CCW'r Arrests Bandit-Goes Real Wrong

[Fire in the Hole]

But in the heat of the moment this concealed weapons permit holder made an erroneous claim. Brookhouse admitted to police he told the man that he was an officer.

He said it just came out because he wanted to stop him.

Because he said that, Brookhouse could face felony charges of impersonating a police officer.

He and the other man who drew his weapon could also face aggravated assault charges.

That decision will be left to the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

It's important to mention that neither of the men who drew their guns were arrested.

As for the suspected thief, John Dickey, he is charged with misdemeanor petty theft.

Boise Police say they are grateful that citizens jumped in to help stop a crime.

At the same time, they say that the guns didn't need to be involved, especially with this type of crime.

"If a police officer were making an arrest for petty theft or misdemeanor theft and pulled his gun and pointed it at someone with no apparent reason to do so, then we would certainly be under pretty heavy review for doing that," Winegar said.





Now let's all think about this for just bit.

[halifax]

OMG. Fodder for the anti-CCW folk.

The cop summed it up correctly:

...the guns didn't need to be involved, especially with this type of crime.

Unless you are in fear for your life, keep it holstered.

[fuegoslow]

I carry concealed out of state to use when a persons LIFE is threatened or in immediate danger...but to use it for... A stolen duffle bag???

[B Strong]

Before this story is over, the would-be officer is going to wish that he kept driving to his destination.

But in the heat of the moment this concealed weapons permit holder made an erroneous claim. Brookhouse admitted to police he told the man that he was an officer.

He said it just came out because he wanted to stop him.

Because he said that, Brookhouse could face felony charges of impersonating a police officer.

He and the other man who drew his weapon could also face aggravated assault charges.

That decision will be left to the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

It's important to mention that neither of the men who drew their guns were arrested.

As for the suspected thief, John Dickey, he is charged with misdemeanor petty theft.

Boise Police say they are grateful that citizens jumped in to help stop a crime.

At the same time, they say that the guns didn't need to be involved, especially with this type of crime.

"If a police officer were making an arrest for petty theft or misdemeanor theft and pulled his gun and pointed it at someone with no apparent reason to do so, then we would certainly be under pretty heavy review for doing that," Winegar said.





Now let's all think about this for just bit.

[gravedigger]

OBVIOUSLY CCW holder #1 thought that being issued a cCW made him a wannabe cop. I think he should face charges. That is NOT the purpose of a CCW, and he is NOT Bruce Willis!

[just4fun63]

Hate to say it but these two guys screwed up. CCWs are to protect life. they need to be set on the right path. Chase the guy down and perform a citizen's arrest if you must ( I don't think that doing that is a good idea) keep it holstered unless the suspect has a weapon and you feel your life or the life of another is in immediate danger.

[hooookup]

Impersonating a police officer is a bad idea, especially if you hold a CCW. That guy can kiss his CCW and right to own good bye... If he gets convicted of course.

[odysseus]

However, just to be the devils advocate here (the guy was stupid saying what he did and possibly what he did - only seeing one side of the story), he did not produce a fake badge, did not have some fake uniform, nor did he show any premeditated actions for impersonation. He said it to get the thief to comply - by telling him a lie. In front of a jury in Boise, he may do okay defending himself with a competent attorney should the DA still try for a felony impersonation case.

[Fire in the Hole]

I might be wrong on this. But here goes. It's Idaho. Without the Impersonating thing, he'd get a ticker tape parade, and the keys to City Hall. I really don't expect that he will be charged though, nor loose his CCW. Probably a stern warning from the Chief of Police.

[Cpl. Haas]

I literally cringed when I read what CCW'r #1 said... what an overzealous wannabe! If you're not a LEO, why would your instinct be to identify yourself as one!?

Not knowing the specific moment CCW'r #2 arrived, and what he witnessed, I can't tell if he acted appropriately or not... though seeing what you perceive as an "armed suspect" is certianly more justified than an unarmed thief.

[Fire in the Hole]

I literally cringed when I read what CCW'r #1 said... what an overzealous wannabe! If you're not a LEO, why would your instinct be to identify yourself as one!?

Not knowing the specific moment CCW'r #2 arrived, and what he witnessed, I can't tell if he acted appropriately or not... though seeing what you perceive as an "armed suspect" is certianly more justified than an unarmed thief.

Probably for the instant psychological impact on the bandit, making him believe that LE had him, and that resistance was futile.

[B.D.Dubloon]

If this guy were smart he would have kept his mouth shut and have his lawyer point out that this was a misunderstanding.

"Boise Police. Stop. You're under arrest."

He wasn't identifying himself as BPD, he was yelling BPD to summon any units in the area and to let bystanders know to call the police. Then he yells for the criminal to stop and attempts to place him under citizen's arrest. I think he coulda got away with that explanation if he hadn't already queered the deal.

[BigDogatPlay]

Not a smart play by CCW'er #1. Getting involved in a ticky-tack misdemeanor, deploying his firearm and identifying himself as the police. I sure hope for his sake that Boise PD and the DA's office don't decide to make an example out of him.

CCW'er #2 at least has some measure of justification for his actions... he saw another person being assaulted with a firearm. Granted that it still would have been much better for him to be a good witness, he has some small bit of hook to hang his actions on where the first guy has absolutely zero.

[Almostryan3]

CCW'er 2 I think did more or less the right thing depending on what he saw or how long he watched. I would say he is lucky he didn't pull the trigger on CCW'er 1. I mean look at what people have said here "in order to protect someones life" well if you were driving down the street and all you saw was a guys laying on the ground with a normal dressed person standing above him with a gun pointed at him what would you think? Maybe yell police to see if the gunman gets scared and looks around first and if he seems calm and not threatening then ask what he is doing or if he is a LEO? What would everyone here do if they were CCW'er 2 in this situation?

[ryang]

CCW #1 should not have said anything regarding the intentions behind what happened w/o his lawyer present. It's okay to state what happened (facts) but leave the motivations out.

CCW #2 could draw but keep it hidden until the intentions of CCW #1 were clear. Looking at other bystanders would have given him an idea regarding whether the proned person's life was in imediate danger. But had he drawn and immediately shot CCW #1 it seems a justifiable homicide defense would be plausible. This is the danger CCW #1 (or anyone who draws) takes of being mistaken for a bad guy.