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Thief in the car

4K views 45 replies 32 participants last post by  Rob72 
#1 ·
So the other night a buddy of mine came across this situation in the parking lot at work. Keep in mind that he is not carrying.

As he approaches his car he notices someone is in it, rifling through stuff. He quickly advances catching the would be thief off guard saying get the "h" out of my car!, what do you think you are doing?, etc. Thief gets out of car and starts talking smack to my friend about his mom and girlfriend. Because my buddy doesn't have a girlfriend, he only begins to smile and keeps approaching quickly closing the distance between him and the thief. The thief who is wielding a motorcycle helmet in one hand and a set of keys in the other like he is going to use them to stab begins to look like he wants to fight. My friend who is good sized just keeps smiling and walking straight at him telling him he is going to kick the "s" out of him. The thief really begins to assess the situation and realizes this smiling guy is really going to wallop on him so he begins to appologize for breaking into the car. My friend trying to decide whether to let him have it or not asks what did you take? Answer - nothing..., so he lets him go. He looks in the car and sees the two DVD's and the stereo looking fine so he believes him and lets him walk away. As it turns out he ended up taking only about $5 worth of change from the ashtray.

How would you have handled the situation had you been carrying?
 
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#4 ·
Awww he didn't call the cops? This guy probably had a backpack full of other peoples stuff. He could have been a felon with outstanding warrants. Always report crimes so there is a paper trail!
 
#5 ·
im with you on this one... if there is no paper work it never happened plain and simple... always report it
 
#17 ·
If he runs, fine. Call cops.

If he decides to stand and fight, he gets OC to the face, then a righteous ass kicking. If he pulls a deadly weapon, I'll show him mine. Whether or not he gets shot is his choice depending on his subsequent actions.

Fighting fair is fighting to lose.
Get into a fight with the guy? No way. I'm not risking life and limb to teach someone a lesson. Bad people carry pistols and knives too. My car or even my house is not worth the chance of a fire fight. I would try and pursuade him to stay but I am not getting into a fist fight with someone while carrying a firearm, If my girlfriend or family was in the car there would be a confrontation, otherwise I give a good description to the cops and let them take the risk. The "Whether or not he gets shot is his choice depending on his subsequent actions" attitude is a district attorney's dream case. If you had the chance to avoid violence, and you initiated confrontation, you will be judged by this action. Do you really want to shoot someone over anything this irrelevent anyway? We who carry objects of deadly force must hold ourselves to higher standards.
 
#9 ·
call the cops, even now.

keep your doors locked.

dont give yourself away from too great of a distance.

dont let someone eventually acquire a clean, stolen handgun.

dont let him keep his keys.

if you have OC, use it and watch out that he doesnt try to head butt your knuckles and toes.... it happens.

if he runs, and he's slower than me, he's gonna "trip". asphalt tastes like chicken, i hear. i'll ask...

having your car broken into is not a good feeling.
 
#10 ·
This happened to me about 3 yrs ago. I was dating a girl that lived in a poor neighborhood. I had a 3 series with an alarm and i wake up at 3 am to the remote going off. Good alarm system. BG is inside my car parked on the street and I'm the crazy white guy crossing the street in my underwear. I'd already called 911 and they are on the way. I'm unarmed and mad as h*ll. I'm in what I call Chuck Zito mode. He's about to get rolled. He sees me opens the door and goes track star. He didn't take a thing he wanted the whole car. Police arrive and don't even make a report . Wow what a deal.

Looking back on it I should have stayed indoors but thieves really make me angry.
 
#13 ·
No law says that you have to stand by and watch your property be stolen/defaced/destroyed.

The fact that deadly force cannot be used to prevent a property crime does not mean that NO force can be used. If the burglar elevates the problem by bringing deadly force, so be it.

Sooner or later we need to reclaim decency in this country.
 
#12 ·
Call 9-1-1 and observe. I was amazed to find out in my class that at night time in Texas I could shoot the guy! Coming from the Peoples Republic of Maryland it's kind of like being on another planet here. But there is a big difference between could and should. But I do like the way they think down here!:image035:
 
#15 · (Edited)
Smith&Wessonfan said:
The fact that deadly force cannot be used to prevent a property crime does not mean that NO force can be used. If the burglar elevates the problem by bringing deadly force, so be it.

