Posted on 04/14/2014 9:51:13 AM PDT by JoeProBono
WHITEHOUSE , Texas, A Texas woman who was approached by a police officer who was acting suspicious was arrested after she failed to stop and talk to him.
Melissa Bonnette was out for a walk on Friday morning when a Whitehouse Police Department officer pulled up alongside her on a motorcycle and asked her to talk.
The officer, Shawn Johnson, allegedly approached Bonnette because she was walking on the wrong side of the road.
"I thought that maybe he was flirting," Bonnette told KYTX. "I just thought it was odd, I thought it was odd. I wasn't really sure but I felt uncomfortable because there wasn't anyone around. He just crept along beside me on his motorcycle and he started saying, 'Hey ma'am! I want to talk to you. Hey stop, ma'am! I want to talk to you.' Then my anxiety rose even higher.
Bonnette refused to stop and began jogging away from Johnson. He then got off the bike, tackled her and put her in handcuffs.
"Normally if a police officer pulls up, in my opinion, it's awful odd for somebody just to take off and not want to speak to the police officer," said Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton. "And he had a lawful reason to be there and to stop her."
No charges were filed after the arrest.
"I really don't want to live in a town where something like this could happen to a law-abiding citizen," Bonnette said. "I'm not going to be able to walk anymore, and that's sad because I enjoy walking every day. But I'm terrified. It was just so traumatic."
Well, if I were to find a cop acting suspiciously, I'd decline to talk to him too.
I say bring the foot patrols back. The police are so much friendlier when they have to “walk the beat” every day. Cut the squad cars by at least half. The foot patrols can call them in when they are needed.
Cop should be fired. Arresting a woman for walking on the wrong side of the road. What an idiot.
Maybe he thought the woman liked handcuffs so he decided to do the deed. LOL!
she should sue
btw - I did not know there were one way signs for pedestrians . lol
Police chief needs to go, too.
I hate people and cops like that. You want to say something, say it!
If she was in Atlanta she could be cited for ‘reckless walking’!
Citizen: "I DON'T want to talk to you, and don't have to. Here is my attorney's business card".
> He then got off the bike, tackled her and put her in handcuffs.
> :
> No charges were filed after the arrest.
The officer should have been arrested and charged with felonious assault.
He could have gotten off his *LOUD* motorcycle and walked along side her to inform her of her very minor error.
There was NO NEED WHATSOEVER to tackle her and handcuff her!
I hope she sues him personally for the trauma she suffered and the PTSS that she is experiencing, and that she sues the chief and the town accordingly.
He got off on his little power trip and got to rough up a busty babe. Got a few feels in and had fun.
He should be fired and arrested.
“Am I being detained or am I free to go?”
What if the traffic is going the "wrong" way?
Sounds to me as if the Chief of Police in Whitehouse needs to attend tomorrow’s morning muster and play Ray Stephen’s song “Super Cop” for Officer Johnson.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.