Couple Baits Thieves With Unsecured Bikes And Then Beats Them With Bats..

[MechAg94]

....., But Not Everyone Thinks It’s Okay

https://www.boredpanda.com/couple-baits-thieves-with-bike-beat-them-baseball-bats/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Video recordings show that the couple had a camera trained on an unsecured bike outside their home. When the camera registered motion and it appeared that someone was trying to take the bike, the couple emerged with baseball bats and chased them into the street, sometimes seriously beating them. Police reports say this happened at least four times and none of the would-be thieves’ injuries were life-threatening, but a neighbor told local news that there were weeks when they heard the assaults happening almost every night.

It sounds like most of their neighborhood were cheering them at first, but thought they went over the line when they will posting video online.  Sounds like petty crime is pretty rampant there.  If the police and prosecutors don't take care of things, people will do so on their own. 

The other predictable part is that law enforcement is never too busy to arrest and prosecute vigilantes.  They always make time for that no matter what else is going on.

[WLJ]

Well if the police and the courts did their job in the first place, or were allowed to, people wouldn't have to resort to doing stuff like this.

[Ben]

Stealing isn't "an accident". You make the conscious decision to be a lowlife thief. That said, the law won't be on their side on this. no matter how much I despise thieves. They might have had a chance of no charges filed if they didn't post videos. Still, the thieves got what they deserved.

My dad lives there, and yes, plenty of crime, especially petty crime. Meth heads and 60% hispanic population means lots of illegals.

[MechAg94]

I saw an article a while back that said they had changed the law such than it took a much higher theft amount to reach the level of a felony.  The result was rampant theft in stores as the cops can only write a ticket if they come at all.  The lack of plastic bags mean more people are walking around with cloth bags and backpacks so it is tougher to catch shoplifters.  That story didn't address theft in neighborhoods, but I figure the same thing is a problem there.  

[BobR]

Stealing isn't "an accident". You make the conscious decision to be a lowlife thief. That said, the law won't be on their side on this. no matter how much I despise thieves. They might have had a chance of no charges filed if they didn't post videos. Still, the thieves got what they deserved.

My dad lives there, and yes, plenty of crime, especially petty crime. Meth heads and 60% hispanic population means lots of illegals.

The only problem I have with this is the female is active duty Navy and because of this that career is gone. They should be giving her a Navy Achievement Medal for resourcefulness and decisive action in the face of adversity.


bob

[Ben]

I saw an article a while back that said they had changed the law such than it took a much higher theft amount to reach the level of a felony.  The result was rampant theft in stores as the cops can only write a ticket if they come at all.  The last of plastic bags mean more people are walking around with cloth bags and backpacks so it is tougher to catch shoplifters.  That story didn't address theft in neighborhoods, but I figure the same thing is a problem there. 

Yeah, that law has been backfiring big time. Apparently in San Fran, vehicle break-ins have been going through the roof because of it. Also these mob shoplifting events.

[K Frame]

Not surprised that it's in California. I've heard that in many areas of California police and the "legal" system simply won't take up cases like this anymore. I believe that New York is going that way, as well.

[Phyphor]

Yeah, that area is well known for being a bit of a shithole when it comes to crime.

Can't really blame them for doing it (theft pisses me off to no end,) but not the wisest decision...

[MillCreek]

Washington state law is pretty clear that you are subject to substantial criminal and civil liability if you use physical or deadly force in response to property theft. 

[bedlamite]

The problem is they posted the images online. They need to learn the third S.

[Pb]

Can't really blame them for doing it (theft pisses me off to no end,) but not the wisest decision...

Confronting criminal strangers with nothing but a club is a horrible idea.  You never know what they have in their pocket.  Or how many friends they have down the block.  They are lucky to be alive.

[Fly320s]

I volunteer to be on the jury at their trial.

[brimic]

I saw an article a while back that said they had changed the law such than it took a much higher theft amount to reach the level of a felony.  The result was rampant theft in stores as the cops can only write a ticket if they come at all.  The last of plastic bags mean more people are walking around with cloth bags and backpacks so it is tougher to catch shoplifters.  That story didn't address theft in neighborhoods, but I figure the same thing is a problem there. 

Locally, they won't charge criminals with 'grand theft auto,' only with 'driving without the owner's permission,' with a lot of goood boys borrowing cars to go to church the same societal consequences.

[MechAg94]

Washington state law is pretty clear that you are subject to substantial criminal and civil liability if you use physical or deadly force in response to property theft. 

I thought I saw they were charged with using deadly force.  No one was seriously hurt. 

Isn't that the excuse people throw out when stuff is stolen?  It wasn't anything that can't be replaced so why should you be able to use deadly force?  Of course, when the thieves are not even given the small punishment they should get, they will only do it again and move up to larger thefts and more serious crime.  There is a side effect of harsh punishment.  It discourages others and keeps the repeat offenders off the streets for a little longer. 

[HankB]

1. Posting the videos was not smart.
2. Failing to wear a mask or otherwise obscure their identity to establish plausible deniability was likewise not smart.

[Hawkmoon]

Well if the police and the courts did their job in the first place, or were allowed to, people wouldn't have to resort to doing stuff like this.

Quoted for truth.

[Hawkmoon]

Isn't that the excuse people throw out when stuff is stolen?  It wasn't anything that can't be replaced so why should you be able to use deadly force?  Of course, when the thieves are not even given the small punishment they should get, they will only do it again and move up to larger thefts and more serious crime.  There is a side effect of harsh punishment.  It discourages others and keeps the repeat offenders off the streets for a little longer. 

Hence the phrase: "Pour encourager les autres."

[230RN]

I volunteer to be on the jury at their trial.

Long time ago I tried to volunteer for jury duty just for the experience, not to be any kind of vigilante or anythng, and they told me they never take volunteers.

------------------

The COmmierado Constitution has this clause in Article Two, "The Bill Of Rights":

Section 3. Inalienable rights. All persons have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; and of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

But it's just a piece of paper, so who gives a damn, and it's probably been watered down by pussyfootin' legislation.  This ain't the Wild West anymore, right?

But baiting people into thievery... mmmm, I don't know.

I'm not signing this one so nobody will know who posted it.

REF:
https://law.justia.com/constitution/colorado/cnart2.html