Sooner or later we need to reclaim decency in this country.
Nice sentiment, and morally I agree with you. But legally? In some states this attitude can land you in prison.

Know the laws in your state!
 
#22 ·
havegunjoe said:
I do not believe in most states you have to stand by and watch someone commit a felony.
I do not believe that in ANY states you have to stand by and watch someone commit a felony! You can always call the police.

But there ARE states where you have a "duty to retreat" if you can, before you can be considered justified in using lethal force in self-defense. If you are the one who initiates the confrontation in one of those states, you have just handed the prosecutor a pretty easy slam-dunk in proving that you failed in your "duty to retreat."
 
#44 ·
But there ARE states where you have a "duty to retreat" if you can, before you can be considered justified in using lethal force in self-defense. If you are the one who initiates the confrontation in one of those states, you have just handed the prosecutor a pretty easy slam-dunk in proving that you failed in your "duty to retreat."
Unfortunately I live in such a state. I HAVE to avoid, I HAVE to retreat, I HAVE to let them take what ever they want cuz if I go out with a gun, I violated three of the five rules to a justified shooting. Easy pickings for the prosecution. Need some law changes for sure.
 
#23 ·
"I wasn't looking at my car as I was walking to it. I stumbled over something in the parking lot and hit my car door. That's how his ankles got broken officer. I swear. He must have broken his nose on the dashboard when the door slammed on his shins."
 
#25 ·
IIRC you do not have to stand by - every state has a "citizen's arrest"
:buttkick:

you had better be right though, and you can be sued for false imprisonment amongs other things..:gah:

Personally - rob him, he has keys and a helmet - take 'em then his sneeks and pants too.....LOL :haha: (JUST KIDDING!!)

lock doors, set alarm, call 911 when it goes off take video...:stups:
 
#28 ·
Well...

Picture youself having just broken into my car. :yup:

You're looking through my CD's...and as you turn to ME facing you and, I'm standing in the open doorway...:yup:

You're looking down the barrel of a Kimber Ultra CDP II..:mad:

...the next sound you hear is me calling 911 and requesting an ambulance...:rolleyes:

Yes, I'm joking...I'm not that bold or cruel...er, maybe that cruel...:confused:

ret
 
#29 ·
Picture youself having just broken into my car. :yup:

You're looking through my CD's...and as you turn to ME facing you and, I'm standing in the open doorway...:yup:

You're looking down the barrel of a Kimber Ultra CDP II..:mad:

...the next sound you hear is me calling 911 and requesting an ambulance...:rolleyes:

Yes, I'm joking...I'm not that bold or cruel...er, maybe that cruel...:confused:

ret
NICE
 
#34 ·
I agree with the folks who said that you are well within your right to approach your own property as someone is attempting to steal it and challenge him or demand that he cease.

There is no reason to say that we can't do something like that simply because we also are armed.

As long as you don't bring your gun into play until and unless the BG demonstrates that he is a physical threat to you (statements, advancing, displaying a weapon of his own), what is the problem? And then if he does make himself a threat, you draw and prepare. If he continues to threaten, you may well be justified in firing.

The NRA Guide to Personal Protection Outside the Home states that the criminal has three options:
- comply
- flee
- continue to attack, and risk being shot by you

I hold with those who say to call police prior to or while cautiously confronting, and be prepared to modify your course depending on how the BG reacts. That even includes being prepared to run away, yourself, if that ends up being the most prudent thing.

But I do believe strongly that standing back in the house and calling police who will arrive who-knows-how-much-later is really just giving the BG the time to finish taking what's yours. It's time to take the power back.
 
#35 ·
I know the make and model of my car. I know my license plate number. I even know the VIN number. My car is not worth a life.

I also don't know what is going to be happen if I approach. My approaching may up a simple robbery to a shoot out. Not worth it.

I'll get ready to draw with my hand on gun (just in case the thief sees me and decides HE wants to approach me), I will call the police and start reporting... "I am located at.." blah, blah, blah. "There is a strange man in my Navy Blue Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Plate number..." blah, blah, blah... "The guy is a white male, wearing..." blah, blah, blah, blah. "I am armed and observing from..." such and such a location. "He's leaving, heading..." North, South, East or West....

