Real Life Scenario for evaluation

[USMC_0311]

Ok you keyboard commandoes this happened to me last night.
Did I over react or under react?
Yesterday I had a strange encounter. I walked out the back door headed to the garage to go on a little bike ride. Out of the corner of my eye I saw movement from the neighbor’s yard (they were not home). I was surprised to find a guy staggering around. When he saw me he got very shifting and nervous. I asked him what he was doing, he said he ran out of gas and asked if he could borrow a gas can. My spidy senses started to tingle, something didn't jive. If he needed gas why not come to the front door, instead of wandering around the neighbor’s back yard? I told he could borrow a gas can, told him to stay put and I would go get one out of the garage. He followed me in to the garage before I could stop him so I asked him to wait outside, he hesitated and I calmly lifted my shirt to expose the glock 19, smiled and asked again. He turned beat red but exited the garage. He then asked if he could borrow a couple of dollars. Now this has happened to me a couple of times, I live on a major state road; I have given gas, gas cans, and money. I figure the sooner they get away from my property the better. It’s not surprising that I have lost a few gas cans and never repaid the couple of dollars so with that and his story I refused to lend him money. He then asked for a ride and I said no. At this point I probably should have called the cops because he was obviously impaired but he was headed away from property. I didn’t care about the extra gas can but I went inside still feeling uneasy so I gave the glock to my wife and strapped on the Beretta (OC of course ). I went back to get the Harley out and finally that ride I have been craving all day. After a quick check with the wife and boy I headed back out the door and ran into this guy again in my garage. I scared the **** out of him, really. He actually had pee stains. I asked him if he was stupid, drunk or did the heat just make him that way. He said he was returning my gas can, I said “that’s funny seeing how that is not my gas can and I told you to just leave it on the porch anyways”. He started to mumble something his words were slurred. I said, “You are lucky this time now walk of my property before your luck runs out.” I think he got the picture but I followed him on the bike for a few miles just to make sure. I know I probably should have called the cops but I don’t want to waste there time if I can help it. Other then calling the cops would any of you done anything different? Did I do OK?

 

[hardtrailz400]

I would have held him for trespassing and got the police to come take him away. He was impaired and in your premises without permission. What if your son had gone out to get his bike in the garage and the perp had come back. Would you still think you handled it correctly?

 

[Hiram2005]

I think you did good. I would of called the police myself.
I had 2 guys walk into my house one day unannounced thru an unlocked door. (I know it was stupid) When I got to the door they were going back out and I jerked the door out one's hand and shoved the barrel of my Detective Special about 6 inches up his right nostril. I got his attention.

So, yes I think you did good.

 

[Sailor]

Trust your instincts, if he is impaired he is more likely to be trouble. Your G19 did not stop him from coming back???

I would not have gotten close to him, and delayed saying you will go look for some money or othe BS and call the cops while you stay with your family.

It may be a waste of your time but it also may stop him from stealing someone else's stuff. The cops probably know the guy already.

 

[agentl074]

There are a lot of drunks, crackheads etc. out there!

 

[USMC_0311]

I would have held him for trespassing and got the police to come take him away. He was impaired and in your premises without permission. What if your son had gone out to get his bike in the garage and the perp had come back. Would you still think you handled it correctly?

Good Point
Funny you brought up my son. He did come out the first time I told him to go back in and lock the door. When I went to retrieve the Beretta out of the safe my son came in asked what I was doing. I told him that I got a funny feeling from that guy and wanted to play it safe and handed him his 10/22 to clean. My son was the first thing I thought about when I saw that guy. I wanted to know where he was. I all so made sure the big dog came inside.

 

[Biggdogg]

I think you handled yourself quite well given the circumstances. I might suggest a "post incident" phone call to the local PD just to let them know about this person in your area...just in case someone else DID have something stolen, broken, etc.

May not be a bad idea to check with your neighbors as well seeing as you found him there first. Might just help them to keep an extra watchful eye on your home while you're not there.

 

[techres]

I would have re-entered the house, called the cops and stayed home until they came to pick him up.

 

[jsharmon7]

I don't think I would have gone back out to go on the bike ride after something like that happened, knowing my wife and son were still in the house. Not to mention the man is still lurking somewhere nearby and is going to be returning with the gas can. Other than that I think you did well.

 

[USMC_0311]

I don't think I would have gone back out to go on the bike ride after something like that happened, knowing my wife and son were still in the house. Not to mention the man is still lurking somewhere nearby and is going to be returning with the gas can. Other than that I think you did well.

