Business owner arrested

.22hustler · 01-01-2008, 02:50 PM

Don't know if anyone has heard of this but several weeks ago a businessowner, (car garage), got tired of being robbed. He heard his alarm going off and found two shi*bags leaving a window of his place. They got into their car, and attempted to run him over. He brought his pistol with him and shot at the tire, blowing it out. Police were called and found the two suspects an hour or so later, down the road. BUSINESS-OWNER was charged with a felony, two suspects charged with misdemeanors. He used deadly force as he felt his life was endangered because of the attempted run over. Any comments? This happened in Richland, New York...

Mooseman684 · 01-01-2008, 02:52 PM

A sad state of affairs...Indeed !
Rich

SilverRun · 01-01-2008, 02:59 PM

My thoughts - it is BS. But, it did happen in New York. If that had happened in the United States, he would have likely been OK.

two-70 · 01-01-2008, 05:31 PM

he did try to run over them which is a felony, he would a been better off shooting them in his business

Windwalker · 01-01-2008, 05:38 PM

Thanks to their politicians New York has some pretty crappy laws for self defense. The thieves try to kill the business owner with an automobile and get charged with a misdemeanor while the owner shoots out a tire to save his life and gets charged with a felony for using a gun. Good thing he didn't shoot of of the thieving B-------, or he would have a big civil damage suit also. With laws like that I sometimes wonder why all the honest people don't just move out of New York and leave it to the politicians and criminals, in some cases one and the same.

Troy · 01-01-2008, 07:03 PM

wow, sounds like something that would happen here in canada. the only way for a citizen to stay out of trouble in this situation is to take the hit by the car and just die quietly. now hopefully the impact you have hitting the car doesn't send the criminals out of control and injure themselves, this would enable them to sue your family bankrupting everybody forever.

nathangdad · 01-01-2008, 08:36 PM

Just why I am glad I live in Texas.

SPOCAHP ANAR · 01-01-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .22hustler

He brought his pistol with him and shot at the tire, blowing it out.

He used deadly force as he felt his life was endangered because of the attempted run over.

He felt his life was endangered and yet shot at the tire? Doesn't add up to me. Need more information.

Zen900 · 01-01-2008, 10:41 PM

Anytime a citizen has to use force the police suddenly are able to apprehend the suspects immediately.

.22hustler · 01-02-2008, 08:41 AM

I'm sorry that I can't supply any more info on this. At the initial hearing the support for the business-owner was huge, but the DA decided to go ahead with the prosecution. I'll try to research this more and get back to the forum. If anyone has some free time, it was reported in the Democrat & Chronicle, being published out of Rochester, New York, the latter part of December, but before Christmas.

I can not find any articles on this story. I've sent an e-mail to one of the local news stations and hope I'll get an anwser some time today.

Lizard · 01-02-2008, 10:44 AM

I searched through the Rochester, New York Democrat & Chronicle news stories and archives and couldn't find anything that resembled this story. I hope you have more luck with your direct request to them.

I'd like to see what the real story is on this.

.22hustler · 01-02-2008, 12:01 PM

After I posted this thread, I also searched the D$C newspaper but couldn't find anything. I sent an email to a local news tv station but I haven't heard anything yet. I KNOW i wasn't dreaming this!!!!

Seabeescotty · 01-02-2008, 12:27 PM

If someone tried to run over me, I would be in fear of my life, and the use of deadly force would be justified. However, he shot the tire out, and they(lefties) will argue that he was in control of the situation, not in fear, and will make the argument that he should have called the police. Those people amaze me the way they can twist a story around and use it against the victim. By the way, I wouldn't have shot at the tire.

Scotty

.22hustler · 01-02-2008, 12:43 PM

Auto shop owner charged
Reported by: Matt Molloy

Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007 @10:23pm EST

He says he's an honest business owner who was protecting his property, but authorities say John O’Conner broke the law when he opened fire shooting out the car tire of an alleged thief.

More than 50 people filed into the small courtroom in the town of Richmond Wednesday night all standing behind the Canandice auto shop owner.

"It's overwhelming, humbling,” O’Conner said.

Late Sunday O’Conner says he encountered a thief in his shop. He followed the suspect outside where the man tried to get away. That's when he opened fire shooting out the back tire of the car. The suspect was arrested and so was O’Conner. The shop owner was charged with criminal mischief and using excessive force. Authorities say he went too far.

"I will have to fight this all way. I do not see myself as a criminal I was trying to defend my property,” said O’Conner.

"He stops them and then is charged with a more serious crime than they are even charged with, it's terrible,” said Martin Muehe, O’Conner’s attorney.

Dozens of people came out to support O’Conner. Katherine Lustig never met him, but said she felt compelled to come out.

"To me I think it's a total travesty that somebody has the potential of going to prison for shooting out an inanimate object, a tire,” she said.