If he wants my febreeze, swiffer dusters and pennies in my change jar, he can have them. I'm not going to live with the guilt of possibly having to shoot someone (or getting hurt myself) because of my car or anything in it...
 
#37 ·
I know the make and model of my car. I know my license plate number. I even know the VIN number. My car is not worth a life.
<snip>
If he wants my febreeze, swiffer dusters and pennies in my change jar, he can have them. I'm not going to live with the guilt of possibly having to shoot someone (or getting hurt myself) because of my car or anything in it...

Well, when we return to the notion that even the life of an evil, cancerous growth on society is held as sacred, I depart from the groupthink. I just don't see it that way.

I do not ever lament the loss of such a "life." Everyone is free to see this as a case of equating pennies and Swiffers with the life of a human being if they want, but that is not how I see it. I see it as good people either standing up to evil ones, or knuckling under and rationalizing their refusal to act decisively by saying, "It was just 'stuff.'" I tend to suspect (not necessarily in your case, Limatunes; this is not personally directed at you) that most of society's rationalizing the sacredness of human life (when talking about BGs) arises from their need to excuse why they were afraid to fight for themselves and for what is right.

I see a much larger picture than the "just stuff" argument. I see criminals encouraged by the inaction of their victims beyond calling the police. I see a culture of victimhood and a widespread sense that those who will actively oppose criminality are radical, extreme, dangerous, psychotic, hate-filled, etc.

All I want is to not be attacked and not be stolen from. When an evil victimizer is purged from humanity, I call it a +1 for humanity. And I will avoid confrontation but at the same time I will not just stand there and watch someone take what's mine because I value his LIFE. He's a scumbag criminal. I do NOT value his life. I will abide by the law and fight him only when it is necessary and justified, but I will cerainly not hide away from him and then tell myself that this was about the relative values of life or CDs and stereos and whatever other junk is in my car. This is about allowing people to continue to be parasites on society, or fighting to oppose them.
 
#40 ·
The other thing to consider is that when you confront him you dramatically increase the odds that you will end up having to shoot him. But why would you have to shoot him? Because he has presented you with a lethal threat. That means you have also dramatically increased the odds that YOU will get shot! You are much safer in your house calling the cops than you are on the street confronting the bad guy--there is simply no way around that plain and incontrovertible fact.

So, it is not really a question of whether your "stuff" is worth his life. It is a question of whether your "stuff" is worth YOUR life! My "stuff" is definitely NOT worth my life! That means that I am absolutely NOT going to initiate a confrontation unless I am completely certain that I can do so in a controlled and safe manner, probably from cover, with virtually NO chance that by doing so I am increasing my own risk of injury or death. Most of the time I am not going to be able to be that completely in control of the situation, so most of the time I will stay in the house and call the police.
 
#41 ·
I guess I am an average sized guy and I drive an Escort. So I believe the perp will feel bad for me and leave change in the cup holder instead, LOL :)

But seriously, call 911 as it is happening, seek cover so he won't see me. A '94 Escort is not worth fighting for, as long as the engine turns on, thats all I care.
 
#42 ·
Personally I think it's a bit rediculous to go Dirty Harry on some guy in a situation like this. First, GG has the option of not engaging and there is a likelihood that the BG will not get caught. Second, engaging by calling police but not showing oneself is likely to be the best way to catch or confront BG. Three, regardless of the state you live in...if described as above and you wind up killing the guy regardless of what he does you'll probably go through court hell, spend tons on money if not go bankrupt defending yourself and you might even go to jail or like many many people in a shooting situation "miss" the BG and who knows where these rounds end up.

We don't live in country where you can go vigilate on someone without huge concequences. Remember that guy who got sued to high heaven for swearing while he was rafting in front of kids.

People can get damage claims for anything. Even if you shot him and it was 100% legit you could still get sued by someone who watched it 200 yards away.

Don't be a dumb ass and ruin your life over some scumbag and his meth habit. Unless someone is actively trying to kill or seriously hurt you don't do anything to increase the likelyhood of them doing so.
 
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