NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | Man Claims He Was Harassed By Trooper
Owens was able to recover the pictures using software, and said he's considering filing a lawsuit.
Owens said he was handcuffed, thrown into the back of a cop car and harassed for taking pictures.
Owens filed complaints with the Oklahoma City police and the Highway Patrol.Chris Owens said he was handcuffed, thrown into the back of a police car and harassed for taking pictures of a car crash scene Monday evening.
He said he witnessed the end of a high-speed chase while riding his scooter down N Classen Blvd. Monday.
"That black SUV passed me doing about 120," Owens said. "I stopped, pulled off on the median, had my camera and just walked around and shot a few pictures."
Much to Owens' surprise, when police saw him taking the pictures, they demanded he hand them over or go to jail. Owens said three troopers and an Oklahoma City police officer were present during the incident.
"I quickly opened the scooter seat, dropped my camera in and locked it, and said ‘No, I won't give it to you,' Owens said.
As professional photographer and a teacher at Casady School, Owens stood his ground, telling police they were violating his civil rights.
"I'm a prep school teacher, not a criminal," Owens said. "It was constant screaming a foot from my face, of how stupid I am."
After Owens refused to take the camera out of his scooter and delete the pictures, that's when he said one of the Troopers lost his restraint.
"He finally just snapped, and said ‘That's it, you're going to jail,' and knocked my helmet off my head and took me over to a tree and cuffed me," Owens said.
Troopers told Owens he was inside a crime scene and had no right taking pictures. Owens said he was outside the tape, but deleted the pictures fearing he would be thrown in jail.
"Where's the checks and balances? Who lets them run like unleashed dogs," Owens said.
Owens filed complaints with the Oklahoma City police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
"The chief's office is aware of it and it's in the process of being handled appropriately," OHP Capt. Chris West said.
Owens said he doesn't want an investigation, just an apology.
"I want them on TV. I want them to step up and say ‘Hey, our officers acted like they were the criminals.'"
Owens was able to recover the pictures using software, and said he's considering filing a lawsuit.
The open enrollment period for Medicare Part D is a chance to compare plans and change if you find a better one. LIFE Senior Services can help. More>>
A government task force released some startling new guidelines on Monday on when women should start getting regular mammograms. More>>
A one-of-a-kind handwritten Bible, which Tulsans helped to write about a year ago, is on auction now. More>>
Tens of thousands of people go to ride the train at Dry Gulch in Mayes County each year, but if you want tickets this year - act fast! More>>
The state Medical Examiner's Office says a nine-month-old boy's death last week was from multiple organ failure-anoxic injury, complications of near drowning. More>>
Area schools are seeing an increase in the number of students qualifying for a free or reduced lunch and districts are seeing more parents who owe lunch money. More>>
The huge reconstruction job on the Inner Dispersal Loop continues - and there are some changes taking place for drivers. They'll find several closed exits and detours this weekend.
More>>
It's a group no one wants to be a part of but all too many are: the surviving families of a loved one who has been murdered or is missing. There will be a vigil for those families from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in Tulsa. More>>
