Question about does/ donts when it comes to vandalizers

[Burt Gummer]

Try not to confront suspects (who are outside and not physically threatening anybody). Just notify police and try to maintain a visual. I have taken calls where "victims" of BOV's have detained and/or beaten the crap out of suspects. We usually high-five the victim and take the suspect to jail or the hospital then book them in. IF this happened more often I bet there would be less repeat offenders. Our night shift recently arrested a 17 year old female with 12 prior BOV arrests. I bet if she got "detained" by the victims on one or two of those she would not have so many arrests. Another incident involved victims finding the suspect and dragging him back into their apartment and beating him up. THAT is illegal and the "victims" were charged as well.

Using force to protect your property is cool with my department per Penal Code as you have the legal right to prevent criminal mischief/burglary at night but beware of using deadly force. The grand jury may not like the idea of you packing your .45 caliber deadly death ray (a la prosecutor) outside to shoot the 15 year old kid breaking into your car for its stereo.

[txinvestigator]

Originally Posted by Burt Gummer

Using force to protect your property is cool with my department per Penal Code as you have the legal right to prevent criminal mischief/burglary at night but beware of using deadly force. The grand jury may not like the idea of you packing your .45 caliber deadly death ray (a la prosecutor) outside to shoot the 15 year old kid breaking into your car for its stereo.

And probably less thrilled about killing that 15 year old over an egg thrown at your car.

[txinvestigator]

Originally Posted by RetArmySgt

acutally the use of deadly force is authorized in resonse to criminal mischief at night, not that i recommend it, but at anytime the use of deadly force is authorized so is the threat to use it. so if you do happen to catch them you might try putting the fear of a gun owner in them.

Remember, the use of force is a defense to prosecution. Do you really want to have to explain to a Grand Jury and Trial Jury why it was REASONABLE for you to believe it was IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY to use deadly force, AND that there was no other means to protect your property?

How much is it going to cost you to defend yourself just to the Grand Jury level, vs cleaning your car?

[Burt Gummer]

I NEVER recommend that folks use their gun to apprehend these types of property crimes. If you have your gun out you better be prepared to use it. Even though you may intend on bluffing the suspect, you may end up using it. "Well your honor I was trying to scare him with my .44 Magnum but I ended up shooting him in teh face. I did not mean to, it just happened". Enjoy prison.
I tell folks an axe handle or good ol baseball bat works wonders on legs and ribs. It can still be deadly but it is easier to explain to the jury instead of why you emptied a magazine into that poor church-going prodigy who was just hanging with the "wrong crowd",etc. blah blah blah.
We all know the crooks have better luck than we do.

[Big country]

Get the LP, maintain a visual IF YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY, and try to get them on film, I wouldn't pull a gun on them, unless they pulled one on me, I read a post by texasinvestigator once that read "If you ride in the car with my sister you will be scared for life, but that doesn't mean you can shoot her" I bring that up point out that just because the use of deadly force laws say you that deadly force is okay in some criminal mischief incidents at night, doesn't mean you need to shoot them. And I really like that quote I use it in use of force conversations and replace "sister" with "my wife" LOL. Good luck be safe.

[azndragon684]

Thanks for the tips guys.....ill try to catch them on camera and give it to the police...doubt they will actually do anything about it but ehh who knows...

[Hawghauler]

Wrist rocket + concealment = vandal education

[Burt Gummer]

Originally Posted by Hawghauler

Wrist rocket + concealment = vandal education

A certain person MAY or MAY NOT have a BB gun in his possession for this same purpose. Also supposed to work on stray cats and dogs who crap in your yard.