Complaint #202103696,
May 12, 2021

Summary

At approximately 1:15 a.m. on May 12, 2021, Police Officers Russell Crawford and Thomas Gerlich of the 44th Precinct stopped [redacted] vehicle near Exit 9 of the Major Deegan Expressway, the Bronx, after observing him speeding. Upon approaching [redacted] vehicle and requesting his identification, PO Crawford reached into [redacted] vehicle and pressed the trunk release button under the dash (Allegation A: Abuse of Authority Substantiated). PO Gerlich walked to the rear of the vehicle, removed [redacted] backpack from the trunk, and searched the contents of the bag (Allegations B and C: Abuse of Authority - Substantiated). PO Gerlich reapproached [redacted] passenger side door, where [redacted] was holding his cellphone and recording the interaction. PO Gerlich removed the cellphone from [redacted] hand, then stopped and allegedly searched the recording device (Allegation D: Abuse – Substantiated) (Allegation E: Abuse – Unfounded). After obtaining [redacted] information verbally, the officers took his car keys, returned to their police vehicle, and issued [redacted] three summonses for VTL infractions. PO Gerlich and PO Crawford reapproached [redacted] vehicle and handed him the summonses, then allegedly told him to "Get the fuck out of here" (Allegations F: Discourtesy – Unfounded). The officers proceeded to leave the incident location with [redacted] car keys (Allegations G and H: Abuse – Substantiated). [redacted] pursued, on foot, the officer's vehicle for approximately one minute down Exit 9, yelling from ten feet behind it, "You have my keys." The officers stopped the police vehicle, threw [redacted] keys out of the driver's side window, and said, "Get the fuck out of here" (Allegations I, J, K, and L: Discourtesy – Unsubstantiated). [redacted] reentered his vehicle and left the incident location.
[redacted] received three summonses for Failure to Present Document, Failure to Comply with a Lawful Order, and Speeding (Board Review 01). Read report for details.