Fuquay-Varina police reviewing actions of officers after teen handcuffed, detained

Fuquay-Varina police said they're reviewing the actions of several officers after a teen was handcuffed and detained for a crime he didn't commit.

Posted 11:46 p.m. Jan 31, 2021 — Updated 5:18 p.m. Feb 3, 2021

FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — Fuquay-Varina police said they're reviewing the actions of several officers after a teen was handcuffed and detained for a crime he didn't commit.

Ty Ziglar posted about her son's experience on Facebook on Saturday night.

She wrote that four officers handcuffed her 14-year-old son, who is Black, and put him in the back of a police car.Officers were looking for a stolen dirt bike, which the Ziglar family had bought, not knowing it was stolen.

Police later released the teenager.

In part of post to its Facebook page, Fuquay-Varina Police Department said:

"An investigation has been initiated as directed by the Chief of Police. All complaints are taken seriously and are investigated thoroughly. The Chief has personally spoken to the parent that shared her concerns that her son was detained and advised her that the incident was being investigated."

Officers said the dirt bike was returned to its owner, who had reported it stolen out of Harnett County, and the case involving its theft remains under investigation.

On Facebook, Ziglar said the number of officers who responded and the treatment of her son shows a disparity in how Black families are treated in Fuquay-Varina.

The Ziglars met with a police department internal affairs investigator about their concerns, including a request that a parent be contacted immediately when officers interact with a child.

In a statement Wednesday, Fuquay-Varina police said, "Thank you to those members of our community that have reached out to share their feedback. We have listened. We appreciate those that have supported our agency and the families involved. We are moving forward with both families and will continue to work with these families to develop a better relationship and improve communication."

Suggest A Correction