Watching a break in on your car

[Waterfish88]

So a friend of mine was watching a break in happen on his work van. He was watching it happen on his security cams. He called the police and they got there 10 later and obviously the perp left already.

My question is: what CAN you do? Obviously if he went out there with a firearm, wouldn't he putting himself in the situation where he has to use it? Just wondering what can be done? Thanks.

[Bill67]

Best way to play that is watch and call. Why put yourself in harms way for objects from your work van? They can be replaced.

[customloaded]

If you read PA LAW, you will find that non deadly force may be used to protect property. It's been cited on this website a bunch of times.

Could he walk out with a gun? Yes, but not waiving it around, pointing it at the guy, or threatening to shoot/kill him. A plainly visible, holstered sidearm would be fine in conjunction with verbal demands for the property thief to stop his crime in progress.

Now, is this the best course of action? Several factors play into that question. The biggest, what jurisdiction did this crime take place? Township and County because how the cops react and the willingness of a DA to prosecute you, the good guy victim, are the two biggest, IMO. Delaware Country? I would just sit and watch. More rural county, I would use non-deadly force to stop the property theft.

CL

[streaker69]

I believe firing a couple of blasts from a shotgun off your balcony is the appropriate response.

[HiredGoon]

I believe firing a couple of blasts from a shotgun off your balcony is the appropriate response.

Or go and pee on them.

[customloaded]

Best way to play that is watch and call. Why put yourself in harms way for objects from your work van? They can be replaced.

Must be one hell of a company. My experience is the tools are the employees and the employee uses the provided work van. The "COMPANY" won't pay for nor will insurance to replace the stolen tools or equipment.

Kinda hard to make a living when your living making equipment worth several thousands of dollars is gone. I don't know to many guys who can just whip out a couple grand to replace tools in a couple hours. They won't have that work van very long since you Can't Work!

CL

[Waterfish88]

If you read PA LAW, you will find that non deadly force may be used to protect property. It's been cited on this website a bunch of times.

Could he walk out with a gun? Yes, but not waiving it around, pointing it at the guy, or threatening to shoot/kill him. A plainly visible, holstered sidearm would be fine in conjunction with verbal demands for the property thief to stop his crime in progress.

Now, is this the best course of action? Several factors play into that question. The biggest, what jurisdiction did this crime take place? Township and County because how the cops react and the willingness of a DA to prosecute you, the good guy victim, are the two biggest, IMO. Delaware Country? I would just sit and watch. More rural county, I would use non-deadly force to stop the property theft.

CL

This was in philadelphia... Wha wha wha. Guess he just has to sit and watch.

[Mitch10mm]

From experience insurance will recoup replacement value. Listen to what 911 tells you to do. Otherwise whatever happens is now your fault.

Sorry, not replacement value. They deduct for wear and tear

[ungawa]

From experience insurance will recoup replacement value. Listen to what 911 tells you to do. Otherwise whatever happens is now your fault.

He listened. His tools are gone. That's now his fault.

911 doesn't give a shit about you or your tools. Listen to them at your peril.

[Mitch10mm]

He listened. His tools are gone. That's now his fault.

911 doesn't give a shit about you or your tools. Listen to them at your peril.

I know. Poor attemp at relating to Zimmerman and his detractors