COPS (1989) s25e10 Episode Script

MAN: Bad boys Whatcha want, whatcha want? Whatcha gonna do when Sheriff John Brown come for you? Bad boys, bad boys Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Bad boys, bad boys Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? ANNOUNCER: Cops is filmed on location with the men and women of law enforcement.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
OFFICER MATT ARMSTRONG: When I went to college I was premed.
My plan was to be a doctor, and it just didn't feel right to me, so I started going on some ride-alongs with some police departments down there.
Next thing I know, I was applying, and I've been a police officer ever since, and I know this is where I need to be.
OFFICER DARRYL BRYAN: We're gonna go contact a guy standing on the corner over here.
He's wearing blue in a known gang area.
That's kind of suspicious.
All right, he sees us.
ARMSTRONG: There he goes.
There he goes.
Stop! Get on the ground.
BRYAN: Gang 75, we're gonna be in foot pursuit.
ARMSTRONG: There you go.
Why didn't you stop, dude? Why you got one hand in your pocket? (grunting) Bring your other hand back.
Stop resisting my hold.
All right.
ARMSTRONG: Bring your other hand back.
He was going into his pocket, too.
Bring your hands slowly out.
Slowly.
BRYAN: Gang 75, you can code four the beeper.
He's handcuffed.
I don't know if you want to send us one more unit.
Flip over, guy.
What were you reaching for? For nothing.
BRYAN: What were you running for? I was scared.
ARMSTRONG: Man to me, why'd you run? BRYAN: - Did he drop anything? ARMSTRONG: - You got a warrant? No.
ARMSTRONG: Immediately went to his pocket.
BRYAN: - You got drugs on you? - Yeah.
BRYAN: - What do you got? - Got two sacks.
BRYAN: - Huh? - I smoke.
BRYAN: - You got meth? - Yeah.
ARMSTRONG: Sit up.
Stay right there.
Roll to this side.
Start looking around.
BRYAN: Did he toss it? ARMSTRONG: I think he might have; he said he had meth.
He's got a ton of money.
I don't find it yet.
Stand up.
Stand up.
Spread your legs apart.
(exhales) So you do have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say may be used against you in court.
You have the right to an attorney, have one present while you're being questioned.
If you can't afford one, one will be appointed for you.
You understand those rights? Oh, here we go.
- How much you got here? - It's about 30 sack.
ARMSTRONG: - Huh? - 30 sack, I just bought it.
ARMSTRONG: - 30 pack? 30 bucks? - Yeah.
ARMSTRONG: Hey, Darryl, I got it.
You're wearing a LaDanian Tomlinson jersey.
I'd expect you to be a little bit faster.
BRYAN: Well, he's old.
ARMSTRONG: We got to get back to working out, right? BRYAN: L.
T.
's old.
ARMSTRONG: All right, let's go have a seat.
Let's take a little break.
BRYAN: Is he on probation? ARMSTRONG: - You on probation? - Yes.
ARMSTRONG: Yeah.
BRYAN: When we chased him, he was reaching in the waistband.
Generally, it's either narcotics or a weapon, and in this particular case, he was He was trying to discard, uh, some narcotics in his waistband.
And when we located it, there was two packages, uh, which resemble, uh, methamphetamines.
So what we're gonna do is I'm gonna test this, and if it turns blue, then it's positive for methamphetamines, and if it doesn't turn any color, then it's negative for methamphetamines.
There's a lot of bunk out here.
(indistinct radio transmission) And a lot of cut, so that's why we have to test it.
We just can't base it on a a visual inspection.
And it's positive because it turned blue.
So this will be positive for methamphetamines.
And you're looking at like, probably two grams, which is a felony, and we'll book this into evidence.
So we're gonna book him for possession, obstruction, and then a parole violation.
ARMSTRONG: Did you smoke earlier today? Look at me.
Can you look at me? And what does it do to you? Makes me go stupid.
ARMSTRONG: Can you turn like this so you can see me? It makes you go stupid? What does that mean? Makes me do some stupid shit.
ARMSTRONG: - Like what? - Like run from you guys.
