New Video Shows How St. Louis Police Arrested Owner After Crashing Into His Bar
After crashing a police SUV headlong into St. Louis’ Bar:PM last month, officers immediately handcuffed one of the bar’s owners for causing a disturbance and threatened to arrest a bystander for yelling at them, according to a video released this week by the bar owners’ lawyer.
Civil rights attorney Javad Khazaeli, who represents Bar:PM owners Chad Morris and James Pence, released the two-minute video in a thread on X on Thursday. Khazaeli says it is the beginning of a 22-minute recording captured by a bystander on December 18, shortly after police crashed their vehicle into the riverside gay bar. Officers at first blamed the crash on a dog in the road, then said they swerved to avoid a parked car.
In the video, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) officer Ramelle Wallace can first be seen smoking a cigarette next to Zachary Thompson and Joel Carvajal, the two officers reportedly involved in the crash. Wallace then asks Pence for identification. You’re not IDing me, I didn’t do anything wrong, Pence protests.
Everybody has the right to ask an officer what they’re doing, Khazaeli told local NBC affiliate KDSK. An officer only has the right to demand an ID if a person is driving a car or if the person has probable cause to think that the person committed a crime.
The video shows Pence repeatedly requesting the badge numbers of the officers, to which Wallace responds, You don’t need it, and threatens to arrest the bystander recording the incident. Khazaeli claimed that Wallace’s disregard for providing the badge number is a violation of department policy and indicative of the broader culture within the SLMPD.
The bar owners’ lawyer is now calling for an investigation into the incident and demanding disciplinary action against all officers involved.
The release of this video has sparked outrage within the local community, with many calling for greater police accountability and transparency. It also reignites concerns over the use of excessive force and violations of civil rights within the St. Louis police force.
This latest incident adds to the growing list of controversial encounters between law enforcement and the public, further straining the already fractured relationship between police and communities across the United States. As calls for police reform continue to garner momentum nationwide, the spotlight is now on the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to address these grievances and hold its officers accountable for their actions.
Local activists are planning demonstrations outside the SLMPD headquarters to demand justice for the bar owners and accountability within the police force. The video captured by the bystander serves as a crucial piece of evidence that raises important questions about the conduct of the officers involved in the crash and subsequent arrests.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has yet to publicly comment on the incident or the release of the video. However, pressure continues to mount on the department to launch a thorough investigation and take swift action to address the concerns raised by both the bar owners and the public.
As this story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for police reforms to ensure the safety and rights of citizens are prioritized, and that law enforcement officers are held to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.
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