Police chief confronts 3 boys skateboarding 'recklessly' at FIU parking garage

Report: Concerned boy would use skateboard as weapon, cop placed hand, forearm on boy

MIAMI – Florida International University has released a statement after its police chief confronted three boys accused of skateboarding "recklessly" down the ramps of a parking garage at the campus.

The officer stopped the boys at the top floor of the parking garage, where he asked them for identification and their skateboards, according to the police report.

Police said the officer indicated he would return the skateboards to their parents.

The boys told the officer they were not students at the university and did not have identification. According to the report, one of the boys refused to provide the officer with his skateboard and proceeded to stand up, grabbing the skateboard behind his back.

Concerned that the boy may have been considering using the skateboard as a weapon, the officer placed his hand and forearm on the boy's upper chest, according to the report.

Police said the officer was able to secure the skateboard and, no longer concerned for his safety, told the boys to leave the campus and return with their parents.

The skateboards were secured at the parking garage, police said.

The parents of the three boys came to the FIU Police Station to retrieve the skateboards at 7:30 p.m. May 3. Police said all property was returned to their owner.

The boys were informed in the presence of their parents that they were restricted from campus and their return to campus would be cause for arrest, the report said.

Kenneth Jessell, senior vice president and chief financial officer of FIU, released the following statement:

"Based on allegations made against FIU Police Chief Alex Casas, who reports to me, I have reached out to the State Attorney's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to make them aware of the issue and offer FIU's full cooperation, should they believe an investigation is appropriate.

"Chief Casas took action to ensure the safety of three young people, none of whom is an FIU student, who were skateboarding recklessly down parking garage ramps, as the police report indicates.

"Skateboarding in the parking garages is not permitted, because it poses a danger to the skateboarders and others walking or driving in the area. Depending on the circumstances, police may temporarily take possession of the skateboards of minors and request that parents come to the campus police station to pick up the skateboards in an effort to avoid escalating matters.

"At FIU, we remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors."

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