Motorist sues officer and Norfolk, charges false arrest

VIRGINIA BEACH

A woman who says she drove to a Beach firehouse this summer because she was not sure whether a motorist flashing a badge and ordering her to stop was a police officer has sued the city of Norfolk and the officer. The suit says she was assaulted and falsely imprisoned.

Nancy Plemons Craig accuses Norfolk Officer Robert Martens, who was off-duty and in civilian clothes, of grabbing her and pinning her against her car without justification.

The suit, filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court, seeks $200,000 in damages.

In filings, Martens denied the allegations, saying his actions were justified.

"This was road rage," said attorney Moody "Sonny" Stallings Jr., who represents Craig.

Craig was on South Plaza Trail about 7:30 p.m. June 17 when she passed Martens' pickup. He pulled up beside her car and yelled for her to pull over. As he followed her, he flashed "some sort of silver something" out the window and pointed for her to pull over, the complaint says. Uncertain if he was a police officer, Craig went to the Plaza Fire Station. She got out of her car. Martens identified himself and told her to get back in the car, the complaint stated.

Craig said she "wanted just to have someone out there" with her when she was placed into a "wrist-thumb lock" and shoved against her car.

Beach officers arrived and released Craig. A week later, Martens got an arrest warrant charging her with reckless driving. She was acquitted.

Court documents say Martens claimed Craig was speeding when she abruptly cut him off.

He said he only held Craig's thumbs together behind her back.

"She nearly caused an accident," said attorney Brian Casey. "Officer Martens felt for the safety of the public he needed to stop her."

Norfolk's Chief Deputy City Attorney Wayne Ringer contends the city is not liable because the incident occurred outside Martens' scope of employment.

Ringer would not say whether Martens was disciplined, citing personnel policies.

Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com