ARMSTRONG: Like running from us? Yes, 'cause I had the drugs.
ARMSTRONG: You had the drugs.
- So that's why you ran.
- Yeah.
ARMSTRONG: But is that because you smoked earlier, that that makes you make dumb decisions? Yeah, I make dumb decisions.
I should have stopped.
ARMSTRONG: Have you made any other dumb decisions today? No? Just using drugs every day, that's your biggest mistake? I just started doing it like, three or four days ago, sir.
ARMSTRONG: That's the first time you ever used crystal was three to four days ago? I quit for three years.
Right, and I don't know why.
I regret.
ARMSTRONG: How did you get back on it? Hang around with my homeys.
ARMSTRONG: - Your homeys? - Yeah.
ARMSTRONG: 'Cause they started using, so it just, it's kind of cool to use it? It's tempting.
You know what I mean? - It's tempting.
- Yeah.
ARMSTRONG: So you've been good? You had willpower for a long time, but then all of a sudden, - you slipped up one night? - I just slipped.
ARMSTRONG: What made you slip up that night? Hanging with my homeys, and I don't know, I was around it.
Know what I mean? ARMSTRONG: You finally just said, "I'm gonna do this thing.
" I just got sick of it 'cause everybody had been know what I mean, smoking that shit.
I was around that shit.
I said, "Fuck it, a hit.
Hit this shit, too.
" ARMSTRONG: - And you smoked it? - Yeah.
ARMSTRONG: And once you did that, which was two or three days ago, how many times have you used since? Like, two, three times.
ARMSTRONG: Let me ask you this, are you mad at yourself for slipping up? You feel guilty? I regret, yeah.
ARMSTRONG: Who'd you let down? Myself.
ARMSTRONG: What about your family? My family, too.
ARMSTRONG: Yeah.
Well, you know, here's day one right now, okay? Starting right now, we'll see how far you can go.
All right.
ARMSTRONG: My partner and I, we'll check in with you.
Okay, we'll come by and we'll see, see if you're staying good to your word and remind you that even your homeys shouldn't be able to make you slip up, okay? All right? All right, have a seat.
I'm gonna grab those laces from you.
What are you feeling right now? Just regretting it? I don't think any less of you, okay? I got to do my job.
You know, you made a mistake, and hopefully they can do something for you.
No more, though.
So here's the deal.
We're gonna take you down for possession of methamphetamine, okay, and running from the police.
All right, put your feet inside.
(car door closes) OFFICER TOMMY STOFFEL: Before I became a police officer, I was actually planning on becoming a Catholic priest.
So I, uh, joined the Dominican Order.
I was a Dominican friar.
I lived in a monastery down in California for about four years and studied philosophy and theology and chanted in Latin every day.
It was actually a great experience.
(indistinct radio transmissions) (siren blares) We got a car that's driving pretty reckless around the area, and we're stopping them, uh, right here.
(over radio): 525, go ahead.
STOFFEL: Rosa Parks and Knowles.
Hi, can you stop the car, please? (engine stops) Do you know why I stopped you? Yeah, I do.
I was spinning my tires over the corner.
STOFFEL: Yeah.
I agree.
STOFFEL: And what's the deal? Just got a new car or something? You want to test it out? I was just showing my friend.
STOFFEL: Showing the power? Yeah.
STOFFEL: Okay, fair enough.
I'm not gonna lie.
STOFFEL: I used to own a 1974 Grand Torino, so I know where you're coming from.
'74? You had a '74 Grand Torino? STOFFEL: - The Starsky and Hutch car, yeah.
- Wow! That's awesome, dude! I got a '72, this is a '72.
STOFFEL: All right, well, do you have a license? - I do have a license.
STOFFEL: - All right.
- Would you like to see it? STOFFEL: - I'd love to, yeah.
- That's my license.
STOFFEL: - All right.
Okay, sit tight, and I'll be right back, okay? - Thanks, sir.
STOFFEL: - Yep.
He was pretty straightforward about why he was spinning his tires and whatnot.
There's no signs of impairment from him.
Yeah, looks like he's valid, and he's been honest with me.
