Change my location 
|
|
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - More than a dozen Anne Arundel suspects were disheartened when their Valentine’s Day gifts included a pair of handcuffs — from the county sheriff’s office.
Sgt. Jennifer Gilbert-Duran, disguised in pigtails and a pink jacket, played Cupid delivering outstanding warrants to suspects who thought they were receiving a romantic delivery and instead were placed under arrest.
“The element of surprise helps in making a safe arrest,” said Anne Arundel Sheriff Ron Bateman, proud of his stunt that helped close 14 open warrants.
The deputies Thursday cruised around Glen Burnie and Pasadena in a white van reading “Flowers by Ron” delivering empty flower boxes to the female suspects and gift baskets to the males. The company slogan read “With an Arresting Bouquet.”
“We did confirmation calls to make sure everybody would be home to accept their gifts,” Bateman said.
When Gilbert-Duran confirmed the suspect’s identity, she pulled out a clipboard for the suspect to sign — signaling the other deputies to move in and help make the arrest.
“They would look down to sign, and when they lifted their head back up, there would be three or four deputies standing there,” Bateman said with a chuckle.
While the sting was actually a civilian employee’s idea, Bateman is known for clever warrant operations. In October, he baited suspects with letters telling them a tax refund check for more than $500 was waiting to be picked up.
Bateman added his personal touch to the Valentine’s Day sting, by slapping a “Batman” logo on the back of the van.
“During my campaign vandals erased the ‘e’ in my name so the signs read ‘Batman,’ ” he said.
“I guess that kind of stuck.”
Gilbert-Duran also gave the suspects a bunch of Valentine’s Day balloons with their deliveries, but in each bunch Bateman included a Batman balloon.
Bateman said that despite media attention, the stunt was still working Friday and a woman had called to say she missed her delivery.
“The lady was looking for her flowers, so she’s probably being arrested, as we speak,” he said.
 Not ranked |
 EMAIL ME THIS STORY |
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:37 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 17, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
9:21 AM MST on Sun., Feb. 17, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
9:17 AM MST on Sun., Feb. 17, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
2:34 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 16, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
12:36 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 16, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
9:50 AM MST on Sat., Feb. 16, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
7:07 AM MST on Sat., Feb. 16, 2008 re: "�Batman� baits suspects with �arresting bouquets�"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
This guy is great we need more like him in law enforcement.
11 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Sally Dupeman said:
Wow ! No kidding, these cops think they are above the law by deception. My dad always warned me never trust a police officer because they are the biggest crooks on the street.
16 agree | 10 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
lawsuit awaits said:
I believe that "Batman" is a copyright and that the sheriff's office has royalties due. Failure to pay is against the law and a warrant for the sheriff and his deputy may be served next.
4 agree | 13 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
The Undertaker said:
I don't think the element of surprise makes it safer at all. My instinct would be to grab my revolver. If they want to arrest me call and explain the situation and I will turn myself in.
15 agree | 17 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
He's more of a Bait-man than Batman. He smells fishy.
9 agree | 15 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
the best news that i have read all week.
12 agree | 12 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Will the ACLU and NAACP protest the Sheriff's efforts? Will we see the Westboro Baptist Church outside of the courthouse? Finally the police can do something without these pacifist cry babies whinning !
10 agree | 8 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree