Here's a D A of the Day story for ya.

[Picknlittle]

Patrolling deputy spots truck-ramming burglary
Surveillance tape shows truck ram into Allen's Gun Shop
By TAVIA D. GREEN
The Leaf-Chronicle

It's not every day a burglar breaks into a store by smashing his truck into a building. It's even more rare for an officer to catch such a burglar in the act.

Deputy Kelly Potter was doing routine patrol Saturday night at about 10:30 when he noticed vandalism damage to Allen's Gun Shop at 925 Dover Road.

Then, according to a Montgomery County Sheriff's Office report, Potter saw Donald Michael Richardson, 55, climbing out of a man-made hole in front of the store, carrying three World War II rifles.

Richardson, who gave police a 1222 Cedar St. address, was arrested.

Surveillance tapes showed him ramming his 1988 Mazda pickup into the front window of the gun shop twice to create the hole.

"In 30 years of law enforcement, I can count on one hand how many times we've rolled onto the scene when the criminal is on the scene or in the building," said Sheriff's Office spokesman Ted Denny.

"It shows our officers are alert and on the job trying to protect the public and their property."

James Allen, owner of the gun shop, said Richardson had visited the store several times and had once asked about the value of the collectible rifles that hung behind the counter.

Allen has been in business for six years and open at the Dover Road location for 3 1/2 years. He said this was his first burglary.

He is now having concrete poles installed in front of the store to prevent another incident.

Allen said the collectibles weren't as valuable as other guns in the store. He said he suspects Richardson was going back for more when the deputy arrived.

Allen said he'll get his guns back in a few days, but the value of the M1 Garand, 1903A3 rifle and the Savage Enfield rifle have decreased, as they were scratched during the break-in.

Damages to the building were estimated at $5,000, according to the report.

Richardson was taken to Gateway Medical Center for minor cuts on his hands and wrist before being taken to jail. He was charged with burglary, public intoxication and driving without a license. His bail was set at $51,000.

Richardson goes to court Tuesday at 9 a.m, on the traffic and public intoxication charges and will appear on Jan. 15 on the burglary charge.

 

[MakAttak]

And here's the perfect example of why you can't rely on the police to save you:

"In 30 years of law enforcement, I can count on one hand how many times we've rolled onto the scene when the criminal is on the scene or in the building," said Sheriff's Office spokesman Ted Denny."

Not their fault, it's just THAT RARE for someone to be able to show up before it's all over.

 

[Fly320s]

Agreed.

This is a funny bit of a disconnect in the article.

"In 30 years of law enforcement, I can count on one hand how many times we've rolled onto the scene when the criminal is on the scene or in the building," said Sheriff's Office spokesman Ted Denny.

"It shows our officers are alert and on the job trying to protect the public and their property."

Basically, is says "Our officers are here to protect you. So what if we can only stop 1% of the crime, we are trying."

Now, I'm not saying the police don't do their job. I am saying the same thing MakAttak said: the police can't protect everyone, all the time.

 

[ilbob]

I bet that admission by the spokesman was unintentional.

 

[MakAttak]

I bet that admission by the spokesman was unintentional

And all the more truthful for its sponteneity.

 

[RLsnow]

still, we can all appreciate a little accidental truth

 

[wheelgunslinger]

On the other side of the coin, he's saying that his department is glad they got lucky and happened upon the scene. And, while it may be rare, they'll take luck any time they get it. That's how I read it, anyway.
I bet the shop owner is pretty happy.
Maybe it's a bummer for the owner though since insurance would have payed for the loss, but now he takes a loss from the damage because the weapons were recovered... how off is that?
But, the bad guy is in jail and another old Garand doesn't have to get destroyed.

 

[NG VI]

incredible