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Two women were arrested Saturday in Costa Mesa, California after they allegedly stepped into a grocery store without masks. What makes their arrests horrifying to critics, however, is how the arrests allegedly occurred.
According to BlazeTV reporter Elijah Schaffer, after the two unmasked women stepped into a Mother’s grocery store, the manager allegedly locked them inside and then dialed the authorities. When the cops arrived, they then arrested the two women.
Look:
CALIFORNIA: Multiple people arrested for not wearing masks
A few people decided to walk into the Mother’s grocery store in Costa Mesa without a mask
The store manager then locked them in & called the police
who came in & arrested them for being in public without a mask pic.twitter.com/SLgTJlmZC2
— ELIJAH RIOT (@ElijahSchaffer) August 15, 2020
Schaffer’s account of the incident hasn’t been confirmed.
In a report published Saturday afternoon, The Orange County Register claimed the women “were arrested on suspicion of trespassing.”
“Two women were arrested on suspicion of trespassing during an anti-mask rally in Costa Mesa Saturday afternoon, Aug. 15, authorities said. Costa Mesa police were called to Mother’s Market, at 1890 Newport Blvd., by a manager reporting the trespassers before 2:15 p.m., police spokeswoman Roxi Fyad said,” the paper reported.
“It was unclear what the protesters did to get arrested. Their identities were not immediately released by authorities. A rally had been taking place adjacent to the store near Newport Boulevard and 19th Street since 11 a.m., with demonstrators protesting COVID-19 restrictions, police said.”
If it turns out to be true that the manager had indeed locked the women inside the Mother’s grocery store, it might present a problem.
According to the Kann California Defense Group, locking someone inside a building without their permission constitutes “unlawful imprisonment.”
“False imprisonment occurs when you unlawfully deprive another person of his or her personal liberty. In that respect, it is similar to California Penal Code § 207 kidnapping. But kidnapping requires that you move the person. Where someone is merely held or restrained against that person’s will, the crime is false imprisonment,” the law firm asserts.
As noted by renowned attorney Ron Coleman, “That store manager and that store may have a problem.”
That store manager and that store may have a problem
— Ron Coleman (@RonColeman) August 16, 2020
Civil lawsuit for false imprisonment!
— David Greene (@DavidGr36492355) August 16, 2020
The store likely committed a criminal offense – false imprisonment = intentional tort (punitive damages sometimes) & is a crime in most states. Private citizens don’t have a right to confine others like this. Remedy was to kick them out; if they don’t leave, arrest for trespass.
— lazlo toth (@lazlototh67) August 16, 2020
Owner should be charged with false imprisonment. pic.twitter.com/rQlYzZbKNu
— Jon Paul Washington (@JonPaulWashing1) August 15, 2020
Critics feel local authorities should be on the chopping block as well for following what they’ve described as “dumb orders.”
In fact, one critic sarcastically pointed out that perhaps the police deserve to be defunded if this is how they’re going to act.
Look:
I hate to say this but if police officers are going to follow dumb orders like this then they deserve to be defunded
— McKayla J (@McKaylaRoseJ) August 16, 2020
But most of the anger seen on social media centered on the contrast between how the authorities in left-wing states like California treat mask-order violators and how they treat arsonists, rioters, looters, and other dangerous extremists.
Look:
I’m just glad the cops in California are keeping the streets safe for arsonists, rioters, and looters #priorities
— Russian Meddler (@RussianMeddler) August 15, 2020
So the people vandalizing national monuments, burning churches, federal buildings, looting stores and beating people in the streets are getting a pass, but because these happily paying customers won’t wear a muzzle to appease fake science and Karen’s they are being arrested?! 😳
— Nick (@nickeesota) August 15, 2020
Carry a brick and a BLM sign. You won’t be arrested.
— Bernard Ryder (@BernardRyder123) August 15, 2020
So basically for those keeping score Antifa/BLM rioting, looting, shooting, and burning down entire cities, that’s considered a peaceful protest. But if we go out not wearing a mask, we face fines, or prison time is that about right?
— 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓 𝕽. 𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖗𝖊🇺🇸 (@StevenRMoore5) August 15, 2020
I have respect for police officers but the way they turn a blind eye to liberal supported causes but arrest people for this or the kids chalking in front of planned parenthood makes me question that respect….they protect the people who hate them over those who support them
— TimBobbyO (@TimBobbyO1) August 15, 2020
The latter tweet referenced what happened in Washington, D.C., where several pro-life students were recently arrested for chalking pro-life messages outside a Planned Parenthood.
DC police reveal why they arrested teens writing pro-life messages in chalk https://t.co/abeygoLY37
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) August 2, 2020
Yet the hypocritical city had no qualms about using taxpayer funds to install a “Black Lives Matter” mural on the streets …
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Vivek@bizpacreview.com
V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.
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