Traffic slowed going into this curve along Interstater 35E in St. Paul. A few motorists chose to disobey the signage, skirting onto the shoulder reserved for authorized buses only.
TRAFFIC CLOGGED JUST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN St. Paul early Sunday evening in the southbound lanes of Interstate 35E near the 104C/Victoria Street exit.
With the road curving in this stretch of interstate, neither my husband or I could see what awaited us. We expected an accident. But, instead, we saw a couple sitting on a slip of grass between the interstate and exit ramp. At first I thought they were crash victims. They were not.
An officer carries bags to his squad.
The pair was handcuffed and a police officer was carrying several clear plastic bags—presumably evidence—to the back of his squad. A closer examination of my photos shows what appears to be cash inside one of the bags.
After snapping a few frames, I glanced back to see a second officer leading the young woman away in handcuffs. She could have been a model; she was that stunning.
The expression on the young man’s dazed face appeared wary, scared and haunting.
The traffic snarl didn’t last long. But the questions I have linger. Who are this man and woman? What led them to this spot in this situation on this evening? What’s their story?
I scrolled through the Ramsey County Jail inmate list and found two arrests at the time and location of the incident I witnessed. But because I can’t be 100 percent certain in tying records to the couple I photographed, I’m not detailing what I found. You can choose to look if you wish. Or you can choose to wonder about this couple who, on Mother’s Day evening, found themselves handcuffed alongside a metro Minnesota interstate.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Hmm. Interesting.
Yup.
Great series of photos. I don’t ever want to find myself road-side in handcuffs.
Thank you, Dan.
I can’t imagine you ever in this position.
It appears as if you always have a camera ready. 🙂
I often do. And when I don’t, I wish I did. But even sometimes with a camera at the ready, I miss shots I don’t anticipate (like the guy who was looking at his cell phone while driving on the interstate.)
Crime reporting could be your thing! That shot of the woman standing up in the cuffs while her partner is still sitting in the grass is a good one.
Thanks, Kathleen.
I did my share of crime reporting back in my newspaper reporting days. That’s enough for me.
It is a small world. We passed the same site, apparently shortly before you, I had to look at your photos to see if our vehicle was in them. The couple were still sitting as we went by. We rarely drive that route.
Usually we travel this route without any problems so we were surprised when traffic started slowing and backing up.
Did you notice the baseball cap in her lap in the 4th photo???? Where did it come from and where did it go?
Yes, I did notice the cap and I can only assume it belongs to the guy in the photo. But I don’t know for sure.
The cap is on her lap until she stands and then it’s on the ground by her feet. I know you likely can’t see that in the pix here. But I zoomed in on them and that’s the answer.
Oh yes, now I see it. Makes me wonder why she had it? I kind of feel sorry for these two. So much worry on the young mans face
Lots of questions for sure. And, yes, much worry in the young man’s face.
There’s a sadness about that, though we all know that people make their choices. Still, they look young, neatly dressed, maybe a bit dazed. Not at all the image of scruffiness and defiance often visible in those who have run-ins with the police. Hopefully, this is just a moment in their lives and not the forever picture.
Your comment mimics my reaction. I, too, felt a certain sadness in witnessing this scene. And I, too, hope that this is not a forever picture of their lives.
Strange….We went past there and saw them at that time also… BUT…the arrest/booking log actually shows FOUR individuals arrested at that time and place….NOT only two… never saw a 2nd couple myself.
Hmmm, when I looked at the log, I saw only two names. Maybe I was scrolling through too quickly.
You just never know the story. News out of Oklahoma City always has interesting police busts and chases. I always say a silent prayer as I pass by scenes like this or if I see them on TV. We all learn from our mistakes… or we don’t. I always hope for the best for people. 🙂
I appreciate your positive comment, hoping and praying for the best.
Sad. On a day that’s set aside to be with/honor “family”/Mothers, we are given a glimpse into what occurs far too frequently (of course, not just on such a day). I’m left with a very sick heart feeling that poor/bad choices have a long-lasting consequence that, hopefully, will result in serious introspection.
It’s interesting how this series of images is evoking similar feelings of sadness among so many commenters.