Pistol Packing Pastor Nabs Theft Suspect

quidni · Post by **quidni** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 7:41 am

I have to admit, when I first saw the headline I thought it might be about Longtooth.... imagine my surprise to find out this happened in California!

Pistol packing pastor nabs theft suspect

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TAFT, Calif. -- A former Bakersfield police officer turned pastor helped nab a man who allegedly stole a car from his church's parking lot.

James Kilgore, pastor at Taft Free Will Baptist Church, said he always keeps a gun and handcuffs in his fanny pack. They came in handy on Tuesday, when one of his elderly parishioners left Bible study to find his car had vanished.

Kilgore and Walter Brenton, 72, drove around looking for Brenton's 1986 Ford Crown Victoria, and spotted the alleged thief driving it a few blocks away.

The pastor followed the driver until he crashed, tackled him as he crawled out of the car and then handcuffed him until police arrived on the scene.

Ronald Lee Allen, 46, of Taft, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto and being in possession of stolen property, said Kern County sheriff's Sgt. Martin Downs.

"We don't recommend that people try to apprehend suspects, although in this case it worked out really well," Downs said.

Kilgore said he was glad to put his law enforcement training to use, but said it was likely God had a role in helping him restrain the suspect.

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Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com. Recap from the Seattle P-I.

Edited to add the link to the original story at the Californian:
http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/ ... 98881.html
Video even!

hoss4570 · Post by **hoss4570** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:58 am

Neat story, I like these good person with a gun story BUT now, look at the bad guy. He will go to prison over a 1986 Ford car. Wonder if he thinks now it was worth it??

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:38 am

hoss4570 wrote:He will go to prison over a 1986 Ford car. Wonder if he thinks now it was worth it??

Most of these types have relatives there. It's a state-sponsored family reunion for them.

Sangiovese · Post by **Sangiovese** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:43 am

It worked out well in the end (bad guy caught, nobody hurt)... but I have to ask why they went out looking for the car?

I'm all for defending yourself, your loved ones, and your property... but if a car has been stolen, it's time to call the police and report it - not get in the car, try to locate and confront them.

Glad it all worked out... but I think going in search of the car was a poor judgment call.

Thane · Post by **Thane** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 1:20 pm

They may have seen the car driving by, and elected to follow it while keeping the cops posted via cell phone. When the crook crashed out, the pastor saw an opportunity and took it.

hoss4570 · Post by **hoss4570** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:14 pm

Venus Pax wrote:
hoss4570 wrote:He will go to prison over a 1986 Ford car. Wonder if he thinks now it was worth it??
Most of these types have relatives there. It's a state-sponsored family reunion for them.

Yeah, really.

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 3:57 pm

"We don't recommend that people try to apprehend suspects, although in this case it worked out really well," Downs said.

Strange how that works out huh???

Darn the luck!!!

(sarcasm mode, off)