Complaint #200814897,
August 19, 2008

Summary

On August 19, 2008, at approximately 9:00 PM, [redacted] left [redacted] on 103rd Street in Manhattan. [redacted] dropped off a friend in Harlem and then drove across the bridge which connects 155th Street in Manhattan to 161st Street in the Bronx. As he exited the off-ramp, he was pulled over by an unmarked black Crown Victoria (Allegation A). [redacted] did not recall committing any moving violations prior to being stopped. Three officers, identified through investigation as Sgt. Pekera, PO Mardale and PO Bolte exited their vehicle and approached [redacted] vehicle.
Sgt. Pekera approached the drivers' side. PO Mardale and PO Bolte approached the passenger's side of the vehicle. Sgt. Pekera questioned [redacted] about his possible alcohol and marijuana use. [redacted] denied using either. Then Sgt. Pekera asked for and obtained [redacted] license, registration and car keys. [redacted] was asked to exit his vehicle and he was walked by Sgt. Pekera to the rear of his vehicle. Sgt. Pekera handed [redacted] keys to PO Mardale.
PO Mardale searched [redacted] vehicle (Allegation B), although [redacted] did not see the specifics of the search. [redacted] saw PO Mardale open and lean into the passenger's-side front and rear doors. When [redacted] later returned to his vehicle, the seats had been moved. After the search of the interior of the vehicle, Sgt. Pekera told [redacted] to sit in the driver's seat of his vehicle. PO Mardale used the keys he'd obtained to open the trunk of [redacted] vehicle. After the trunk was searched, Sgt. Pekera returned [redacted] keys. The officers then walked away. [redacted] waited in his vehicle. Eventually PO Bolte gave [redacted] his paperwork. The officers then left. [redacted] drove home. Read report for details.