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Today I was few minutes away from surprising some thugs while vandalizing a Jaguar in our parking garage. I park on the last level underground and the car was parked on the level above near my path to the building entrance.

What would you do in such a case, retreat back to my car until the incident is over or verbally confront the thugs? There would have been no way to go around them given the placement of the Jaguar.

I am asking this question here because I was armed and these type of incidents happened in the past as well. So far I was lucky enough not to stumble upon a car burglary in progress.

--Sebis

sebis wrote:Today I was few minutes away from surprising some thugs while vandalizing a Jaguar in our parking garage. I park on the last level underground and the car was parked on the level above near my path to the building entrance.

What would you do in such a case, retreat back to my car until the incident is over or verbally confront the thugs? There would have been no way to go around them given the placement of the Jaguar.

I am asking this question here because I was armed and these type of incidents happened in the past as well. So far I was lucky enough not to stumble upon a car burglary in progress.

--Sebis

I'd dial 9-1-1 and remember that distance is my friend.

The owner of the Jag is not going to pay my legal bills if I try to play hero and the situation hits Condition Black.

I'm not "provoking" hostilities by dialing 9-1-1. And if I am attempting to maintain distance, I am acting in a reasonable manner, as a reasonable person would avoid conflict if it was possible to do so.

But if they notice me dialing 9-1-1 and come after ME, my bases would be covered. Depending on what they did, I could begin to fear for my life. Or not. It all depends on what THEY do at that point.

Also, I would stay on the line with 9-1-1 until the BG's had either fled or the police had arrived.

I agree with Frankie! Find cover, call 911. You might want to check and see if your cell phone will work inside the garage.

If your cell phone won't work underground, could be bad.

I would look for another exit. I can't believe there is only one way out.

Great advice Frankie!

There is no reason whatsoever to get involved in this. It doesn't matter if it's a Jag or an old Chevy. It's still property and it does not warrant getting involved. Avoid the BG's and call the police.

I would if possible try to get som distance between me and the badguys. Call 911 ensuring my cell worked, holler out at the guys if I had a safe retreat with a good headstart.

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THANKS FOR THE ORIGIONAL POST

AND REPLIES.

A VALUABLE LESSON TO KEEP US ON

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I pretty much agree with the advice given so far - I'm not a cop, and I am NOT going to intentionally put myself at risk to prevent what may be a crime involving some stranger's property.

I WILL call 911 if I see a crime - I've done so in the past - and would absolutely defend myself with any level of force necessary if attacked, but I'm not about to make a "citizen's arrest" or take on a law enforcement role myself.

agree with the other responses 100%

Thank you all for your replies, valuable information. I guess I should buy one of those Bluetooth hands free headsets to keep the hands free (sic) while on call with 911.

A good witness/description is often what stops a conviction when the victim has a pretty good idea who would have done that. Nothing you do is going to undamage what is already damaged and you're not going to take them into custody.

Leave the scene of the crime, make sure nobody is following you, then call 911.

Remember, if one knows your license number, he knows where you live and who you are.

Thugs spray painting cars are one of the reasons many of us pay for insurance. Don't risk your life or financial security over someone else's property. Personally, I would leave the scene and call 911 while on my way out.

If they were gang members, they likely left a signature line, and LEOs assigned to such groups are good at reading them.