Thwarted car theft with pure dumb luck

[starbury33]

Last night, our car almost got stolen or at least, the stuff in the car almost got stolen. We thwarted the robbers with pure dumb luck. It was by the Grace of God that nothing worst had happened.

Last night at 4:21am, I was woken up by my wife saying something is out there. I was exhausted and wasn't thinking straight (we had a birthday party earlier in the evening for our daughter and I went to bed at 3am) and thought it was a racoon or something so I came out with her and walked to where our cars were parked. Because of the party, we'd parked our cars on the street vs. the driveway. We found the the minivan's driver door not latched all the way that prevented the car alarm from rearming. Behind the minivan was my Civic and I thought I saw that the interior light was lit. Realizing how dumb we were (my wife was out with me), I told my wife to get back in and get our daughter. I ran in and got the gun out. This is a Ruger Mark 3 SS 22lr Target, shiny.

My wife was woken with her minivan alarm going off. Thinking that the alarm has been giving us trouble ever since we got the minivan 3 yrs ago (it was one of those alarm that automatically arms itself even if you don't lock the doors--we'd lived in New Jersey and often go to the city before IN and thought that was a good idea), she went downstairs and attempted to shut off the blaring alarm but to no avail. She then went outside and walked towards the minivan and swore she saw a figure crouching by the minivan. She backed her steps into the house, locked the doors and ran upstairs and woke me up.

This morning we found that nothing is missing from both of our cars. I found that the door of my Civic was also unlatched completely but nothing seems to be missing, including an XM radio. We park the cars in our driveway tonight. I got the gun out of the safe and into the drawer next to our bed. I'm not sure why the bad guy didn't get away with the Civic when he already had it. Maybe he can't drive a stick shift. Maybe it was just bored high school kids. This is in a good town in Hamilton County.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

well, lucky you! i would suggest double checking to make sure your cars are locked and the alarms are armed. inexpensive motion sensor lights on the garage looking over the driveway would be useful too.

as far as walking out with the wife and no gun, well, you recognized your error. chalk it up to a lesson learned, luckily without consequence.

just curious, is your family familiar with firearms? regardless, it would be a good idea to discuss a family plan for such occasions, such as the wife calling 911.

what town in hamilton, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Wabatuckian]

When I lived in Vincennes, my Jeep CJ5 was scoped out during the night.

Having my own armed security business, I knew guys from both sides of the law. A few days later a felon I was acquainted with came to me and told me who had been checking it out. Also told me that he told them that I would shoot them if I caught them at it. (I did tell the felon that though I appreciated it, please don't make threats on my behalf).

A couple days later, two very scared kids who already had the beginnings of an impressive record, showed up at my house and meekly apologized.

I was only 21 at the time, and these kids were maybe 17, 18 years old.

I sat them down on the porch, shared out cigarettes, and talked to them about where they were heading.

For the rest of the time I was there, I didn't see them arrested again, and one was holding a steady job.

I like to think that maybe I had something to do with that. I don't know for sure, but that's what I'll keep on thinking. Makes me feel good.

Josh <><

 

[greyhound47]

I CC off my property but OC on my property which is in a nice subdivision. I wear my G19 or G30 while working on the house, mowing the lawn, etc. Recently, I spoke with a city officer who, while talking about the wisdom/folly of OC'ing, said that he knows of numerous examples of houses that were "skipped" in a crime wave and that the owner(s) of the house OC for all to see. I do not agree with OC outside of home for me but it sure works for your home!

 

[KPierce]

I'm glad that you found nothing missing. I am happier that no one was harmed. A family plan would be good to talk about for situations like this. Also, as was mentioned above, a couple of inexpensive motion-sensor lights could go a long way to keeping this from happening again.

 

[starbury33]

Thank you for the kind words and suggestions, fellas. That motion sensor light is a great advice and I'm looking into it as well as driveway alarm system. The problem with the motion sensor is that our bedroom is directly above our garage and so it may keep my wife up at night.

Part of me want to park our cars on the street again and see if the bg would come out. He needs to know this is not the house to rob. I wonder how much trouble you can get if you shot someone unarmed on the street trying to rob you. I mean, I have to assume that bad guy is armed. If I thought his box cutter were a gun and I shot him, would that be considered justifiable homicide?

 

[cklein6576]

Part of me want to park our cars on the street again and see if the bg would come out. He needs to know this is not the house to rob. I wonder how much trouble you can get if you shot someone unarmed on the street trying to rob you. I mean, I have to assume that bad guy is armed. If I thought his box cutter were a gun and I shot him, would that be considered justifiable homicide?[/quote]


My guess is a lot. You would really kill someone over a car radio?

Hold them at gunpoint until the cops show up. If they have a gun then shoot the theiving bastards. I dont think a box cutter defense will fly.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

first of all, writing about your intention to bait a thief is not a good idea...if you do happen to catch them red-handed and you shoot them for whatever reason, their lawyer will drag that post out for all to see. however, them having a knife and/or boxcutter is plenty reason to defend yourself, assuming they didn't drop it when you pointed your gun at them. you have the right to protect your property, but i don't think castle law extends outside of your castle. if the car was in the garage, then you would likely be justified in using force.

 

[starbury33]

No, I wouldn't kill someone over a radio. I just want to know the law. Is the burden on you to prove that your life is in danger or does justifiable homicide include protecting your property. For example, if you shot a bg stealing your car, would that be justifiable homicide?

Probably don't want the car after the bastards bleed to death or worst, get his brain spatter all over the upholstery. Either way, I lose the car. Maybe collecting insurance is better off. Obama might even give me 4k to switch to a more fuel effecient vehicle.

 

[MACHINEGUN]

 

[kgeb]

.

 

[Scout]

Thank you for the kind words and suggestions, fellas. That motion sensor light is a great advice and I'm looking into it as well as driveway alarm system. The problem with the motion sensor is that our bedroom is directly above our garage and so it may keep my wife up at night.

Part of me want to park our cars on the street again and see if the bg would come out. He needs to know this is not the house to rob. I wonder how much trouble you can get if you shot someone unarmed on the street trying to rob you. I mean, I have to assume that bad guy is armed. If I thought his box cutter were a gun and I shot him, would that be considered justifiable homicide?

Depends what you do with him.