You see a vandal keying your car. Do you...

I'm not sure about the laws in Athens, but here in the US that a$$hole might have tried to counter-sue for assault. In the US any citizen is allowed to "arrest" (detain) another that is caught comitting a crime. The question is: would one risk bodily injury here (who knows what the person is carrying--a gun/knife?) to stop the guy. If he appeared to be unarmed, it could be a risk to take to apprehend him until the cops arrive, but the absolute best thing that anyone could do is to get photographic proof (or a video) of him keying the car. That's the first thing any judge here would ask for, and should easily win a suit against the guy.

I hope cntlaw was being humorous... the use of deadly force if someone is against the law unless you are in danger of extreme physical harm... so you'd have the say the guy was stealing your car and tried to run you over (assault with a deadly weapon) in the process, then you could shoot him ;-)

Originally Posted by Dr Greco

It happened in Athens, Greece, one hot summer evening of 2003. I parallel-parked my 2003 Honda CRV (my car in Greece) in a busy sea-side district full of caffeterias and chic lounges. I was not 300 feet away from my car when a man approached me to tell me that I should park somewhere else, because cars get vandalized by the owner of the house next to that specific parking spot: "He thinks that's his own spot, although he has no legal right to reserve it, it is on public street". As I begin heading back towards the car to survey the scene, I see this other man running a key along the side of my car, from headlight to taillight. I run towards him, and this stupid folk runs towards his house! I tackle him from behind as he was trying to open his front door....
I am 26 y.o., 6'7" (2.00m), 335lbs (140Kg), played college football and basketball in the U.S. and pro basketball in Greece. He is about 45 y.o, 5'8", 180lbs tops.

Given that I went after him and ended up on top of him (which I should have never done because I broke his clavicle doing so!)......Here is the question?

Would you break the rest of his bones OR have him arrested?

Have in mind that he has vandalized numerous cars.

That is awesome that you broke his clavical. That is the least that I would have done... Both his legs sounds a little more fitting to me, but whatever...

I would call it even after that!

Is that a raincoat?
Yes it is!


Gentlemen, cross your I's and dot your T's.
Have you ever felt utterly insane?


shizzle.

First I call the police and have him arrested, fined, pay for the damages, and then I beat him to a pulp. Max the damage!

If it happens where no witnesses around.. Grab him, blindfold him, duct tape his mouth and chain him to a nearby tree/post (make sure its hard to get him free.. use padlock from ur gym bag if you have to.. then throw the key away) .. strip him to his undies (throw away the clothes if you have to) and put a sign "I've vandalized cars, please do whatever you want with me" then leave him.. call your insurance company later for the damage

Originally Posted by CharlesAFerg

Is that a raincoat?
Yes it is!


Gentlemen, cross your I's and dot your T's.
Have you ever felt utterly insane?


shizzle.

Well, my truck that I let my mom drives got keyed last week. They got three of four doors, and one rear fender. It wouldn't be so annoying if it hadn't just been repainted a month ago from when my mom scratched it on a mailbox backing out of a driveway.

I'd certainly punish the culprit a little until he pleads for me to call the cops.

Curb Stomp!!!!!

Originally Posted by cwsqbm

Well, my truck that I let my mom drives got keyed last week. They got three of four doors, and one rear fender. It wouldn't be so annoying if it hadn't just been repainted a month ago from when my mom scratched it on a mailbox backing out of a driveway.

Sounds like you are eligible for a bulk price discount on paint. Hopefully a discount from painter also.

He would have been cut pretty bad. BMW isn't the only German metal I'm fond of. I'd tell the cops I thought he was coming at me and I got scared and defended myself. Teach that sonofabitch what scratching something is all about.

Grab my bat from the trunk... i am Italian... ahaha

I would rather beat him to a pulp THEN call the cops before I leave the scene lol

Originally Posted by Kzang

And what if it was a 5 year old girl who did that to your precious car?
Would you electrocute her with your car battery? Or even beat the living crap out of her?

hehe be realistic.

Understand that retaliation is carried out as a result of the vandal's intent, not simply their crime. Highly unlikely a 5 year old girl would maliciously vandalize one's car, but would more likely damage the car on accident. The difference is that this asshole scratched the CR-V on purpose because he had penis-envy, or something. This guy is nothing more than an under-developed primate who doesn't deserve to live in the world of civilization where humans have respect for one another. He's so chicken $hit to damage your property rather than deal with his issues like a NORMAL human being, he clearly demonstrates extreme mental deficiency.

I agree with the majority here, if I saw someone intentionally vandalizing my property, I would act with enough force to make sure they didn't EVER do it again. In the good ol' days, people who committed crimes had appendices cut from their body setting an example to the public, and ensuring the vandal would NEVER repeat his act...If someone keys your car, I think they should lose a hand.

I'm curious though, (CR-V OWNER), when you settled with the vandal, did you ask him what the f*ck he was thinking? What was he trying to achieve by keying your car?

I hate assholes!

Originally Posted by 01silber

I would have ripped his teeth out and keyed his back with them

+1
In Georgia, you can legally shoot someone to protect your property, and I fully intend to do so if I ever catch someone keying my car.

Originally Posted by riod007

Grab my Glock from the glovebox... i am Italian... ahaha

fixed.

Originally Posted by PhilipWOT

fixed.

Nah... there is nothing like busting the skull of the vandal with a good old fashiond louisville slugger

Perhaps a 2X4 with a nail threw it would suffice

I am a vandals worst nightmare.....that is all.

Beat his ass, KO, then call the police.

I'll gauge his eyes out with a dull butter knife and cut his nuts. No one touches my bmer!

Originally Posted by 01silber

I would have ripped his teeth out and keyed his back with them

HAHAHAH I love this you made my night thank you so much!!!
:w ow:

Originally Posted by PhilipWOT

+1
In Georgia, you can legally shoot someone to protect your property, and I fully intend to do so if I ever catch someone keying my car.

I need to move to georgia

The only reason I didn't choose beat him to a bloddy pulp is because I'm not too strong (ok, I have problems lifting my 23.5 pound toddler for more than 5 minutes)

Seeing as we have concealed carry laws here in North Carolina.............

I actually keyed a guys car badly when I was 20. It happened at a busy shopping mall. As I was backing up to park my car, a guy just suddenly rushed in my parking spot head first, got out of his car and said, "Sorry dude, I'm late!" I replied, "That's still no excuse do you know that?" The guy then said, "Then sue me!"

I would have been ok if he apologized and maybe gave me some BS story about how he is behind on his house payments and can't afford to be fired or some **** like that.

But no!

So I got irked and about after 5 mins, I got my pocket knife and ****ed up the driver side of his car real bad.

I feel bad about it come to think of it, but every time I remember his tone of voice, I actually feel so good! Even until now.