That's the main thing. You did a great job under great distress. Again. I keep my Beretta .40 on my night table. The world is just too dangerous these days, no matter where you may live. And that is too bad.
Well Steve, it definitely was not a random happening. Seemingly,that kid/intruder has a serious mental problem and desperation that needs attention. Violent criminal types would have had a weapon on them or at least grabbed a knife from your kitchen. I am extremely glad that it wasn't like that.
This is wierd.. you know his whole family? Maybe you should actually have a real talk with the guy. First, it might freak him out... Second, you might find out where the guy is coming from and help you decide how to deal with the future. (please feel free to call me a dumb-ass for suggesting this)
Unfortunately they will charge him w/ some bs like unauthorized nakedness errr, i'm pretty sure that criminal trespass and sexual assault charges will be a slam dunk given what Steve has told us. regardless, it's not a bad idea to keep in touch with the prosecutor to see whats going on.
The mutant bulldog with a head bigger than a basketball concerns me more :eek2: Or the psycho husky over the road.....
there isnt really any evidence though. No video, no physical evidence that you mentioned, your wifes testimony, your testimony that you saw him in the back yard. The defense could argue that you knew him, knew his dad, talked cars with him and he stopped by, said something to piss your wife off and your wife freaked out and made up the story to get him in trouble. Then he ran away. I dont think it will be slam dunk. Did he admit anything to the police? have you seen the report?
Glad that everyone is OK. That's scary stuff. The guys lucky also. There are some homes where he might not have come out as well off. I have a gun in reach when I'm in bed. 30-30 is the first grab. If I had a clue what had happened I wouldn't have even thought about it. Dead perv. Deal with the cops later. The way that you did it is probably way better though!
Steve, You've been posting on here a long time and from what I've seen you're one stand up fellow with lots of smarts. You'll get your family through this with flying colors. Hopefully, time will quickly heal the feeling of violation. I wouldn't get to carried away with protection though, we have to trust our fellow humans to a degree. We can only be so ready for these rare occasions. All the best to you and your family. Don't let the cops buy that GN...they'll get doughnut crumbs everywhere!
It will stay with you for a long time. About 30 years ago when we lived in a different town, a mental patient walked away from her facility and into our house when only my wife was home. We had never locked our doors. Since that event, my wife keeps the doors locked even when we (she, yours truly, and our 110 lb Shepherd) are all home.
Thank god everyone is OK. I will tell you that I got burglarized about 20+ years ago when I lived in Providence. Actually got robbed while the whole family was asleep including the dog (who was a pretty good watchdog). Single level home with deadbolts, the cat burglar managed to slide over an ac unit. The earie thing is it was meant we did not awaken as the burglar left their weapon behind (not a gun). It took a long time before feeling violated subsided. I have 2 Jack Russells, 1-12 gauge first shot #6, 2-5 00buck, 1- 30/40, a couple 22's, and a 6'3 240 lb 16 year old.
What was he charged with???? Attempted rape won't fly. I'm afraid he'll be right back out on the street (and won't have to register).
I tangled with a burglar in the garage over Labor Day weekend-this was a career criminal type guy and he sat in the county jail for 2-3 months and then made bail-and later failed to report to court and went back to his old ways (plus a few other charges)and was picked up again on a 'Christmas sweep'. He will go away for quite a while now. He never should have made bail, but Minnesota is a lax state in that regard. I am kept appraised of the 'process' by the county attorney's office and 'victim rights' laws in this state. You may have similar-good luck!
Steve You know your family and your kids and I know that you will handle it in the best way possible based on knowing the kids, but I would want them to get a good education on the dangers of the world from this. I've just got the one kid and she's only four and I worry about the freaks out there all the time. Worry about the ones that target kids her age and the ones that target all the ages that she will become. When I was a kid there were never locked doors, but today even living in a very small community where everyone within a couple miles knows everyone else's business the doors are locked. I lived in Coeur D' Alene Idaho when a freak killed most of a family that lived rural and kidnaped the two youngest kids. Eventually killed the boy, and the girl survived the whole ordeal. The freak was caught with the girl at a Denny's in the middle of the night a very short distance from my house months later and the boy's body was found in the woods not far from where I was camping with my family the same weekend that they found the body. Since then trying to make sure that the family is safe and trying to figure out how to make sure my daughter is aware of the freaks out there and that it doesn't matter where you live without making her too scared of the world has been my primary focus. I personally would want the kids to know someone broke in and Dad was able to keep them safe. Two lessons there for the kids. I don't think I would tell them what he was up to in the house. Either way, good job keeping the family safe and god only knows who else you may have kept safe by catching that nut job.
Glad she wasn't hurt. That would shake up anyone. Yep what he said. I'm not sure the perp would have been able to make a statement to the cops. Mikey
I appreciate the kind words and recommendations. A few more notes: 1) I am simply not willing to have a gun in the house along with three little kids. The neighbor's 4 year old is already looking like a bad apple and he's over all the time, let alone plenty of kids come by for playdates and all that. Just not within my comfort zone. 2) I might be willing to go the taser route. Not sure of the differences in safety around kids, etc. etc. 3) In this specific instance, a gun would have done no good -- The seconds taken to grab it, unlock it, etc. would have allowed the perp to get away. If I cma eout of the bedroom four or five seconds later, he would have been off the property heading for his truck. 4) Not saying that a gun wouldn't have real value -- in many situations it would. Just not so much in this one. 5) Yeah, I could have roughed the guy up, but I was worried he might have a gun or a knife and be able to pull it if I started beating on him. I mean, c'mon -- would you figure him to be completely unarmed? It isn't like I disarmed him and then subdued him -- that might have lead to a different course of action. But he had given up, and I wasn't willing to risk my life to get a few punches in. "Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour." 6) Wife is getting less freaked out and will feel better once the alarm is active tomorrow. We've got a very extensive alarm system, it just wasn't active and needed updating. 7) Don't know if they can make any sex charges stick. May just be breaking and entering and assault, but maybe the judge will go hard on him given the circumstantial evidence. We'll see. 8) Kids want a dog anyway so it might happen. Cats won't be pleased. 9) Gotta figure out if I can sue the guy or the business, since he was driving the company truck. -- Steve
Again, glad you and the family didn't get hurt! I noticed you may want to sue. I don't understand wanting to sue the business he works for. They did nothing. It's hard enough these days to make it in small business without worrying about something like that. Just hope you can make some charges stick against him to make him pay.
Steve, make sure you make a victim impact statement available to the prosecution. Each and every one of the kids, you and the wife.It could make all the difference in sentencing. Might be good therapy too. I also don't see any good coming from suing. I think you will just be hurting the mom and pop buisness owners .o No: Leave bats through out the house. Hell tape one under the kitchen table.
I understand the aversion to suing. What would I want? A settlement to cover a $1,500 alarm system, etc. Aint looking for $50,000 or $200,000, especially since I know, like, and respect the perp's dad, who owns the business. -- Steve
