Police: Man pepper-sprayed autistic man eating free cookies

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Police: Man pepper-sprayed autistic man eating free cookies
Updated 7:04 pm, Thursday, April 27, 2017



ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — A former security guard faces charges after allegedly pepper-spraying an autistic man who was eating free cookies at a Minnesota grocery store.

Timothy Knutsen of St. Paul is charged with two misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct for the March incident at a Cub Foods in Roseville.

An incident report cited by The St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/2oNsbT3 ) says 53-year-old Knutsen was shopping when he saw a 20-year-old man eating "a doughnut or a cookie" from the bakery and tried to alert employees.

The complaint says Knutsen later followed the man, who is classified as a vulnerable adult, and sprayed him in the face with Mace.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Police-Man-pepper-sprayed-autistic-man-eating-11104876.php

[shenmue]

1. Awful

[kimbutgar]

2. I have to bookmark this

I have a 24 year old autistic son who I have to watch closely in stores also in the bakery and cheese section.

Thank you for posting.

[left-of-center2012]

3. This is bull ...

From the linked article:

"Knutsen was a training director for American Security.
Knutsen told police he ... sprayed the man accidentally."

He's a training director, and accidentally sprayed the man?

[DorothyG]

4. Exactly. He's either lying or incompetent. His employer should desire neither.

[uppityperson]

5. ++++++++

[progree]

10. "American Security says Knutsen is no longer an employee."

from the linked article

[cstanleytech]

7. To be fair its possible it was an accident and even training instructors fuck up

That aside if he is guilty I hope they dont let him get off with a slap on the wrist.

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. There's more on his attempts to excuse himself here

http://www.twincities.com/2017/04/27/roseville-mn-security-trainer-customer-with-autism-mace-pepper-spray-ate-sample-cookies-charges/

Basically, everyone they ask found a polite way to say "bullshit, anyone with mace who's been taught how to use it, let alone thinks they can teach other people, should not put themselves in a position where they can 'make a mistake'".

[LanternWaste]

22. You place great faith in statistical improbabilities.

You place great faith in statistical improbabilities, much as the Nebraska businessman who lost $127 million in one year to Vegas casinos did in 2009.

That said, I certainly hope you don't lose $127 million this year...

[cstanleytech]

23. "You place great faith in statistical improbabilities." Nope, I simply accept that they do exist and

when you are dealing with people accidents can and do happen.
Was this an accident? I honestly dont know but even if it was accident he does still need to be held accountable.

[TheBlackAdder]

12. Dang! I hate it when the pepper spray accidentally jumps out of its holster, into my hand and sprays

[left-of-center2012]

15. Maybe I should buy some pepper spray

It's not unusual for me to see someone at the grocery store giving their kids some donut, etc to eat while they shop.

[xor]

25. Even if, wouldn't that mean he was still pointing a can of mace at a

person because they took a free cookie? Good thing he didn't have a gun, because these are the types of folks who "accidentally" shoot and kill people.

[lunasun]

6. Knutsen told police he didn't see the free cookies sign and sprayed the man accidentally.

So eating a cookie would get you a face of mace
Now steal a piece of bread and we already know what we are retuning to for that

[cstanleytech]

8. Not in my area usually loss prevention will just call the cops and let them deal with it. nt

[Skittles]

9. I don't get why you'd need to spray at all

seriously, for eating a cookie?

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Even IF They Weren't Free!

Pepper spray for a cookie? Even worse that they were free for the taking, but bad no matter what!

[csziggy]

16. The idiot with the pepper spray did not work for the grocery

He was just another customer. The store was not concerned so he stuck his nose in and fucked up.

His former employer should re-train every single officer this idiot ever taught. His specialty was “DT/ASR instructor for American Security” — with the acronym standing for “Defensive Tactics: Aerosol Subject Restraint.” (http://www.twincities.com/2017/04/27/roseville-mn-security-trainer-customer-with-autism-mace-pepper-spray-ate-sample-cookies-charges/) If he is an example of what he was teaching, not one of his students is competent in that field!

From the same article:

“All I can say is ‘wow,’ ” said Stu Robinson, who teaches in the professional peace officer licensing program at Hennepin Technical College, and was the lead “use of force” trainer for Brooklyn Center’s police department for decades. “It doesn’t take a lot (of pepper spray) for it to hurt. That’s why we use it. It’s not fun stuff.”

Taking Knutsen’s statement to police at face value, “If you’re a trainer you should be very familiar with that (brand of pepper spray),” Robinson added. “It’s just like when a cop would take their gun out. They don’t put their finger on the trigger unless their sights are lined … and they’ve made the decision to shoot. Otherwise it’s a negligent discharge waiting to happen.

[hunter]

21. Ah, he's a vigilante moron.

I'l bet he has guns too.

[DorothyG]

18. Perhaps he thought the cookies were bland

and needed a little chili spice

[marble falls]

27. A bit insensitive, isn't that? For shame.

[The Wizard]

14. A public horse whipping is in order(NT)

[whistler162]

20. ASPCA and PETA might object!

any way why beat a horse over an idiots actions?

[HAB911]

17. Plastic wannabe cop

[Deuce]

19. Unfortunate he wasn't charged with a felony...

[Nitram]

24. He had been waiting for a chance to use his pepper spray, and he just couldn't wait anymore.

[romanic]

26. Macing an autistic man over cookies?

How pathetic and vile. Smh