Customers Shoot It Out With Tool Thieves
daily herald marysville washington
Shots were fired ? by bystanders, at the suspects ? when two men allegedly stole from a store in Marysville on Saturday. (Marysville Police Department)
The plan was to steal tools. Then customers drew their guns
Marysville police are asking for the people who shot at the getaway car to come forward.
By Zachariah Bryan
Monday, December 24, 2018 4:01pmLOCAL NEWSMARYSVILLE
MARYSVILLE ? The plan was simple: Steal tools and pawn them for money.
That?s what two men, 22 and 23, reportedly had in mind when they showed up to the Coastal Farm & Ranch store in Marysville on Saturday afternoon, according to a police report. They allegedly took four nail guns, each worth over $400, walked out of the store and got into a Honda Civic.
They didn?t expect to be surrounded by about six customers with guns raised.
One customer was standing in front of the car, yelling at the alleged thieves to get out.
?He won?t shoot, run him over,? one of the suspects reportedly said.
The driver pulled forward, causing the man confronting him to land on the hood, court papers say.
Another customer shot at the driver?s side front tire, according to documents. A third fired twice at the rear tire.
Someone shot at the car one more time as it left the parking lot, records show.
An employee saw the car leaving and drove after the theft suspects. He said he saw one of the men lean out the passenger window and hold up what looked like a gun. The employee stopped chasing the men and went back to the store.
Marysville police found the theft suspects? car unoccupied about three blocks away, with two flat tires and the tools inside. Both men were apprehended after a search.
They denied having a gun, or seeing the employee follow them. Police found no firearms in the car.
The men also denied hitting anyone with the car.
However, security tape showed a vehicle striking someone, according to the police report.
The two men, who were from Mukilteo and Everett, were booked into the Snohomish County Jail under investigation of first-degree theft. Both remained in custody Monday afternoon.
Marysville police Cmdr. Mark Thomas on Monday said it?s unclear if the other people involved fired their guns lawfully, as they left before law enforcement got there. Security footage showed one of them getting in a vehicle just as the first officer arrived, Thomas said.
?Anytime you?re firing a weapon in a public place, especially a few days before Christmas in a crowded parking lot, it is a grave concern,? Thomas said.
The department is asking those who shot at the car to come forward and provide statements.
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
Shots were fired ? by bystanders, at the suspects ? when two men allegedly stole from a store in Marysville on Saturday. (Marysville Police Department)
The plan was to steal tools. Then customers drew their guns
Marysville police are asking for the people who shot at the getaway car to come forward.
By Zachariah Bryan
Monday, December 24, 2018 4:01pmLOCAL NEWSMARYSVILLE
MARYSVILLE ? The plan was simple: Steal tools and pawn them for money.
That?s what two men, 22 and 23, reportedly had in mind when they showed up to the Coastal Farm & Ranch store in Marysville on Saturday afternoon, according to a police report. They allegedly took four nail guns, each worth over $400, walked out of the store and got into a Honda Civic.
They didn?t expect to be surrounded by about six customers with guns raised.
One customer was standing in front of the car, yelling at the alleged thieves to get out.
?He won?t shoot, run him over,? one of the suspects reportedly said.
The driver pulled forward, causing the man confronting him to land on the hood, court papers say.
Another customer shot at the driver?s side front tire, according to documents. A third fired twice at the rear tire.
Someone shot at the car one more time as it left the parking lot, records show.
An employee saw the car leaving and drove after the theft suspects. He said he saw one of the men lean out the passenger window and hold up what looked like a gun. The employee stopped chasing the men and went back to the store.
Marysville police found the theft suspects? car unoccupied about three blocks away, with two flat tires and the tools inside. Both men were apprehended after a search.
They denied having a gun, or seeing the employee follow them. Police found no firearms in the car.
The men also denied hitting anyone with the car.
However, security tape showed a vehicle striking someone, according to the police report.
The two men, who were from Mukilteo and Everett, were booked into the Snohomish County Jail under investigation of first-degree theft. Both remained in custody Monday afternoon.
Marysville police Cmdr. Mark Thomas on Monday said it?s unclear if the other people involved fired their guns lawfully, as they left before law enforcement got there. Security footage showed one of them getting in a vehicle just as the first officer arrived, Thomas said.
?Anytime you?re firing a weapon in a public place, especially a few days before Christmas in a crowded parking lot, it is a grave concern,? Thomas said.
The department is asking those who shot at the car to come forward and provide statements.
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
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The citizen vigilante will get in more trouble than the crooks most likely
Here in SC while their are some gray areas it is not legal to shoot to protect valuables but it has been done and all depends on the solicitor I guess.0 -
"Marysville Police Cmdr. Mark Thomas on Monday said it?s unclear if the other people involved fired their guns lawfully."
It's unclear if they fired their guns lawfully???? I would think that once the perps ran one of them over, it became a self-defense situation...0 -
quote:Originally posted by mogley98
The citizen vigilante will get in more trouble than the crooks most likely
Here in SC while their are some gray areas it is not legal to shoot to protect valuables but it has been done and all depends on the solicitor I guess.
They they didn't shoot until after the criminals ran one of them over... I would think that's a self-defense shooting...0 -
Potentially perhaps, here in Charleston SC when Al Cannon made the call you were pretty safe.
quote:Originally posted by remingtonoaks
quote:Originally posted by mogley98
The citizen vigilante will get in more trouble than the crooks most likely
Here in SC while their are some gray areas it is not legal to shoot to protect valuables but it has been done and all depends on the solicitor I guess.
