Posted on 02/14/2021 3:07:27 PM PST by simpson96
MIAMI BEACH, Fla.–A South Florida man will not face charges for fatally shooting a car thief who took off with his boss’ Mercedes-Benz G-class SUV in Miami Beach, prosecutors announced in a closeout memo obtained Tuesday by Local 10 News.
According to the closeout memo, Stephen Allen Lott, now 50, shot the suspect, Jose Antonio Reyes Bermudez, 58, on Dec. 18, 2018, outside the South Beach Finest Hand Car Wash at 1229 18th St.
Prosecutors said Lott had taken the luxury vehicle, which is owned by his employers, to the car wash when he saw Reyes Bermudez get into the driver’s seat of the vehicle and try to drive away.
Prosecutors said Lott ran outside of the car wash waiting area and shouted at the suspect to try to stop him.
As he stepped into the path of the Mercedes, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, he fired two shots at the driver-side door, shooting Reyes Bermudez once in the head, the closeout memo stated.
Authorities said the SUV then crossed both lanes of traffic on 18th Street, struck a parked car, and then crashed into the wall of an Office Depot.
Police later surrounded the Mercedes-Benz, broke the windows and pulled out the suspect, who was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.(snip)
According to the closeout memo, the suspect had attempted to steal another Mercedes from the car wash business earlier in the morning, but the owner was waiting outside and immediately claimed his vehicle.
Prosecutors have since cleared Lott of wrongdoing, saying in the closeout memo that he “had the legal right to stand his ground and use deadly force to protect himself from death or great bodily harm while Mr. Reyes Bermudez was committing and escaping from committing a forcible felony.”
(Excerpt) Read more at local10.com ...
OUTSTANDING!
In any blue state, Lott’s life would be utterly destroyed on behalf of this career criminal alien he put down. Thanks to Florida, he is a free man.
Must have needed a Mercedes pretty badly.
Now wait for the federal prosecutors step and bring charges...
joepedo will demand the death penalty...
Red Staters hate crime and don’t want to see it flourish. I would think Blue Staters would feel the same way but I guess not.
Glad it worked out OK in the end, but it’s a shame that it took over two years.
Well, despite any other faults he may have had, at least he didn't waste time trying to steal more pedestrian vehicle marques.
Who’d put his freedom, or in this case his life, at risk for a Prius? Maximizing reward versus risk is central to a lot of activities.
Don’t make fun of his ears...
That usually does the trick. Nice shooting. Good news for a change.
A related item is the FL legislature/Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law what the democrats accurately call the “run ‘em over law.”
When a mob surrounds and threatens a vehicle the driver can legally run them over. Crunchies under my tires.
Way cool. I love my state.
Looks like zer0bama.
Yes, he’s a pinhead.
Barack? Is that you?
Best
Governor
Evvuh
Thank you Gov Desantis and the Fl House and Senate for our castle doctrine laws.
I’m thinking that the owner would have been just as happy having it stolen as shot up, wrecked, and vandalized by the cops.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.