So the Mrs. works at a flower shop on the weekends.  A Micronesian guy walks in and takes a money lei (worth $100) and runs off.  The lei was tied to a pole, which tells me he had a sharp object to cut the string.  It took 2 seconds.

She chases after him, but hurts her foot a few yards in and stops.  Then the other worker who is a teenager continues the chase into a parking garage.

I told the Mrs. to not chase, because what if he chose to turn around and punch her.  Or if she did tackle him, now he turns more violent because her frame of mind is "detain", and his frame of mind is use any means to get away.  Or what if his friends are waiting outside.

She asked if she could OC him, told her it's like pissing in the wind if you try while running.  IDK if she understood the concept so I had to explain.  And even then, law states "reasonable force" allowed.

Once she told the cops that the younger worker was in the garaging looking for him, they rushed in to find the kid.  Because they don't know the thieves frame of mind. 

Thief was never caught.  But there is camera footage.  But I'm not holding my breath for a prosecution, unless he has a warrant already.  This would be a slap on the wrist due to our over crowded courts and prisons.  Prosecutors got bigger fish to fry than a shoplifter.

When she called me, she told me the store got "robbed".  So my frame of mind is thinking violence and weapon.  But then she described what happened and I relaxed (theft/non-violent).  She told HPD that after speaking to me it was a theft.  Cop interviewing her asked if I was a cop also.  She said no, but does read a little about the laws.

I give my wife test and scenerios of what would she do if X happened or Y event.  But it all changes when it actually happens.  Her initial reflex was to chase the thief.

Glad she's safe.

Wow!  That sucks that stuff like this is hitting home.  I'm actually surprised there aren't more stuff like this happening.  Good that your wife and her coworker weren't hurt.  But yeah, not worth it to chase them down.  On principle, I like that they responded that way, but overall, probably best that they didn't catch the guy.

Many folks tend to get lulled into a sense of comfort and safety and think to themselves "it won't happen to me".  But sadly, stuff like this is starting to happen on a more regular basis and I only think it will get worse.

That said, if this was her place of employment. . . hmmm

And "pissing into the wind" is a term I use often.   

That said, if this was her place of employment. . . hmmm

That's what I was thinking when she said "robbery".  But then it was a theft. 

Counting the other stores on that block, they get about total combined 3 shoplifters a week at least.  And considering, they're all small stores and not some giant store like Macys.  3 a week is a lot.

Brings up a good point.  Can you pepper spray someone for stealing something.  Never thought about it.  Or what level of force you can use.

Brings up a good point.  Can you pepper spray someone for stealing something.

Deadly force is not allowed, but what is "reasonable" force. 

Remember Hawaii's laws state when being robbed, you must surrender demanded item.  But theft is different.

I would assume it's about articulation on why you OC'd someone.

Deadly force is not allowed, but what is "reasonable" force. 

Remember Hawaii's laws state when being robbed, you must surrender demanded item.  But theft is different.

I would assume it's about articulation on why you OC'd someone.

I dont think you can spray someone for theft since its like punching someone.  You could grab the person to try and retrieve the item.  If they make threats or start hitting you then you could spray due to the escalation.

I dont think you can spray someone for theft since its like punching someone.  You could grab the person to try and retrieve the item.  If they make threats or start hitting you then you could spray due to the escalation.

Correct-o-mundo.

Unlike in Texas where you can use deadly force to protect your property (not sure if still can).  When I took my law class at UH, we did a case study about it.  Guys car 1 block away parked on the street.  3 guys attempted to break into it.  He grabbed his rifle and killed 2/3.  First things cops asked was if it was his truck.  No arrest made.  IDK if he faced any civil suit, but this was in the 90's so times were a little different compared to now (slightly less sue happy).

If we are lucky the kid will get deported but from what I have heard ICE doesn't put that much effort into deporting the micronesians convicted of lower level crimes. Of course the kid could have been born here which would negate that possibility.

I don't want to stereotype but micronesians have the tendency to carry knives so it is probably better your wife didn't corner the kid.