They they didn't shoot until after the criminals ran one of them over... I would think that's a self-defense shooting...0 -
In much of this nation you could get away with this...Washington State not so much. If/When they find them, the good Samaritans are likely in far more trouble than the thieves. 0 -
"The department is asking those who shot at the car to come forward and provide statements."
That is the most stupid thing not said by a politician this year.0 -
Ha! Asking the citizens to come forward when you?ve already made it clear you are looking to jam them up? Yea...I wouldn?t hold your breath! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by scooterdriver
In much of this nation you could get away with this...Washington State not so much. If/When they find them, the good Samaritans are likely in far more trouble than the thieves.
Exactly. My advice to the Patriots: DO NOT come forward, just blend back into the woodwork....0 -
quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
"The department is asking those who shot at the car to come forward and provide statements."
That is the most stupid thing not said by a politician this year.
Marysville. Suburban Seattle. I think I would keep my mouth shut if I were one of the shooters.0 -
This was less than a mile from my dad's home. The longer the shooters stay in the wind the harder the self defense claim will be I would think. I wouldn't bet on them staying unidentified long term. I'm not saying that the prosecutor won't go after them, but making them come for you won't help your case. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bosketti
This was less than a mile from my dad's home. The longer the shooters stay in the wind the harder the self defense claim will be I would think. I wouldn't bet on them staying unidentified long term. I'm not saying that the prosecutor won't go after them, but making them come for you won't help your case.
Yep, I know it's hard to turn yourself in, but they did have surveillance tape in the parking lot, so I'm sure they will identify them eventually and go after them. It's always Best to turn yourself in than wait for them to pick you up...0 -
don't you LUV living in a country where criminals HAVE MORE RIGHTS than HONEST people ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 0 -
They get their Miranda warning,, right?. After that not so much. 0 -
They were armed with nail guns[:)] 0 -
They could prosecute the shooters for discharge of a firearm within the city limits.
That is the last resort charge (a misdemeanor) of prosecutor.0 -
Sounds like a bunch of "cop wannabes." We don't need that kind of bad publicity... a bunch of shots fired endangering bystanders. You don't use deadly force to protect property. 0 -
Well, I hope they don't get caught and other thieves are deterred by this action.
I would like to shake their hands and buy them a coffee.
Of course, you must understand that I consider Joe Horn to be an American hero.0 -
If all the facts are there and correct (NOT guaranteed) and I read it correctly (ditto) they drew weapons to detain. It was not until one of them was deliberately struck by the escapees' car ("Run him over!" was the quote) that they fired. And even then, only to disable the vehicle. No shots into the passenger compartment.
That is NOT using deadly force to protect property. Not even deadly force at all, since they did not fire at a person.0 -
Unlike Tennessee, which is a "Stand your ground" state [:D], Washington is not.
Seems the law is not too eager to give those guys a pass.
Bet dollars to donuts, the shooters have a world of pain and head
aches ahead of them if they "surrender" to the leo's.
[V][xx(]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky Raab
If all the facts are there and correct (NOT guaranteed) and I read it correctly (ditto) they drew weapons to detain. It was not until one of them was deliberately struck by the escapees' car ("Run him over!" was the quote) that they fired. And even then, only to disable the vehicle. No shots into the passenger compartment.
That is NOT using deadly force to protect property. Not even deadly force at all, since they did not fire at a person.
I bope these guys are never caught by the police.
We all know the gheives are being treated with more rights and respect these days than honest Folk.0 -
quote:Originally posted by babun
Unlike Tennessee, which is a "Stand your ground" state [:D], Washington is not.
Seems the law is not too eager to give those guys a pass.
Bet dollars to donuts, the shooters have a world of pain and head
aches ahead of them if they "surrender" to the leo's.
[V][xx(]
"Currently, Washington is in a gray area compared to states with clear Stand Your Ground laws. In those states, Goodhew said, the law specifically says a person being attacked does not have to retreat, and is justified in using violent force even if a possible safe retreat exists. In Washington, the law does not address whether a person must consider retreat in the face of an attack. Instead, juries in self-defense trials are often simply reminded that defendants are not obligated to try to avoid using force by retreating."0 -
Couple years ago a Little Rock PD officer tried to stop a car full of teenaged thieves and shot the driver when the car surged towards him. Cop was fired. Tried for assault. Three hung juries before the prosecutor gave up trying to convict him. Family sued for civil damages and lost. Jury took the the cop's side. Cop's dad was a lieutenant on the force.
Don't assume anything in a shooting. You never know what witnesses will claim or what a prosecutor will do.0 -
PS: I would NEVER get involved in something like this. I am not a cop. I would not draw let alone shoot unless it was life or death. I don't agree but the law says you can't shoot someone for stealing. I hope the video clearly showed the crooks assaulting the good Samaritan with the car. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doc
PS: I would NEVER get involved in something like this. I am not a cop. I would not draw let alone shoot unless it was life or death. I don't agree but the law says you can't shoot someone for stealing. I hope the video clearly showed the crooks assaulting the good Samaritan with the car.
You missed the point where it went from Petty theft (which can be tuned up to a burglary easy enough), to assault with a deadly weapon (the car driven towards the armed bystander). Assault with a deadly weapon is a felony (and depending on type of nail gun that can also be a deadly weapon) and then you can shoot a fleeing felon.
So depends on how the report is written, and being all in order at the same location, the maximum charge is the felony.0 -
Not just "driven toward". The armed citizen was hit and landed on the car's hood. 0 -
And FWIW, that was a felony, not petty theft. $1600 worth of merchandise. Would not shoot a thief- but hit me with your car- different matter. 0
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