Iraq War Veteran Holds Burglary Suspect at Gunpoint

[Jumping Frog]

From Evansville IN: Iraq War Veteran Holds Burglary Suspect at Gunpoint Until Police Arrive

His neighbor called him at work and let him know he was being burglarized. He drove home and detained the suspect until police arrived.

Some nitwit police department spokeswoman gave the typical, “It was great that it turned out the way it did, but there were so many potential problems, it’s scary to think how it could have turned out,”

[Keith B]

From Evansville IN: Iraq War Veteran Holds Burglary Suspect at Gunpoint Until Police Arrive

His neighbor called him at work and let him know he was being burglarized. He drove home and detained the suspect until police arrived.

Some nitwit police department spokeswoman gave the typical, “It was great that it turned out the way it did, but there were so many potential problems, it’s scary to think how it could have turned out,”

I have to agree with the police spokesperson. Why didn't the neighbor or the guy call the police when they guy was breaking in, instead of him driving home first and catching the guy, THEN calling the police? Not a smart move to go into a situation like that. Unless you are in danger, let the police handle it. So, glad it worked out th way it did, but there were so many potential problems, it's scary to think how it could have turned out.

[Jumping Frog]

As quickly as he got there, what if he lived 5 minutes from home and police response is 30-45 minutes? There are a lot of places in this country where there is no way the police are able to be there in time to stop anything. I don't blame police -- that is just the truth in the matter.

If it was me, I'd call the police. But this case is different. He was Special Forces in Iraq. Not only was he trained to clear houses, he would have had a lot of experience clearing hostile houses there. If he wanted to take that on, I figure he has earned the right to do so.

[v-rog]

"A+" for the combat vet, "F-" for the burgler!

[Mr.ViperBoa]

I dont have a problem with the idea that he should have called the police but I do have a problem with the spokes person saying all the negatives she did. He may have been able to get there faster and who knows what the call load is like there. I know when I lived in Dallas I had 3 guys at gun point who tried to jump me in an apartment complex parking lot, and I was there for over an hour holding them because the call load was so high for DPD. Great job by the ARMY of one!

[speedsix]

...we're told the police have no legal responsibility to protect us, then the police badmouth us when we act lawfully to protect ourselves and say we should have called the police...if it's my house, it's my business...if I can handle it without them, I'll call them to write the report...having been one, I don't like the way a lot of 'em respond...I've called police on a burglar in a business, told them that he broke open the back door and went in...flagged them down as they were driving by outside...they denied getting a call...told them that the burglar was in there working on a coke machine...and they went up and rattled the front door...both of them...scaring him so that he ran out the back door and towards me, who made an unfriendly gesture and he changed directions...he changed directions and was gone...I looked up the report later and it was about three sentences...lacking pertinent details...too many cases like this one involving residences and businesses...the guy did well and showed professionalism and admirable restraint...he gets an A+...

[Keith B]

I still disagree. Even as a special forces person and trained, unless you are there in the home at the time, a call to the police should be the FIRST thing that is done. The police can respond with multiple units in case there are multiple BG's. We are not police, and walking into a potentially deadly situation when you are not at risk of serious injury or death in the first place, even if you are trained, is just a bad idea.

Now, calling police on the way, then arriving at the home and waiting OUTSIDE, then stopping the guy as he came out before police arrive would be a different thing. But, going in to clear the house/apartment yourself is just dumb idea, trained or not.

[Purplehood]

I still disagree. Even as a special forces person and trained, unless you are there in the home at the time, a call to the police should be the FIRST thing that is done. The police can respond with multiple units in case there are multiple BG's. We are not police, and walking into a potentially deadly situation when you are not at risk of serious injury or death in the first place, even if you are trained, is just a bad idea.

Now, calling police on the way, then arriving at the home and waiting OUTSIDE, then stopping the guy as he came out before police arrive would be a different thing. But, going in to clear the house/apartment yourself is just dumb idea, trained or not.

When we were trained for house-to-house entry (Urban Combat), we never went in alone. That is not part of the training.

[paulhailes]

He quickly drove home, grabbed a handgun from his car and went inside to catch a man near his son’s bedroom

The article doesn't specify but if your son was asleep in his room, would it change your mind on not going home?

[v-rog]

The police were called...just a little after he detained the suspect!

[Keith B]

He quickly drove home, grabbed a handgun from his car and went inside to catch a man near his son’s bedroom

The article doesn't specify but if your son was asleep in his room, would it change your mind on not going home?

I never said don't go home. And, we can play what-if's all day, but it would not change the order in which I would do things. I would still call the police or have the neighbor do it. And, once I got there I would make all attempts to make sure my son was safe, but might not enter depending on if I thought I may put him in more danger than he already is.

