What would you do if a police officer clocked you going 127 mph in a 35 mph zone? You'd run, of course.
That's what a Naperville man did back in March 2006, when he was out for a spin in his 2000 Dodge Viper, a car that sold for about $68,000 and that, at the time was valued at about $41,000. He was busted by a cop on Essington Road between 127th and 135th streets, not far from the Bolingbrook Golf Club (affectionately known as the Rog Mahal). He then sped east on 127th before he was caught trying to hide in a parking lot off Weber Road. Not a long pursuit, but certainly a high-speed one. And enough of a stupid mistake to forfeit the Viper, which the Plainfield Police Department recently unveiled as its new D.A.R.E. car.
So the important lesson here is what? Don't drive 100 mph over the limit? Easy enough--that's something most of us are never going to do. Don't run from the cops. Sure, because that's why the police were able to take his car--not because he was speeding. But again, not many of us in our law-abiding lifetimes are ever going to have a reason to run from cops. The really important lesson here is this: before you even go out and buy a fancy sports car that can go 130 mph, be rich enough to afford a membership at a sports car club where you can drive the thing on a private track.
Because if you drive it on public roads like a maniac you had better be prepared to accept the consequences.
What do you think? Were the police right to seize his car? Or is the punishment too harsh?
He got what he deserved.
The law applies to everyone, not just to owners of Dodge Vipers or any other expensive vehicle!
WHAT'S NEXT? WILL THEY SEIZE YOUR HOME IF YOU DO SOMETHING ILLEGAL LIKE LIGHT OFF FIREWORKS IN YOUR BACKYARD?!!?
The only reason to run for the cops is if you're sure to "getaway" - like Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw in the movie of the same name. But northern Illinois is a long way from Mexico.
I think the reference to "rog mahal" is a little unnecessary... Do I denote a twinge of jealousy?
There is no reason to take his viper. Asset forfiture laws are bullcrap, they let the goverment size your propery for very stupid reasons. And its widely open to abuse. Give the man his viper back. He should call the ACLU to challenge the Plainfield police deparement. And even if he cant get his viper back, draging the department though cought will atleast cost what the viper was worth!
I can't resist responding to John's comment about "Rog Mahal." I absolutely have the utmost respect for Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar. I have a brother who has lived in Bolingbrook since the 1970s. I remember the Cornfield Regatta. I admire how the village has grown and progressed, and I think the most of Roger--he's a colorful character. I remember his remark about the difference between homes in Bolingbrook and Naperville -- how in Bolingbrook people could afford furniture. So, yeah, maybe there's a bit of friendly rivalry between Naperville and Bolingbrook. The golf club line is a well-known joke around Bolingbrook, and I mean no disrespect. It's a testament to Roger's ability to think big and to get the job done. It's a compliment more than anything...