Vegas incident, what would you have done?

[willy]

If it was me and my kid and you stepped in I would have thanked you for looking out for MY kid.
Because what if it wasn't me, but instead some stranger!??
You did the right thing and I salute you for it.
OOPS!
A big salute to your wife too!
Way to go!

 

[M28]

You absolutely did the right thing.

Not that this should be your motivation, and I doubt that it was, but can you imagine how you would feel if you stood there with your thumb up your arse like everyone else and it turned out to be the real deal?

Brian~

 

[TACC1]

Just my humble opinion, but on top of doing the right thing, your
wife's "Knight in Shining Armor", just validated one of the reasons she married you!
I wonder if any forum members' children behave that way in public??
Good job on both your parts! Better to have some doubt after, than wonder for the rest of your life if you hadn't acted responsibly. You'd want someone
to worry about your children, too. TACC1

 

[feralmerril]

Thanks once again guys for your kind comments. I guess in my original post I didnt stress my biggest underlineing concern, and I am surprised no one here brought it up, especialy with all the LEOs and a few lawyers here that might have seen this thread.
That is by sticking my neck out a case COULD be made for false arrest or imprisonment by just delaying the man.
Years ago in california when they came out with schooling and testing to get our state "Guard Cards or license", the state and especialy my large company, heavly stressed the danger and complications of leaving yourself open to being sued!
Now when a LEO does what I did, he is covered by his departments insurance. I as a civilian have none! I once was turned down by our sheriffs dept from going on the reserves as that would make them liable as on my day job I was a lockheed guard. Anything I got into doing my regular job would liabal the county SO!
Through the years I remember makeing at least three "civilian arrests",
but those cases were far differant as they had in fact done criminal acts witnessed by me and were trying to get away. In this case he only was suspected of possibly kidnapping, and I suppose had he had big money to get a lawyer and wanted to cause me grief he probley could have cost me huge money defending myself, although I am certain I would have got out of it.
In defendse of "sheeple", something can be said for their hesitation in similar situations, and thats a shame!

 

[The Big D]

Thanks once again guys for your kind comments. I guess in my original post I didnt stress my biggest underlineing concern, and I am surprised no one here brought it up, especialy with all the LEOs and a few lawyers here that might have seen this thread.
That is by sticking my neck out a case COULD be made for false arrest or imprisonment by just delaying the man.
Years ago in california when they came out with schooling and testing to get our state "Guard Cards or license", the state and especialy my large company, heavly stressed the danger and complications of leaving yourself open to being sued!
Now when a LEO does what I did, he is covered by his departments insurance. I as a civilian have none! I once was turned down by our sheriffs dept from going on the reserves as that would make them liable as on my day job I was a lockheed guard. Anything I got into doing my regular job would liabal the county SO!
Through the years I remember makeing at least three "civilian arrests",
but those cases were far differant as they had in fact done criminal acts witnessed by me and were trying to get away. In this case he only was suspected of possibly kidnapping, and I suppose had he had big money to get a lawyer and wanted to cause me grief he probley could have cost me huge money defending myself, although I am certain I would have got out of it.
In defendse of "sheeple", something can be said for their hesitation in similar situations, and thats a shame!

FM, From what you related nothing you did was "wrong" nor would you be liable.

FTR, I have a pending court date for a DWI case in which I called "911" and followed the violator 'til the real police arrived. This will take up a bit of time, and the prosecutors state they cannot cover my travel expenses. Yep, it will cost me cash money to appear in court.

Have stated repeatedly herein and will reiterate: I will become involved and will accept what comes into play thereafter.

I cannot and will not stand by and let others be victimized.

Be safe.

 

[feralmerril]

Big D, couldnt keeping him stay put by intimidation untill LEO arrived be considered "False imprisonment?". (I am twice his size, but more than twice his age too.)
Years ago I was in Los Angeles with a girl friend. She was driveing my car, a 1964 coupe deville. I only had liability on it as it wasnt my main ride. A drunk pulled right out of a bar and T-boned us. They took off, the GF stopped. I yelled for her to follow them as I wanted a license # and knew I was SOL with my insurance without it.
That was like turning police woman angie dickinson loose! She boxed them up in a parking building just like you seen on TV 50 times! They delibertly smashed into us about 3 more times trying to force us backwards to get away. As I was getting out of the car I grabbed my S&W model 60. In a rage I knocked the driver down when he challanged me. I held both while the GF drove off looking for help.
Long story, short, I wasnt arrested, was given my gun & ammo back. However this was about 35 years ago, and it probley helped me that there were warrants out for the driver etc. I am sure I would never get away with that again, especialy in Los Angeles!
Anyway, I always have been lucky in that type stuff, Thanks!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

You did the right thing for a tough call.

 

[The Big D]

Big D, couldnt keeping him stay put by intimidation untill LEO arrived be considered "False imprisonment?". (I am twice his size, but more than twice his age too.)
Years ago I was in Los Angeles with a girl friend. She was driveing my car, a 1964 coupe deville. I only had liability on it as it wasnt my main ride. A drunk pulled right out of a bar and T-boned us. They took off, the GF stopped. I yelled for her to follow them as I wanted a license # and knew I was SOL with my insurance without it.
That was like turning police woman angie dickinson loose! She boxed them up in a parking building just like you seen on TV 50 times! They delibertly smashed into us about 3 more times trying to force us backwards to get away. As I was getting out of the car I grabbed my S&W model 60. In a rage I knocked the driver down when he challanged me. I held both while the GF drove off looking for help.
Long story, short, I wasnt arrested, was given my gun & ammo back. However this was about 35 years ago, and it probley helped me that there were warrants out for the driver etc. I am sure I would never get away with that again, especialy in Los Angeles!
Anyway, I always have been lucky in that type stuff, Thanks!

FM, I am not a lawyer but nothing kept dude from leaving. 'Cept common sense, perhaps. If your actions could be construed as "false imprisonment," "false arrest," or anything similar we'd all be in jail...or broke.

In the instant case, the involved party simply remained on site due to sound judgement on his part.

I cannot begin to tell tell you how many times I involved myself NON-PROFESSIONALLY even whilst still employed as a LEO.

You are doing good, my friend. But, do be careful whilst continuing to do the right thing.

I look forward to having a beer with you some day...

Be safe.

 

[Mickey D]

You and your wife made a text book assessment of the situation and followed through to determine the child was in safe hands with his parents and not abductors.

We have been following the 28 year saga of a kidnapping of a young girl from South Lake Tahoe in 1991 and the finding of the young lady in a neighboring city in my area.

You folks did the right thing.

 

[mm6mm6]

5 years old. 10 pm. Screaming, "You aren't my daddy."

You did the right thing. Absolutely!