Sasquatch Hunter Harassed By Police

In a complaint filed with Durham police, Tim Marczenko claims he was detained, called a liar and accused of committing crimes he had no part in.

Durham police have reviewed the complaint and, while admitting Mr. Marczenko’s survival knife was seized in error, found no misconduct on the part of the officer. Mr. Marczenko has appealed that finding to a police oversight agency.

“I was shocked and insulted by the way they handled my complaint,” he said. “My rights were violated.

“I feel an apology needs to come from the officer and the department for not taking this seriously.”

Mr. Marczenko’s brush with the law came last August when he ventured into the bush in Brock Township. A member of Ontario Wildlife Field Research — a group that investigates the presence of creatures including Bigfoot and large cats — he said he went to check on tracks found in the bush near Concession 2 and Sideroad 17.

Mr. Marczenko said that when he emerged from the bush and got back into his rental car, he found his way blocked by a Durham police cruiser. He said that, when he explained his reason for being in the area, he was ridiculed by Constable Robert Aukema, the officer dispatched to check out a report of suspicious activity in the area.

Mr. Marczenko said Const. Aukema dismissed his story as “bulls–t” and demanded to know if he had an accomplice with him. The officer seized a survival knife in Mr. Marczenko’s car and threatened him with legal repercussions, the complaint says.