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What can you do (legally) if you catch someone stealing your bike or parts?

S

streetsquid

Active member
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Location
Just off Hwy 9
Moto(s)
One lone Sumo
Name
Alex
I just read the thread where some assmuncher stole a left rear turn signal from someone's bike in their front yard. I'd like to know what you can legally do to someone if you catch them trying to steal or vandalize your bike.

I have a feeling that in this day and age you're allowed to do virtually NOTHING except talk to them in a harsh manner and call the police and hope they stick around for some kind of punishment. Yeah, right like that would happen. But seriously, what if you came up on them right in the middle of stealing your fairing or trying to break your ignition to steal your bike?

Could I say....accidentally slam my helmet into their face and say they fell down upon it when they were running away? Could I accidentally ride away with them still attached around the neck with the chain I use to lock up my bike?

But seriously, what would you be able to do and get away with? Just wondering.
 
:Popcorn You could throw popcorn at them, one at a time, until they beg for mercy.
 
I think unless you're put in a situation where you're acting in self defense you can't attack the other person. I'm no lawyer or member of the law enforcement community so I'm not 100% just my limited understand of how it all works...

Personally I would make them call my bluff when I say, "stop or I shoot..."
 
tire iron


edit to add...

or call the cops and have them on the phone while you shoot them, like the guy in texas did(if anyone remembers that audio clip)
 
MSFIT said:
tire iron


edit to add...

or call the cops and have them on the phone while you shoot them, like the guy in texas did(if anyone remembers that audio clip)
Click to expand...

Man: Ah jus shawt my neighbor on askedent!

Phone LEO: Is he dead?

*BLAM*BLAM*BLAM*BLAM*BLAM*

Man: Ok, now he is.
 
streetsquid said:
I just read the thread where some assmuncher stole a left rear turn signal from someone's bike in their front yard. I'd like to know what you can legally do to someone if you catch them trying to steal or vandalize your bike.

I have a feeling that in this day and age you're allowed to do virtually NOTHING except talk to them in a harsh manner and call the police and hope they stick around for some kind of punishment. Yeah, right like that would happen. But seriously, what if you came up on them right in the middle of stealing your fairing or trying to break your ignition to steal your bike?

Could I say....accidentally slam my helmet into their face and say they fell down upon it when they were running away? Could I accidentally ride away with them still attached around the neck with the chain I use to lock up my bike?

But seriously, what would you be able to do and get away with? Just wondering.
Click to expand...

What you can do and what you can get away with are two separate things. I'd probably shoot them. Would I get away with it. Probably not but there's right and then there's RIGHT. Motorcycle thiefs must DIE!

Okay, not really - just call the cops and wait for the cavalry but I'd really want to shoot them in the face with my .357.
 
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You can make a citizens arrest and use reasonable force to detain the suspect until police arrive. It'll be up to the DA adn then the jury to decide if the force you used was reasonable or not.
 
You can duct tape their hands and if they struggle, you can wrestle them down and duct tape their hand before calling the cops.
I think.
 
I hope none of us ever have to run into this type of situation of course but I'd definitely like to know what I can legally get away with. It would suck ballz if the criminal knew you could really do little about it. I guess knowing what I could "get away with" is more important in the long run.

mikhail - I understand "reasonable force" would depend on so many factors but how about some examples? I mean we pay insurance so we should be somewhat covered (if you have full coverage) for the loss but messing with someone's vehicle is pretty damned personal. Personally, I think a flying armored knee to the bridge of the nose is perfectly reasonable.

I dig Valgar's brand of justice when dealing with bike theiving scum. I just have a feeling if I did something like that I'd end up doing jail time as well.
 
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tjBlotto said:
You can duct tape their hands and if they struggle, you can wrestle them down and duct tape their hand before calling the cops.
I think.
Click to expand...

HAHA... I took this as "You can duct tape their hand before they try and call the cops knowing that you're going to be putting some serious pain to their bodies". Hell, if I'm going to be beating them down there's no way I'm going to let them call the cops. I'll call them when I'm good and tired. Unless I call my friends over to "help" me stand them up or something. Then again, we may just forget to call the cops.
 
My father worked with a guy, who came home to his house being robbed. He had his family wait outside went in and shot the guy, killed him. He was sent to jail since the guy robbing him was unarmed. If my memory serves me correctly he went to jail for a year or so.
 
No one deserves to die for stealing a fucking turn signal. And don't give me that "but who knows what else they stole?" bullshit. You, with the gun or other deadly weapon certainly don't but are happy to play judge, jury and executioner?

Really, some of you would kill a person for stealing a turn signal or other small part? That's (in my eyes) 10 times more wack than the perp. Srsly. :shame

-jim
 
jrace said:
No one deserves to die for stealing a fucking turn signal. And don't give me that "but who knows what else they stole?" bullshit. You, with the gun or other deadly weapon certainly don't but are happy to play judge, jury and executioner?

Really, some of you would kill a person for stealing a turn signal or other small part? That's (in my eyes) 10 times more wack than the perp. Srsly. :shame

-jim
Click to expand...
Then dont even think of stopping by my house and we have no problem, Hard to understand?
 
I had a neighbor once when I was growing up who caught some bozo on his stomach laying over the passenger seat of his convertible 1962 Porsche, trying to get the radio out. The guy didn't even see my neighbor come up. My neighbor (who was a pretty tall and big physical therapist) grabbed him by his shirt collar and the back of his waist band and lifted him out in the horizontal position, turned around on the sidewalk, and slamed him head first into the concrete wall of a building. I'm not sure what happened after that, but I believe the guy was hurting and not going anywhere. And my neighbor simply drove off.

However, that's probably not a prudent thing to do. If you get caught and the perp is hurt, you could likely face charges or a lawsuit. 'Best to call the cops or make absolutely sure that there's no way the perp or the man can come after you. And death or maiming is definately out.
 
phr0st said:
Not having a left turn signal can kill someone also.
Click to expand...

Im trying to figure out if you really typed that with a straight face or if maybe you were smirking when you typed that:wtf
 
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