What would you do?

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cpaspr

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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.
 
How can I say this....

I am not bashing Walmart or any other establishment. However, I am not their security department. Considering that they have millions of dollars in theft annually, it isn't something to risk life (yours, theirs, or others) over-- accidents do happen.

I may choose to defend MY property, and I am certain to come to the aid of a person in danger. I, however, have no intention of doing so for a corporation.


-- John
 
I'm not risking my bodily health or my financial health to keep someone from stealing from Wal-Mart.

To defend the worker I might take a chance, but not for product.
 
I agree with kingpin. Unless he's physically hurting someone, or is showing the intent and ability to do so, it isn't your corporation.
 
Total agreement with everything that the other posters have already said, defend people yes! uncaring corporations no! ( would Walmart care if someone stole from your property? )
 
The Wal-Mart here doesn't go after people when the alarm leaving the store goes off so why should I? Now if the person was committing an assault on someone then I would step in and help.
 
The greeter at Wally World always looks like they are trying to fill the gap left by their social security check. If they really wanted to stop this kind of thing they would look like the bouncer at the local stab and jab. If no one is being hurt why open yourself up to liability issues by helping where your help is not wanted?
 
Okay, the replies so far are unanimous. Stay out of it, it's Wal-Mart's problem unless someone is being physically assaulted.

Now, about the second question. Would you give pursuit if it was your wife's purse that was snatched?
 
Yes, I'd chase after the bastige in that case. Having said that, he better hope that *I* catch him before my OL does. I'd just work him over some while she'd stomp him down into pulp and bad dreams.

Biker
 
ME? bad ankle so I am not going to catch em, not going to risk a knife in the ribs for Wally's stuff anyway. If he is/has assulting another is hurting someone or just happens to come my way I am gonna use whatever is handy to lay that sucker out. If you steal from me and I can get my hands you or better anything else I can pick up on ya, short of killing you or a bullet I will. Simple rules from a simple guy..
 
Since he was stealing from a store that I have no connection with, I just would have kept out of it.

Unless he started hitting the greeter or some other person that couldn't really defend themselves very well, I'm not going to get involved in a situation that isn't any of my business.

Now if he had of attacked some innocent person that wasn't able to defend themselves (like a woman, an elderly person, a teenager or a child), I would have pepper sprayed him and punched, elbowed, kicked, used my knees and gouged him until he quit fighting and waited for the cops to come arrest him. But I'm not going to just sit there and watch some innocent person get attacked in front of me while I do nothing, it's just not in me, especially if the guy looks like a scumbag and I can see how is started from the get go.

If he's just running out of the store with Wal Mart property, like the other guy above me said, I'm not the Wal Mart security guard, I've got to pick and choose my battles and to me, that isn't worth the potential trouble that it could bring from an injury or legal problems. If the thief knocked the greeter down and injured him on his way out the door because he was in a really big hurry, since I'm an EMT, I'd be more inclined to try and get EMS and Fire on the way to get him some medical attention and to see what I could do for him until they get there.

It sucks and I don't like seeing thieves get away, but in the age of twisted PC morals and increasing civil liability, let Wal Mart worry about their own property by getting insurance or hiring security guards, I'm not going to do it for them. To me, you would be well advised to just stay out of it regardless of your size. I'm a pretty big guy, I've been in some fights and I've been trained pretty well in kick boxing and I would have stayed out of it just because I have to worry about the well being of MY family. If I'm hurt or if I lose my job because I allowed myself to get into a minor scuffle and I get charged with something, what are they going to do about the morgage, the car payment, medical insurance payment and all the other bills without me as a provider?

If I see someone being hurt, I'll risk the potential legal and civil consequences, but if it's just property and it isn't mine or the property of someone I care about, screw it, I'm not getting involved no matter what.
 
I am no longer a cop. I don't chase ANYONE.

There is no piece of property, other than my home, that I will break a nail defending. Wal Mart, Quicky Mart, Insert Name Here Mart...they are insured.

I will, however, be a good witness.

My family, on the other hand, will be defended by any and all means at my disposal...usually that means a Glock 21.

....anyone dumb enough to try snatching my 6'1" wife's purse is taking his life into his hands!
 
I'll vote with the majority. WalMart's property isn't my problem, nobodies is for that matter. I'll intervene only if there is a threat of injury to me or somebody else, up to and including shooting if the situation warrants. I don't tolerate people brutalizing those who can't defend themselves. I can, and I'll be happy to take their "tag".

Anyhow, as for if it was my wifes purse, If I could get ahold of him, god help him, but I'm fat and slow so it's doubtful I'd catch him, but I'd try.
 
Walmart is not my problem. But your second point is very valid regarding the purse. Also if like many women that is where her phone is he now by looking them up on 'net visit others. A phone number such as Momhome is a prime canidate for this.
 
I'm not the Wal Mart security guard, I've got to pick and choose my battles and to me, that isn't worth the potential trouble that it could bring from an injury or legal problems.
Click to expand...

I could not agree more! We all have to pick our battles. Walmart could sue you because you intervened and their policy could be "let them go". I feel it is my duty as a human being to protect people, not property in many cases. If a woman is being hurt, I may very well jump in. Depending upon what state I'm in because Ohio has some VERY strange laws on drawing a gun and using deadly force.
 
First I thought it was sad that nobody would stop a thief. Forgive if the sounds corny but, it reminded me of Spiderman. Let a criminal go because its "not my store" or "he didn't hurt anybody" means he will just steal or hurt somebody else later, maybe somebody you know. Criminals don't just stop, expecealy when everyone gets out of their way, it just embodens them. What is sad is that there are very good reasons not to stop them, ie: cops could arrest you, crook could sue you, you could get hurt, all of the above. The fact that there are presidence for arrests and lawsuits tells me that the Bad Guys are winning.
 
if he hurt the greeter he gets hurt and i count knocking her down as being hurt.
as to law suits you gotta communicate with the guy. sometimes being cray isn't all bad. make him not want to make him understand the depth of your feelings
 
question guys, why do you seem to think/feel that we should play cop just because we have 12 rounds of hydrashok on our hip? Attempting to help in this situation is agaisnt most state laws concerning the use of a carry gun, even if you never pull it out. Arent i right on that?
 
Several years and three girlfriends ago, I did stop a guy from getting away. He was accused of shoplifting at a mall. I was their with a ladyfriend and her nephew. I heard shouts and running feet a few stores down and herded said girl type friend and young boy back into the doorway of the store we just left. I turned in time to see a young man looking to break the land speed record for sprinting in baggy pants. He was moving! The rent-a-cops were in hot pursuit, but starting to flag and lose ground. I still don't know what compelled me to do it, but I stuck my leg out and the alleged criminal actually tripped. That gave the rent-a-cops just enough time to pounce on him and put the hurt on him.

That being said, I don't think I would actively chase someone down for shoplifting. I am not a LEO, nor do I play one on T.V. That whole tripping incident was blind luck. Right place at the right time. I may follow someone out the door and be a good witness as they teach in Texas CHL classes. Get a description and license plate ## if I can.

If it was my wife's purse, all bets are off. I'll do what I can to stop that guy.
 
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