Got robbed today!
I needed a new monitor and decided to pick one up at my local Fry's Electronics. It was a flat panel, 20" LCD on sale and a $30 rebate.
I bought the monitor, paid for it at the counter, and walked out to my truck. I put it in the bed of the truck, unlocked the door and climbed in.
As I was starting the engine, I felt the truck shake. I looked to see a young black kid (maybe 18 or so) running towards a car with my monitor in his arms.
I jumped out as quickly as I could, but they had already floored it and all I could get was the first three numbers of the plate.
I didn't have my cell phone with me, and feeling like an idiot, I went back in the store to have them call the police.
When I told the guy at the door what happened, he called a manager. I asked him to call the police, and he started asking me a bunch of questions. Still a little angry and upset, I asked him again to just call the police for me. His reply was, "Let me call security".
I'm a little past PO'ed, so I told him rather sternly, "I want you to call the police." He said, "Sir, I'm going to take care of it", and asked me for my receipt.
I showed it to him, and he handed it to one of the rep's there, and told him to get another monitor. While he was doing that, the security guy got there and started asking me questions.
I answered all of them as best I could, and the other guy came back with another monitor. The manager gave it to me and told me the security guy would escort me to my car. He did, and this time I put it in the cab of the truck.
I am happy they gave me another monitor, but I don't understand why they didn't call the police. I figured as soon as I walked out the door, it was mine and they were free and clear. Great customer service, but I don't understand why they didn't call the police even if they were going to stand good for it.
Oh well, no gripes here, and I hope the kid drops and breaks the other one when he's going into the pawn shop to hock it.
I bought the monitor, paid for it at the counter, and walked out to my truck. I put it in the bed of the truck, unlocked the door and climbed in.
As I was starting the engine, I felt the truck shake. I looked to see a young black kid (maybe 18 or so) running towards a car with my monitor in his arms.
I jumped out as quickly as I could, but they had already floored it and all I could get was the first three numbers of the plate.
I didn't have my cell phone with me, and feeling like an idiot, I went back in the store to have them call the police.
When I told the guy at the door what happened, he called a manager. I asked him to call the police, and he started asking me a bunch of questions. Still a little angry and upset, I asked him again to just call the police for me. His reply was, "Let me call security".
I'm a little past PO'ed, so I told him rather sternly, "I want you to call the police." He said, "Sir, I'm going to take care of it", and asked me for my receipt.
I showed it to him, and he handed it to one of the rep's there, and told him to get another monitor. While he was doing that, the security guy got there and started asking me questions.
I answered all of them as best I could, and the other guy came back with another monitor. The manager gave it to me and told me the security guy would escort me to my car. He did, and this time I put it in the cab of the truck.
I am happy they gave me another monitor, but I don't understand why they didn't call the police. I figured as soon as I walked out the door, it was mine and they were free and clear. Great customer service, but I don't understand why they didn't call the police even if they were going to stand good for it.
Oh well, no gripes here, and I hope the kid drops and breaks the other one when he's going into the pawn shop to hock it.
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Should have been carring... You could have dropped him with a double tap and calmly walked over and got your monitor back.[:D][8D] 0 -
In most states, maybe all, you shoot a petty thief in the back and you are going to prison for murder or manslaughter. Nobody has less use for criminals than do I but we need to be careful about advocating what would be considered a criminal act in response to something that doesn't legally warrant the use of deadly force. 0 -
we don't have to be careful about anything, this is opinion, not paid legal advice. we can say anything we want.
yes, I'm sure you're right about getting in trouble if you shot someone for petty theivery. I have a question, if you wouldn't mind answering it, what about someone that steals goods worth enough to make it a felony? for example, if a monitor costs $800 or so (that's a felony, I think) you can shoot a felon to stop a felony in progess, can't you?
if I could, I would have chased the forker down and beat the crap out of him before I got my monitor back. after which I wouldn't call the cops, I'd call it even.
dheffley, it's probably too late to make a police report.0 -
what if dheffley would have chased him, the theif whipped out a gun, at that point does dheffley have the right to pull out his own gun and shoot him? 0 -
Slow down there Hoss. If I recall your four years of combat experience left you with the finely honed senses of a jungle cat. Let me be sure I understand this: You are sitting in a cafe with the family and can notice a women helping herself to a free salad but while you are alone without ant distractions some kid swipes you new TV right from your truck...While you are in the truck! Oh Yes, I'm the one who'll have my nose in a can of beer while the evil doers take advantage of me. Of course this entire forum is nothing but a popularity contest, and you are near the top rung, but if this would have been me you can bet that a dozen guys would be ripping me a new one over it. 0 -
quote:Of course this entire forum is nothing but a popularity contestscrew 'em, don't let it bother you whoever wants to play that. does it really matter? 0 -
I assume the laws are relatively similar in all states regarding the use of deadly force. Someone will correct me if I am mistaken. You can't shoot someone for stealing property regardless of the monetary value. Doesn't matter if it's a $10 lawn ornament or your $60,000 Mercedes, you can't kill someone for stealing your property. I know you want to, so do I, but legally it's not allowed. The only justification for deadly force is when you have a reasonable fear that your life or the life of someone else is in jeopardy.
