Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 17889

I was leaving my building this morning and walking to the bus stop on the corner when I heard the unmistakable sound of glass breaking. I thought perhaps that someone was dumping bottles into the dumpster behind Market BBQ, which is a common sound in that block, but it sounded slightly different and was obviously only one piece of glass. I looked to my left at the parking lot as I passed, and there was one car (what looked to me like a Dodge Intrepid) with a stocky, hispanic man with a moustache and short, wavy black hair wearing a yellow and purple Vikings jersey standing on the other side next to the passenger side, rear window. He just stared at me and remained still. I stood there and stared back for about a good ten seconds without doing anything and then moved on past the corner of the building and out of his view. I pulled my cell phone out of my pack and turned it on. I was still debating on whether to walk back by and see if I could catch him getting into the car, but this guy was pretty big and perhaps a bit desperate. I saw the bus coming and hopped on before I called 911. As the bus got about a block away we passed the guy again, so obviously it wasn't his car I had seen him standing next to. I reported it and gave a description of the man and my phone number and name.

The cops showed up at my office with the guy in the back seat, and I ID'd him on the spot. There was no mistaking that this was the guy. They got all my info once again and said that the car belonged to someone who was cleaning at the restaurant and had left a $5 bill on the dashboard. The thief had busted out the window with a large rock. He had the $5 bill in his pocket and little else and was giving numerous excuses.

Now, I have a lengthy history with law enforcement, mostly on the other end of it. But I have never been a thief and have a strong gut reaction to folks who do that for some reason. It just violates my standards of measure in some way. All the same, I've never been big on callin the cops about anything. Not only that, this guy without much to lose now knows who I am and where I live and work. I'm assuming that all of that is now a matter of public record if he's resourceful enough to find it. And he looked me square in the eye from both the parking lot and the back seat of the cop car a few feet away, so he's got as positive an ID on me as I did on him. And he ain't no lightweight. Still, the idea of an ass-kickin never has been much of a deterrent to me ever. I just didn't know if I wanted to mess for one thing. And I never know what I'm triggering in my life when I take a pro-active move like that. There is the law of unintended consequences to take into account.

I honestly didn't give it a lot of thought, and I didn't really hesitate more than just a few moments, so I guess I acted like a citizen. That in itself is different for me. But I think either option has its merits.

My question is, what would you do and why?

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 5131

I plead the fifth.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Posts: 18823

You did the right thing.
This is coming from someone who has been a recent victim of theft.
I doubt you have anything to worry about from the guy.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: California
Posts: 4252

I agree, you did the right thing.

You would have kicked yourself later if you hadn't.

What a jerk, broke a $200 window to get a $5 bill.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: The land beyond your nightmares
Posts: 404

personal if i knew I had to ID the guy I wouldn't do anything.. around here if you call the cops on someone and they know or find out that its you.. you can just kiss your ass good bye.. But If I didn't have to live in fear.. Hell yea I would call the cops.. and I glad that there are people like you out there.. You really did the right thing

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The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven. John Milton

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Oakland-ish
Posts: 6032

you did the right thing. and you're a big scary looking guy, he won't mess with you.

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 17889

Well, he apparently lives in my area, cuz he was on foot. And they brought him to my office in the back of the car. And I glared him right back and didn't flinch. But none of that's a guarantee of not seein him again. Still, that wasn't my major consideration at the time. I just couldn't stand the idea of someone doin that right outside my bedroom window. If offended me.

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Registered: Sep 2001
Location: ........
Posts: 14954

Sucks big time that people would consider not reporting a crime due to fear of repercussions.

That law has to be changed. Is it not possible to report crimes in progress anonymously?

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Rio de los Brazos de Dios
Posts: 3876

But if it was an anonymous tip the cops wouldn't have a case. They have to have a witness who will testify or the guy will walk.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: The land beyond your nightmares
Posts: 404

I have reported crimes in Chicago and towns around me.. But just not in Gary.. I've know alot of people that have gottin shot and even killed because they called the cops... I know its bad but I feel my life is worth more then a car or even 5 bucks

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Delaware
Posts: 5704

Ya done good, Muggie.

