So why was the cop trying to take his bag at the beginning? To search it? Because he had probably cause to suspect he was carrying dessert with him too? Perhaps a nice key lime pie? Or perhaps this ridiculous law gives cops pretext to selectively harass people based on nothing actually bad being done.
If you read the story, the cop was trying to write him a ticket but he wouldn’t cooperate. (at least that was in the story I read yesterday) It appears to me the cop is holding the bag to keep the guy from walking away as he clearly refusing to comply.
Yes. It was a reason to search him and check for any warrants. No doubt, he does this every day, and as long as the person "presents his papers", and has no weapons, drugs, etc, they are free to go. Sandwich guy made the mistake of thinking he was a free man.