Pittsfield Township homeowner punched after confronting stranger in his car, police say
A Pittsfield Township homeowner who spotted a stranger rifling through his car in his driveway pulled the man out of the vehicle, chased him and was punched as they wrestled, township police said.
The homeowner told police he was asleep at 5:45 a.m. Saturday when he heard his car horn beep in the driveway of his home in the 2600 block of Aspen Ridge Drive, reports said.
The homeowner said he looked outside and noticed someone in his vehicle, reports said. He went outside and pulled the man out of his vehicle, and the two began to wrestle.
The intruder was able to flee, but the homeowner chased after him and caught him, reports said. The intruder punched the homeowner and ran, and the homeowner decided not to give chase again and returned home to call police, reports said. He suffered a minor injury to his lip.
Officers responded and used a police tracking dog, which led them to a nearby intersection where it ended, police said. The man seen in the homeowner's car was described as black, 18-25 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, thin to medium build and wearing black or dark colored jeans with gold stitching, a black or dark colored winter style coat, and a gray hat.
The homeowner’s vehicle wasn't damaged, and nothing appeared to have been stolen, police said. The case remains under investigation, and anyone with information or who may have seen the man in the area is asked to call the Pittsfield Township Police Department at 734-944-4911.
Comments
Ricebrnr
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
Oy you people, How many times do I have to say it? Your posts are now a permanent record on the net. If you ever have to follow up on your words with actions, YOUR WORDS can and will be used against you in a court of law. Not to mention it makes vigilant people seem like vigilantes. Self defense and planning aren't only physical actions.
ResidentAnvil
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.
I would have called 911 to report the dead guy in my driveway.
Adam
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 11:32 a.m.
Sadly, I don't trust the police anymore to do their jobs. I think many (not all) police officers would rather not risk their safety for something small like this and therefore often take their time when responding. How do I know this? I've had to call them before and it took them 30 minutes to respond to a possible life threatening situation. I would do exactly what this gentleman did...track the dude down and take care of it myself. I'll deal with the consequences and jury (NOT a judge for they cannot be trusted either) later.
Adam
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
Sadly, I don't trust the police anymore to do their jobs. I think many (not all) police officers would rather not risk their safety for something small like this and therefore often take their time when responding. How do I know this? I've had to call them before and it took them 30 minutes to respond to a possible life threatening situation. I would do exactly what this gentleman did...track the dude down and take care of it myself. I'll deal with the consequences and jury (NOT a judge for they cannot be trusted either) later.
RoboLogic
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
This is yet another example of doing things in the wrong order. #1 Call 911 FIRST and report the crime in progress. #2 If your feeling gutsy as this man was, go get em. #3 If your not feeling gutsy, DO NOT yell at the perp to scare them off, do not make noise, do not turn on lights..be still and quiet... so he will be there when police arrive. You want them caught dont you? If you selected #2... While you are wrestling with the suspect the police are on their way and the perp. has less chance of putting distance in his favor, or leaving the scene in the first place. CALL 911 FIRST! NOT LAST. There is a huge difference between blaming the victim and educating the victim.
ronn oneal
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 12:58 a.m.
Try standing by the store on michigan and summit where most predators of the nite come to meet up and cause problems on the regular but most theives meet before going to commit more crimes
Ricebrnr
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 8:47 p.m.
Well....the fact that you went out there to confront the guy will be argued against you, that and the fact that you are not allowed to defend property in MI... Then again the Self Defense Act of 2006 MCL 780.951 does presumably give you the benefit of the doubt anywhere you have a legal right to be... A decent primer can be found here: schwartzlawfirmpc.com/Articles/The-New-Self-Defense-Act-Defensible-or-Dangerous.shtml ammoland.com/2009/08/03/michigans-castle-doctrine-law-and-you/ Bottom line, there are some tools on your side but YOU will still need to articulate the reasonableness of your actions to both the police and possibly a jury of your peers. Be safe, 1*
ThaKillaBee
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 8:29 p.m.
What does the law say here in regards to use of force? For example, if this happened to me and I went outside and hit the guy with a baseball bat, would I get in trouble?
Ricebrnr
Tue, Oct 26, 2010 : 5:54 p.m.
wow gutsy, might I suggest you call 911 1st next time. You know just in case you actually hang on to the guy or worse case scenario you are injured?