Lynx star stopped by police for air freshener - Rick Kupchella's

Minnesota Lynx star Seimone Augustus, who is black, was stopped by an officer in Roseville for having a dangling air freshener from her rearview mirror. By state statute, that’s illegal, but some suspect that police use it as an excuse to pull someone over for “driving while black.” It gives police probable cause to stop a car that they might be otherwise suspicious about, MPR’s Bob Collins noted in a blog post about the incident. He includes citations to related case law.

Roseville police defended their right to pull a driver over for an air freshener violation because it can impair a driver’s view, KARE 11 reported. The Star Tribune has the statement from Roseville police.

The Lynx are preparing to open the WNBA Finals on Sunday. Here are some of Augustus’ tweets about the Monday incident to her 25,000 or so followers:

Thank you Officer W. Chau #155 roseville police for ruining my day off and western conference champion celebration,

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012

Supposedly he stop me for an air freshner hanging in my window, but then went on talking about theft at the mall

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012

I didn’t know you can only drive minnesota cars to a minnesota mall and if not you must be stealing or doing something illegal.

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012

Also told me good luck on the game!

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012

Said he would write a ticket for the car freshner if I reported it! WOW! Well…

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012

So my air freshner allowed shoplifters to have a field day at the mall this morning! Officer W. Chau #155 said he wanted to do a great job!

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012

Well… I guess that goes to show no one is above the air freshner law in minnesota! Even when you have out of town plates!

— Seimone Augustus (@seimoneaugustus) October 8, 2012