@#$%%!!!

[Beaker]

My mother has this awful kid living next door in this generally criminal/dysfunctional family. He used to do odd jobs for her, until he did stuff like... stealing money from her wallet, vandalizing things when he got upset, trying to take her car for joyrides. By the time *I* was ready to hire several guys named Vinny to rearrange his bone structure, *she* was ready to fire him.

So now he's graduated to robbery. He used a copy of her key he must have made, walked in, and took better than three hundred dollars. Twice. Once while she was home. (She locked herself in her room when she heard the dogs going wild.) And has been joyriding her car.

She's called the police to "talk" to him and thinks that will be enough. I think they'll "talk", leave, and he'll take it out on her, because she's been a total pushover so far. Why would he quit and give up a handy source of income and wheels just because the cops made a mean face at him?

She doesn't have a gun, even though in her youth she was a riflery champ. She doesn't want one. She "doesn't want to shoot anybody", and thinks the cops will scare him off. :banghead:

 

[mete]

There isn't much you can do if your mother won't face reality. If you went and "talked " to him you would be the agressor and be in trouble.

 

[AZTOY]

Well i would change all the locks in the house and maybe the one in the car. You can get a new lock for the car for around 20 bucks.

Also you need to work on her about getting a shotgun!!! Befor this kid wants more than just money.
:banghead:

 

[Standing Wolf]

Your mother needs all new locks, as well as an alarm system that will make lots of noise. Personally, I think a twelve-bore alarm system would be ideal, but it's her house.

 

[10-Ring]

Yeah, new locks will do wonders & you should spend a few days w/ you mom and try to 'catch' him yourself!

 

[HBK]

Definately do something about this sooner rather than later. More like now. New locks, alarm, shotgun. If you're able, go stay with her a bit. She's your mom, follow your instincts.

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

So what, does he bring the car BACK when he's done with it? That's Grand Theft Auto last time I looked, for which people go to jail. (Unless it's in the PRK, of course.) Auto paint is GREAT for fingerprints. The cops probably know about this guy already, and would like nothing better than a chance to lock him up for real.

Treating the problem mildly will only aggravate the situation. (Appeasement worked so well in fending off WW-II) Mr. Criminal will get righteously upset at lightweight interference with his "entitlements", so I would suggest staying well away from half-measures. (DO change the locks, though.)

If he's bold enough to walk in while folks are home, he should be boldly met with the open end of a gun barrel, or given a dose of acute lead poisoning. A bigger dog with bigger teeth MIGHT be sufficeint, but I wouldn't count on it. This situation's going to go downhill FAST, with Mom being on the receiving end of some casual violence for having the unmitigated gall to suggest she SHOULDN'T support the Kid-Next-Door's budding criminal career.

Criminals don't know better than to not foul their own nests/irritate their close neighbors. Familiarity breeds contempt. Proactive Victim Refusal Therapy is indicated before feelings of denied entitlement provoke an escalation to violence.

He's getting used to an easy situation. That needs to stop NOW. Otherwise, the police will be conducting interviews for their investigation at the hospital.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Change locks and file charges yet? Get a restraining order (yep, she fears for her safety from him so why not?). Get pepper spray if she won't have a gun. Also get her a sap to wallop him after she hoses him. I wouldn't count on the spray to stop him (you can't even count on a bullet yet alone a chemical agent - unless it's mustard or chlorine gas). The Pepper spray serves only to blind, the sap to neutralize the threat. Then the cops can come to arrest him for burglary (entry into a structure with intent to commit a felony or larceny) and for violation of that restraining order. As for your mother, self defense (make sure the sap is legal - a roll of quarters in an old cotton sock works the same and it's legal).

 

[Preacherman]

I don't know how these things are handled in New Mexico, but in central and northern Louisiana, there's a time-honored tradition of "asking the officers to have a word with the man". Said word normally takes place after hours, privately, and without witnesses... not necessarily anything but words, but the opportunity is there if required. Usually resolves problems with young punks before they get out of hand. If this doesn't work, there's always the "hard" option - as in "Operator, he broke into my mom's house, and I was visiting her at the time, and I feared for my life, so..." Happens surprisingly often!

