View Full Version : Justice, Texas Style: Purse Snatcher Caught by Citizens
Walmart shoppers catch man who snatched elderly woman's purse in Waco
KABC
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 04:09AM
WACO, TX --
When shoppers at a Texas Walmart witnessed a crime against an elderly woman, they decided to take matters into their own hands. And it was all captured on video.
A man was suspected of snatching an 84-year-old woman's purse and that's when a number of Walmart shoppers in Waco chased after him and a violent struggle begins.
One woman can be seen holding a gun and when the suspect is able to get free to make a run for it, she fires a shot over his head.
The man immediately drops to the ground then gets back up and starts running.
But the group of citizens quickly caught up and grabbed him just as police arrived at the scene.
The woman who fired the gun is seen calmly walking away.
Police arrested 27-year-old Andre Dawson, and recovered the purse he allegedly stole from the elderly woman.
After media reports of the incident, the woman with the gun made contact with police and is now participating with the investigation.
Walmart shoppers catch man who snatched elderly woman's purse in Waco | abc13.com (http://abc13.com/news/walmart-shoppers-catch-man-who-snatched-elderly-womans-purse/1097257/)
Too bad they didn't beat him down before the police got there. Since the guy seems to like purses, maybe they should issue him the women's dress uniform for his prison stay?
Fasglas
11-24-2015, 1:40pm
Video clearly shows a WAY over the perp's head shot.
Texas woman fires her gun on a purse snatcher - YouTube
but meanwhile...
Case Of Woman Who Fired Shot As Thief Fled Will Go To Grand Jury (http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Bystander-Shoots-At-Thief-In-Local-Walmart-Parking-Lot-352322721.html)
Case Of Woman Who Fired Shot As Thief Fled Will Go To Grand Jury
Updated: Mon 3:36 PM, Nov 23, 2015
By: Staff
The case of a woman who fired a shot as a suspected purse thief fled in the parking lot of a local Walmart will be forwarded to a grand jury, police said Monday.
Andre Dawson, 27, was arrested at the scene Friday.
http://Andre-Dawson-Parking-Lot-Theft-Walmart.jpg
The woman, whose name has not been released, went to the Bellmead Police Department Friday night.
“She was released pending further investigation,” police said in a press release Monday afternoon.
Once the investigation is completed, “the case will be forwarded to the grand jury,” police said.
Witnesses said that a man stole an elderly woman’s purse as she and another woman unloaded groceries from a shopping cart Friday afternoon and then ran with four or five other men in pursuit.
The men caught up with the thief and at one point had him pinned to the ground, witnesses said.
Meanwhile the woman, who saw the commotion, parked her pickup truck, and got out, carrying a handgun, witnesses said.
She pointed the gun in the direction of the thief, and when he managed to break free and run, she fired a single shot.
He stumbled when the shot was fired, but wasn’t hit and was recaptured.
The woman who fired the shot got back in her truck and drove off, the witnesses said.
Andre Dawson, 27, was arrested at the scene, Bellmead police Detective Kory Martin said.
Dawson remained in the McLennan County Jail Monday in lieu of $2,000 bond, charged with theft of less than $100.
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For further consideration, read THIS account of what happened/should happen. :spdchk::spdchk::spdchk:
Good Gal With A Gun Shoots At Unarmed Purse Snatcher In Parking Lot (WITH VIDEO) (http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/11/23/good-gal-with-a-gun-shoots-at-unarmed-purse-snatcher-in-parking-lot-with-video/)
Kevin_73
11-24-2015, 2:39pm
Video clearly shows a WAY over the perp's head shot.
She did fire way over the guy's head, but it was still careless and probably unlawful.
Where did that bullet go?
That Walmart is surrounded by businesses and residential areas (and I think a school as well) for miles in all directions. Her bullet could have easily wounded or killed someone else.
The perp was unarmed, and he wasn't a threat to her or any of the people around her.
She will probably be charged for discharging a firearm within city limits, and public endangerment. I bet she will be convicted too.
MrPeabody
11-24-2015, 2:48pm
She did fire way over the guy's head, but it was still careless and probably unlawful.
Where did that bullet go?
That Walmart is surrounded by businesses and residential areas (and I think a school as well) for miles in all directions. Her bullet could have easily wounded or killed someone else.
The perp was unarmed, and he wasn't a threat to her or any of the people around her.
She will probably be charged for discharging a firearm within city limits, and public endangerment. I bet she will be convicted too.
:iagree: Another mistake she made was leaving the scene before the police got there. Whether any laws were broken by her, it would look better if she stayed and talked to the police when they arrived.
She did fire way over the guy's head, but it was still careless and probably unlawful.
Where did that bullet go?
That Walmart is surrounded by businesses and residential areas (and I think a school as well) for miles in all directions. Her bullet could have easily wounded or killed someone else.
The perp was unarmed, and he wasn't a threat to her or any of the people around her.
She will probably be charged for discharging a firearm within city limits, and public endangerment. I bet she will be convicted too.
I disagree. The perp definitely was an existential threat to anyone and everyone in the perp's vicinity. He stole a purse. He then assaulted two guys trying to make a citizen's (citizens'?) arrest. That makes it an ongoing, violent crime spree. Who knows how many other people would have been assaulted or robbed that day, but for the actions of the two good Samaritans and the woman, who slowed his progress temporarily by forcing him to the ground, albeit briefly.
The woman needs to take a CHL class and be thankful her shot didn't harm anyone. She doesn't need to face trial, however. I'd no-bill her in a heartbeat if I was on the Grand Jury, then counsel her privately afterwards to go get trained. If there is a next time, I wouldn't be so forgiving.
I disagree. The perp definitely was an existential threat to anyone and everyone in the perp's vicinity. He stole a purse. He then assaulted two guys trying to make a citizen's (citizens'?) arrest. That makes it an ongoing, violent crime spree. Who knows how many other people would have been assaulted or robbed that day, but for the actions of the two good Samaritans and the woman, who slowed his progress temporarily by forcing him to the ground, albeit briefly.
The woman needs to take a CHL class and be thankful her shot didn't harm anyone. She doesn't need to face trial, however. I'd no-bill her in a heartbeat if I was on the Grand Jury, then counsel her privately afterwards to go get trained. If there is a next time, I wouldn't be so forgiving.
Sorry, but firing into the air is inherently dangerous and irresponsible. Even without proper training, you have to know that what goes up must come down.
Ol Timer
11-24-2015, 3:16pm
Never fire a warning shot.
Sorry, but firing into the air is inherently dangerous and irresponsible. Even without proper training, you have to know that what goes up must come down.
I agree. I'm only willing to give her a pass because the shot didn't cause any damage. It wouldn't serve the interest of justice to prosecute her. Educate her, instead. Facing a Grand Jury ought to be enough of a wake up call for her to get educated. True-billing her would be a waste of money for the taxpayers.
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