Waukesha parents Michael and Rebecca Stier were each charged last week with obstructing an officer, allegedly refusing to wait outside a Pick 'n Save security room while an officer investigated their son for shoplifting.
Michael Stier, 38, was charged on Sept. 10 with two counts of obstructing an officer, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of misdemeanor bail jumping. Rebecca Stier, 36, was charged with one count of obstructing an officer.
According to the criminal complaint, the Stier's 15-yearold son was being held on Monday, Sept. 9 at the Pick 'n Save on Sunset Drive on suspicions that he attempted to steal two energy drinks.
A Waukesha police officer was called in to investigate the theft and took the boy to a security office. Michael Stier allegedly walked into the room a few minutes into the officer's interview "visibly upset" and said: "I want to see the (expletive) tapes."
According to the complaint, the officer asked Michael to leave several times, but the man refused. When the officer tried placing the father under arrest, Michael allegedly threw a punch at him.
The officer was able to handcuff Michael, but while doing so Rebecca allegedly entered the office, despite officer commands. She allegedly shouted at the officer, "You're a (expletive)," before being arrested, the complaint states.
The Stiers disputed the Waukesha City Police's account of what happened in an interview with a reporter. Michael Stier denied that he acted in an agitated manner and said that the officer began pushing him as soon as he entered the office.
"As soon as we were in the office, he started pushing me out," Michael claimed. "He said, 'You need to get out of the office, now."
Michael admitted to pushing the officer back, but said he never threw a punch. Stieralso claims that he had to wait several hours to get medical treatment for an injury he sustained during the arrest.
"It took me nine hours to get one bag of ice," Michael said.
He provided a medical report dated Sept. 11 from Elmbrook Memorial Hospital that seems to indicate that he fractured his ankle in two spots. His wife said that officers had bruised her arms and hips during the arrest, and photos of those injuries were included as well.
Rebecca Stier said that the family was currently seeking legal representation in the case. Michael Stier is expected to appear Nov. 4; Rebecca Stier on Oct. 11.