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| A hibiscus plant on the left and marijuana on the right. |
Sarver, PA
A couple who say they were handcuffed for hours
in a police patrol car after their hibiscus plants were confused for
marijuana are suing the police and an insurance company.
Edward and Audrey Cramer say in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that a
Nationwide Insurance Co. agent investigating a fallen tree at their Buffalo Township
home sent photos of their flowering plant to police. The lawsuit
alleges that Buffalo Township police officers with assault rifles went
to their home on Oct. 7 to investigate.
Audrey Cramer, 66, said she was partially dressed when she went to
the door and police would not let her put on pants before she was
handcuffed.
"I was not treated as though I was a human being," she said. "I was just something they were going to push aside."
Edward Cramer, 69, said he returned home a half-hour later to find
his wife in the back of a police cruiser and officers pointing guns at
him. He also was placed in the cruiser despite trying to convince the
officers the plants were hibiscus, not marijuana.
"They actually ignored me," he said. "They wouldn't even listen. I said, 'I can show you pictures on the internet.'"
The Cramers eventually were released without charges. They are seeking monetary and compensatory damages and court costs.
Nationwide Insurance declined to comment on Friday, citing the litigation. Township police also declined to comment.
I've been searching for some evidence Nationwide is accepting any responsibility or showing any remorse over this outrageous incident...not a peep, hiding behind "pending litigation" and hoping it will blow over. So glad I'm with Farmers', who have proven themselves to actually be "on our side".
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