A man was taken to jail after being stopped for riding a bike with no bell.
Town of Tonawanda Police stopped Justin G. Thagard in the Sheridan Parkside neighborhood after seeing him riding through the same area multiple times, according to a police report. Thagard was questioned about his bike riding route and then officers asked for consent to search him. Thagard refused, telling officers, “You don’t have probable cause to search me.”
Thagard gave police a false name and couldn’t produce identification, so the officers told him that they would be taking him in for riding his bike without a bell or other type of warning device. At that point Thagard ran, eventually entering a house on Burns Street. Officers gave chase, one with his weapon drawn and the other with a Taser.
As Thagard ran out the home’s back door, the officer with his Taser out shot it at Thagard. When Thagard slowed down to brush the Taser probes off his clothing, the officer closed the gap between them and took the man to the ground. After being shocked three times, Thagard was taken into custody.
The homeowner declined to press trespassing charges against Thagard, so the man was charged with resisting arrest, criminal impersonation and traffic violation for riding his bike without a bell. Town police didn’t return a call requesting comment on whether it is standard procedure to stop people riding bikes without bells.
Thagard was also found to have an active warrant out of Amherst and was strip searched due to previous drug charges. No drugs were found in the search. Thagard is being held in lieu of $1,000 bail.
Local News
October 26, 2009
TOWN OF TONAWANDA: Bike rider arrested over bell
- Local News
-
-
Niagara woman is fooled by ‘phisher’
Caller was able to infiltrate her computer.
-
Canal Fest, city spar over closing time
Police chief, council members debate 11 p.m. closing time.
-
Overdue update to take place
Aging water tank to get needed repairs.
-
Bill would ban offenders
Would hold monitors to the same standards as drivers.
-
Home care agency sale OK’d
Vote to turn business over to Catholic Health is unanimous.
-
Dead Lockport man had been going to Vegas
Mark Dunham’s body found Wednesday; exposure listed as cause of death.
-
Ice Ice Babies
Members of the Queen City Roller Girls’ junior team ready for first bout
-
Council vacancy takes its toll
Still no decision on whether to OK recount of Third Ward votes.
-
Union deal finally solidified
Common council approves deal with CSEA.
-
Town cop faces disciplinary action
Assessor chosen; meeting scheduled over Amigone crematory.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
