So (what if) this situation just happened and no police were called because the bike was recovered but I wanted to recount the events and get some perspectives from the community on how I handled it.
I work at a pawn shop and we keep some merchandise outside (mainly 2 BMX bikes) for advertisement purposes.
I was taking care of a customer when I noticed 5 suspicious young black males congregating outside of the store looking at the bikes and then looking inside the store. I finished with my customer when I noted that one of the young kids had taken on of the bikes and started riding off with it quickly down the street out of the plaza.
I ran from behind the counter (I open carry inside the shop as I am allowed to do so but not legally allowed to open carry outside in Florida) outside and proceeded to chase the kid on the bike. As I was running I grasped my sidearm still in the holster and within earshot I yelled at them "Stop or I'll shoot!". I had not gotten out "Stop or I'll..." and the kid jumped off the bike and started running.
I grabbed the bike and rode it back to the store without continuing the pursuit. No police involvement and the property was recovered.
I wanted to get the communities perspective on how I handled it and maybe what could have been done differently.
Thank you for any feedback you give...
I work at a pawn shop and we keep some merchandise outside (mainly 2 BMX bikes) for advertisement purposes.
I was taking care of a customer when I noticed 5 suspicious young black males congregating outside of the store looking at the bikes and then looking inside the store. I finished with my customer when I noted that one of the young kids had taken on of the bikes and started riding off with it quickly down the street out of the plaza.
I ran from behind the counter (I open carry inside the shop as I am allowed to do so but not legally allowed to open carry outside in Florida) outside and proceeded to chase the kid on the bike. As I was running I grasped my sidearm still in the holster and within earshot I yelled at them "Stop or I'll shoot!". I had not gotten out "Stop or I'll..." and the kid jumped off the bike and started running.
I grabbed the bike and rode it back to the store without continuing the pursuit. No police involvement and the property was recovered.
I wanted to get the communities perspective on how I handled it and maybe what could have been done differently.
Thank you for any feedback you give...