Two men brandish guns during citizen's arrest in Boise [View All]

[LAGC]

BOISE -- A bizarre turn of events Friday afternoon in downtown Boise after a man steals another man's duffle bag.

Two bystanders pulled their guns to stop the crime.

Police say what started this was a case of petit theft.

One man is now accused of stealing a bag from a homeless man near the corner of Americana Boulevard and River Street.
Misunderstanding could lead to assault charges

It was after this occurred that Paul Brookhouse stepped in to make a citizens arrest.

He now faces possible felony charges.

"Somewhat confusing when it all was wrapped up," said Lt. Ron Winegar with the Boise Police Department.

On Friday afternoon just before one, Brookhouse says he witnessed a crime.

"The other guy grabbed a bag, a duffle bag and started running across the street. The one gentleman turned around and started yelling, 'stop hey, stop that's my stuff'," Brookhouse said.

Brookhouse pulled his car over and intervened.

But in the heat of the moment this concealed weapons permit holder made an erroneous claim.

"I pulled my weapon and I told the gentleman, I made a mistake here, I said, "Boise Police. Stop. You're under arrest." So, he did, I asked him to get on the ground, we did all the hands behind your back thing. I frisked him and then held him at gun point until the police department got here," Brookhouse said.

Police identified the man Brookhouse stopped as 46-year-old John Dickey.

But before police arrived another man driving by saw Brookhouse holding Dickey at gun point.

He too held a concealed weapons permit.

"Saw that taking place and thought there was a crime happening and so he intervened, pulling his handgun and trying to detain the first citizen who had pulled the handgun to try and detain the initial suspect," Winegar said.

When police arrived they had both men put down their guns.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/64254017.html

Guess it just goes to show that taking the law into your own hands can have some potentially negative consequences. Now, I'm all for concealed carry, but pulling a gun to stop a petit theft is a bit much. Trying to chase or tackle the guy is one thing, but resorting to potentially lethal force over a non-felony crime, that's pushing vigilantism. I don't know that the two men who pulled guns should be charged, but they should definitely be more careful in the future. Just because you think you see a crime happening, doesn't necessitate you having to be a hero. Food for thought, to say the least.