Police officials in Murfreesboro, TN, are urging residents to avoid confronting car thieves amidst a rash of vehicle break-ins.
Back on April 17, one homeowner shouted at two suspects after seeing the duo on security cameras trying to gain access to his parked cars.
During the verbal exchange, the perps opened fire on the homeowner.
The unidentified victim, who was also armed, returned fire. No one was injured during the shooting but police issued a warning to the neighborhood.
“We urge residents to use caution and never approach or engage with criminals,” Criminal Investigations Division Crimes Against Persons Sergeant-Detective James Abbott said in response to the incident. “You don’t want to take a chance of being shot or killed.”
That incident mirrored another one on April 8 in which another Murfreesboro homeowner also confronted a thief.
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The suspect in this case also fired at the homeowner. Thankfully, the perp missed his mark and the homeowner was not injured.
“Property can be replaced, lives can’t,” Abbott said, per News Channel 5. “The best advice for residents is, if you see or hear anything suspicious, or see someone breaking into your car, call police immediately.”
Investigators said that there have been more than 100 car break-ins since March. Along with personal items, thieves have made off with 16 firearms.
The Murfreesboro Police told the public they are “saturating the city where cars are being targeted.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t be on every street at the same time,” Crimes Against Property Sergeant Detective Tommy Massey, per WSMV4. “It’s only a matter of time before we arrest these criminals and hold them accountable.”
Suppose someone is breaking into your car late at night. How would you respond?
As a hardworking person what I’ve worked for is mine and I’d be damned if someone low lowlife is just going to stroll up and take it !
“Defender” makes some excellent points. I just have one: Did the perps leave after they were shot at, or did they continue to break into your vehicle. Me? I’m shooting at the bastards. Getting shot at is no fun, but neither is having emboldened thieves deciding to enter your dwelling endangering your family because you don’t act. If you aren’t up to the task of using a firearm to defend yourself and your property either get rid of the firearms or get some training / practice.
A red or green laser would probably be a good idea for a home defense handgun or any other firearm for night conditions. A shotgun with #4 buck or even plated BB is absolutely devastating at the ranges being discussed and won’t kill the neighbors with stray rounds.
Cops should have said, “Don’t warn them that you are there. Just exercise judicious marksmanship, and we’ll come along to do the paperwork.”
But in our pussified hug-a-thug society, we get them telling us not to defend ourselves and property.
How many of you Commentors here have “Actual, Real Training” in Actually Fighting with a Gun ?
AND have practiced it enough to be reasonably competent at it ?
Do you have a Light Mounted on your House Gun/s ?
Practice shooting with a hand-held light ?
Practice Combat Shooting ? Shoot and move. From Cover. etc.
Know how scary it is actually being “Shot AT” ?
Looks like the idiotic Murfreesboro Police Chief needs to be replaced with a tax paying American citizen.
I’m never going to understand the criminals go free school of thought.
CASTLE DOCTRINE. NUFF SAID
Worked with both of these officers and both were (are) good guys. That said, they have to follow the department talking points and say what they have to say. Sometimes a county (elected) sheriff will speak “truth to power” and actually recommend standing up for yourself. Sure, it was a simple property crime UNTIL it wasn’t. Once the perp fired at the vehicle owner for having the audacity to yell, it became an entirely different situation. I hope the perp used their own gun and it didn’t belong to the vehicle owner – don’t leave guns in vehicles kids, I don’t care if it is locked.
