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Aventura Bank Ordered to Pay $3.3M to Man Mistaken as a Robber
Orlando Sentinel ^ | February 16, 2012 | David Ovalle

Posted on 02/25/2012 12:36:22 PM PST by nickcarraway

When Rodolfo Valladares walked into an Aventura Bank of America, he simply wanted to cash his $100 check. A jumpy bank teller, thinking he looked like a robber, hit a silent alarm.

Police from Aventura and Miami-Dade rushed to the bank, ordered everyone to the floor as they physically detained Valladares, handcuffing him and kicking him in the head, his lawyer said. He was let go when bank employees and police realize they made a mistake.

For his troubles, Valladares soon will be getting a much bigger check.

A Miami-Dade jury has awarded Valladares $3.3 million in damages after ruling that the bank was negligent in triggering the silent alarm, then failing to cancel it when employees realized he was not a robber.

Valladares, 50, a former mortgage company loan officer, still suffers from headaches, blurred vision and post-traumatic stress disorder, said his attorney Russell S. Adler.

Bank of America plans to appeal the verdict, believing their employees acted reasonably.

"We are disappointed,'' said bank spokesperson Shirley Norton.

The July 3, 2008 incident happened at a time when bank tellers were on high alert because of a warning about a male Hispanic wearing a Miami Heat hat had been robbing banks in the area.

Bank of America's corporate security had emailed a surveillance photo and a description of the robber.

When Valladares – wearing a Miami Heat cap - walked in, teller Meylin Garcia activated the alarm, though she did not have the photo on hand.

If she had, it would have shown the differences between Valladares and the bank robber, his lawyers said.

The robber in the bulletin was in his 60s and weighed about 145 pounds. Valladares was 46 at the time and weighed more than 200 pounds.

(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous
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To: nickcarraway

I have read relies 1-19, and am responding to all of them. Why isn’t the police paying out at least half? They were the ones that violated his rights, and beat him.

The bank employee may have made an error, but it could have been solved but competent police work, but alas...it was not to be.


21 posted on 02/25/2012 2:21:22 PM PST by packrat35 (When will we admit we are now almost a police state?)
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To: 41Thunder

he will probably get $100

lawyer gets the rest

usually how it works in the class action suits too


22 posted on 02/25/2012 2:25:35 PM PST by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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To: packrat35

“Ain’t been out of the house much in the last decade, have you? There are over 800 videos on youtube alone of out-of-control cops beating folks senseless, killing their dogs, or shooting them for no reason. Get in the REAL WORLD! “

...and how many of those videos give both sides of the story? It’s very easy to hate cops, until you need them after your daughter’s been raped.


23 posted on 02/25/2012 2:28:55 PM PST by BobL (I don't care about his past - Santorum will BRING THE FIGHT to Obama)
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To: BobL

It’s true they might not report that. But I still wouldn’t jump that conclusion, especially since this guy didn’t do anything wrong. I prefer living in the USA not the USSR...


24 posted on 02/25/2012 2:38:57 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Some guys get all the breaks.


25 posted on 02/25/2012 2:49:55 PM PST by Jacquerie (No court will save us from ourselves.)
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To: Popman
LOL.....I see you have never been to little Havana in Miami

even the menu in Mickey D ‘s are in Spanish and English is in the subtitles

I am SHOCKED!!!!

That they even bother with English subtitles.

26 posted on 02/25/2012 2:54:30 PM PST by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: sean327

He wasn’t arrested. He cashed his check and left.


27 posted on 02/25/2012 2:55:52 PM PST by Jacquerie (No court will save us from ourselves.)
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To: nickcarraway

I say good deal... I hope the teller got fired.

Personally, I resent the fact that when I go and cash checks at a bank I am treated guilty until proven innocent. 2 and 3 forms of ID and a finger print. Again we regulate the many because of the actions of a few. thats bullshit.

I let them know full well how I feel about it when they ask if I want to open an account... I tell them ‘are you serious? do you honestly think I would subject my customers to your banking practices... etc....’

Just cash the friggin check and stfu...

/rant...


28 posted on 02/25/2012 3:10:58 PM PST by sit-rep
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To: nickcarraway

“We are disappointed,’’ said bank spokesperson Shirley Norton.

Be disappointed. In your employee training programs.


29 posted on 02/25/2012 3:35:09 PM PST by Jack Hammer
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To: BobL

When I need my dog shot, I may call a cop, otherwise no thanks.


30 posted on 02/25/2012 3:54:40 PM PST by packrat35 (When will we admit we are now almost a police state?)
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To: BobL

How do you cooperate with a bunch of thugs kicking you in the head?


31 posted on 02/26/2012 6:57:31 AM PST by Oztrich Boy (Prayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in religion -Sup. Chalmers)
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To: Oztrich Boy

“How do you cooperate with a bunch of thugs kicking you in the head?”

You cooperate before they start kicking you...at least if you can understand what they’re saying.


32 posted on 02/26/2012 7:04:03 AM PST by BobL (I don't care about his past - Santorum will BRING THE FIGHT to Obama)
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To: sean327; BobL

He was reading between lines that weren’t there


33 posted on 02/26/2012 10:18:33 AM PST by Shimmer1 (If love were oil, I'd be a quart low)
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