Posted on 08/09/2006 5:00:14 PM PDT by JennysCool
ALBUQUERQUE -- Right in the middle of today’s deadly carjacker pursuit, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department arrested two members of Albuquerque’s famous Unser racing family. Both Al Unser Sr. and Bobby Unser Sr. were booked into the Metro Detention Center this afternoon charged with failure to obey a police officer and resisting arrest.
Both walked out of the jail about 3:30 p.m.
The brothers, who have a combined seven checkered flags at the Indianapolis 500 and are huge names in the racing world, apparently thought their celebrity status meant they were above the law.
The police pursuit of a stolen car, complete with reported shotgun fire aimed at pursuing officers, ended about 11 a.m. when the suspect crashed into another car and then accidentally or deliberately shot himself to death with the sawed-off shotgun. That dramatic conclusion happened at an intersection close to some Unser family property.
While the incident was still unfolding, Bernalillo County sheriff's investigators allege Al Unser started going through a roadblock in an attempt to get to his property. Despite six or seven warnings to leave the area, he still refused to leave, saying it was his property--he owned it.
When the deputy told him he would be arrested, Unser allegedly said, “You can't take me to jail,” and began cussing at the officer.
Officers report he then jerked away and said, “Don't you know who I am? I'm Al Unser.”
A short time after he was arrested, Bobby Unser showed up. Deputies said he, too, refused to leave and resisted arrest.
Both were transported to holding cells at the Valley substation before being taken to jail.
“They simply told them numerous times to leave the area, and they simply refused to do so,” Erin Kinnard of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department said. “Were not talking about a situation where we're trying to catch a shoplifter.
“This was a serious and dangerous situation.”
KRQE News 13 was told Al Unser threatened the arresting officer, telling him he would get back at him some day.
People on the scene also said the deputies didn’t recognize Al Unser and didn’t care who he was, they just wanted the men to leave since shots were being fired in the area.
Contacted later, Al Unser Jr. declined a request for an interview. KRQE News 13 was unable to reach Bobby Unser.
Seems as if hardly a week goes by without some puffed-up "celebrity" making an idiot of himself.
The authority of an owner on his property trumps all others. I don't see where this incident interfered with the investigation.
The Unsers act like small time big shots, very small indeed.
This account has been banned or suspended.
farmfriend - a long time ago.
I'm going to pop some popcorn. You want butter or salt?
what happened to farmfriend?? was he Travis McGee'd? (just asking, nothing implied)
Farmfriend is female. She and my grandaughter are friends. I don't know why she was banned and neither does my grand daughter but she told me about it 3 or 4 months ago.
Authority to expose himself to gunfire? That's a new one to me.
As opposed to a shotgun?
LOL
As opposed to a shotgun?
It was some other type gun, cleverly disguised to look like a shot gun.
I think what happen to Travis McGee was a shame. His story needs to be told.
This one is quite binary. [chuckle]
Tell it. I am not familiar with it.
The article said that the standoff was near the Unser's property, not on it.
What from a dead man. But lets pretend the bad guy was alive, he could go onto his property under duress if he wants too. The Land of the Free and Brave?
On the grounds that "libertarianism" is actually a lack of rationality.
He tells it all the time at LP.
You'd love that place. Goldi knows all the Secret Service guys by their first names, and has their business cards in her rolodex.
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