I'm gonna cut him a break and, uh, hopefully that'll change his behavior, and he won't need to show off his, uh, his hot rod anymore.
All right, Steve, I appreciate you being honest with me, and, uh I am being honest with you.
The light's in my eyes.
I can't see the road, bro.
STOFFEL: You're not All you need to see is me.
You don't need to see the road.
You're not driving right now.
Well, but the light is in both my mirrors.
STOFFEL: Okay, just relax.
I am relaxing, but I'm telling you right now that I can't see the road.
STOFFEL: I know, but I'm telling you you don't need to see the road; I'm just talking to you, so How am I supposed to drive? STOFFEL: When this traffic stop is done, you'll be able to drive away.
Okay, thank you.
STOFFEL: Yeah, you're welcome.
As I was saying, I appreciate you being honest with me.
You're right I'm being honest with you, 'cause that's what happened when you pulled me over, right? STOFFEL: Right, yeah, but you'd be surprised how many people are not honest with me.
- I straight told you, I spu STOFFEL: - So, anyway yeah.
That's my girlfriend calling me, thank you.
STOFFEL: Okay.
I spun my tires 'cause my homeboy right here, he's never been in a '74 Ford Maverick.
Just, you know, we were just goofing around.
I turned off my car for you.
Sorry to offend you.
I spun my tires for him.
STOFFEL: Yeah, have you had anything to drink tonight? I had a couple drinks.
STOFFEL: Couple drinks? Like, two, four, eight? - I think I had three drinks.
STOFFEL: - Three drinks? - And when was that? - Two hours ago.
I won't spin my tires anymore, I promise.
STOFFEL: I know, actually, my suggestion is that you take a right at this next block, park it and then walk home.
- Walk home? STOFFEL: - Yeah.
Do what he says.
STOFFEL: - Because - You want to walk home, that's fine with me.
If that's what needs to be done, then we'll do it.
STOFFEL: Yeah, 'cause the other route is to invest - I gave you my whole STOFFEL: - No, you have that.
.
You just gave me those things.
- No, I did not.
No, I gave you my whole wallet.
STOFFEL: No, you didn't.
That's bullshit.
No, I have to say, that's bullshit.
STOFFEL: - Yeah? - Yeah.
STOFFEL: Okay.
I'll get out of my car and tell you that's bullshit.
STOFFEL: You're not gonna get out of your car until I tell you to.
Well, Officer, I'm telling you, I gave you my whole thing.
I told you.
Well, you find it then.
Here.
STOFFEL: Partner, what's between your legs on the seat? Oh, thank you.
STOFFEL: I'm not shaking your hand.
- What you're gonna do is get out of your car - You proved me wrong.
- You proved me wrong.
STOFFEL: - I know.
You proved me wrong.
I put it in my lap, and I You proved me wrong.
I thought I gave I thought I gave it to you.
I thought I gave it to you.
I'm sorry, I'll get out of my car.
STOFFEL: No, you're gonna stay there for a second.
I'm sorry, Officer.
STOFFEL: 525, is there a traffic unit available? I'm sorry, I thought I did.
STOFFEL: All right, well, sit tight, okay? I don't want you getting out of the car yet; you guys just hang tight, and we'll be back with you in a little bit, okay? - All right.
STOFFEL: - All right.
I called for a traffic unit to come and help me evaluate him under the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
This first, uh, field sobriety test is the walk-and-turn test.
Basically, he's supposed to be taking nine steps, heel to toe, down the line, keeping his balance.
A sober person can do this very easily, but he's having a lot of problems.
I'm a little drunk.
(indistinct) I'm drunk.
STOFFEL: He admitted to drinking.
He said he had about three drinks in the last hour.
Nine.
Ten.
A little drunk.
STOFFEL: Go ahead and put your hands behind your back.
So we're placing you under arrest for driving under the influence of intoxicants, okay? Yeah, you're right.
STOFFEL: You know, when I first told you, I was almost willing to give you the chance to walk away.
Officer, I told you I was willing to walk away.
STOFFEL: But you started to get a little mouthy with me.
No, I didn't.
STOFFEL: And you kind of talked yourself into this.
