Theives on the beach

No I'm not really 86 just messing around, but I didn't want to get to vicious because they would probably have pressed assault charges, even though they totally deserved it. It was two on one, so who knows how it would have played out in court. The thing that got me was that they were fellow kayak water enthusiasts. I initially thought my stuff was safe near theirs, and even thought about going over and b.s.ing with them for a minute about kayaking. As the old saying goes "Don't judge a book by it's cover". Ravensblack, what you're saying is very logical but myself, personally, I've never been to much of a pacifist. I have a bit more of an aggressive nature which has landed me in trouble in the past. More balls than brains I guess, especially at those intense, adrenalin pumping moments and types of situations. Also I've been mentally scarred from being on the wrong side of the law so I minimize as much interaction with the authorities as possible, and don't rely on their assistance. I've seen personally what happens to those with loose lips or cooperators, left in a puddle of blood poked with holes or sliced up with snitch scars. It ain't pretty and their marked/targeted for life.I do however respect law enforcement for what they do, laying their lives on the line everyday in order to keep the moral fabric of our society stitched up tight. I guess I'm more old school and still believe in duking it out fisticuff style. Though trust me, having grown up in Salinas I know punks rarely fight fair anymore. Glad to hear you caught them Rich, but sounds like if you wouldn't have given chase and heeded the dispatchers warning, the guy probably could have gotten away. WTG, just be careful because sometimes it's not worth it. Sounds like the guy was pretty desperate. Desperate people can be dangerous.  

I can't fault the reaction from either HDRich or CalBear, as my initial reaction would probably be the same (unless I was wearing flip flops) as anger at being thiefed is totally normal. Those b****rds!

Still, Craig does have a valid point. Some places a 10yr old kid would spin & cut ya with a box knife for change (or your coat or whatever). Is a handful of checks worth risking a bellyful of stitches? Sometimes it ain't. Most times.

I do think it's awesome that Rich ran with his phone to snag the thief. Makes me almost want a cell phone.

& thanks for posting this, as my office in downtown SC has more than it's share of creeps & trolls (we abut the levy). Our office is ground floor & we often get these types walking in looking for "work".

Hence the pack of territorial dogs we employ for security. 5-8 in the pack, depending on the day

Very funny, Ariel

Sean,

I agree that Craig makes an important point. I grew up in a law enforcement family, although it was a path that I did not take. All my cousins, uncles and family members would get together almost every weekend and boy did we roughhouse. But we also learned a lot from our law enforcemnet family members about self defense and being prepared.

My actions on the day this kid stole from us are not recommended at all for most people. You never want to enter into a potential conflict without knowing how to handle the unexpected which may in fact mean a serious physical takedown.

When the company president heard what went down, he came down to my office laughing his butt off. I told him its time for hazard pay, he flipped me off and went back to his office...

Rich

While I know Craig is right, I'd have chased them down too.  If I had children and a wife to think of it might be different.  It takes a lot to piss me off, but stealing one sure way to do it, and at this point in my life logic does not factor into that equation...  it's a matter of honor.

Good job.  If you don't check people they will just keep stealing from others.  Maybe the guy you chased down might have killed or raped someone later that night.  Don't forget what happened to Peter Parker in Spider Man.

Police...."authorities"....and "talking heads on TV".....

They're fools....all subscribing to touchy-feeling "modern cant" that has lost sight of that certain knowledge that:  Some things are worth dieing for.

My God, where do people get their logic today...from the fake "scripted" characters on "little-house-on-the prairie?"

Of course...an unarmed man does not got up against a drawn gun
Of course...a single man facing two, weighs self-knowledge carefully.

But if you think it's a "go," you don't abrogate both "right" and "duty" to the nonexistant and absurd back-up and follow-up...of police.

BUT THE CHIEF POINT:   We    h a v e     the hostage-taking situations today exactly    b e c a u s e    weak people subscribe to the notion that one should concern one's self with "hostage lives" or "the value of an airplane" when dealing with extortion.

Weak people.   Yes police.    Yes politicians.
Weak people.   Yes journalists.    Yes Editorial Writers.

Are you aware
That police departments STAFF "negotiator" job-categories...???...!!!...

HISTORY  TEACHES that extortionist concilliation leads to nothing but more extortion.

Judd

I'm gonna perpetuate the threadjack, apologies.   

Both Calbear and Rich are pretty studly for doing so.  We all work so hard to obtain material comfort - when somebody tries to jack us, it sure makes the blood boil.  Especially true if you own your own business (like I think Rich does??)  Its true, though, that all the "stuff" in the world can be replaced.  Its only money, and there's always more to be made via honest and diligent pursuit.

Buddy in philly witnessed a night time purse-snatch of an old lady.  Buddy chased the Perp down alleys, around corners, over dumpsters...  all the while Buddy is chasing the perp, his girlfriend (whos pretty hot) is chasing Buddy!  Finally tackles the guy, gets the purse, THEN LETS THE PERP GO!  I was like WTF?  It figures that Buddy is associated with the public defenders office ...

Did I forget to mention that I couldn't move my legs for the next few days?

You should cross-train in a Hobie, Rich.  Got one you can take out anytime.   

Why cant we all just get along?

Fishmaster you are hilarious!

Why cant we all just get along?

    

That gopher you pinned was probably thinking the same thing!

Why cant we all just get along?

    

That gopher you pinned was probably thinking the same thing!

I knew spearing that poor thing bothered you buddy, thats why I didnt post any pics.

Peace is the way of the warrior. Not  violence.

Dude - you sound like "Coach" from the last round of Survivor!   

Seriously though, I respect that attitude - especially coming from you, Brother.  When you coming up to Humboldt to go fishing with me?...

Why cant we all just get along?

We drank your beer, Andy - you were acting like an ass!!!     (inside joke, please forgive me!   )

This is another award winning thread.  I admit I'd want to thump those punks, but the bad vibe that comes with doing the second wrong is just not something I've ever wanted.  Be the bigger man (I should credit my wife for teaching me that one when she guilted me into going back over to the neighbor's house and taking his dog's shit off the front porch where I'd left it for him...).  Living like you always want to do the right thing is excellence, but there will always be incidents that will test our wills.  Find the half full part and push some Love in the direction of the hate - that's my take, even though I would likely be very red faced and dropping F-bombs like they were rain.

 

Judd, I bet you're a blast with a few beers in you.

It doesn't matter what the offenders said or did....if you beat their asses....you will be held accountable.
By a court of law.
And then you might have to pay restitution/fines/probation....or worse, get sent to a Federal pound-me-in-the-ass Prison (from Office Space haha).

The smart thing to do is let the Law Enforcement Officers deal with it. That's what they get paid to do. If you gotta hold them down or pursue them, so be it. But no need to curb-stomp some kid for stealing something material. Of course, it's not easy to do the smart thing every time.

I'm not responding to anybody in particular. Just talking out loud. Consider the repercussions of your actions...and then do what you think is right.
PK