Jury says Arlington Hts. police wrong to take man's guns, gives him $80,000

Two Arlington Heights police officers have been found guilty of constitutional violations and ordered by a federal jury to pay a resident $80,000 in damages for illegally searching his home and seizing his guns.

Attorneys for the village, however, say the officers were acting to protect public safety because of a threat that was made in a private therapy session, and they say they will appeal the decision.

"We're very happy to see that the jury saw through the scare tactics of the police and their lawyers and saw this exactly for what it was: a warrantless entry and seizure of his weapons with absolutely no legal basis," said Dan Kiss, attorney for Arlington Heights resident Art Lovi, 74, who brought the lawsuit in federal court.

Lovi sued the village of Arlington Heights and five police officers after the officers seized three antique firearms from his home in August 2012.

The situation unfolded when a therapist called police after a session with Lovi, who, upset over the death of his wife, Cindy, made a threat against a doctor who he believed had misdiagnosed her cancer years earlier.

The therapist said she felt obligated to report the threat to the Arlington Heights Police Department, although she added she did not believe he was a threat to himself or others.

A few hours later, Lovi got a call from police, who asked if he had any weapons in his home. Lovi told them yes, he had a...
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