Grandfather Gets Arrested for Holding Burglar at Gunpoint While Waiting for Police to Arrive

[MrScorpio]

A New Hampshire grandfather has been arrested and is facing a possible prison sentence for firing a shot into the ground and holding a burglar at gunpoint until the cops could arrive. Dennis Fleming, 61, came home on Saturday night to discover that his home had been robbed. He saw the burglar, Joseph Hebert, 27, climbing out of his neighbor’s window. Mr. Fleming yelled, “Freeze!” and fired a shot into the ground before holding the crook at gunpoint.

When the police arrived, they arrested Hebert, but instead of a big old “thank you” and a slap on the back for Fleming, he got arrested too, on a charge of reckless conduct.

http://www.cafemom.com/groups/?prism_id=133341&utm_medium=sem2&utm_campaign=prism&utm_source=outbrain&utm_content=1005

[hlthe2b]

1. I have to wonder if there is not quite a bit more to this story...

As written, it, of course makes no sense whatsoever. Further, not only are police generally sympathetic to law-obiding gun owners (sometimes too accommodating as we see in the Florida case), but this is NH, where that libertarian attitude towards guns is pretty darned strong.

So, that is why I don't take this story at faith.... If true (without any other extenuating facts), it would be concerning, certainly.

[sofa king]

4. Me, too.

Firing a gun into the ground and holding someone at gunpoint seems to me to be one thing.

It occurs to me that if the guy is already on the ground, and someone fires the gun past his ear into the ground.... Or, there could be a prosecutor looking to move into electoral politics.

Eh, it's all guesswork. Not enough pieces yet to determine what evoked the charge.

[pipoman]

3. I'm thinking the DA and/or the chief of police

like their job(s) and wish to be re-elected..

[geckosfeet]

5. Cops are just being cautious. The burglar was at his NEIGHBORS house - not his.

Could have been anyone climbing out the neighbors window. Granted, probably a burglar but it could have been someone working on the property etc. The charge will be tossed if grandpa is found to be legal and acting responsibly.

Also, discharging a firearm so close to homes is illegal in many areas. Even if it is a warning shot. A shot in self defense is a different matter.

So, just saying I can see why the cop arrested him. These things tend to sort themselves out when they get in front of the judge.

A couple of interesting comments on the original article.

http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/133341/grandfather_gets_arrested_for_holding

Salient points are the crook was not on his property and no one was being threatened.