Run in with the League City Police at Alex Rodrigez Mercedes

[KinnyLee]

So, me and my friend had nothing better to do and decided to check out the new cars at BMW and Mercedes dealerships at League City. We were looking primarily at the 3 series BMW and Mercedes C class to compare features and prices (I know, we are geeks). As we were walking toward the preowned section at Alex Rodrigez, we notice some guy in uniform walking towards us. We thought it was the dealership's security guard and we didn't really think anything of it because we have had security guards talking and BSed with us at the dealership at the middle of the night. He waved us over and it turned out to be League City Police. He asked us our business being here and we told him, and then he asked us for our IDs. At first I was kind of hesitant in showing him my CHL because I thought he was only going to check to see where we lived (I know dumb move, but I recovered later on) Then he said he's going to get on the radio to check us out for warrants. At that time I told him "since you're going to do that, you better take a look at this" - handed him my CHL. He then asked me if I'm carrying. I told him yes. He then took the time finding my 1911 hidden using my VM II. I took him about 5 seconds to find it because of all the layers of clothing I had on. He then handed it to his partner while his partner checked out the gun (making sure it wasn't stolen). The officer was checking out my firearm and commented "Nice gun" I said "thanks" They BSed with us a little bit about the Mercedes while checking us out. At the same time 2 extra cruisers came in. I guess they have to if a weapon is involved. After we all checked out, he handed back my weapon (unloaded) and told us that we shouldn't be here because there has been quite a few break ins where people would steal their mirrors to put on their own cars. We were kind of shocked, but we understand where they are coming from. So I reholstered my weapon, and he said "thanks for cooperating, and thank you for declaring your CHL" then we parted ways. That was an interesting night. I've always heard that LCPD are jerks, but that particular officer was very polite and professional. Only thing I didn't like was he handed me my firearm back unloaded with all the ammo in his hand. I guess they had to do that for their own safety. Big thumbs up for those guys. Well, that's my adventure for a saturday night. lol.

[TraCoun]

Kinny,
Thanks for taking the time to post a positive note.
TraCoun

[Kalrog]

Am I the only one who would prefer that LEOs not "empty or make safe" a CHL's handgun? That is way more dangerous than leaving it loaded and just keeping your finger off the trigger. And if you are going to empty it - why empty the mag? hand back the gun + loaded mag + 1 round that was in the pipe.


Oh, and I think by law you should have shown him your CHL as soon as it was clear this wasn't a social stop - when he asked for ID, not when he went to run you for warrants. Pull out both forms of ID at the same time.

Just a couple of nits - not a bad experience all around.

[stevie_d_64]

No offence intended, but I am trying to understand how I would feel about being disarmed during an encounter like this...

I'm glad this didn't sour your demeanor KinnyLee...

My outlook, if I had been in the same position, may not have been very uplifting...I certainly would have maintained a very cordule and non-antagonistic demeanor, but I don't think I would have been very happy about it...I know at that point when they start doing what they did to you there would not be much you better do but comply...

I know they are doing their job...But this is actually one of, well...I can't think of another encounter posted anywhere, right off the top of my head, where a Texas Law Enforcement officer/deputy has ever disarmed a CHL holder, and simply come back with an excuse for the shakedown of: we've had a lot of "break-ins" here, etc etc etc...

Question...When he handed your firearm back to you, were the rounds loose from the magazine, or was the weapon cleared with the rounds still in the magazine???

[anygunanywhere]

I am surprised by the LCPD disarming you. It would be intereting to hear more about LCPD encounters since the area has so many CHL's.

[KinnyLee]

Kalrog, I knew that was a dumb move by not providing a CHL ID, but I did tried to recovered. The officer did asked me how long I started carrying, and I told him around 6-7 months. He probably think I'm still a noob and thought nothing of it, but at least I still did declared it afterwards. I live and learned and I know what to do from now on.

Stevie, I didn't think all that big of a deal because they are only doing their job and following their departmental procedures. They are being very safe with it with finger high on the slide out of the trigger. And when they handed me the firearm back I got it back at slide lock, empty magazine, and a hand full of ammo (8 rds) lol. It would be funny to take out my spare mag, insert it and release the slide then reholster, but I figure I better not push my luck.

I'm still a noob at this so please be gentle with me. lol.

[KBCraig]

I'm still scratching my head here... no matter how polite and professional the police are, it's not a positive encounter when you're stopped in public without probable cause, ID is demanded, you're disarmed, run for warrants, and your gun is emptied and checked for stolen status.

I'm glad the police were polite, but I can't look favorably at the contact you had.

Kevin

[KinnyLee]

Well, the way I look at it is it could have been a lot worst. And if you want to talk about LEO who are jerks, I have a few area in mind. League City is probably not one of them. lol. I don't know. I'm still new at this, I'm sure my attitude will change as I gain more experience.

