Chasing A Crook: Man Charged in Vigilante-Style Car Chase, Shooting

KSPR ^ | September 14, 2009 | KSPR

[rond]

Greene County (Missouri) prosecutors have charged a 61-year-old man with felony unlawful use of a weapon, after the man fired his handgun while chasing a suspected purse snatcher.

Charles R. Webb was arrested Friday night.

According to police:

Webb "fired several shots at a vehicle being driven by a suspect, who had stolen a purse from a female on the parking lot of the Price Cutter, 3620 E. Battlefield Rd.

"At 9:15 p.m. a 75-year old Springfield woman was walking to her car when a white male described as being 18-20 years old with black hair, ran past her and took her purse. Webb witnessed the theft, and saw the male get into a gray colored 1980’s model SUV. Webb got into his car and pursed the suspect.

"Webb’s pursuit, which reached speeds up to 80 miles an hour, ended on a parking lot of a motel near Battlefield and Moulder. During the pursuit, Webb fired at the vehicle with a 9mm handgun on or near the lots of two motels in the area of Battlefield and Moulder."

Webb has a carry-and-conceal permit for the handgun. He's free on $2,500 bond.

[Joe 6-pack]

A+ for enthusiasm, F for judgment.

[SkyDancer]

Cops are probably po’d because they couldn’t use their taser ....

[Blue Jays]

"...when a white male described as being 18-20 years old with black hair..."

---

Nobody happened to notice the color of his skin as he ran away with the pocketbook? Very interesting!

[OldNavyVet]

“felony unlawful use of a weapon”

Given what facts we have, I’d like to volunteer for service on the jury.

[klb99]

So I get it - you can have a CCP but aren’t allowed to use your weapon against the perps in the execution of a crime. That’s a great way to get around the 2nd amendment...probably more effective than banning ammo even.

[NC28203]

>>>Nobody happened to notice the color of his skin as he ran away with the pocketbook? Very interesting!

Take a look at the qoute you cited. Does it not say white male?

[Niteranger68]

Jury nullification!

[Truth29]

Gee; does anybody care if the crook was arrested?

[hoosierham]

Would have been much better if the citizen had NOT fired;it is one thing to shoot to defend yourself or another against threat of bodily harm,but shooting at the car of a purse snatcher is very poor judgment.We would castigate the police for doing it,we ought to be consistent.

I am afraid this citizen will soon join the ranks of those forbidden by law to own firearms,and "he brung it on hisself".8(

[SECURE AMERICA]

The Government hates it when people try and do their job for them.
That said I think the gentlemen watches to much TV

[Domangart]

The use of deadly force for petty theft? Even if you can use deadly force you can't fire at people just because the perp is in front of them.

[Cheetahcat]

My mother got her Purse grabbed if I would have been there the guy would be a cartoon caretaker paper thin in the pavement.

[The Comedian]

Give the lady her purse back, punk...

[TYVets]

A+ for enthusiasm, F for judgment.r

Five and one half years after Missouri started issuing Concealed Carry permits The Springfield News &Loser, The Kansas City Red Star and The St Louis Post Disgrace can finally claim that blood is flowing in the streets because of CCP.

No blood was spilled,,,great!

The perp was caught, who knows?

Was the CCP holder defending his castle or any person,,,Nope !

A stupid move by the CCP holder.

[BorisTheBulletDodger]

The Brady Campaign will use this as an example of a CCP holder breaking the law even though he was doing it to try to help someone, not because he was trying to commit a crime.

Remember people: you can only fire your weapon if you are in imminent and immediate threat of death or severe bodily harm (and in some places they include threat of property loss, but not in all places) and you can only fire in defense, not attack or chasing after someone.

[DarthVader]

Valiant in the intent but very bad judgment.

[Red in Blue PA]

This may not be popular here, but I am all for changing the law to properly deal with robbers, thieves etc.

Many will say it’s “only theft”.

We trade a great chunk of our lives in return for a paycheck. After taxes are taken out (fed, state, local, Soc Sec etc), we get the check. After we get the check, we pay monthly expenses. With whatever is left over, we can save up to get those things we want over years.

So it’s not “just theft”; robbers are essentialy stealing a part of your life when they steal from you.

Let’s deal with such people accordingly.

[Gilbo_3]

After taxes are taken out (fed, state, local, Soc Sec etc),

first theft is ALWAYS by guv...street thugs are simply chasing the scraps...

And I must agree 100%...property is life, a portion thereof, but life nonetheless...

we shoulda never stopped hangin horse thieves...

[CitiznConcerned]

and Mr Webb if you are reading this I want to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Sometimes police reports dont always portray events very well and it will be interesting to actually hear your side of the story. I know your version will be the most accurate and honest based on your actions. Actions speak louder than words and judging by your actions you are a very good man with good intentions who was just trying to right a terrible wrong. I am glad there are people like you out there and I hope someone in the right position steps up an commends you for your good deed. Also to the lady that was the victim in this crime, please step up and support Mr. Webb; he may need you now like you needed him this weekend. There are too few people out there that care, much less that will try to help. To everyone else please consider your feelings if this had been your Mom or Grandma