Who is the real criminal?

[Jericho01]

This was sent to me today by my friend. Assuming that this Craig's List posting is true and assuming also that actions of the intended victim (the gun owner) were all true, who do you think is the real criminal here? Read on:

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.
Date: 2009-05-27, 1:43 a.m. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message..

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head .... isn't it?!

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me.
[That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].

After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]
I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.

Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what 's going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target.
The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat
(I guess while he traced your number etc.).

In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky. Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours,
Alex

P.S. Remember this motto .... An armed society makes for a more civil society!

I probably don't have to ask you to forward this one.

[allingeneral]

I've seen this before - it definitely makes ya think... I have to say that the would-be robber is better off as it turned out than if he had been shot. Come at my wife and I with a knife and start making demands - see what happens.

[Jericho01]

I've seen this before - it definitely makes ya think... I have to say that the would-be robber is better off as it turned out than if he had been shot. Come at my wife and I with a knife and start making demands - see what happens.

Robber should be thankful he's alive. He's probably still paying the bills the other guy run up on his credit card. I wonder how he explained the crap on his pants?

[zephyp]

Well, this is probably an urban legend to begin with, however, the intended victim of crime here - if he actually did what the note says - could and would most likely be prosecuted before the other guy who is the actual criminal. Right or wrong makes no difference...the law would definitely be looking for him and not the mugger you can bet on that...my guess is if they did find the mugger they would use him only as a witness to ID the guy that stole his wallet and phone and then perpetrated all those other crimes...and then at the end of the day, the mugger would go free, the intended victim would be identified along with his address, and you can guess what would happen next...he would be sitting in a jail cell while several scumbags raided his house doing whatever they wanted with his stuff and family...laughing all the while...what is the world coming to...

Bottom line: if you can justifiably shoot a mugger then you are probably far better off than pulling some stunt like the one described above...

[Jericho01]

It would have been much easier to explain to LE why the intended victim shot the BG with a knife. Explaining how IV got hold of BG's wallet and credit cards and then going on a spending spree would be more difficult to explain and would have negative consequences. There is always a quick and easy to do things, I guess.

[VAGentlemen]

I think this is an urban legend. There are several recorded locations where this happened:

Savannah, Georgia
Asheville, North Carolina
Las Vegas, Nevada
Dallas, Texas
Austin, Texas
Knoxville (likely Tennessee, but state unspecified)
Georgetown (state unspecified)
Glasgow, Scotland (Glasgow Central Station)

There is even now a South African version that starts off: "To the well dressed black dude Who Tried to Mug Me on Durban Beachfront three nights ago..." and changes the Kimber to a Glock.


Having said all of that, pulling a gun would have been necessary in this scenario - as once the jacket is off and the shoulder rig is exposed, the natural intent of the robber would be to try and take the gun at knife-point (hey, dumber things that that have been attempted). Robbing the robber to teach him/her a lesson would not. All they would have to do is file a police report and state that they were minding their own business when you pulled a gun and took their belongings. Using phones and credit cards are fraud. Anything less than, "Officer, I've never seen this person before" would result in immediate arrest.

[OakRidgeStars]

There have been several variations of this story in the past year. Snopes has it listed as 'undetermined'.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/justice/mugger.asp

[skeeterss0]

I agree with Jericho, the quick and easy solution is usually the most effective. In the Marines we learned the KISS(keep it simple stupid) philosophy and it works for most things. Brining a knife to a gunfight is never a bright idea.

[SgtBill]

It is simple, you pull a knife and I will pull a gun and you will never even hear the shot that kill's you.
Semper fi!
Bill

[allingeneral]

It is simple, you pull a knife and I will pull a gun and you will never even hear the shot that kill's you.
Semper fi!
Bill

'

Hoo-Rah! (did I say that right? I'm a Swab Jockey that might not know any better!)