Also, if you tell someone to shoot a thief, and he does, not being a lawyer will make no difference. You could in theory be liable if a lawsuit is filed in the matter.
You are free to do what you think is best, just be prepared for what might happen as a result. But I am pretty sure the owner of this site would prefer that we not advocate violating the law. GunBroker could find itself party to lawsuit if it allows members to advocate criminal acts.0 -
In Texas the legal defense of "He needed killing" still applies.[;)]
Some of you boys need to come on down to Texas.
Danny, Monday morning quarterbacks are a dime a dozen. Nobody knows how they will react to a given situation until it is thrust upon them.
I am constantly telling my wife to BE AWARE OF HER SURROUNDINGS. I showed her your post (we go to the Arlington Frye's fairly often) and it seems to have made an impression on her. If a vet with bush time can be caught off-guard, anybody can.
BE AWARE!!0 -
[8D]--I don't have much to say, cause I'm, in California and you guys don't give a rats petuie--
--I will say "Matt" WOW WOW WOW-
--what a sterling self defense for a defense lawyer--BRAVO--
--[:I][:I]--JIMBO0 -
quote:Originally posted by gunnut505
Wonder where Gecko45's partner with the Sig Psp was 'working'?
That is on a need to know basis, do you have level Y clearance?0 -
Danny,
Sorry to hear about the 'perp'! Mighty nice of the
manager to relpace your monitor, that comes out
of his 'profit line' for the store.
You can send a thank you note to:
Mr. Randy Fry
c/o Fry's Electronics
550 East Brokaw Rd.
San Jose Calif.
95112
Randy is an avid quail and deer hunter, has a lease
about an hour south of Corpus Christi. Good guy, flew
my English pointer from Texas to Calif. a number
of years ago when I worked for him.[8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by bobski
astute:adj, shrewd. cunning.
...and now you with the name calling. what has this place come to?
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"what if dheffley would have chased him, the theif whipped out a gun, at that point does dheffley have the right to pull out his own gun and shoot him?" (sic)
In my opinion, yes. But be aware that some prosecutors have convicted people in such cases claiming that your chasing him escalated the conflict and caused the deadly confrontation making you guilty of manslaughter. IMO you have the right to chase a thief with your stuff, and if he pulls a weapon then kill him. But not all juries would see it that way. Screwed up, I know, but it happens.
A lot of this depends on where you live and the sensibilities of the local prosecutor. He or she decides whether to file charges. In my town people who shoot criminals don't get much hassle from authorities but not the case in all areas.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Maalox
It was better for FRY's PR to give you another monitor rather than have the police in front of their store for an hour scaring away customers. With a police report it would also hit the paper and then no one would go to FRY's. "Because it is such a dangerous place"
Make sense?
Bullseye. But if they keep putting two monitors out the door for each one they sell, they will find a new way to deal with it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
"...
In my town people who shoot criminals don't get much hassle from authorities ...
As it should be.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
If a vet with bush time can be caught off-guard, anybody can.
I think that's a good lesson. just like the other post about the guy who demonstrated to his friend that he (supposedly) could karate chop him on the windpipe. no matter how good you are, you can be caught off guard -because nobody is paranoid of everything 24 hours a day.0 -
astute: noun, tight fart. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
In most states, maybe all, you shoot a petty thief in the back and you are going to prison for murder or manslaughter. Nobody has less use for criminals than do I but we need to be careful about advocating what would be considered a criminal act in response to something that doesn't legally warrant the use of deadly force.
Chill out Saxon, see the smiley face in my post? It was a joke!
I would never advocate shooting a petty theif in the back...
Head shots are more effective! [:D][:D][;)][8D]0 -
Matty its not a blame game, here are the facts, you sort it out!
I work for one of the big box stores.
The security training module is very clear. No employee may attempt to restrain an individual that is in the process of shoplifting. If they do so they will be discharged immediately.
The reason! The lawsuits! Attempting to restrain folks violates their civil rights! The company has been sued so often and faced large jury awards that have shaken them to the core. They now simply try to discourage theft. They use all the electronic devices, etc but if someone takes a $500 set of tools and heads out the door they can't stop them, only a manager may follow them out and take down a license number, but he will not and can not stop them.
You can bring a group of salesreps around the perp, ask for a receipt, but if they persist on leaving with the goodies, you can't stop them.
On top of this, they film everything but they won't call the police. Why? Cost of the legal process, Cost of countersuits, cost of a possible violation of their privacy rights or civil rights.
The only time the police will be involved is when and if an organized ring of theives is targeting the stores.