I told you, I said I gave you my license.
STOFFEL: I understand, but the more you talked, the more I knew you were intoxicated.
I told you I had been drinking.
STOFFEL: I know.
All right, come with me.
You know, I would really appreciate it if I could get some water.
I had three shots at the bar and I had a drink.
STOFFEL: That's rough stuff, man.
That's what I drink.
STOFFEL: All right.
So I'm going to jail.
I'm like, dehydrated.
STOFFEL: Why did you think it was okay to drive tonight if you drank that much? Because I was 16 blocks from home; I've done it many times before.
STOFFEL: You know, there's a lot of people that get killed from people with that kind of idea? Well, you know, many times I usually carry water, and I need some water right now.
STOFFEL: It wouldn't help the fact that you're a drunk driver.
Yeah, it would if I'm not dehydrated.
I need some water.
STOFFEL: Okay.
He's gonna be charged with DUI, and probably charge him with reckless driving as well.
Seeing how drunk he was, I'm really glad we pulled him over and got him off the road.
OFFICER MARK REDLICH: I've been an officer for about six years; I grew up in the area.
Sac PD is the agency that I wanted to work for, and there's a lot of opportunity at this department.
One of my goals in this department is to work on the SWAT team, so they're supposed to post a position for that pretty soon, so I've been training for that.
We're going to this lady's house.
She called the police department last night.
It looks like she believes her neighbor had stolen her marijuana plants that she's growing in her backyard.
Uh, the police department already went out there, and maybe try and resolve it, and now she's calling again, saying that she sees her marijuana plants in the neighbor's backyard.
So we'll talk to her and, uh, see what the deal is with these marijuana plants.
(dog barking) - Hi.
- Hi.
You're not the one who came on Saturday.
REDLICH: No, you want to give me a rundown of what happened last night? Last night, I got two marijuana plants taken out of the back of my yard.
REDLICH: Okay.
And it was my neighbors right behind me.
REDLICH: Did you see them do it? What happened last night when the police were here? Like, you initially made a report of someone stole your marijuana? Yeah, and I asked them if they would go in there because we knew the plants were in there, and he said he couldn't go in there because there was They couldn't go by just what I said; they needed a warrant, so.
REDLICH: Okay.
And then what-what has changed from last night's situation to right now? The marijuana plants are right there in the back of his yard.
REDLICH: He just Are they in pots or It's in pots.
You can come I have it in pots.
REDLICH: Yeah, let's look at it; we'll look at it.
You know what, Officer, I was just gonna tell him.
REDLICH: You do have a prescription for this? To grow it? Do you have it? Yes, you know, and I don't This guy who took them, just give it back.
I don't even want to press charges.
REDLICH: All right.
You know what, I didn't ever think this was gonna happen.
You know, this is the first time that I need medical marijuana.
REDLICH: I got to be honest, this is the first time anyone's, I've ever gone out to anyone's house that's called the police for their marijuana plants being stolen.
Okay, I have them right here.
What the guy did was he jumped over the fence right there.
REDLICH: Okay.
There was two of them.
There was four of them actually.
REDLICH: So these are your plants? Yeah, it's legal.
I got my license.
Jumped that fence from there, and he took them over there.
I asked my neighbor if I could go through his backyard.
REDLICH: - You looked through the fence? - Yeah.
REDLICH: But you can't see it from here? No, I can't see it from here because his *.
REDLICH: - Were they in the same tubs? - They're red tubs.
They're just like that, but they're red, two red tubs.
REDLICH: - And you think he took them? - I seen him.
REDLICH: - Did you tell the officers last night that? - Yes.
REDLICH: Could you positively identify it as being your plant? Yes, because it's this kind of plant.
It's this kind of plant.
REDLICH: Marijuana or hybrid? I put the hose in the sides of them.
I don't want no problems.
REDLICH: Okay, if he doesn't want to give up the plant, then it's gonna be really difficult for us to prove.
I think, I'm not sure, but it looks like they already - I couldn't tell 'cause it's covered with REDLICH: - Okay, we'll head over there.
Just hang out here if you want.
REDLICH: So right now, we're walking over to the house.