I didn't leave them unarmed and I didn't go on the ride untill he brought my gas can back. I followed him to the car lot he said he worked for, it was about 5 miles down the road and my return trip was short. As a matter of fact I all most didn't go but I wanted to see were this guy went so I followed him.

 

[redneckmedic]

I would have re-entered the house, called the cops and stayed home until they came to pick him up.

I agree, if the G19 didn't phase him and his requests kept changing, there is something askew. His first line to you was a lie, which makes him guilty already. The only other option was to re-enter the garage with a shotgun screaming profanities ordering him to get the F*CK off you property. To make your point and now you being the aggressor with no lack of communication. However, he now knows where you live, that you have guns, and you are a softy.

Easy to armchair quarterback, but overall you did well.

 

[USMC_0311]

and you are a softy.

Easy to armchair quarterback, but overall you did well.

Easy now. I have never been accused of being a softy.

 

[2ADMNLOVER]

I think you did good for the most part . Personally , I would have refused to help him at all , made sure he left and called the cops on him .

 

[jedi]

I agree, if the G19 didn't phase him and his requests kept changing, there is something askew. His first line to you was a lie, which makes him guilty already. The only other option was to re-enter the garage with a shotgun screaming profanities ordering him to get the F*CK off you property. To make your point and now you being the aggressor with no lack of communication. However, he now knows where you live, that you have guns, and you are a softy.

Easy to armchair quarterback, but overall you did well.

<<first the joke>>
The G19 did not phase him becuase it's a plastic gun. Now had it been a 1911 well that is a different story.

<<end of joke>>
Glad to hear you & your family are OK.

--CONCERNES--
As aready stated this person now knows you have a gun. He may try to come back to steal it or come more prepared next time (though this seems more like the type that will go after easier prey).

There is no "record" of this incident for later. A phone call to the local LE would at least give you some type of "record" even if they do not come out or you report nothing. But in terms of legal issues later I'm thinking phone call. What I mean by this is say the guy comes back next week and he is armed and you defend and wound/kil him. The call this week to the cops shows a record that this person was causing trouble before. Not sure if it's needed in court (not a laywer) but the more proof on your side the better.

--LESSONS LEARNED--
- Turst those spidey senses
- Ensure everyone (of age) has a gun and can use it if need be

Thanks for the lesson.

 

[USMC_0311]

<<first the joke>>
The G19 did not phase him becuase it's a plastic gun. Now had it been a 1911 well that is a different story.

<<end of joke>>
Glad to hear you & your family are OK.

--CONCERNES--
As aready stated this person now knows you have a gun. He may try to come back to steal it or come more prepared next time (though this seems more like the type that will go after easier prey).

There is no "record" of this incident for later. A phone call to the local LE would at least give you some type of "record" even if they do not come out or you report nothing. But in terms of legal issues later I'm thinking phone call. What I mean by this is say the guy comes back next week and he is armed and you defend and wound/kil him. The call this week to the cops shows a record that this person was causing trouble before. Not sure if it's needed in court (not a laywer) but the more proof on your side the better.

--LESSONS LEARNED--
- Turst those spidey senses
- Ensure everyone (of age) has a gun and can use it if need be

Thanks for the lesson.

Good point I will make a phone call today.

 

[HandK]

Definitely call the Cops, If he was willing to do this to your neighbor’s and then you, Chances are he would do it someone else also!! He also could have a warrant, out for him that would have gotten him of the streets for a long time.

 

[JosephR]

Definitely call the Cops, If he was willing to do this to your neighbor’s and then you, Chances are he would do it someone else also!! He also could have a warrant, out for him that would have gotten him of the streets for a long time.

Well what would I have done differently? First off, I have a large bottle of wire pulling gel (lube) in my garage for the silencers. I'd have pointed to that as I ask him if he'd like to share a hit of extacy and a couple of viagra.

 

[ocsdor]

I suggest, in the future:

1. Quit giving away gas & gas cans. Instead, offer them a phone call (wireless, and outside).

2. Keep your garage & house locked-up more frequently.

3. When dealing with people like that, call the police. They'd probably like a call that is different from the usual 'domestic' calls they get.

 

[sporter]

You should have beat the tar out of him.

That scumbag was scoping things out to burglarize...

 

[wtfd661]

What I would have done is irrelevant, what you did was protect your family and made sure he was no longer around. Good for you.