The cops said public service. But he said wait a minute.
Lakeville man challenges police policy in wake of late-night home intrusion
Article Last Updated: 07/07/2008 11:11:12 PM CDT
Troy Molde marched into Lakeville City Hall on Monday to defend his rights.
He said Lakeville police violated them last month when officers barged into his unlocked home at 3 a.m., waking him to warn him to keep his doors closed and locked.
Now, he is petitioning the city for a public hearing to consider amending Lakeville Police Department policies on when officers should enter a home without a search warrant.
“The police don’t have a clue what our rights are,” said Molde, 34. “I’m working hard to try to protect people’s rights. That is my core issue with all of this.”
The surprise visit by police was part of a public service campaign.
Officers fanned out across Lakeville early on the morning of June 19, leaving notices on doors reminding residents to prevent crime by keeping garage doors closed and doors and windows locked.
But Molde received more than a notice.
He awoke to police flashlights shining in his face and two uniformed Lakeville officers in his bedroom, knocking on the wall. The officers also woke his two sons, ages 5 and 7, and 5-year-old twin nephews who were having a sleepover in the living room.
At the time, the officers told Molde his garage door was open, the TV was on, keys to his truck were in the ignition and the door to his house was ajar.
The intrusion was justified because the officers’ initial door knocks went unanswered, Sgt. Jim Puncochar said last month. Police went inside to check if anything was wrong.