friends the story, then put it in the center drawer of my desk and forgot about it. I have no idea how long afterwards it was stolen, but one day, I said, "HEY, where's my weed?" Had to fire the entire staff. No, not really, but I thought it was sort of chickenshit and now I have no visual to raise in triumph, at the end of my story.

Good hunting. LB
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 15, 2010, 12:19 PM:
 
Okay I just got back from stakeout.

I will say Leonard, that you would have most likely been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance. I know the females were trying to be "nice" in offering up a gift...a gift of dubious value. Though I must say I would have gotten rid of it. I would hate to be found with something like that.

But you win. Your illustration shows there could be a circumstance where allowing a consent of your vehicle can get you arrested for something unbeknownst to you. The possibility is remote but I concede it could have happened to you.

Thanks for a good story and broadening my horizons a bit. When you spend enough time dealing with people who are always trying to get out of trouble by lying, running, or fighting, it tends to effect you deep inside. Hearing a fresh point of view can be a good thing.

But like I said earlier, in my time I have never, ever, seen anyone surprised over what was found in their vehicle. The consent search remains a valuable tool in law enforcement. So you guys want to exercise your rights. You might as well because the criminals are exercising theirs.
 

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Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on March 15, 2010, 02:58 PM:
 
Here, that would have been a felony, even if a misdemeanor amount, because of the guns. Could have been mulitiple charges. Depending on the cop that got ya.
 

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Posted by 4949shooter (Member # 3530) on March 15, 2010, 03:36 PM:
 
Good point Andy.

ReEdit:You know, on second thought, Leonard may have gotten a pass. Those LEO's were looking for bundles, or bushels of marijuana. Small "personal use" amounts may not have been worth their time. Especially once they saw the shocked look on Leonard's face, and heard he just gave two hippy females a lift.

Just a thought.

Okay, now I gotta go harass the public.

[ March 16, 2010, 03:42 AM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
 

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