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Police: Owner Shoots Suspect Using Stolen Wrecker To Steal Car (TX)
Click2Houston ^ | June 24, 2005

Posted on 06/26/2005 6:10:58 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo

One Suspect In Critical Condition

HOUSTON -- A northeast Houston man opened fire on suspected car thieves who were trying to steal his vehicle, police told Local 2 Friday.

Officers said two men driving a stolen tow truck were trying to tow a car out of the Swiss Village Apartments parking lot on Homestead near Tidwell shortly before 5 a.m.

Roosevelt Grant is a neighbor of the car owner. He said he knew something was wrong when he saw the white Buick LeSabre hooked up to a tow truck. Then, he said he saw his neighbor running after his car and shooting a gun at the two men inside the wrecker.

"I just heard a loud, squealing noise and I just happened to see a wrecker truck," Grant said. "To take something that belongs to you is just not right."

The car's owner fired a total of six shots at the wrecker, hitting Antonio Devon Hunt, 29, who police said was driving the tow truck. He was shot once in the head and transported to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition.

The other man escaped.

Police said that the men stole the tow truck a week ago and were using it to steal vehicles.

"I feel sure that they stole the wrecker for a reason and, so, it's entirely possible that other vehicles have been stolen in this manner and fashion," said Sgt. Jim Binford, with HPD Homicide.

The car theft suspects also allegedly punctured the tires of three other vehicles in the area. Officials believe they were trying to prevent anyone from chasing them.

Neighbors supported the car owner who fought back when his vehicle was being stolen.

"I didn't even know he owned a gun. I probably would have done the same thing if it was my car," a neighbor known only as Linda said.

Police do not expect to file charges against the owner because the shooting appears to be justified. The case will be referred to a grand jury.

Texas law allows people to use deadly force to protect their property or, under certain circumstances, to stop someone they believe is committing a crime.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: armedcitizen; banglist; speedytrial; texasjustice
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1 posted on 06/26/2005 6:10:58 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: NRA2BFree; zip; Grannyx4; wardaddy; Squantos; Eaker; Larry Lucido; Ladysmith; .38sw; .45MAN; ...

***** Armed Citizen Pinglist *****

If you want on/off this list, FRmail me.

2 posted on 06/26/2005 6:11:30 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: Mr. Mojo

Not too bad a shot, for someone running after a fleeing truck with a pistol (probably a revolver, from the description). Six rounds fired, and one of them hit the guy in the head. (Unfortunately, it didn't kill him, oh well).

That's better than most cops do in the same situation.


3 posted on 06/26/2005 6:15:23 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Perps had a order for the Buick at the local Chop Shop...
4 posted on 06/26/2005 6:18:35 PM PDT by tubebender (Growing old is mandatory...Growing up is optional)
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To: Spktyr

Sounds like a good shoot. The moral of this story is 'Don't steal stuff in TX cause the owner can legally shoot you even if you don't threaten him'


5 posted on 06/26/2005 6:19:05 PM PDT by boofus
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To: Mr. Mojo

In a Blue state like Massachusetts or Illinois that guy would be so far back in the dungeons that lawyers would have to send him business cards by slingshot.

In Texas, they still give a man the right to defend himself and his property from today's urban mutants.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F


6 posted on 06/26/2005 6:22:08 PM PDT by Criminal Number 18F ("One of Pol Pot's Finest Gulag-managing Nazis since 1979" - Sen. Dick Turban)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Roosevelt Grant is a neighbor of the car owner. He said he knew something was wrong when he saw the white Buick LeSabre hooked up to a tow truck. Then, he said he saw his neighbor running after his car and shooting a gun at the two men inside the wrecker.

What, that's not a everyday occurrence?

7 posted on 06/26/2005 6:22:42 PM PDT by OXENinFLA
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To: boofus

Yup, one of many reasons I live here in TX. :)


8 posted on 06/26/2005 6:23:31 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Mr. Mojo
If he would have just called the police to handle the situation:
1. There wouldn't be a criminal in the hospital.
2. The criminal would be free to steal as many cars as he wanted.
3. The police wouldn't have to waste their time investigating a shooting instead of ignoring a car theft.
4. The victim would have to find a way to buy a new car and stimulate the economy.
5. Someone would have a relatively new car at a considerably reduced price.
9 posted on 06/26/2005 6:23:32 PM PDT by FreePaul
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To: Spktyr
The goblin was in critical condition.

He's not dead yet, but there's always hope.
10 posted on 06/26/2005 6:25:25 PM PDT by Dr.Zoidberg (Children's classic songs updated for Islam "If you're happy and you know it, Go Kaboom!")
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To: FreePaul

I can just about guarantee that this is going to be a *real* short investigation.

The best part is that if the shooter applies to the Crime Victims' Fund, he can get reimbursed for his expended ammo.


11 posted on 06/26/2005 6:25:30 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: OXENinFLA
What, that's not a everyday occurrence?

In some cases it would be a repossession...

12 posted on 06/26/2005 6:28:14 PM PDT by tubebender (Growing old is mandatory...Growing up is optional)
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To: tubebender
In some cases it would be a repossession...

Which still gets a wrecker driver shot once in a while. Maybe not often enough.

13 posted on 06/26/2005 6:30:13 PM PDT by FreePaul
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To: FreePaul

>>>"If he would have just called the police to handle the situation:
1. There wouldn't be a criminal in the hospital.
2. The criminal would be free to steal as many cars as he wanted.
3. The police wouldn't have to waste their time investigating a shooting instead of ignoring a car theft.
4. The victim would have to find a way to buy a new car and stimulate the economy.
5. Someone would have a relatively new car at a considerably reduced price"<<<

And the City would have been out 2 or 3 Clickit or Ticket Citations

TT


14 posted on 06/26/2005 6:35:03 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Texas law allows people to use deadly force to protect their property or, under certain circumstances, to stop someone they believe is committing a crime.

Texans are a more advanced species, to be sure.

15 posted on 06/26/2005 6:43:34 PM PDT by Tax Government (Put down the judicial insurrection. Contribute to FR.)
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To: Tax Government

Thank you


16 posted on 06/26/2005 6:44:19 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET)
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To: Spktyr

God bless Texas!


17 posted on 06/26/2005 6:48:36 PM PDT by txroadhawg (Don't believe any statistics unless you made them up yourself)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Texas law allows people to use deadly force to protect their property or, under certain circumstances, to stop someone they believe is committing a crime.

Good for Texas! A great law.

18 posted on 06/26/2005 6:54:45 PM PDT by Black Tooth
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To: Mr. Mojo
Just for clarification, this should read:

"Texas law allows people to use deadly force to protect their property AT NIGHT or, under certain circumstances, to stop someone they believe is committing a crime."

19 posted on 06/26/2005 6:59:02 PM PDT by need_a_screen_name
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To: Mr. Mojo

I wonder if the shrimp factory owner down in Freeport, TX could shoot one of the city officials that are trying to steal his land through eminent domain by claiming that he was just protecting his property????

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1430276/posts


20 posted on 06/26/2005 7:10:51 PM PDT by 2nd amendment mama ( www.2asisters.org • Self defense is a basic human right!)
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