Thieves could go free while victim faces jail time

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. - Admitted thieves are going free, while an elderly Wheat Ridge man is facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars, all, he says, for trying to defend his property and his life.

82-year-old Robert Wallace said in February that he looked out his window and saw two men hooking his flatbed trailer up to their pickup. He yelled at them to stop, but they sped away, stealing his trailer. He told police he fired two shots at the pickup.

Minutes later, police say 32-year-old Damacio Torres dropped 28-year-old Alvaro Cardona off at a hospital emergency room with a gunshot wound to the face.

Torres did not stay to talk with police, but they caught up with him later. According to court documents, he admitted he and Cardona stole the trailer.

Wallace did not want to talk on camera, but when we asked him if the two men threatened him he said, "They almost ran me over."

The Jefferson County DA's office said that neither Torres nor Cardona have been charged with anything at this point, even though Torres confessed to the crime. However, the homeowner, Wallace is facing twelve felony counts, including four counts of attempted first degree murder. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Sources say Torres and Cardona are believed to be in the country illegally and both have an arrest record. Cardona's record includes public fighting and numerous traffic offenses like driving without a license or insurance. Torres's record includes agricultural trespassing as well as a 2005 arrest for aggravated motor vehicle theft for which he was given a plea bargain to a lesser crime. Sources say Torres is also under investigation for being part of a major auto theft ring.

Wallace is out on bond and due back in court in September to enter his plea.

Neighbors say the thieves should be the ones facing charges and Wallace should be given an award for protecting the neighborhood.

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[slim 1,514]

Cases like this are really tricky depending on what the law is and what they all told police.

The fact is, in most states, you DO NOT have the right to shoot at people who are fleeing, even if they're fleeing with your property. However, if they "almost hit him" with the truck, he could've been in fear of his own life and in that case, shooting would've been justified. But, they didn't hit him, they "almost" hit him. It's up to the police and prosecutor to determine what really happened and what they're going to do about it.

Oh well, at least Obama will get two more votes.

Edited - What's crazy about cases like this is if the old man would've shot the two dead while they were hooking up the trailer, he would've walked away scot-free. But, now, since they were driving away with his trailer and he shot at them, he's looking at life in jail. Justice? You decide!

Edited July 9, 2010 by slim

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Well the man claims they tried to run him over. If its a frontal face wound that might help his case.

[The_Dude 1,142]

The Jefferson County DA's office said that neither Torres nor Cardona have been charged with anything at this point, even though Torres confessed to the crime.

That is the key sentence in the entire article. Yet. So before you get all hysterical Charles and start calling for everyone to arm themselves, just remember that they dont' always charge people immediately.

The homeowner should be charged if he intentionally shot someone in the face.

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

That is the key sentence in the entire article. Yet. So before you get all hysterical Charles and start calling for everyone to arm themselves, just remember that they dont' always charge people immediately.

The homeowner should be charged if he intentionally shot someone in the face.

calm down, rob. i'm just posting the article. jeesh.

[The_Dude 1,142]

calm down, rob. i'm just posting the article. jeesh.

Charles, you get all worked up and bothered whenever there is a case of some god fearing gun owner protecting his property by shooting illegals in the face.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

They were just stealing flatbed trailers Americans can't be bothered stealing.

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

Charles, you get all worked up and bothered whenever there is a case of some god fearing gun owner protecting his property by shooting illegals in the face.

They were just stealing flatbed trailers Americans can't be bothered stealing.

[PhiLandShiR 18]

That is the key sentence in the entire article. Yet. So before you get all hysterical Charles and start calling for everyone to arm themselves, just remember that they dont' always charge people immediately.

The homeowner should be charged if he intentionally shot someone in the face.

Got that right! He should be charged BECAUSE he failed to drop them in their tracks! Firing with no clear target is just wrong. Should have waited for a clear shot and put one between the eyes and solved the problem once and for all!

They were just stealing flatbed trailers Americans can't be bothered stealing.

Yup, if we deport all the illegals who will do the stealin'? No Citizen would want that job.

[peejay 327]

Sources say Torres and Cardona are believed to be in the country illegally and both have an arrest record. Cardona's record includes public fighting and numerous traffic offenses like driving without a license or insurance. Torres's record includes agricultural trespassing as well as a 2005 arrest for aggravated motor vehicle theft for which he was given a plea bargain to a lesser crime. Sources say Torres is also under investigation for being part of a major auto theft ring.

This is what happens when police are forbidden to inquire about someone's immigration status in their lawful execution of police duties. Instead of being removed from the USA they are free to commit even more crimes in our country.

[The_Dude 1,142]

This is what happens when police are forbidden to inquire about someone's immigration status in their lawful execution of police duties. Instead of being removed from the USA they are free to commit even more crimes in our country.

[peejay 327]

Get real. That in no way even compares to what I stated below in my post. Not to mention that numerous police departments already do this and have been doing this for years in localities where they aren't "forbidden" to by misguided and possibly illegal sanctuary policies put in place by local politicians.

...to inquire about someone's immigration status in their lawful execution of police duties.

Edited July 9, 2010 by peejay

[john & jean 37]

Damm, if he lived here it would not be an issue

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I live in a suburb south of Denver where the outrage this incident has incurred is palpable. The combination of illegals committing a crime, the sanctuary city aspects of the surrounding areas, that an elderly man is the target and that the law is inclined to punish him and drain him of his assets for trying to protect himself is a combustible combination here.