Elliot Palmer, a 23-year-old from Umeå, attempted to do a good deed by handing over suspected stolen goods to the police. However, his actions led to a fine of 9,300 SEK after he inadvertently took a photo at a restricted area of the police station.
Good Deed Turns Costly: Man Fined for Photographing at Police Station
Good Deed Turns Costly: Man Fined for Photographing at Police Station
Elliot Palmer, 23, went to the police to hand in suspected stolen goods. It ended with him being convicted of a crime and fined.
"I was just trying to be honest, but it backfired," he said.
At the beginning of the summer, Elliot Palmer from Umeå received a text from an acquaintance who had found abandoned car tires in the forest.
"I work at a tire company, so he wondered if I could take care of them somehow," Elliot said.
When he went to pick up the tires, he noticed they looked quite valuable.
"I thought they might be some form of stolen goods, so I took them to my company and then called the police at 114 14, who told me to come to the nearest station to hand them in."
Elliot Palmer did as instructed, but when he left the police station, he was himself suspected of a crime, as first reported by VK.
"Tried to be honest - it backfired"
At the police station, he was asked by the police to leave the tires outside. When he was done, he took a picture of them.
In the background, parts of the police station were visible.
"I just wanted to update my acquaintance, but it was definitely a mistake."
As he was leaving, he was stopped by a security guard.
"I thought he would just ask me where I left the tires, but he wondered if I had taken a picture. When I said yes, he took me around the corner and showed me the sign stating it was a protected area, and photography was prohibited."
Elliot's phone was confiscated, and he was questioned by two police officers. He explained the situation honestly.
"I thought they would see it was a mistake. I was just trying to be honest, but it backfired."
The Price Tag: 9,300 SEK
On August 12, the verdict came: 30 daily fines totaling 9,300 SEK.
"It feels incredibly sad to have to waste money on such a small mistake," he said.
He understands that the police and the security guard were just doing their jobs, but in hindsight, he thinks he should have brought in a defender.
However, he does not regret the decision to hand in the tires, despite how it ended.
"I was just trying to do a good deed. But I do regret taking the picture."
Whether the tires were stolen goods, he still does not know.
"I haven't heard anything from the police."