Police confiscated my weapon

[Stew]

New user here need some advise,

I along with a few of my motorcycle club brothers have been harassed here lately. I was pulled over by 4 units who claim I didn't use my turn signal. I handed them my license, CHL and told them my weapon is locked in my saddlebag. They immediately began with the full court press of questions about me and my club affiliation and every patch on my vest. I cooperated and remained very polite still not understanding why I got pulled over. They wanted to search my cycle I said "no sir you can't as I did nothing wrong". All my information that they ran came back clean as I have never been arrested in my 42 years and I told them that. They went back and forth on the computer with their seargent who then told them to arrest me for the traffic citation! That gave them cause to mmediately tear into my saddlebags, broke them in the process and found absolutely nothing. I released my bike to my club brother who drove up in his car and I was then hauled off to jail at 10:00 pm where I sat till 6:30 am. After I finally saw the In-house judge she couldn't believe they arrested me on a turn signal ticket and immediately released me ......again I was never ever charged with anything to this day!

Now the detective is refusing to release my weapon stating he now shows me as a known associate to which I am not. I have hired a local Ft,Worth attorney to file the lawsuit and file a formal detailed complaint with internal affairs against all officers involved. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.


Ride free

[Goldspurs]

New user here need some advise,

I along with a few of my motorcycle club brothers have been harassed here lately. I was pulled over by 4 units who claim I didn't use my turn signal. I handed them my license, CHL and told them my weapon is locked in my saddlebag. They immediately began with the full court press of questions about me and my club affiliation and every patch on my vest. I cooperated and remained very polite still not understanding why I got pulled over. They wanted to search my cycle I said "no sir you can't as I did nothing wrong". All my information that they ran came back clean as I have never been arrested in my 42 years and I told them that. They went back and forth on the computer with their seargent who then told them to arrest me for the traffic citation! That gave them cause to mmediately tear into my saddlebags, broke them in the process and found absolutely nothing. I released my bike to my club brother who drove up in his car and I was then hauled off to jail at 10:00 pm where I sat till 6:30 am. After I finally saw the In-house judge she couldn't believe they arrested me on a turn signal ticket and immediately released me ......again I was never ever charged with anything to this day!

Now the detective is refusing to release my weapon stating he now shows me as a known associate to which I am not. I have hired a local Ft,Worth attorney to file the lawsuit and file a formal detailed complaint with internal affairs against all officers involved. Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.


Ride free

Your only charge was failing to use a turn signal and they locked you up? Not doubting you, but I would imagine a lawyer would have a field day with this one if what you say is true. Since you have contacted a lawyer I would take all cues from him. I wonder if a local News station would be interested in your story.

[carlson1]

You can be arrested for not using your turn signal. They do not have to write you a ticket.

They only have to ticket for speeding and open container.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Something sure smells like crap, and I checked my boots too, but I didn't step in anything.

Please keep us up to date on this.

[Pawpaw]

Where did this happen?

[EEllis]

Which club? Because yes it can make a difference.

[Countryside]

I was in LE for nearly 11 years. You alone were pulled over by 4 units? That is very unusual. Something was going on. Someone may have called in and reported something and they over-reacted...I don't know. In my days and area the only ones we saw were Bandidos and Hells Angels...and yes, I would want extra units helping in that case. Yes, they can arrest for a non-speeding citation, but it is also unusual...only done certain cases. Something had them on high alert. Yes, just let your lawyer handle it. Going public with it via TV or radio might move the department to come forward and admit what's going on.

[Stew]

The incident happened 3 weeks ago and my story is as true as it comes. I was pulled over by one unit and 3 others scooped in shorty after then they left once I was detained. The ticket was $170.00, they did not impound my scooter, and when released I got all my property back including my cuts. I simply don't see how the club "not a gang" that one simply rides with has anything to do with the arrest on a traffic citation and distruction of my saddlebags and once again my record is spotless never ever been arrested. I have been a proud CHL holder for over 8 years now.

I greatly appreciate the feedback and will keep everyone updated.

Be Blessed and right free

[Taypo]

The last time I was pulled over, I ended up with 5 cruisers lined up behind me on the street. My crime? Driving through a small town at 2am with an expired registration on my 10 year old pickup truck....and they didn't even issue a ticket.

Given the recent behavior in Waco, I can't say as I blame whatever department it was for sending multiple units to a call involving several people wearing cuts. The rest of it? Doesn't sound fair to me, but that's why lawyers make as much as they do...

[JP171]

also the number of patch pieces makes a difference in most LEO's minds, so I hear as well as the diamond notating RC or MC if your cut is 3 or more then your gonna catch a boat load. I don't agree with also, red and gold and supporters and black and white and supporters are gonna catch a bunch

[n5wd]

For those of us who are ignorant about these things: What is a "cut"?

Sounds like you've done the right thing... Letting your lawyer handle it for you. You have a replacement carry weon, I'm hoping? No need to publicly answer that rhetorical question.

[EEllis]

For those of us who are ignorant about these things: What is a "cut"?

Sounds like you've done the right thing... Letting your lawyer handle it for you. You have a replacement carry weon, I'm hoping? No need to publicly answer that rhetorical question.

See if you watched Soldiers of Anarchy you would know that's the term for a a vest or jacket that your patches are on.It originally referred to a denim jacket with the arms and collar cut off turning it into a vest but now it can be any item with your club patches on it. This phrase would normally only be used by a three patch club and at certain time would cause issues if you weren't a three patch club member and referred to your patch that way in front of a three patcher.The number of patches say's something about your "Club". Three patch clubs are usually limited to MC's though not always a 1% MC. They are unsanctioned by the AMA and generally must be "approved by the 1% club or clubs that are in the area. As a matter of fact just calling yourself a "Club" member can cause issues if you are a one patcher as you are not considered a Clubber if you're with a RC or one patch club. It's seen as putting on airs and playing at being hard. This can be a big deal, the shootings at the Twin Peaks was reportedly touched off because the Cossacks started wearing a third patch. A Texas bottom rocker.

There are some three patch that get no beef here in Texas with the 1% clubs but the third patch would have something other than the state. Like there is an American Legion club that has Veteran on their third patch. That and while they do have three separate patches they put them together so they really appear to be a one patch.

[Beiruty]

That MCs club as described above, look like nothing like but organized mafia.
My Bro rides with an RC, a Harley Davidson Riding Club of Lebanon. They do some 200 miles rides in a country smaller than DFW,

[JP171]

EE he AMA doesn't sanction anything. The legally incorporated in Texas, Congress of Clubs sanctions RC,MC and riders groups in Texas, they also decide if you get a 1,2 or 3 part cut the Bandito's have the final say as in the articles of Incorporation. 1 percenters patch is an individual patch not a club patch normally. the Cossacks were and are in violation of the club charter by wearing a geographical designation rocker

[Richbirdhunter]

If you look like thug you get treated like a thug. I'm not being disrespectful, I don't know you I've never seen you but when I see a motorcycle "club" I give them a lot of room. Just like I would the bloods "club" or the crips "club". When I see a motorcycle "club" I don't think they're on there way to a bible study.