what can you do if you catch someone in the act of vandalizing your property?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

for example, you see someone keying your car.
you're not exactly going to kick his ass over it because it will land you in jail and you'd like your car repainted and repaired.

you can't detain him and call the cops because he's going to be running or resisting. or if you do, it becomes your word versus his and since you have no hard proof.

realistically, what can you do?

 

[isekii]

I would kick them on the side of the head then call the police.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I would shoot them and then place the gun in their hand and sprinkle the body with crack.

 

[rudeguy]

approach the menace and yell for him to stop
wait for him to run
shoot him
????
profit!

 

[Genx87]

Call police is your best option. I have a feeling if you actually defended your property by whipping their ass. You would end up in jail.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Depends on your laws.
In Texas, you can shoot them at night, but not during the day. (odd circumstances).

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Your best bet is probably to try to snag a photograph of the perp committing the crime and then call the police. Announcing that you're calling the police will likely cause the perp to flee and cease the vandalization.

 

[kami333]

Take video, call cops.

 

[RPD]

Throw a bat at em?

Seriously, photos and report.

Personally (in your example) I'd get a running start and tackle them into the car after getting photos.

 

[SunnyD]

Stance of Dominance?

 

[Bateluer]

I'd make a Facebook post, send a tweet, or post on ATOT about it.

 

[geno]

Saw his / her hands off like we're in Riyadh.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Take video, call cops.

1. he's going to be gone by the cops get there.
2. going to be difficult to ID the guy if you don't get a good shot of the face.
3. even if you get good video evidence, are they really going to put much effort into pursuing such a petty crime?

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Saw his / her hands off like we're in Riad.

i wish we could in this country.

 

[ViviTheMage]

picture + cops

 

[vi edit]

Saw his / her hands off like we're in Riad.

You savage.

I'd be happy to compromise with some hammers to their fingers. Leave them intact, but at least it still hurts like a bitch every time the weather changes as a rememberance.

 

[DougK62]

Years ago I caught someone vandalizing my car and I physically detained them until the police arrived. The cops didn't seem to have a problem with what I did.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Call police is your best option. I have a feeling if you actually defended your property by whipping their ass. You would end up in jail.

kinky.

 

[Nintendesert]

This is why God gave you fists. Use what God gave you and pummel the person until their life blood freely flows down the storm drain.

 

[darkxshade]

I would vandalize their face

 

[CPA]

You have a right to defend your property. I highly doubt the cops would arrest you for doing so, even if that defense included your fists to his face.

 

[moshquerade]

do you know this person?

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

I would shoot them and then place the gun in their hand and sprinkle the body with crack.

This seems like the most logical resolution. I'd add wiping down the handle for prints and putting a dead hooker next to him just to be sure.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Years ago I caught someone vandalizing my car and I physically detained them until the police arrived. The cops didn't seem to have a problem with what I did.

How much bigger than the perp were you, and how did you physically detain them?

 

[bobdole369]

Saw his / her hands off like we're in Riad.

It is spelled Riyadh.

As for an appropriate punishment - Detain the person. It is likely > $1000 worth of damage so it becomes a felony if I recall. Depends on the state I guess. California would have your ass in jail, while in Texas, I'm assuming they wouldn't send the cops, but the coroner instead.