What can happen to me if?

Question

I were standing outside a store that just got robbed and the two guys were running out with the goods. There is a security guard but he does not react at all to the situation. What would happen if I were to stop the two on my own or chase after them and catch them or one. Would I be considered a vigilante or citizens arrest. Take note that I do not work for the Security company or the store that was robbed.

Answer 1

What can happen?

Depending on the thieves, many things can happen.  You could get shot or beat to death for one.  You also could open yourself up to all sorts of lawsuits.  In my opinion, you would better serve the police by keeping your eyes open.  Get a good description and if possible a license plate number.  Usually people dumb enough to commit crimes like this, are dumb enough to slip up and get caught.  There is no need to put yourself in more danger than necessary.      

Answer 2

if if seemed that no one was hurt i would not jeopardize my life, property can be obtained again

Answer 3

I would call you a good samaritan although you would be putting yourself in danger by doing that.  A vigilante is more like a person who finds out that a crime has been committed and then hunts down the accused and dishes out some street justice to them.

Answer 4

The above answers are all valid points. Keep this in mind - if you hurt one of the robbers e.g; you tackled the robber and he broke his arm as a result, he/she could effectively sue you.

Best to keep crime fighting to the police.

Answer 5

Anyone can effectuate a citizen's arrest for the violation of a crime committed in the person's presence. Although the police generally don't encourage citizens to put their life on the line to stop a criminal, if you were effectuating a lawful citizen's arrest, you would not be guilty of anything other than, in some people's eyes, being a hero.