The 1951 Harley-Davidson Panhead was parked on the gravel shoulder outside a roadside stop in Ashford, Virginia. A patrol cruiser stopped directly behind it.
Deputy Wade Mercer stepped out, walked straight toward the Harley, and ordered, "Step away from the motorcycle. It is being seized because of an identification irregularity."
Mercer moved forward and yanked hard on the leather saddlebag strap, waiting for Maya to pull it back so he could charge her with obstruction.
Maya took a step back, her hands resting at her sides. "I'm not touching you, and I'm not interfering."
From inside the patrol cruiser, Deputy Noah Alvarez called out, "The VIN is normal, Wade. I checked it twice."
Mercer ignored him. He pulled out a steel baton and moved toward the engine case containing the identification number.
Maya spoke up. "I ask that you do not strike the engine case."
Mercer delivered two consecutive blows, leaving the metal surface badly dented.
"Wade, what are you doing?" Noah stepped forward to stop him, but Mercer brushed him aside.
He declared, "The VIN shows signs of unlawful tampering. It cannot be identified at the scene."
"It was fine two minutes ago," Noah said.
Maya looked at the dents and asked, "So, your position is that the identification number was already damaged before this stop?"
"That is what I am documenting," Mercer replied.
He then raised the baton again, smashed the headlight assembly, and struck the fuel tank, leaving a dent as he waited for her to rush in and resist. Maya remained still and did not touch Mercer. She voluntarily held both wrists out in front of her.
"If you are going to cuff me, do it now."
Mercer was caught off guard because he had not been able to create an obstruction charge. He stepped forward and locked the cuffs around her wrists. "You are under arrest for... for an investigation."
"By standing still?" Maya asked.
Mercer did not answer. He secured the cuffs, then picked up his radio and called for a tow truck to come to the scene.
Noah stood beside the patrol cruiser and looked at Maya. She had followed every instruction Mercer had given her. She had not attempted to leave, touch either deputy, or stop Mercer from approaching the motorcycle.
"What exactly did she obstruct?" Noah asked.
Mercer lowered the radio. "I told you what she is being arrested for."
"I heard the charge. I'm asking what she actually did."
"She interfered with an active investigation."
Noah looked at the Harley. "She stood there while you damaged the bike."
Mercer turned toward him. "You need to decide whether you are assisting me or arguing with me."
"I'm trying to understand what we are putting in the report."
"I will handle the report."
Noah did not respond.
Maya turned her attention to the motorcycle. She first looked at the engine case, then the broken headlight, and the dented fuel tank. She did not ask Mercer to stop again because the damage had already been done.
Mercer noticed where she was looking. "You can keep staring at it, but it is not leaving with you."
Maya raised her eyes. "You are certain the motorcycle is being seized?"
"Yes."
"Even though Deputy Alvarez confirmed the identification number was valid before you damaged the engine case?"