Phil Luciano reports today that he’s seen the surveillance video of the Terry Beachler incident from March 26, and it’s not pretty.
The tape shows the youth’s attempt to buy the smokes, and the clerk’s dumping of the ID into the safe. Two minutes later, Jordan – dressed in plainclothes – bursts through the front door, steps to the cash register and flashes a badge at the clerk – fast enough that the clerk might not have seen it well.
“Give me the boy’s ID!” Jordan yells.
The clerk quietly explains that the ID is in the safe. Jordan cuts him off, shouting, “I need the ID, or you’re going to get arrested. You can’t take someone’s ID!”
The clerk (who declined to comment for this story) calmly asks if he should call the owner to get the ID out of the safe.
“No, I’ll arrest you,” Jordan says. “You can’t take someone’s ID. … You have no right to take someone’s property. You understand me?”
The clerk tries to explain that he is simply following the policy of the boss. Again, Jordan cuts him short.
“I don’t care what he says,” Jordan yells. “The law says you can’t take somebody’s property.”
The clerk nervously replies, “OK, OK.” He then grabs the phone to call Beachler, and Jordan walks outside.
Did you notice Jordan’s very first interaction with the clerk? “Give me the boy’s ID!” He’s already yelling. Sort of dispels the notion that he acted “with restraint.” The police chief hasn’t seen the video yet, but I’m going to bet he sees it soon. I’m guessing the public is going to want this officer to account for his actions.
Defense of the officer up to this point has been essentially, “Terry Beachler is a jerk, so the officer was justified.” I don’t buy that defense, but if you do, consider that Terry Beachler wasn’t even there when the officer first started yelling and making threats. It was just a 27-year-old clerk trying to do her job. No need to threaten and intimidate, especially right off the bat.
I still say the officer needs to be reprimanded.
You did see the other article in the second section regarding the seisure of IDs?
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/041707/TRI_BCV57DOP.013.php
Yes, I did. I noticed that Beachler’s was not the only gas station that has a policy of confiscating IDs. Everyone agrees that fake IDs can be seized. And there is some disagreement as to whether a real ID can be seized.
As a tech enthusiast, I would love to see the video myself, such as on YouTube or the like.
What about the other police officer in the store? Did he see/hear it all? This raises questions as to “what the Chief knew and when he knew it”. What was the other officer doing there? And what about the credit card info. being displayed on the screen? I had no idea that was going on. Did you? It makes me very quesy.
Let’s see the video! The audio was posted. why not post the video?
From what I have heard the video contains cash register readouts that may show some customer information and that part needs to be cropped out before it will be on youtube, and it will be posted.
Right on C.J., “the officer needs to be reprimanded.”
However, the more global issue here is that police have to understand that they are not above the law. Officer Jordan shouldn’t lose his job over this, but he should have a good ass-chewing and be made to attend some kind of situational and/or sensitivity training. If, after this, he continues to act like a jerk then he should be given the boot.
Also of concern is that no one seems to really know what is legal in reference to taking the ID card. I’ve seen a thousand opinions, but nothing concrete.
According to the article in the PJS Ann Ruggles says, “…it’s not illegal to attempt to buy cigarettes or alcohol.”
Further, it’s only illegal if you sell to a minor.
What a crock!
I guarantee if I “attempted” to buy the services of a prostitute I would be charged with a crime. So, why shouldn’t a minor who “attempts” to buy ciggys or booze also be charged?
Until the law is absolutely defined, I side with the business that confiscate ID’s.
It seems to be a good deterrent.
Notice how difficult it was for Phil to give any credit to the blogger who broke the story?
The I.D. was fake, why do you think the officer wanted to get it so fast and flew off the handle so quickly. It would be reckless of the police to send a 17 year old in to bust people all over town while at the same time supplying the people he is busting with his real name and address. Almost as reckless as using a seventeen year old for undercover work to begin with.
I am very disturbed about the credit card numbers showing on a screen that is being video taped. Is that a usual practice in all stations or only at Beachler’s?
Cash registers tied to video cameras is the status quo at most gas stations, particularly if you swipe at the pump and do not go in, only the older stations do not employ this technology. Drive offs are becoming a big nuisance in the gasoline retail business.
Perhaps I have missed some comment(s) which explained the liability issues of using a 17 year old ‘citizen’ for undercover work in a police sting operation? Or was it a police officer that just looked like a 17 year old?
I don’t get it. We have a “business” man making money selling tobacco to minors, He’s been caught, so he pulls a reverse sting and stings the “stinger”. He goes after an officer who has the same job description as the officers in Virginia who waded thru 32 bodies trying to find the shooter. The shooter was obviously disturbed, so is Beachler.
Sure cops are not perfect. Do you want to be one? I do not. Not with all the stuff going on today.
We all have had our “pullover pains” where we are angry for getting caught.
Here is the cure. Have Mr Beachler apologize to the officer and Peoria for being an embarrassment. Have the officer do the same.
Have Mr Beachler stop selling tobacco if he cannot stop selling to minors.
I was under the impression that it was illegal to try to buy at least alcohol if you are under age. I used to work with a kid who was trying to buy alcohol and got caught in a sting. He had his driver’s license revoked and had a ton of fines but this was also over 10 years ago and things may have changed.
It sounds like the officer needs some anger management classes.
It is standard practice throughout the country for local, county, and state police and ATF officers to use minors in tobacco and alcohol stings. As for the ID issue, someone should ask the Illinois Atty. Gen. to answer the question.
re: pjstar article:
quote: There is no law under the Illinois Vehicle Code that authorizes a civilian to confiscate a driver’s license or ID card, which are owned by the state, said secretary of state spokeswoman Penelope Campbell.
translation: There is no law under the Illinois Vehicle Code that prohibits a civilian from confiscating a driver’s license or ID card, which are owned by the state.
Here is the website that explains the law. It appears that the youth trying to purchase cigarettes has the government’s blessing.
http://www.state.il.us/lcc/docs/fda001.htm
That article was written in 2000!!
“Under a twelve-month contract with the FDA,…”
But, there is nothing illegal about police using a minor this way. But then, that really isn’t the issue here, now, is it???