Turns out that the James Coney Island raid that I mentioned before was a different MACFU operation, and it was also run by Capt. Mark Aguirre. Like Sonic & KMart, JCI isn't happy with the way its customers were treated. Also, it sounds like JCI may have been pushed into supporting this by HPD.

"We signed a trespass affidavit that said `James Coney Island requests on our behalf that the Houston Police Department requests all persons who are not patrons in the normal course of business to immediately leave the property or be arrested,' " Straughan said, quoting the agreement.

But no one had the opportunity to "immediately leave," Straughan said.

"From what we have learned, nobody that HPD arrested was asked whether they were there as a customer," he said. The police "just showed up, blocked off entrances, and arrested everybody."

Straughan declined to comment on Aguirre, but he said the company plans to file a complaint with the Police Department. Officials with Kmart did not respond to calls for comment.

Someone really needs to lose their job(s) over these actions, and perhaps face criminal charges, too. Swooping in and arresting legitimate invitees of a business for trespassing without first giving them a chance to leave upon notice should not be happening in a civilized country.

Mayor Lee Brown said he has asked the city's Office of Inspector General to speed up its investigation.

Yeah, just so long as the investigation doesn't lead right back to the Mayor's own office!

[Continuing thanks to niki for excellent coverage on this story.]