'Vigilante' gets revenge on metal shop thieves

[Too_Many_Tools]

For your reading enjoyment....

I wonder if the factory warranty covered the pickup? ;<)

TMT

A side note...I could have posted this on the OTHER machinist site but I chose to post this information on the site that respects its members and their contributions. ;<)


'Vigilante' gets revenge on metal shop thieves Wed Jun 4


The owner of a machine shop where thieves stole $3,000 worth of scrap steel, iron and aluminum wasn't going to let it happen again. After Saturday night's theft, Joseph Lord loaded his shotgun and laid low, expecting the thieves to return. They came back on Tuesday, in broad daylight.

When Lord saw their 2008 F-250 pickup truck, he shot out its tires and windshield and blasted its radiator, Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said.

The startled thieves took off on foot, but investigators quickly tracked down the truck's operator, who will be charged with theft, Liberty said. Charges are pending against an accomplice, the sheriff said.

Liberty said he discourages the use of guns to protect property. In this case, Lord told investigators he wanted to disable the vehicle so the criminals couldn't escape.

"I can understand the frustration that Mr. Lord must have been experiencing," Liberty said. But, he added, "We don't want to see anyone get hurt over property."

[kurt w]

I have the felling Mr. Lord will be needing a lawyer before to long.

[Machtool]

A side note...I could have posted this on the OTHER machinist site but I chose to post this information on the site that respects its members and their contributions. ;<)

I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Its already been covered over there.
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/showthread.php?t=159381

Regards Phil.

[Dawai]

<quote>We don't want to see anyone get hurt over property."

Hell.. lets send the thieves over the sherriffs house.. it's only property, right? Of course you'd find out the rules apply different when it's his stuff..

[mototed]

What's up with police work

I don't know that they care anymore. Here in Atlanta,GA there was a couple of guys stealing manhole covers in a Ford van last week or so. Badly overloaded and they pulled em over and jailed them. Why didn't they do a stake out for a day and follow the crooks to who ever they where taking the metal to and bust the scrap dealer? There has to be a lot of under ground networks shipping this stuff off overseas. Come on now, bronze war memorials and grave yard markers gone. It's way out of control.

[steve45]

We had a problem some years ago with juvenile delinquents robbing money from the honor system snack box. After a couple nights of this, the owner of the airport waited for them. He shot their tires out and called the sheriff. When the sheriff's deputy arrived and arrested the kids, they screamed, "That guy's crazy! He tried to kill us!"

"No," replied the deputy, "if he wanted to kill you, he would have. Just be glad he's a good shot!"

[ProGunOne]

Must've been in Texas?

[John Lawson]

Vigilantes

No matter how much you want revenge, state law prohibits the use of deadly force against a property crime. A photograph of the license number and a couple of views of the truck would have been sufficient to make an arrest.

[x39]

Must've been in Texas?

It happened in Maine. I'd have been more inclined to keep the truck, part it out, and not call the law.

[RobbieKnobbie]

No matter how much you want revenge, state law prohibits the use of deadly force against a property crime. A photograph of the license number and a couple of views of the truck would have been sufficient to make an arrest.

That's a great theory, but I've given similar evidence to police in response to a theft and they told me that evidence wouldn't hold up in court if it wasn't collected by a cop. He didn't even take the license plate number.

[Rich Carlstedt]

John
That's interesting about the use of "deadly force"
I must ask this in response.
If the thieves used a Crowbar to enter the premises, would not the crowbar be considered a deadly instrument they were using in committing the crime, and therefore counter measures would be appropriate ?

Rich

[Pat Miles]

No matter how much you want revenge, state law prohibits the use of deadly force against a property crime. A photograph of the license number and a couple of views of the truck would have been sufficient to make an arrest.

Here in New Mexico that is not the case. I personally watched a thief run out of a friends outdoor store with a very expensive flyrod. I gave the police the description of the thief, a description of the thiefs truck and the all important license number. We were told that the police could do nothing since they, the police, were not present during the theft. True story! Now you have an idea why folks take matters into their own hands.
Taking out a vehicle is one thing, shooting the individual over a theft would be quite another!
CYa

[Jim Caudill]

I think it depends on 2 things: exactly how the statutes for this state are written and the judgement of the prosecutor. Ohio is very strict and very precise in when and how a weapon may be used. This covers the display and "brandishment" of the weapon as well as the actual discharge of the weapon.

I have personal knowledge of a case where a junkyard owner shot at a group of thieves that had been repeatedly stealing from him. One of the thieves was killed and two injured. He wasn't charged for the one that was killed since he was facing him, but was charged with injuring the others as they were fleeing. I think he spent something like 17 years in prison.

Here is something lifted from an internet report:
"In 1981, Coyne shot three teens looting his Boot Hill Auto Graveyard. One died, and the others were convicted of juvenile theft. Coyne was acquitted of murder, but convicted of felonious assault on the survivors. "

from Saturday, October 18, 2003 edition of The Cincinnati Enquirer written by By Marie McCain

[Too_Many_Tools]

I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Its already been covered over there.
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/showthread.php?t=159381

Regards Phil.

I know...I am active on both websites.

Considering that "The Don" is trying to figure out who I am on his site, let us just say that I am a well known poster who delights in keeping him guessing. ;<)

TMT

[lwbates]

crowbar

Rich,
Its a "weapon" (deadly or not) only, if it's being brandished at you or someone under your protection in a menacing manner. You must be in fear of your or anothers life to legally use deadly force in most juistictions.
lwbates