Posted on 07/01/2022 3:05:57 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A 93-year-old suburban Los Angeles homeowner, who a relative said was frustrated over being the victim of numerous home break-ins, shot and critically wounded a burglar and scared off the would-be thief's accomplices, according to authorities.
The retired plumber, identified as Joe Howard Teague by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, turned the tables on the group of home invaders early Wednesday when he grabbed his gun and confronted them inside his house in Moreno Valley, the sheriff's office said. Recent Stories from ABC 11 NC Summertime Weather
"I approached them to put them under citizen's arrest. They wouldn't adhere to that and then one of them came at me with a fishing pole," Teague told reporters outside his home Thursday.
He said the suspects, who entered his home after kicking open his door, began throwing things at him as he tried to hold them at gunpoint.
"It was just like somebody comes to a gunfight with a pocketknife, you know," Teague said.
Teague called 911 at about 12:30 p.m. and reported a burglary in progress at his home, the sheriff's office said in a statement. As deputies responded, Teague told a dispatcher he was holding several suspects, according to the sheriff's department.
Teague said the suspects included at least one woman.
When deputies arrived at Teague's home, they found one of the suspected burglars suffering from a gunshot wound.
A witness told deputies that several people were seen fleeing Teague's home on foot prior to the arrival of deputies.
The wounded suspect, identified as Joseph A. Ortega, 33, of Moreno Valley, was hospitalized in critical condition, according to the sheriff's department.
"Investigators have established that several individuals, including Ortega, were inside Teague's property when a shooting occurred," the sheriff's department said.
Teague was not injured. He was taken to a sheriff's department station, questioned and released, authorities said.
Sheriff's department officials said it appears the shooting was justified, but added that the investigation is ongoing.
"Based on the severity of Ortega's medical condition, the Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation," the sheriff's department said.
Investigators are working to identify the other assailants. No arrests have been announced.
Oscar Malma, whose wife is related to Teague, told ABC station KABC in Los Angeles that Teague had been the victim of a string of recent break-ins, including one that occurred on Friday.
Malma said the elderly man had grown increasingly frustrated over his home being targeted by thieves and the response from local police.
"He was tired because every time he calls the police, the police were taking forever to come and assist him," Malma said.
He said a burglary Friday at the man's home occurred in broad daylight.
"And now this happened in the middle of the night," Malma said. "He was defending his property. That happened inside of his home. So, I don't think there would be any reason for him to be arrested."
Thank God he’s out there in Riverside County where the Sheriff is closer to sane; if it’d been L.A. County he’d be in the hoosegow right now.
Never bring a fishing pole to a gun fight!
Stupid Sheriff should not have released his name.
See my tagline.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e6_P7YA97k
Well, Clint wasn’t quite 93 in this clip but this scene was pretty good as far as how an old fellow looks after himself....
... or perhaps this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HisV1xUcIFI
You bet this occurred about 65 miles south and east of LA.
He was in the house at the time. That makes it a robbery, which is a more serious crime than a burglary. IANAL but that’s my layman’s understanding of it.
Exactly. Massad Ayoob says in one of his videos that, in addition to not talking to the police without a lawyer after you've shot someone in self defense, you should tell the police that you want to go to the hospital. I can't remember exactly, but I think the police are not allowed to try to question you in the hospital. Also, this means that you won't be brought directly to jail, I think. I need to watch the video again to get all of this exact, but he was pretty emphatic that telling the cops you need to go to the hospital because you feel your heart racing, or something like that, is a wise move.
Fun Fact: Burglary is a common law term, and by definition can only occur at night.
The penalties were enhanced over daytime breaking and entering, because occupants of the dwelling are presumed to be asleep at night, and completely unable to defend themselves. “Night” was legally defined as that period from dusk to dawn, to the point where a person’s features or face were unidentifiable.
Good on ya Gramps! You got one!
And who watches the house while the cops cart off the self defense victim?
Perfect ti e for other idiots to break in while they know the cops are grilling the victim.
Yes…noticed this poor reporting. Moreno Valley is heavy gang territory. Poor man constantly harrassed by these thugs. Glad he shot the bastard!
Moreno Valley is majority hispanic (62%), with blacks second at 16%, and whites at about 13%. Very dangerous for white folks there.
Sheriff’s Department shouldn’t of told the reporter.
Yeah, same thing I thought. Moreno Valley is nowhere near L.A.
AND—We do NOT have time to earn the $$$ to replace our property all over again.
I wonder if, when he calls again, the local police actually respond in a reasonable time rather than the long wits he WAS experiencing?
Such a bunch of BS.
🔝🔝🔝
Attaboy
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