MINNEAPOLIS _ A magic trick gone awry during a birthday celebration with friends sent two joined-at-the-wrists pals to the Eagan, Minn., Police Department in pursuit of the expertise that would set them free.
Newly minted 28-year-old Jeff Jabas, of New Prague, and buddy Zak Wilhelm arrived at police headquarters Wednesday as an accidental tandem and admitted to "celebrating with some adult beverages and trying to show off with the new handcuffs," said police officer Aaron Machtemes. "Halfway through the trick, they realized they lost the key."
After turning in vain to YouTube videos for a solution to their accidental incarceration, the mother of Jabas' girlfriend said that "even though its going to be embarrassing, they need to go to the police for help," Machtemes said.
So they got a ride to the nearest police station, where "we exchanged some jokes and then set them free" from the ankle handcuffs, said Machtemes, who held and turned the key to their freedom.
"I told them, 'This is social media gold. Mind if I put it on our Twitter?' They agreed and posed for the photo."
Machtemes said that in his 11 years in uniform, "I've never had to free someone who arrested themselves. ... I'm sure it happens more than we know."
