Web posted
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Ark City man has dispute with local police officers
From STAFF REPORTS
Timothy Richardson, of Arkansas City, was recently arrested on a drug charge where he was accused of stealing ammonia nitrate from the Strother Field area.
Richardson denies any involvement, but feels he is being targeted by local police.
"I can't drive across town without my name being run across the police scanner," Richardson said, adding, "I know it has a lot to do with my past."
The Arkansas City Police Department disputes this, however.
"We don't follow Timothy Richardson around," said Capt. Tom Scott.
Richardson was arrested in Winfield on March 29 for improperly carrying anhydrous ammonia and endangering a child.
According to Richardson, he was driving around with his ex-girl friend's 6-year-old son. She had asked him to help her with her children.
According to Richardson, he was pulled over at the Wal-Mart parking lot in Winfield by a sheriff's deputy.
The officer made contact with Richardson and questioned him. He asked Richardson where he was coming from and if he had stopped by Strother Field.
According to Richardson, several other police vehicles arrived at the parking lot.
Richardson attributes this to his history with law enforcement. He has been cited for several DUIs and battery of law enforcement officers; he completed a jail sentence eight months ago.
The officer told Richardson that he fit the description of a man who was witnessed by a co-op employee stealing anhydrous ammonia from the Hackney Co-Op at around 4:50 p.m.
Richardson was handcuffed and mugs were shown to the employee who gave the description to the police.
The employee confirmed that Richardson matched the description, though the details between Richardson's recollection of that day and the employee's do not match exactly.
The exact colors of clothing and the vehicle were in dispute, but basic related information was correct.
The police reported stated that the employee saw the man from 150 to 200 feet away, said Richardson.
"That's all they got me on, is because I fit the description," he said. "He [the employee] wouldn't have been able to pick me out of a line up."
Richardson was taken into custody, and a hazardous-materials crew searched his car. According to Richardson and the police report, no anhydrous ammonia was found.
That night, the charges for carrying anhydrous ammonia and child endangerment were dropped.
"I sat in jail for five days until friends of mine . . . believed in me and had faith in me and bonded me," said Richardson.
"My parents even hung up the phone because it was on the news," Richardson said.
He said he is not being charged with any counts of theft, but maintains he is being charged with criminal trespassing. According to the Ark City District Court however, Richardson is being charged with theft only.
Despite his troubles, Richardson said he has changed for the better since he left jail, even in light of his recent arrest.
"I've changed, I've gone to church now."
Richardson goes to trial June 12.
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