Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jun 2013
Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.guelphmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418
Author: Jeff Mitchell
Page: 4

BIGFOOT HUNTER COMPLAINS ABOUT POLICE INTERROGATION

He ventured into the wilds of north Durham Region looking for
Sasquatch, but a Toronto man says he was instead confronted by an
angry police officer who accused him of being a dope grower.

In a complaint filed with Durham police, Tim Marczenko claims he was
detained, called a liar and accused of committing crimes he had no
part in.

Durham police have reviewed the complaint and, while admitting
Marczenko's survival knife was seized in error, found no misconduct on
the part of the officer. Marczenko has appealed to a police oversight
agency.

"I was shocked and insulted by the way they handled my complaint," he
said. "My rights were violated."

"I feel an apology needs to come from the officer and the department
for not taking this seriously."

Marczenko's brush with the law came last August, when he ventured into
the bush in Brock Township. A member of Ontario Wildlife Field
Research - a group that investigates the presence of creatures
including Bigfoot and large cats - he said he went to check on tracks
found in the bush near Concession 2 and Sideroad 17.

Marczenko said that when he emerged from the bush and got back into
his rental car, he found his way blocked by a Durham police cruiser.
He said that, when he explained his reason for being in the area, he
was ridiculed by Const. Robert Aukema, the officer dispatched to check
out a report of suspicious activity in the area.

Marczenko said Aukema dismissed his story as "bulls---" and demanded
to know if he had an accomplice with him. The officer seized a
survival knife in Marczenko's car and threatened him with legal
repercussions, the complaint says.
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