Hi Red Racer -

If handy, a picture is worth a thousand words (of testimony). Cell phones with cameras would be good for that.

If the person became agressive when I confronted them, then it would be on and I would be justified in my defense.

If the person just ran, I'd let 'em go, while taking pictures all the way.

Nowdays I am more in the "let the insurance take care of it, but get my best ID on the purp so I can extract a little justice down the road" camp, if you know what I mean.

best regards -

mqqn

 

 

Having had a '66 GTO stolen and stripped 39 years ago (perps never found) and with the good protection laws we have in FL, it would depend upon whether I was legally carrying at the moment or whether I had left my gun in the Vette. In either case, common sense would have to prevail as I made this judgment call.

 

911

 

It is easy to say what you would do but until the situation presents itself, you don't know. If he were 5'0" and 120 lbs you would be more likely to challenge him that if he were 6'5" and 220 lbs. If you shot someone for keying your car you would most likely sit in prison for a bit to think about it. Truth is you don't know until it happens. Lets just hope if it does, we make the right decision.

 

I had a 64 GTO in High School in good ole 1969. Came out about midnight to a couple of guys (same age as me) trying to jack my wheels. One guy ran, I caught the other from behind a proceeded to rub his face in the asphalt before I let him go.

Guess what? After that nobody ever came near my cars again. Funny how word gets out in a small town.

Had a cop once tell me to beat the s**t out of them then call, but that was a long time ago.

Now days I'd just scare them off, try to get an ID and deal with it legally. To many crazy MFs out the to risk your health.

 

Known in these parts as the "... he needed killin" law.

Actually it's not quite that simple though you can use deadly force to stop property crimes in Texas under some circumstances. Criminal law is one thing... Civil is quite another... you cap a guy stealing your work truck... you may be ok. It's happened and Grand Jurys have no-billed the shooter (citing the 'he needed killin' statute).

But cap a guy stealing your vette... bad plan all the way around. First, it's wrong regardless of the law. And either way the lawyers have a field day in civil court.

 

I would be ,,, Try taking a picture,, most cels have a camera built in. Then while I had the phone on hand I would call 911. Hit the PANIC button on the remote,, and If there was something around that I could use to protect myself I would maybe attempt to scare them off. And if all that fails,,,, just call the insurance co.

 

OK there Pooty Tang! HAHA!

If I caught someone damaging any of my cars I would make them sorry they got out of bed that day. Then I would get in my car and leave them laying there for dead.

 

You guys crack me up. I'm with you that you need to have them stopped, but do you really think the 911 operator is going to care that someone is keying your car?

Just click the safety off, fire a couple of warning shots and all will be well.

 

All you need is a tazer gun and pepper spray. Just keep pulling the trigger if he tries to get up and stop until the cops get there. Pepper spray could be for his buddy hiding in the bushes. No one dies, cops get the guy(s), and you get justice.

 

im not much for weapons but if i came up on someone messing with my car i would beat him sensless and then call the cops.

 

Too many unknowns to give a solid response. Is it at a bar? Is it night? Is he alone? Am I alone? What type damage they doing?

Gut reaction I'd probably end up doing something stupid that I would regret.

 

I think we would have to show the vandal the error of his ways, and by we I mean "Smith...and Wesson....and Me"

 

This has happened to me. Honest. Heres the way it played out.

Myself and my friend went to a bar one sat. night. We pulled in and parking was tight. I pulled into the 2nd to last spot available. We got out the car and started in. The last spot (right next to me) was quickley taken by a 1987 Honda POS. My buddy and I had not gone far, and knowing how tight parking was, I turned around to watch this clown car full of idiots pour out (5 people in a hatchback). Sure enough .. I hear *THUD*

I was only 1 row of cars away, I knew exactly what happened. I yelled "DUDE!?" and went over to inspect the damage. Looked down and saw a white mark on the door. The Driver of the POS came around to inspect and said "thats not me, that was there before."

I about lost it. I made 2 fists and started toward the guy and my buddy grabbed me. He has noticed something I had over looked; a cop, standing in the parking lot who saw the whole thing happen (a cop is typically there later in the night around midnight to close to keep the peace, thankfully he was there early that night). He was already on the radio calling for back up as he made his way over. Prolly thought I might actually do what many here have claimed they would.

He came over and asked the driver of the POS to open his passenger door so he could judge if the mark on my door was new or old ... white mark .. white POS ... but the cop let the guy make his case. Upon opening his door ... he F'NG HIT IT AGAIN!!!!

Long of the short, we all stayed put for a second until the back up arrived. All information was gathered. The cop sited the driver of the POS, but not the passenger who did it initially. He said since he personally witnessed the driver hit the door, it was an open and shut case. Pressing charges against the passenger would be difficult cause of no "impartial" witnesses.

So I guess moral of the story. If you just chicken out and call 911, and there are no impartial witnesses, you'll have a hard case to prove, and be prepared to eat it. A little assult and battery don't look so bad now, huh? But how you react is totally dependant on the circumstance.

 

If I saw someone damaging any of my vehicles, I'd probably end up pleading "no contest."

 

As the Italians say....revenge is a meal best served cold.

But as the Buddists say, there's nothing worse than a bad death.

I would definately call the local sheriff and report them.

 

You are right. I'm stupid enough to think the system works.

 

good pic !

 

That depends on whether you end up being the assault and batter-ee or the assault and batter-er.