Was It Legal For Police To Detain Every Driver At This Red Light?

Police stopped every car at a red light on Monday in Aurora, Colorado, handcuffed every adult, and detained them for two hours. The police found the criminal they were looking for, but were their actions legal?

Responding to a tip that the person responsible for robbing a nearby Wells Fargo earlier was at that red light, the police moved in. They had no description of the criminal whatsoever.

All of the adult drivers were pulled from their 19 cars and cuffed. The police asked for permission to search the vehicles and every time it was granted. In the last car, they found the robber, armed with two loaded guns.

Sure the police got the criminal and everyone consented to their treatment, but did this mass detention infringe on anyone's civil rights? We'll find out if anyone sues the city of Aurora.

(Hat tip to jodark!)

Photo Credit: ABC News