WEBVTT M IS WHATTHEY ARE CALLING A MIX-UP OVER APLANT.REPORTER: THE BUTLER POLICEDEPARTMENT IS FACING A LAWSUIT.THEY RAIDED A HOUSE LOOKING FORMARIJUANA PLANTS AND CAME AWAYWITH HIBISCUS PLANTS.THE HOUSE BACKS TO EDWARD ANDAUDREY KRAMER IN FREEPORT.IN SEPTEMBER WHILE INVESTIGATINGA FALLEN TREE THEIR NATIONWIDEINSURANCE AGENT REPORTED TO%POLICE THE COUPLE HAD MARIJUANAPLANTS ON THEIR PROPERTY.THE COUPLE SAYS POLICE STORMEDTHEIR HOUSE AND ARRESTED THEM,WHILE AUDREY WAS STILL IN HERUNDERWEAR.>> SHE CAME DOWN, SHE OPENED THEDOOR, AND THERE SHE WASCONFRONTED WITH WHAT SHEBELIEVES WAS ABOUT A DOZENPOLICE OFFICERS WITH ASSAULTWEAPONS WHO SAID THEY HAD AWARRANT.THEY PUSHED HER, THEY WENTTHROUGH THE HOUSE.>> I REALLY FEEL THAT I HAVEBEEN SMACKED IN THE FACE WITHTHIS AND NO I DON'T THINK I'LLEVER TRUST A POLICE OFFICERAGAIN EUFPBLT.REPORTER: NATIONWIDE ASSURANCEIS ALSO NAMED IN THE LAWSUIT.THEY ARE PREPARING A STATEMENT
Lawsuit: Couple arrested after hibiscus plants mistaken for marijuana
![WTAE logo]()
Updated: 6:32 AM EST Nov 17, 2017
Audrey and Edward Cramer, of Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania, were reported to police by their Nationwide insurance agent for allegedly having marijuana plants on their property.The couple say that on Sept. 20 police stormed their house, harassed them, took their plants and arrested them, while Audrey Cramer was still in her underwear.The problem for police is that the plants they confiscated were Kenaf hibiscus plants, not marijuana."I'm starting to understand why a lot of the public do not trust police officers," Audrey Cramer said. " I really feel like I've been smacked in the face with this, and no, I don't think I'll ever trust a police officer again."According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Audrey and Edward Cramer have filed a civil lawsuit against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Nationwide agent Jonathan Yeamans, Buffalo Township and three of its police officers.Use of excessive force, false arrest, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy are all listed among the allegations. Buffalo Township has not responded but the Cramers' attorney, Al Lindsay, said they are seeking punitive damages."She came down. She opened the door. She was confronted with what she thought was a dozen police officers with assault weapons who said they had a warrant," Lindsay said. "They pushed her. They went through the house."
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Audrey and Edward Cramer, of Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania, were reported to police by their Nationwide insurance agent for allegedly having marijuana plants on their property.
The couple say that on Sept. 20 police stormed their house, harassed them, took their plants and arrested them, while Audrey Cramer was still in her underwear.
The problem for police is that the plants they confiscated were Kenaf hibiscus plants, not marijuana.
"I'm starting to understand why a lot of the public do not trust police officers," Audrey Cramer said. " I really feel like I've been smacked in the face with this, and no, I don't think I'll ever trust a police officer again."
According to the , Audrey and Edward Cramer have filed a civil lawsuit against Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Nationwide agent Jonathan Yeamans, Buffalo Township and three of its police officers.
Use of excessive force, false arrest, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy are all listed among the allegations.
Buffalo Township has not responded but the Cramers' attorney, Al Lindsay, said they are seeking punitive damages.
"She came down. She opened the door. She was confronted with what she thought was a dozen police officers with assault weapons who said they had a warrant," Lindsay said. "They pushed her. They went through the house."