"As I understand this guy has been ripped off some 100 times. The sheriff's department can't cover it all. We need people like this guy to stand up for his own rights. I don't believe in vigilantes, but I do believe in protecting his property and that's exactly what he was doing,” said Randy Pawley, Richmond Town Supervisor.

Ontario County Assistant District Attorney Neal McClelland handled the arraignment, but wouldn't comment other than to say the story portrayed in the media had many inaccuracies.

"Mr. Muehe will correct them, he knows what the inaccuracies are, Mr. O'Conner knows what they are," said Neal McClelland.

O’Conner has a lot more on the line than the threat of spending time behind bars. If convicted of a felony he could lose his seat on the Canandice town board as well as his business license to run his auto shop. The alleged thieves face a misdemeanor charge.

O'Conner says over the past 3 decades his business has been robbed of more than $250,000 of goods and equipment.

I had the name of the town wrong, and I also viewed it on the wrong tv station, but I finally found the news article. Sorry for any inconvience.

baldeagle48 · 01-02-2008, 09:23 PM

TOO BAD HE AIMED THAT LOW.BUT THEN IT WOULD BE MURDER.TRY TO RUN OVER A COP AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.THE'LL EMPTY THERE GUN INTO THE CAR.

damage855 · 01-02-2008, 10:37 PM

so he shot at the rear of the car? that might be the problem. had a store owner in my county put a few holes in the trunk of a shoplifters car one night he was charged with firing wihtin 500ft of an ocupied dwelling a county ordinace and it got dropped by the DA. never even made it to court now the store owner dosent have any problems with shoplifters.

two-70 · 01-02-2008, 10:42 PM

i hope he manages to come out of this, was a poor call i think +1 baldeagle

Casull · 01-03-2008, 01:07 AM

Quote:

He followed the suspect outside where the man tried to get away. That's when he opened fire shooting out the back tire of the car.

I am not in favor of dirtbag thieves, but this is completely different than what was originally listed as the "story". The dirtbags were trying to get away and he shot the "back" tire of the car. Not very life threatening. As most here know, you can't shoot a thief who is running away.

Lizard · 01-03-2008, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casull

I am not in favor of dirtbag thieves, but this is completely different than what was originally listed as the "story". The dirtbags were trying to get away and he shot the "back" tire of the car. Not very life threatening. As most here know, you can't shoot a thief who is running away.

That was what also struck me. However, another point that I thought about was that I have heard of DA's that charge someone that they believe will be found innocent. They do this so that the charged person is exonerated in court and it impedes further civil actions against them. I don't know that this is what is going on here, but it was a thought that crossed my mind. There are some DA's that "play the game" to the benefit of good people.

Momoney567 · 01-03-2008, 10:53 AM

that's terrible what is the world coming to?

01-01-2008, 02:50 PM	#1
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,112	Business owner arrested Don't know if anyone has heard of this but several weeks ago a businessowner, (car garage), got tired of being robbed. He heard his alarm going off and found two shi*bags leaving a window of his place. They got into their car, and attempted to run him over. He brought his pistol with him and shot at the tire, blowing it out. Police were called and found the two suspects an hour or so later, down the road. BUSINESS-OWNER was charged with a felony, two suspects charged with misdemeanors. He used deadly force as he felt his life was endangered because of the attempted run over. Any comments? This happened in Richland, New York...

01-01-2008, 02:52 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 10,572 Images: 2	A sad state of affairs...Indeed ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-01-2008, 05:31 PM	#4
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,783	he did try to run over them which is a felony, he would a been better off shooting them in his business __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-01-2008, 08:36 PM	#7
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,925	Why I live in Texas Just why I am glad I live in Texas.

01-02-2008, 08:41 AM	#10
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,112	I'm sorry that I can't supply any more info on this. At the initial hearing the support for the business-owner was huge, but the DA decided to go ahead with the prosecution. I'll try to research this more and get back to the forum. If anyone has some free time, it was reported in the Democrat & Chronicle, being published out of Rochester, New York, the latter part of December, but before Christmas. I can not find any articles on this story. I've sent an e-mail to one of the local news stations and hope I'll get an anwser some time today. Last edited by .22hustler; 01-02-2008 at 09:06 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-01-2008, 02:59 PM	#3
SilverRun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,666	My thoughts - it is BS. But, it did happen in New York. If that had happened in the United States, he would have likely been OK.

01-01-2008, 05:38 PM	#5
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,016	Thanks to their politicians New York has some pretty crappy laws for self defense. The thieves try to kill the business owner with an automobile and get charged with a misdemeanor while the owner shoots out a tire to save his life and gets charged with a felony for using a gun. Good thing he didn't shoot of of the thieving B-------, or he would have a big civil damage suit also. With laws like that I sometimes wonder why all the honest people don't just move out of New York and leave it to the politicians and criminals, in some cases one and the same.

