A Boise man who was arrested on a trespassing charge after entering private businesses and refusing to wear a mask has notified local law enforcement agencies that he intends to sue, claiming he was assaulted and falsely imprisoned by the arresting officers.
51-year-old Peter Hearn filed the tort claim seeking $4.5 million in damages against officers and attorneys in Boise and Ada County for his December arrest last year.
Hearn was part of a group of demonstrators who disrupted several downtown Boise businesses that required face masks by entering the stores while maskless. That day, the Boise Police Department received 19 calls from businesses about the protesters; police issued warrants for those who were identified.
One of the warrants was for Hearn, who according to his tort claim, entered a Costco store on December 18th and refused to wear a mask though the business required it. As he continued to shop at the store, officers arrived and arrested him.
Hearn claims the arrest amounted to kidnapping, false imprisonment and assault, in part because he said his handcuffs were too tight and harmed his wrists. (AP)