It is cheaper to absorb the loss of product and simply pass the cost on to other customers. Problem as I see it is this cost will rise as the system becomes known to folks willing to shoplift.
Is it society's fault? Are we all sue happy? What changed in our little world to to make us all fear getting sued?0 -
We just had a SEAL, who was moonlighting, shot and killed by a 'harmless'
(as defined by his friends) shoplifter out in the parking lot where he was
stopped by some store employees. When the smoke cleared the Navy man
was dead and the perp was held for police. Two small kids orphaned.0 -
BPOST: you are right, the victim is partially at fault here. If you leave something woth anything at all out in the open and walk away from it, tempting thieves you are going to get it stolen.. Remember the saying " A lock keeps an Honest man Honest"..
Why do you think the advertise on TV all the time to "Keep your car locked"
Had a court case here, car was stolen "Keys left in it" car hit another car. Guess who was at Fault... Yep the owner of the car.
And you should know by now unless you live in a bubble that the society of today is just standing by to steal and get a fast buck anyway they can.. Wake up boy.. No one is excusing the perp, just reminding the victim why he became a victim...
Why do you lock your doors at night????0 -
When I worked for a large Northeastern insurance company they were willing to spend several times the amount of a claim to avoid paying the claim and could prove, on paper at least, that they were saving money by doing it. They figured the savings came from discouraging bogus claims.
I wonder if the same philosophy wouldn't be valid for shoplifters and thieves.0 -
classic, by that same logic, if dheffley went over and busted the dude upside the head and took back his monitor, he's to be held completely blameless... it's the theif's fault for stealing his monitor in the first place that made him want to do that. right? right.
if it's your fault a thief steals your stuff because you left it there to be stolen, then it's his fault you grab ahold of him because he's stealing your stuff. right? right.
the train of logic just isn't being carried out to the conclusion. in your example it's stopping prematurely to the theif's advantage. keep going.0 -
When I worked for gas station it was against policy to chase a shoplifter as they could turn and attack. 0 -
Even if one would chase down the thief, tackle him and restrain him till the LEOs arrived. If you injured the thief in the process he could sue you and you would lose because the jury would rule that if you let him go the injury would have been avoided and your life was not in any danger so you didn't have to chase him down.
Very sad, but very true.....0 -
BUSH: As I said, in todays society with all the thieves, if you leave something to tempt, its gonna get stolen. Like in medicine, prevention is better than the cure. Common sense should dictate to you that there are people out there that are just waiting to pounce on an opertunity , and if you give them that opertunity, yes you are leaving yourself wide open to get robbed.
Wonder why the court found the Owner of the stolen car (the one he left the keys in) liable for the wreck????
again. 'A lock keeps the honest man honest" If you dont want your stuff stolen take care of it. common sense.. HUH!!
Its a damn shame we live in a society where everything has to be under lock and key, but thats the way it is so its prudent to put stuff out of temtations way..0 -
quote:Originally posted by sig232
Is it society's fault? Are we all sue happy? What changed in our little world to to make us all fear getting sued?
Now your talking. Society sits on the jury, the "big box stores" answer to shareholders. I agree that the cashier shouldn't chase people into the parking lot.
Most stores WILL call the cops who are protected in but the direst/thinnest of situations by governmental immunity.
Most of the big box stores WILL prosecute criminal activity, what they are attempting to do is avoid civil liability for having non LEO's chasing people down and detaining them. Injury to an innocent person or to the employee results. What I have seen is the stores providing the POLICE with descriptions or video and letting the POLICE do their jobs. It does make sense. (I would love to here NUNN's take on this as a LEO on the front lines)
I only take exception to your blaming the lawyers. Everyone is to blame, society, not just the lawyers. And yes we are suit happy in this country. Lawyers get sued everyday, so I am WELL aware of societies penchant for a fast buck...
The previous rant directed toward you was a bit harsh, but once in awhile I get tired of taking the blame for all of societies ills.
No grudge against you personally, thanks for the reply.0 -
Could be worse I suppose. You might have paid $2500 for a .45 ACP sight unseen, had it mailed to you, only to discover it was a plastic toy. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hunter Mag
Even if one would chase down the thief, tackle him and restrain him till the LEOs arrived. If you injured the thief in the process he could sue you and you would lose because the jury would rule that if you let him go the injury would have been avoided and your life was not in any danger so you didn't have to chase him down.
Very sad, but very true.....
Depends on the jurisdiction. In Colorado, the law states that if you are injured during the commission of committing a crime, you cannot sue for damages.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bigtire
Should have been carring... You could have dropped him with a double tap and calmly walked over and got your monitor back.[:D][8D]
I was carrying. I have and use my Texas CHL, but I wouldn't shoot an 18 year old kid in the back over a $250 monitor while he running away and not threatening me. In fact the law here is you can't shoot them in retreat.0
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