Car Owner Chases and shoots at a Car thief

[TheBigBulgarian]

http://www.nbc10.com/news/5540894/detail.html

PHILADELPHIA -- A car theft sent a car into a North Philadelphia house, two people into police custody and the suspected car thief home after being released from a hospital.
Police said it all started Wednesday night when the driver of a Buick started driving erratically down Rockland and a man driving a GMC Jimmy started chasing after the Buick.

The Buick crashed into Earl Smith's house at 9th and Rockland, and once the Buick crashed, the GMC driver fired shots at the Buick driver, hitting him in the arm.

"I was in the house holding my kids and the car came flying, just boom, and real loud noise, you know. (I) jumped up, and I was holding my kids and making sure the kids were fine," Smith said.

Smith said what happened next was terrifying.

"We heard the gunfire," Smith said.

Police said the GMC driver owns the Buick and was chasing after his own car to catch the man in the process of stealing it.

The shooting victim and suspected car thief was released from the hospital and is not facing charges right now as police try to sort out exactly what happened.

The driver of the GMC and a passenger do face charges. Apparently, they did not have licenses to carry a gun.
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Why did they shoot? Could have just follow while on phone with police.
Maybe the thief showed a gun? It doesn't say in the article.

 

[Preacherman]

Cowboys in Philadelphia???

 

[Igloodude]

The "suspected car thief" is NOT facing charges?

 

[Chipperman]

Well they feel bad that he was shot in the arm, so they won't charge him with any crimes.

 

[Carlos]

God, we're living in Bizzaro World!!!!! :banghead:

 

[agricola]

So you are sat at home, drinking a beer and watching your kids annoy the pet when all of a sudden some fool crashes in through your front window in a Buick, then some other fool pops off a few rounds at the first fool as he extricates himself from his car and your house.

I would have thought charges all round, myself - assuming that shooting both parties isnt an option.

 

[RangerHAAF]

I hope that the legislators are thinking "castle doctrine" after this incident but I'd be surprised. Unlike NY and MA, there are some common sense minded people who live in PA that believe in a citizen's right of self defense.

 

[Chipperman]

Actually, MA has Castle Doctrine

 

[Carl N. Brown]

take a cold look at these circumstances

Chasing a car thief and shooting at the thief?
This violates a lot of things I was taught when
getting certified for handgun carry permit.
You use lethal force only to save life or limb
from imminent harm. You don't pursue a fleeing
thief and use lethal force to protect a car, even
a nice Buick. If an innocent third party was hostage
you might be justified in hot pursuit.

Earl Smith had the justification to answer both the
idiot in the stolen Buick and the two in the GMC Jimmy
for invading his home and reckless endangerment,
in my layman's opinion. Smith is the endangered and
damaged party here.

 

[Oldtimer]

Car thief goes free? Car owner gets charged? Something wrong with that picture! While I can understand WHY the owner/shooter is being charged, there still was a car THIEF that didn't get away!

Several years ago, a car owner spotted HIS car being driven by a total stranger. The car owner was a police officer, and on-duty in a police vehicle when he saw his car speeding away from the police station parking lot. The officer radio'ed in that he was following a stolen vehicle, and gave the license plate to the police dispatcher. "That license plate doesn't show it as a stolen vehicle", the dispatcher stated. "It's an un-reported stolen vehicle....it's MY car!", the officer exclaimed.

A short vehicle pursuit ensued, and the officer yelled, "Don't shoot at the CAR! It's MINE!" over the radio. Fortunately, the car thief couldn't drive worth beans, and pulled to the curb. He WAS charged with the theft of the vehicle!

 

[insidious_calm]

Shouldn't have shot.....

I don't believe that he should have shot. That said, those of you saying he had no right to chase the punk down are part of the problem. The guy has a right to prevent the theft of his property, and to recover said property if it is stolen. My property is MY PROPERTY. Car theft is a felony in my state, making a citizens arrest legal in this situation. Based on the limited information we have, I cannot say that the shooting was justified. Up until that point his actions were ok.

I'm simply amazed sometimes at people here. Some of you would let some thug walk off with everything you care about because of your "only the police are professional enough....." attitudes . People have no respect for personal property anymore. Not thugs, nor politicicians. That attitude is why. If you think like that you are part of the problem. I maintain that I have a right to protect my person and my property even by force. Actions have consequences, words have meaning. Don't want to get shot over a car? Don't try to steal mine. That doesn't make me judge, jury, and executioner. It makes me the defender of my person and property as is my god given and constitutional right to do so.

Making nicey nice with bad people does not work. Referrence the war in Iraq. This new political correct BS some of you are pushing makes me sick. "Just be nice to the school bully Timmy. Let him have your lunch money and go tell the principal." :banghead: Yeah, that's what I'm gonna teach my kid..... Grow a pair. Try standing up for yourself once in awhile. /rantoff



I.C.