We got ARRESTED for skating!

Ok, well...

Myself, Dion and Nat were on our second run of Willy Hill this afternoon when a cop met us down the bottom. And as it turned out, he wasn't a very nice one. After telling us how stupid we are, he asked our ages and seemed delighted to find out we are all adults. He then called up another cop and proceeded to ask him how many things he could charge us with and if he could arrest us. After getting off the phone, he told us we were all under arrest and he was charging us with 'due care' (something about being reckless apparently).

Then the three of us hopped into the police car and went to the local police station. When we got there we were each individually interviewed and had our DNA, fingerprints and photos taken. Then they seized our boards, helmets, gloves, shoes, leathers, and my GoPro camera. Then after applying for bail, we were left with just our skins on sitting in separate cells until we were allowed out.

Apparently we now have a criminal record. And have to attend court late January next year.
Not sure when we get our skate gear back...but it wont be before we've been to court.

Does anyone know if this is even possible? Or are we just extremely unlucky? We've been caught on that hill before but only received a $57 fine. This has just taken it to a whole new level.

I'm a bit devastated about them taking all our stuff :( really wanted to skate this weekend haha.

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Replies to This Discussion

ASRA AdminPermalink Reply by bernie on December 4, 2010 at 15:23

The last five or six contributions have lifted this discussion to another level, and have provided some rational and sensible messages that we should find useful for our lobbying efforts and for the promotion and development of the sport.
Good stuff.

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Permalink Reply by lewis ellis on December 4, 2010 at 20:49

That's major hardcore, unlucky man!

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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Robert-Da-Bomb on December 4, 2010 at 22:29

I believe it should be compulsory to be in possesion of a helmet before attaining a longboard. A prerequisite.
It annoys me when you watch videos of people however professional or grom they are; Stinkbugs to the standies, who have boards in excess of $400 but dont have the common sence to get a helmet which cost less then a set of wheels.
Shred your wheels, because you can buy new ones. Shred your head..... and your fucked for life.

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Permalink Reply by Cameron Wilson on December 4, 2010 at 23:14

well aparently so ive read previously they can't take your board and shit unless you're in tazzy which i don't know the hill you re talking about so if they have play it as though they've stolen from you bro. Anyway thats shit dont just take go as far a as you can let a few headlines know man eg aca and stuff like that so they look like dicks. Feel sorry for ya really do.

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Permalink Reply by Robbo on December 5, 2010 at 7:52

Already do that everyday and have been doing that for a few years now

Patrick Kennewell said:

i believe we need to get shops that sell longboards asking people if they have helmets when buying a board and strongly suggesting they get one.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas on December 18, 2010 at 9:54

Police are not allowed to sieze things unless they are illegal ie; knives, drugs. Unless your in tazzy.

From "Skateboarding - Basic Legal FAQ"

Q - Can the Police or a security guard confiscate by skateboard?
A - NO. For the state to confiscate your property there has to be special legislation or the item in question must be illegal to possess. ie drugs, knives. The only time they can confiscate something that it is legal to own is in the circumstance where special legislation allows or when a magistrate rules on this ie. the car hoon laws and this is tightly regulated as in they can't confiscate your car because you ran a red light or because of a minor traffic offense. A security guard is just another public citizen and has no special or implied powers.

Also why would the take safety gear, it keeps people safe.