Gun-toting resident holds alleged burglar for police

[Common Sense Party]

http://www.ultimatekaty.com/stories/234127-gun-toting-resident-holds-alleged-burglar-for-katy-police

A Katy teenager is facing a burglary of a motor vehicle charge after a gun-toting WoodCreek Reserve resident saw a man going through a neighbor's car and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

{snip}

The neighbor confronted the suspect and made a citizen's arrest, said Asst. Chief Tim Tyler. A wallet, camera and Ipod were among items removed from the vehicle. Tackett was taken to the Fort Bend County jail on the Class A misdemeanor charge.

{snip}

"I think everybody has a right to defend their property," Tyler said when asked about the neighbor's use of a gun in the incident. "I don't tell people to take the law into their own hands, but if it hadn't been for the neighbor, the guy wouldn't have gotten caught.

"At least they're taking care of their neighbors," Tyler added.

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. The guy should have walked away

No way would she have shot him for petty theft.

[Common Sense Party]

3. Criminals--especially teenaged criminals--aren't the brightest.

[GreenStormCloud]

4. Are you willing to bet your life that she would not shoot?

Granted that she should not shoot if he walks away. I once had a burglar set his stuff down and calmly walk away from me and my .45. I didn't shoot. But if you are the kid in question and you guess wrong the downside is pretty bad. Best bet on continued breathing is to stand still and wait for the cops.

[Common Sense Party]

5. The neighbor may have been a "he," rather than a "she."

I don't think the article specifies.

Whether a he or a she, the neighbor must have been pretty convincing.

[Cronus Protagonist]

6. Standing still with a weapon pointed at you is the WORST place in the world

Every step away from it is a step towards freedom. Stand still and you're more likely to have bad things happen. It's a no brainer. Also, the cops come after you're gone.

[Atypical Liberal]

7. "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

I suppose he could have rolled the dice.

[Common Sense Party]

2. I'm surprised at how supportive the Assistant Chief is about the use

of the firearm, but you never know if the burglar has a deadly weapon, and there's no way the kid would have stayed put if the neighbor hadn't had some sort of leverage.