12-19-2009 West Virginia:
Scott Rensberger took pictures of kids with Santa
CHARLESTON, WV - A freelance photographer is outraged after being arrested for taking pictures.
The dispute revolves around what exactly happened recently at a Charleston, West Virginia mall.
Scott Rensberger says when he took some photos of a child on Santa's lap, a man asked him if he could delete the photos.
He says he complied, but then moments later, Rensberger says police officers approached asking why he was taking photos of kids.
The argument got heated when police say Rensberger started taking photos of the officers, who then arrested him.
Rensberger is now facing battery, resisting arrest and obstructing justice.
"American's gone nuts. We can't take pictures anymore," said Rensberger.
He continued, "Two gentlemen walked into the store and they asked me if I took a picture of Santa and I said yes I did. And they said, my daughter, my child was on his lap, could you delete that picture? And I said, oh, sure."
"These officers approached me, one in particular, and asked me, he said, why are you taking pictures of kids? And I was shocked by that," Rensberger said.
"I snapped off a picture (of the officers questioning him) and at the same time he grabbed my camera, and I reached up with my left hand to catch the camera from hitting the floor and he said don't you touch me," he continued.
Rensberger stated, "He (the officer) said, if your shoulder dislocates, we'll call a paramedic."
"I would never in a million years slap a police officer in any way." “There are people with cell phones everywhere, are we gonna arrest everyone for taking a picture that a child might be, like, this big in the shot?" he continued.
Rensberger says he plans to argue his case in court.
Mall officials meanwhile did not have a comment on their photo policy. ..Source.. MyFoxDC.com
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