Coupla decades ago, the 7-11 (werent they part of Southland?) Ordered their clerks to NOT deter or chase thieves, famously fired some for trying to stop them, as well as going out the doors simply to get the plate and car type. Let them have it, it’s insured, you are more valuable to us, we have it on fuzzy video, and, um, dont pack heat, dont grab a broom or machete….that being said, most paople, unfortunately, wouldnt shoot much better inna daylite, as we keep hearing the goodguys shoot as badly as the goblins. The Media seems to yawn when they report another victimless driveby or gangland shootemup, but let an uninvolved party get hit or worse and they call for the uninvolved law-abiding to hand-in their guns. A shooting, especially fatal, by a Citizen or the Police (and they’re not called public defenders?) gets an above-the-fold banner. Heaven help the shooter who “murders” an uninvolved…..and they will do their be-damned-est to prove (or, failing that, stretch, distort, or especially fabricate) the non-involvement of the “victim”, and demand an old-fashioned impromptu necktie party. Forgive my attitude, but ive been a cynical observer since before i could spell either word.
I would yell out the window; “Wait, don’t break the window, I have the keys right here.”
Or you could do what bluedouche him/clown does. Get in the fetal position and cower and maybe wet & poop yourself to keep the mean ol bad guys away.
If this blueddouch (what ever the f*** that is) shot at the perps, he wouldn’t have missed. I have lots of neat guns and was trained by my Uncle Sam. Who trained you?
Thee United States Marine Corp. any more questions tough guy?
blue dog-turd/he/she/it is actually a regular commenter on this site. He takes the libtard position to the left of common sense on damn near everything that comes up to the ire of most readers and commenters. Catch up and get with the program before making obnoxious comments jack-ass.
“The best advice for residents is, if you see or hear anything suspicious, or see someone breaking into your car, call police immediately.”
Yep, don’t protect yourself, your family, and your property, just call us. When seconds count, we’ll be minutes away!
It’s as if people are being taught that there’s something mystical about being a criminal, that being one confers the ability to fatally shoot homeowners instantly while blindfolded, and homeowners can’t hit the broad side of a barn while they are in the damn thing and it’s lit up like a Christmas tree…
What Capt Bob said…
Sounds like these “homeowners” need a bit more range practice.
Maybe people shouldn’t be leaving guns in their cars over night. Just sayin.’
If I’m coming out the door to confront a BG or three, I’d want a long gun instead of a pistol, at least a lever gun, preferably an AR with a red dot. It can be pretty difficult to make out sights at night. In this case, no one could hit the broad side of a barn with their pistols, and homeowner probably put a few in his own cars since he hit nothing else.
Agree! We hear stories and see videos all the time of folks just emptying their mags blindly at night and hitting everything but the thieves….use a long gun or a shotgun and take a split second to aim. Of course, that entails some practice, maybe even a home defense course, which we should all be doing anyways
I would yell at them. If they pull guns I will drop them where they stand! I figure if they have guns and use them then I’m probably saving a life in the long run.
Paul that sounds great truly. Knowing that you are capable of identifying the situation then overcoming all inhibitors like distance, lightning, numbers, and even taking into consideration that the punks who are trying to take your vehicle might actually have some decent skills with a weapon. ( usually they don’t) but every situation is different. To say you would go out and “ drop them where they stand” have you ever been in a gun fight Paul? Have you ever trained under intensive stressful scenarios? Maybe spend a day or two outside the wire Paul. Because I can promise you , to drop multiple threats where they stand , isn’t what you think it is in your mind. I’m not trying to put you down Paul, only trying to tell civilians that your best weapon is your mind, then your cell phone, while all at the same time if necessary doing what is necessary to protect yourself first , and not your vehicle or property. But Paul if you ever wake up from a sound sleep , notice 3 strangers who’s backgrounds you know nothing about braking into your vehicle, then suddenly one or multiple bad guys begin to engage you with rounds, come back and tell us your time it took for you to drop them all where they stand. Maybe fill out an AAR so the rest of us can get positive feedback on how you rid this planet of 3 dirtbags.
ok you got me, center mass changes at 3,5,7,10 yds…….also combat, and police training is the best for self defense where your duty weapon is exposed and reasonably know where and when the threat exists…….also the bad guy is going to do exactly what you have trained for because that is dictated under the rules of engagement! I’m sure you have considerable experience at shooting multiple bad guys in your time that blindside you. So how many have you killed to date?