Markham cops sued in 2010 raid on Dolton store
November 27, 2012 10:54PM
Updated: December 30, 2012 3:34PM
Markham police officers, acting without a warrant or probable cause, seized $20,000 in cash and handcuffed employees at a Dolton electronics store two years ago, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Chicago.
Gem Pratts, owner of We Buy Electronics, claims in the suit that seven Markham officers entered his store on Dec. 23, 2010, with their guns pulled.
The officers handcuffed Pratts and other employees without cause for more than an hour in the store, 14731 Drexel Ave., searched Pratts’ office, broke into a cash box and took more than $20,000, the suit says.
The officers illegally searched the store because they lacked a search warrant or probable cause and were outside their jurisdiction, according to the suit.
It claims conspiracy, false arrest and unlawful search and seizure and seeks unspecified damages.
A spokesman for Markham police could not be reached for comment.
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