This evening I was at Wal-Mart, and between the time I entered and left, some bozo tried to steal a bunch of DVDs and a bicycle, basically by muscling past the greeter (read: knocking down) at the garden center entrance. A couple of customers apparently chased him down and held him for police, who were still talking to him out in the parking lot when I left.
Not that I had the chance this time, but if it were me, I would not have given chase. Not because I don't think the perp doesn't deserve to get caught, but for one primary and at least one secondary reason. Primary: I was carrying, and I refuse to introduce a gun into a simple shoplifting case. Secondary: I saw the suspect across the parking lot. Mid to late 20s, about 5'10", muscled. Me, I'm 5'8", am nearer 50 than 45, and do not work out with weights or punching bags. Not sure what shape the customers who caught him are in.
Given the same scenario, what would you do and why?
And then I got to thinking, what if instead of a shoplifting he snatched my wife's purse, with all her keys and ID? Then I'd probably give chase, because now the perp has our address and access to our house.
Not that I had the chance this time, but if it were me, I would not have given chase. Not because I don't think the perp doesn't deserve to get caught, but for one primary and at least one secondary reason. Primary: I was carrying, and I refuse to introduce a gun into a simple shoplifting case. Secondary: I saw the suspect across the parking lot. Mid to late 20s, about 5'10", muscled. Me, I'm 5'8", am nearer 50 than 45, and do not work out with weights or punching bags. Not sure what shape the customers who caught him are in.
Given the same scenario, what would you do and why?
And then I got to thinking, what if instead of a shoplifting he snatched my wife's purse, with all her keys and ID? Then I'd probably give chase, because now the perp has our address and access to our house.