A couple filed an official document to court Tuesday to seek monetary compensation for the traumatic incident they suffered, damages made in their home, and court fees. [Courtesy of Hilary Thompson / Pixabay]
A Pennsylvania couple, 69-year-old Edward Cramer and 66-year-old Audrey Cramer, is suing local police and an insurance company after they were wrongfully arrested.
An insurance agent from Nationwide Insurance Co. was investigating a case of a fallen tree in the Cramers' backyard in early October after the couple filed a report. The agent mistook the couple's hibiscus plants as cannabis plants. He took photos of the plants and forwarded to the local authorities.
The couple's hibiscus plants were mistaken as marijuana plants by the couple's insurance agent. The agent secretly took photos of the plants in the Cramers' backyard and forwarded them to Township Police. [Courtesy of Herbal Hemp / Pixabay]
Buffalo Township police obtained a search warrant after the report and raided Cramers' home. When police rang the doorbell, Audrey went to answer, not fully dressed. She was immediately handcuffed and was not allowed to put on her pants.
After standing outside handcuffed and partially dressed for about 10 minutes, Mrs. Cramer was placed in a police car.
When Edward Cramer returned home a half an hour later, he was met with officers aiming guns at him. He was also handcuffed and placed in the back of the police car with his wife.
Cramer tried to explain that they do not have marijuana in their residence but hibiscus plants, however, officers ignored his plea completely. The authorities continued to ransack Cramers' home trying to find more evidence of cannabis.
The couple had to wait for over two hours until they were released without any charges. Their hibiscus plants were confiscated for evidence and home ransacked.
A few days after the arrest, Nationwide Insurance Co. sent a letter notifying the couple that their insurance policy will be terminated if they do not remove marijuana plants from their property.
After having to go through traumatic experiences, the Cramers are suing both Township Police and Nationwide Insurance Co. for monetary compensation of damages made in their home during the raid and court fees. The official court file was submitted on Tuesday.
Nationwide Insurance declined to make a statement after inquiries for comment.
Kwak, Min Jung = abiel@ajunews.com
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