The comp is claiming that this person has her marijuana plants in his backyard now.
So we'll attempt to make contact with him and see what his side of the story is.
Hello? Police Department.
Police Department.
All right.
(indistinct) Hey, what's up, man? Sounds like we were out here last night.
Yeah? REDLICH: Can I make sure you don't have something? Your neighbor's calling, claiming that she watched you jump a fence, take her plant.
Did you take her plant? Does she owe you money? Do you owe her money? - I didn't take her plants at all.
REDLICH: - Okay.
You already came out here, you talked to me about it, and I didn't take her plants.
REDLICH: And you don't have any marijuana plants at all or from her? I don't have anything from her.
REDLICH: Okay, how many plants do you have on your own? I don't have any plants.
So you have no marijuana plants at all? (indistinct) I have no plants at all.
REDLICH: Okay, there's nothing in your house, no plants in the tub, growing six feet tall? Is there anything in your backyard? Not that I know of.
All I do is my backyard.
I mean, my room's right here.
REDLICH: Oh, you stay in the garage? If I walk back that way, would I find a marijuana plant? Be my guest.
I was gonna say be my guest.
REDLICH: Okay, and you're cool with us going back just to look real quick? All right, she doesn't Here's the thing, she's claiming that you took her plant, and I'm just trying to resolve it.
If you have it, give it back; if not, we'll be on our way.
She just, she keeps calling the police department saying that she wants her marijuana plants back; she's using us as leverage.
So I don't know if you guys have some type of ongoing problems My grandma's been in this house for over 50 years.
I've been here over 30 years, and she's talking about I took her marijuana plant.
- What REDLICH: - You're a big dude.
I think you would crush the fence.
I tell you the same thing I told them yesterday, I do not go over fences; I go through them.
REDLICH: All right, can we walk back just real quick? Call it good, we'll be out of here? - Be my guest.
REDLICH: - All right.
All right, you want to lead us or what? Just to kind of just do a quick Here's the thing, man, if those are her plants, if someone put them in your backyard, whatever.
If you want to just pass them over the fence, and we'll call it good.
No report.
I knew there was something, but, man, these are not mine.
REDLICH: Okay, well, are you good if she comes and grabs them, and we'll call it good? Yeah, I mean, whatever.
I don't care, but then she's looking at me like I did take them.
REDLICH: She wants her plants back, that's it; she doesn't want anyone to go to jail; she doesn't want to make a report.
She doesn't want to give us her name, nothing; she wants her plants back; call it good.
- Clearly, they're her tubs.
- I don't care.
REDLICH: They're both gonna come back; they've agreed not to start any problems.
They're really appreciative.
I'm just gonna point them in the direction, if you want to head this way.
They're just gonna grab their stuff and be on their way, okay? All right, just grab your stuff.
Just, you know, I respect your yard, respect my yard, and we're neighbors.
Yes, we got to live, but you said you seen me, and I don't go in your yard, ma'am.
You and that other guy were in my yard.
That guy handed those plants to you.
REDLICH: This isn't the time.
It's okay.
It's done.
It's over, yeah.
REDLICH: (squeaks) Let's facilitate the exchange.
It looks like one is there and the empty tub is over there if you want to just grab them.
Other one's over there.
REDLICH: - These are your tubs? - Yeah.
REDLICH: Okay, do you want I think he's gonna have to - put that one - Somehow they ended up in your backyard.
We appreciate you being nice enough to letting us come back here and look.
I mean, I had no problem with them, and that was a shock.
I'm like, wow.
REDLICH: You looked shocked.
He shocked me.
And what, I'm like (sighs) Hey, can I pull that one out to help them out? REDLICH: Absolutely, if you want to, if it makes it quicker, and we're on our way.
Uh, have a good night.
OFFICER ROD BYRON: Five years ago, you know, we would have come out and we probably would have taken her to jail for something like this.
It's kind of odd now that we're facilitating her getting her plants back.
Times have changed.
REDLICH: Definitely they have.
OFFICER (over radio): I've got him at gunpoint.
DISPATCHER: At gunpoint, Cover is Code Three.