01-01-2008, 07:03 PM	#6
Troy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,505 Images: 3	wow, sounds like something that would happen here in canada. the only way for a citizen to stay out of trouble in this situation is to take the hit by the car and just die quietly. now hopefully the impact you have hitting the car doesn't send the criminals out of control and injure themselves, this would enable them to sue your family bankrupting everybody forever.

01-01-2008, 10:41 PM	#9
Zen900 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 722	Anytime a citizen has to use force the police suddenly are able to apprehend the suspects immediately.

01-02-2008, 10:44 AM	#11
Lizard Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 153	I searched through the Rochester, New York Democrat & Chronicle news stories and archives and couldn't find anything that resembled this story. I hope you have more luck with your direct request to them. I'd like to see what the real story is on this.

01-02-2008, 12:01 PM	#12
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,112	After I posted this thread, I also searched the D$C newspaper but couldn't find anything. I sent an email to a local news tv station but I haven't heard anything yet. I KNOW i wasn't dreaming this!!!!

01-02-2008, 12:27 PM	#13
Seabeescotty The ol' Coot Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jay, Oklahoma, God's country. Posts: 4,599 Images: 18 Blog Entries: 1	If someone tried to run over me, I would be in fear of my life, and the use of deadly force would be justified. However, he shot the tire out, and they(lefties) will argue that he was in control of the situation, not in fear, and will make the argument that he should have called the police. Those people amaze me the way they can twist a story around and use it against the victim. By the way, I wouldn't have shot at the tire.Scotty __________________ Adapt, improvise, overcome.-Gysgt Highway, Heartbreak Ridge

01-02-2008, 12:43 PM	#14
.22hustler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,112	Auto shop owner charged Reported by: Matt Molloy Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007 @10:23pm EST He says he's an honest business owner who was protecting his property, but authorities say John O’Conner broke the law when he opened fire shooting out the car tire of an alleged thief. More than 50 people filed into the small courtroom in the town of Richmond Wednesday night all standing behind the Canandice auto shop owner. "It's overwhelming, humbling,” O’Conner said. Late Sunday O’Conner says he encountered a thief in his shop. He followed the suspect outside where the man tried to get away. That's when he opened fire shooting out the back tire of the car. The suspect was arrested and so was O’Conner. The shop owner was charged with criminal mischief and using excessive force. Authorities say he went too far. "I will have to fight this all way. I do not see myself as a criminal I was trying to defend my property,” said O’Conner. "He stops them and then is charged with a more serious crime than they are even charged with, it's terrible,” said Martin Muehe, O’Conner’s attorney. Dozens of people came out to support O’Conner. Katherine Lustig never met him, but said she felt compelled to come out. "To me I think it's a total travesty that somebody has the potential of going to prison for shooting out an inanimate object, a tire,” she said. "As I understand this guy has been ripped off some 100 times. The sheriff's department can't cover it all. We need people like this guy to stand up for his own rights. I don't believe in vigilantes, but I do believe in protecting his property and that's exactly what he was doing,” said Randy Pawley, Richmond Town Supervisor. Ontario County Assistant District Attorney Neal McClelland handled the arraignment, but wouldn't comment other than to say the story portrayed in the media had many inaccuracies. "Mr. Muehe will correct them, he knows what the inaccuracies are, Mr. O'Conner knows what they are," said Neal McClelland. O’Conner has a lot more on the line than the threat of spending time behind bars. If convicted of a felony he could lose his seat on the Canandice town board as well as his business license to run his auto shop. The alleged thieves face a misdemeanor charge. O'Conner says over the past 3 decades his business has been robbed of more than $250,000 of goods and equipment. I had the name of the town wrong, and I also viewed it on the wrong tv station, but I finally found the news article. Sorry for any inconvience. Last edited by .22hustler; 01-02-2008 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-02-2008, 09:23 PM	#15
baldeagle48 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 91	TOO BAD HE AIMED THAT LOW.BUT THEN IT WOULD BE MURDER.TRY TO RUN OVER A COP AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.THE'LL EMPTY THERE GUN INTO THE CAR.

01-02-2008, 10:37 PM	#16
damage855 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina / Lake Norman Posts: 942 Blog Entries: 1	so he shot at the rear of the car? that might be the problem. had a store owner in my county put a few holes in the trunk of a shoplifters car one night he was charged with firing wihtin 500ft of an ocupied dwelling a county ordinace and it got dropped by the DA. never even made it to court now the store owner dosent have any problems with shoplifters. __________________ If total goverment control will make us all safer, then why are prisons so dangerous?

01-02-2008, 10:42 PM	#17
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,783	i hope he manages to come out of this, was a poor call i think +1 baldeagle __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-03-2008, 10:53 AM	#20
Momoney567 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern tube Louisiana Posts: 225	that's terrible what is the world coming to? __________________ Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never found automatic weapons.