Did police officers arrest and jail a couple simply because they got lost?

This story happened sometime ago but I thought it good to let many of you see what's happening in other parts of America. Originally reported by WBAL 11 news reporter David Collins.

A young couple by the names of Joshua Kelly and Llara Brooks were returning from an evening baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland. The couple resides in Virginia and after the game got lost attempting to find interstate 95 leading back to Virginia.

After having no luck locating the interstate and getting lost, they noticed a police vehicle and asked the officer for directions to the interstate. It's been reported that the name of the officer is Natalie Preston, a six year veteran. The officer then responded, " no, you just ran that stop sign". The couple was shocked at this response but quickly apologized if they had done so and offer to pay the ticket with no problem. As the officer is proceeding to cite them, they asked again if she would tell them where interstate 95 is located. The officer is reported to have said " you found your way in here, you can find your way out."(ouch).

At this point the couple is wondering what's going on. Apparently after receiving the ticket, the couple noticed another police car, flagged this different officer down and asked for directions. The first officer, Ms. Preston, stepped in between the couple and the officer and reportedly said " my partner is not going to tell you directions if I don't tell you directions".

At this point the couple is terrified! Ms.Brook decided to telephone her parents for advice. Her parents are both police officers in another state. At this point the officer told them they were under arrest! Ms. Brooks were reportedly completely in tears. They were both thrown in jail for the night.

My observation and opinion:

If this is exactly how this unfolded, then this is a good example of what I've been saying about bad cops and power. This officer clearly "needed" to show this couple that she was the law and the boss. In this sad encounter, she was not the law, she was abusing the law.

There was no reason to continue to harass and torment this couple. They clearly only wanted directions. And imagine Ms. Brook's parents, two police officers themselves, hearing the arrest of their daughter! Now, to those of you in the minority, who support this behavior and plain abuse, how would you like to find yourself in this situation? I humbly asked you fathers, " what if this is your baby?' To you mothers, this is the child you gave birth to! Two strangers, citizens of the United States, tormented after a baseball game!  Please, don't tell me to be more softer, more understanding, and in essence excuse the behavior of this officer or any bad officer in my articles!  

As Ms. Brooks is sitting in jail like a common criminal, she reportedly said to a reporter, " I felt like I was dreaming and just needed to wake up". Mr. Kelly said, " I was in jail sleeping on a concrete floor next to a toilet!  

Now here's the final slap in their face. After their release, the police didn't charge them with anything!  Oh before I go, ( I must calm down a little ) while their vehicle is in the POLICE impound lot, supposedly protected by police workers, their CD's, phone charger, and sunglasses are stolen!