[KBCraig]

I know there are jerks, and being jerks makes the situation worse (and more stressful). But my point is, being nice and polite doesn't make "Your papers, please!" more acceptable.

Maybe I'm just not understanding what justified the encounter. You were on a car lot, looking at cars. This invites a police investigation how, exactly?

Kevin

[Texasdoc]

Well the last time I had anything to do with LEO was when someone saw me adn the wife changing out trucks at the wal-mart parking lot and some buzy-body though she saw me pull a gun on the wife and then get into her truck and drive off. then after about 1 hour and half teh local Bastrop PD showed up at het gym I was working out at and asked me if I was at Wal-mart about noon and that they needed to see my DL as per the law I gave them both my CHL and DL and then asked if they could see my truck and asked if they could search it. When I asked why they didn't tell me anything but when he asked where my gun was I told him in the truck,
he went over and openned tryed to open the door.

He told me to give him the keys,as he was going to remove it for his safety.

Can someone tell me why he needed to remove it from the truck that was locked and I wasn't close to???


the officer was not happy when i didn't give himthe keys and told me that he would arrest me. I told him to do what he though he needed to do. he called for back-up.

after about 20 minutes he got back in his car and left.

So when I called the Chief, I was told that someone at wal-mart called and told them that I was pointing a gun at a lady and stole her truck.

the thing that gets me is that he ran the plates and my DL and they both matched.

so if you go to bastrop Texas be fore warned they LEO's are looking to do something . the something I have no idea.


300shooter

[KinnyLee]

I know there are jerks, and being jerks makes the situation worse (and more stressful). But my point is, being nice and polite doesn't make "Your papers, please!" more acceptable.

Maybe I'm just not understanding what justified the encounter. You were on a car lot, looking at cars. This invites a police investigation how, exactly?

Kevin

I guess because they thought we were the thieves who has been ripping off side mirrors off of their new cars.

[KinnyLee]

the thing that gets me is that he ran the plates and my DL and they both matched.

so if you go to bastrop Texas be fore warned they LEO's are looking to do something . the something I have no idea.


300shooter

Funny thing is if they actually have done their job (investigative work) they would have figured that out. Oh well. I guess when the word "gun" is involved in a complain, they automatically jump to conclusions. So sad.

[txinvestigator]

I'm still scratching my head here... no matter how polite and professional the police are, it's not a positive encounter when you're stopped in public without probable cause, ID is demanded, you're disarmed, run for warrants, and your gun is emptied and checked for stolen status.

I'm glad the police were polite, but I can't look favorably at the contact you had.

Kevin

A LEO does not need "probable cause" to stop you on private property that is closed to conduct an investigation.

It sounds as though they were hired to work there due to a particular crime problem the dealership was having.

So the officer asks for ID and the person does not disclose, as required by law, that he is carrying a handgun and does not provide his CHL until a warrant check is announced.

I would have disarmed him too, to make a point if nothing else.

[txinvestigator]

Well the last time I had anything to do with LEO was when someone saw me adn the wife changing out trucks at the wal-mart parking lot and some buzy-body though she saw me pull a gun on the wife and then get into her truck and drive off. then after about 1 hour and half teh local Bastrop PD showed up at het gym I was working out at and asked me if I was at Wal-mart about noon and that they needed to see my DL as per the law I gave them both my CHL and DL and then asked if they could see my truck and asked if they could search it. When I asked why they didn't tell me anything but when he asked where my gun was I told him in the truck,
he went over and openned tryed to open the door.

He told me to give him the keys,as he was going to remove it for his safety.

Can someone tell me why he needed to remove it from the truck that was locked and I wasn't close to???


the officer was not happy when i didn't give himthe keys and told me that he would arrest me. I told him to do what he though he needed to do. he called for back-up.

after about 20 minutes he got back in his car and left.

So when I called the Chief, I was told that someone at wal-mart called and told them that I was pointing a gun at a lady and stole her truck.

the thing that gets me is that he ran the plates and my DL and they both matched.

so if you go to bastrop Texas be fore warned they LEO's are looking to do something . the something I have no idea.


300shooter

How did they know at what gym you were? How did they locate you there?

Did the officer just stand there after calling for back up, then leave without backup ever showing up?

[Texasdoc]

well I think he saw the truck sitting outside the gym and then turnned around to come a talk to me. He walked in the gym and asked if who owned the Blue Suburban and I said I did and he asked to speak to me.

We went outside and was standing at the front door .


he called for back up and run me thru the SO. Before his back-up got there he told me I could go and to have a good day.


I think I might have to talk to a Ranger bud of mine about this but the wife said that when she is at the SO this officer is a KNOW IT ALL and has got his butt handed to him a few times.

300shooter

PS I am a Medically Retired LEO and I would never handle a call like this