So, still, call the police and let them handle it unless you feel there is a more urgent need to protect life, not property.

[speedsix]

I still disagree. Even as a special forces person and trained, unless you are there in the home at the time, a call to the police should be the FIRST thing that is done. The police can respond with multiple units in case there are multiple BG's. We are not police, and walking into a potentially deadly situation when you are not at risk of serious injury or death in the first place, even if you are trained, is just a bad idea.

Now, calling police on the way, then arriving at the home and waiting OUTSIDE, then stopping the guy as he came out before police arrive would be a different thing. But, going in to clear the house/apartment yourself is just dumb idea, trained or not.

...we're gonna disagree on this for sure...it's my house, whether or not my family's in there...I know the house better, I know what's in there that he might have gotten ahold of...I (and, for SURE this guy in the story) have plenty of training and experience...on at least 6 occasions where I have called police on a burglar alarm going off at a residence ONE unit with ONE officer showed up...on three of them, he NEVER entered/cleared the house...in Dallas it's been 20-30 mins. and the alarm had already reset...much quicker in smaller cities...to me, sitting outside while he did whatever he wanted to do inside to and with anyone who was home just isn't gonna happen...the highly efficient SWAT teams we see on TV haven't shown to be nearly as effective in many home invasion/hostage situations in the Dallas area...if a man wants to protect his own property, he has both the right and authority to do so...and calling him (me) dumb just doesn't make a ripple in the pool...you handle yours and I'll handle mine...the outcome's the "pudding"...I've taken 3 and 4 suspects out of burglaries several times with no help till I had them cuffed...not by magnificent strength or prowess...but by common sense...betcha I can do it again...if a man wants to sit outside and wait...his choice...I'd rather be "dumb"...

[Purplehood]

I still disagree. Even as a special forces person and trained, unless you are there in the home at the time, a call to the police should be the FIRST thing that is done. The police can respond with multiple units in case there are multiple BG's. We are not police, and walking into a potentially deadly situation when you are not at risk of serious injury or death in the first place, even if you are trained, is just a bad idea.

Now, calling police on the way, then arriving at the home and waiting OUTSIDE, then stopping the guy as he came out before police arrive would be a different thing. But, going in to clear the house/apartment yourself is just dumb idea, trained or not.

...we're gonna disagree on this for sure...it's my house, whether or not my family's in there...I know the house better, I know what's in there that he might have gotten ahold of...I (and, for SURE this guy in the story) have plenty of training and experience...on at least 6 occasions where I have called police on a burglar alarm going off at a residence ONE unit with ONE officer showed up...on three of them, he NEVER entered/cleared the house...in Dallas it's been 20-30 mins. and the alarm had already reset...much quicker in smaller cities...to me, sitting outside while he did whatever he wanted to do inside to and with anyone who was home just isn't gonna happen...the highly efficient SWAT teams we see on TV haven't shown to be nearly as effective in many home invasion/hostage situations in the Dallas area...if a man wants to protect his own property, he has both the right and authority to do so...and calling him (me) dumb just doesn't make a ripple in the pool...you handle yours and I'll handle mine...the outcome's the "pudding"...I've taken 3 and 4 suspects out of burglaries several times with no help till I had them cuffed...not by magnificent strength or prowess...but by common sense...betcha I can do it again...if a man wants to sit outside and wait...his choice...I'd rather be "dumb"...

I guess it would depend on how upset I was about the whole-thing. How many "what-ifs" came into play.

Is a loved-one inside?
Do I think there is a good chance whoever is inside can get away with theft/destruction of my property?
Am I armed or is it one of the rare occasions that I am not carrying for whatever reason?

My tendency is to definitely avoid entering. But that is my call sitting here in my chair without the Adrenaline pumping.

[Jumping Frog]

a call to the police should be the FIRST thing that is done.

I'll agree with this point. The neighbor should have called the police first, then the homeowner. The homeowner should have called the police from his car on the way home.

As far as clearing the house goes, I think he has earned the right to make his own choices, whether we agree or not.

[OldCurlyWolf]

I still disagree. Even as a special forces person and trained, unless you are there in the home at the time, a call to the police should be the FIRST thing that is done. The police can respond with multiple units in case there are multiple BG's. We are not police, and walking into a potentially deadly situation when you are not at risk of serious injury or death in the first place, even if you are trained, is just a bad idea.

Now, calling police on the way, then arriving at the home and waiting OUTSIDE, then stopping the guy as he came out before police arrive would be a different thing. But, going in to clear the house/apartment yourself is just dumb idea, trained or not.

Not always.

If the similar situation happened to me, it wouldn't be the first time I cleared a house. It may not be the last either.