 

[Number 6]

A good dog can also do wonders to scare people away. I'm not sure how your mom feels about dogs but they are probably the next best thing to guns to keep unsavory characters away. I have two Labrador Retrievers and while they are not the most aggressive breed in the world, they are extremely loyal and possessive of their owners, and also very gentle with children. I have seen my dogs get very upset when a suspicious person has made there way near my house and if any of my family were in danger I have no doubt they would attack the bad guy in a heartbeat. Or you can get a Rottweiler which will scare anyone half to death.

 

[Ian Sean]

My parents are in thier mid-70's and my brothers and I make a point to be around as much as possible for the past 10 years or so. I even spend the night on occasion. I try to ensure I am seen by people in the neighborhood when I visit. The neighborhood isn't too bad but some crime goes on.

I think the biggest plus is that my two brothers both ride Harleys and look like cavemen. Me?, no Harley but look like a caveman.

For your situation I see things getting from bad to worse. This punk is slowly pushing the envelope further and further. Start a paper trail now with the police.

 

[Combat-wombat]

If you have guns, lend her one. Insist that she take it. Spend all the time you need to convince her that she needs self-defense! Use Oleg's site! Do it before your mom becomes a victim.

 

[Zundfolge]

I'm going to disagree with the "give her a gun" crowd.

If she's not willing to press serious charges against this kid, she's probably also not likely to pull the trigger on him if she had to.


Give her a gun and you will probably just end up giving this kid a gun.

 

[Tamara]

If she gets a gun and doesn't keep it on her 24/7, he'll just steal it, too.

 

[seeker_two]

Since she's not committed to defending herself or her home from this punk, I think giving her a gun may put her in more danger.

However, you could leave your car at home & stay w/ your mom for a night or two....

The little wouldn't even have to know about you being there...until he decides to come over. Then you could "introduce" yourself...

 

[Zedicus]

The little wouldn't even have to know about you being there...until he decides to come over. Then you could "introduce" yourself...

.....Don't forget to also introduce mr 12ga or mr DE .50AE.....and if he's a real good boy the local PD.

 

[George Hill]

 

[SodaPop]

LOL!!

 

[veloce851]

That's Grand Theft Auto last time I looked, for which people go to jail. (Unless it's in the PRK, of course.)

Not just PRK that GTA is worthless. Years ago my parents van was stolen right out of the driveway in the daylight.. and was found a week or so later. "Used hard and put away wet" of course (even left a used provolactic in it )

Anyways the cops told them even if they caught them in the van. It would just be "joyriding" which is a misdemeanor. They would have to sell it out for parts or try and sell it period to consider it GTA.

(personally I think my parents made the mistake of not insisting on a new van. Instead they took it back and of course had mechanical problems till its demise.)

 

[foghornl]

Looks like lots of sage advice here...changer locks, alarms & lights, loud dogs, etc.

Also, Mr. Hills' graphics are spot on, if need be....

 

[2nd Amendment]

Must be a LOT of regional variation on auto theft charges. Btw, GTA is only in cases where the vehicle crosses state lines, IIRC. Anyway, I have had three cars stolen in my life, one that crossed state lines to Vegas. All three have resulted in felony convictions, two plea bargained down to a lessser felony and one straight up. It's definitely worth at least pursuing since even if they won't charge him with a felony any young punk probably thinks it's a felony and should be suitably terrified.

 

[hso]

"awful kid living next door in this generally criminal/dysfunctional family"

Is the kid's family likely to pose a threat if the kid is prosecuted? Have they stolen anything from her? Why not? If he's the only one then the intermediate measures might work. How old is he?

Change the locks on vehicle and home, but the proximity of these folks can't be ignored.

If there's no way to get the nasty neighbors to go away then try to get your mom to move. This is the reality of the situation. If she can't keep him off her property and the LEOs can't warn him off then she needs to get away from the problem.

 

[ojibweindian]

I think there are three options;
1. You move in
2. Your mother moves out
3. Your mother ends up getting hurt.

Insisting that she takes one of your guns, given she stated that "I don't want to shoot anyone", is not a great idea; she doesn't have the mindset needed to use one therefore, as other posters to this thread have stated, it will either be stolen or used against her.

Get her out of that house, or move in, or get someone mean to move in with her. Otherwise...