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Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Hey, if he's desperate enough to break into a car for a fiver, I would have to guess he was high off his ass. He probably won't remember he was arrested, never mind what you look like

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Beyond Mason-Dixon Line
Posts: 16165

quote:

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Originally posted by JoeyCat
Ya done good, Muggie.

---

Yeah, Muggington. In fact, based upon the opinions I've formed of you over time, I doubt you hesitated more'n a second or two with your decision.

Of course, next time you could just give 'im a good ol' countryboy ass whoopin'.

Amen.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Zion
Posts: 4444

Chances are pretty good that even though he got a good look at you, he won't remember who you are. Both times he saw you he was pretty preoccupied.

I actually turned in a neighbor once for spouse abuse. Next door neighbor. He knew it was me and never once came to discuss it with me after serving his time. Apparently it was explained to him that if he so much as discussed the case with me it was witness tampering and that carries a huge penalty.

It was scary as hell, but I'd do it again in a second.

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Colorado
Posts: 441

i would have done the same thing Mug..if it was my car being broken into I would hope if someone saw it they would do the same thing...its pretty stupid of them to bring him to where u work tho...ive done that in the past and ill do it again if need be..and if they come looking for me they'll get a bat upside the dome.

and if it was any kind of abuse situation as CD mentioned..i would DEFINITLY call and press any kind of charges i could...

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: I don't fukn' know!
Posts: 5137

I have done the same thing.

I figure, what would I have wanted done if someone saw somebody breaking in to my car?

If we don't look out for each other, then who will?

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Lat: 43° 42' 0 N, Long: 79° 34' 0 W
Posts: 2820

I would probably do the same. God knows I've been witnesses for many car accidents.

This being said, I know someone who decided not to report the crime. My cousin's best friend and ex were walking from his street to the video store. Apparently two people came up to him, one of the boys sort of slapping his back. The two girls figured he knew them and thought nothing of it. Somehow, they ended up walking about 1/4 block ahead of him. The little creatins came up to him and demanded his wallet. He said no, and got sucker punched in the face.

My cousin wanted to report it to the cops, but he didn't because they were a part of a gang. He figured cutting his losses was better than being hounded by little juvies for who knows how long? Since he didn't report it, despite her very accurate and detailed ID, she had nothing to report (no crime, no report, no eye-witness).

I would have to say, in a gang situation (which is getting progressively worse in toronto), I would not report something. This is sad... and I'm not proud to admit it, but I would really be too scared.

I'll look out for a lot of people, but I'll take care of myself and worry about my best interests before I worry about everyone else. I suppose this is survival of the fittest at its worst.

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 17889

I had a dream last night about driving across Canada to Montreal. I'm heading there in September. And then I'm going to the UK sometime around November. This dream was long and vivid and involved, but I'm not sure what it was about. Perhaps it's just something I ate. I don't need a passport to go to Canada, do I? I'm sure I don't, but I'll need one for the UK. I know it's a bit early, but I'm wondering if someone in the UK can put me up on their sofa or even their floor. I'm all about traveling, but I'd rather not book hotel rooms if I know someone there. I'll buy my own food. I just need a place to rest my weary head. I might as well commit to it now, so I don't lose the impetus and die in wretched obscurity somewhere in the American midwest. Any of you Brits live near London?

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 17889

Spain comes next. Right after Xmas. I'm not fluent in either Espanol or Brit talk. I may have to put a name tag on my shirt and just look helpless.

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 17889

Oh, and I'm spending at least one night in Toronto when I go to Canada. I know someone in Mississauga that I have to see when I'm there.

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Texas
Posts: 2593

Thanks for being there for me Mugtoe.....................

I know. It wasn't MY car, but it could've been. You are a great guy Mugsy. *HUGS*

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Registered: Oct 2001
Location:
Posts: 17889

Call me Mugtoe the Vigilant

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