[QUOTE=Tracks_AP1,Apr 6 2006, 11:31 PM]...

 

I think that all things considered, the O/P did the right thing here.

 

, and hopefully it put enough scare (with the cops and all) into the kid to make him think twice before doing something like that again. It's good to learn from mistakes .

 

I doubt he's bragging to his friend after you made him kneel and was crying the whole time, it's hard to play that off to your friends when there all laughing at you.

About 2 years ago some kids poured hot sauce on my red SC Lexus that I had JUST PAINTED myself a week prior. We seen them on the Surveillance camera. I ran outside to wash it off (hot sauce messes up paint) and my friend chased after them and called the cops. I didn't press charges, but the cops went out there at 2 am with lights blaring, blocked the street, and woke up all the neighbors in a nicer area (Rancho Cucamonga).

I couldn't get mad really, I was a kid and did stuff like that myself, so I could relate. karma I guess lol the neighbors.

 

All I know is when I was growning up it would be totally diff. I would get a beat down from the car owner, get charges pressed against me/parents, get a beat down from my parents, and learn a lesson.

Now days kids get away with this crap because we can't beat them down. The laws protect little SOB's.

I would have beat him...

 

I think I would have beat him too. Being caught in the moment, adrenaline pumping, temper might have gotten the best of me. Okay, helpless 12 year old w/ airsoft gun, but....... helpless S2000 leaving it's home? Ideally pressing charges would be the way to go. Obviously if the kid is out shooting up peoples cars, there is a lack of guidance at the home, so he'll probably do something like that again. I'd be willing to bet $thousands this kid is in the correctional system before he's twenty. Mind you air soft guns can't be purchased under the age of 18 also. If he can get a hold of one at 12, he'll have a real handgun by 14 no problem. You do know a dent or ding in your 1/4 panel can be thousands of dollars worth of repair if paint work is needed? Scarying a kid isn't worth thousands to me.

 

This sort of thing....will make me wish I was back in Korea.
Not only sheit like this won't happen back home, if it did, it will be an asswhooping time where everyone will be watching and I will be having my field day with punk ass juvenile where he will learn his lesson not to ever disrespect someone or someelse's property ever again!

 

Citizen's arrest...valuable tool. Too bad the POLICE don't even know the rules.

That was a cite and release offense. Criminal mischief is a criminal, not civil act. It is a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the amount of damage done. It would have been reduced to an infraction and the kid would have done community service, but it would have gotten him in the system so when he shoplifted from a 7-11, that would not have been reduced. Small crimes deserve punishment to fit the crime. If you teach them at a young age that they don't like being in trouble, they will stop. It would have been a good opportunity for the family court judge to have a talk with the parents about supervision and liability.

Please keep fighting the good fight. Catch them when they are 12 and I won't have to take care of bigger things when I get them at 14.

No, I wouldn't have worried about a nick in the paint either. That will happen just driving down the road.

Damn that pisses me off more than you can imagine. Punk kids really need to get a taste of their own medicine and understand there are consequences for their actions.

 

You did the right thing. Doubt I'd have had as much restraint. Kids, no matter what age, need to be accountable for the things they do...I know I did - Dad whipped my A$$ when he heard I did stuff like that, so I learned a valuable lesson - don't F with other's stuff, show some respect, and damage to property has consequences...even if you're just showing out for your friends

 

Don't you have a trunk monkey to chase the kid down for you?