Thieves in Motorcycle Run Over by BMW after Stealing a Cartier

reverbtime · May 30, 2022

M'Bob
I would personally withhold my opinion until I heard from people who live there, and intimately know how life is on a daily basis, and the efficacy and morality of the local law enforcement.

I am Colombian and live in Bogotá. This was a very mediatic case. Pretty much everyone is on the driver's side. Lots of crime in Bogotá lately. I guess people were fed up with the justice system (or lack thereof) in which criminals are usually released 24 hours later. As far as I know they are awaiting trial, but will probably serve a few years, at most. They might be deported, since I believe the men on the motorcycle were from Venezuela.

I was robbed at gun point last year (just my phone fortunately was robbed). I managed to remember the license plate in which the robbers escaped. I filed a police report and never got any reply or info on the case, nor owner of the license plate. So, I understand the frustration of most people here when they are robbed.

I only use a few Seiko's and G-Shocks on the street. Way too much crime these days to risk going out with a luxury watch on the wrist.

Vercingetorix · May 30, 2022

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

M'Bob · May 30, 2022

Vercingetorix
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Without question, what humanity needs to keep in mind.

reverbtime
I am Colombian and live in Bogotá. This was a very mediatic case. Pretty much everyone is on the driver's side. Lots of crime in Bogotá lately. I guess people were fed up with the justice system (or lack thereof) in which criminals are usually released 24 hours later. As far as I know they are awaiting trial, but will probably serve a few years, at most. They might be deported, since I believe the men on the motorcycle were from Venezuela.

I was robbed at gun point last year (just my phone fortunately was robbed). I managed to remember the license plate in which the robbers escaped. I filed a police report and never got any reply or info on the case, nor owner of the license plate. So, I understand the frustration of most people here when they are robbed.

I only use a few Seiko's and G-Shocks on the street. Way too much crime these days to risk going out with a luxury watch on the wrist.

On the other hand, walk a mile in his shoes…

Archer · May 30, 2022

M'Bob
This is a sticky one: the owner knew who stole his watch, was he within his rights to peruse the criminals if, prior to the shots, he was not endangering anyone?

Peruse them all he wants, no harm in that. Pursuing them on the other hand, can lead to very poor outcomes, for yourself as the pursuer and other innocents.

I understand this is a watch forum and watches are our precious collective obsession, but they aren't worth endangering additional lives over.

I know some will argue that the thieves put lives in danger over a watch, but do the rest of us really want to stoop to their level?

M'Bob · May 30, 2022

Archer
I know some will argue that the thieves put lives in danger over a watch, but do the rest of us really want to stoop to their level?

Ahh, this is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak…and when to take the high one, or the low one.

Any reasonable, rational person opts for the lowest level intervention possible, to accomplish a specific outcome. Knowing when to escalate, and to what degree, is critical, because inappropriately assessing the magnitude of a threat can also be quite potentially detrimental.

In the case presented, we had two thugs with guns who were stopped. Another possible outcome: the driver does nothing; the thieves become emboldened because they got away with another robbery. Maybe next time, someone gets shot and killed. The driver’s actions got them off the street, at least for a while. Maybe a life was ultimately saved vs. some car damage.

To reiterate, I’m not disagreeing with you, high road always first. But knowing that doesn’t always work in today’s damaged world is also important
.

Archer · May 30, 2022

M'Bob
Another possible outcome: the driver does nothing; the thieves become emboldened because they got away with another robbery. Maybe next time, someone gets shot and killed.

Maybe, maybe, maybe...

Dan S · May 30, 2022

The victim engaged in reckless behavior based on an emotional response. He's lucky that only property damage and minor injuries resulted, since he could have injured or killed an innocent bystander (or the robbers) in the process. That type of behavior shouldn't be condoned IMO. Hopefully they will all be prosecuted, and the robbery victim will receive a light sentence (e.g. probation).

M'Bob · May 30, 2022

reverbtime
I am Colombian and live in Bogotá. This was a very mediatic case. Pretty much everyone is on the driver's side. Lots of crime in Bogotá lately. I guess people were fed up with the justice system (or lack thereof) in which criminals are usually released 24 hours later..

Dan S
The victim engaged in reckless behavior based on an emotional response. He's lucky that only property damage and minor injuries resulted, since he could have injured or killed an innocent bystander (or the robbers) in the process. That type of behavior shouldn't be condoned IMO. Hopefully they will all be prosecuted, and the robbery victim will receive a light sentence (e.g. probation).

An emotional response? You think? Did you read the perspective of someone above who’s actually in the thick of that culture and legal system? Very easy to pass judgment when it’s not your intimate experience.

wrist time · May 30, 2022

M'Bob
This is a sticky one: the owner knew who stole his watch, was he within his rights to peruse the criminals if, prior to the shots, he was not endangering anyone?

Safe to assume the thieves used the gun to take the watch from him. By perusing someone who was armed he was at a minimum endangering his own life. Endangering your life over a watch is not a smart thing to do.

Dan S · May 30, 2022

M'Bob
An emotional response? You think? Did you read the perspective of someone above who’s actually in the thick of that culture and legal system? Very easy to pass judgment when it’s not your intimate experience.

Maybe you can just give your own opinion for once and refrain from criticizing others. Yes, I read it. There's still no justification for that response, IMO. I understand it, but can't condone it. Human beings have a responsibility to control their impulsive behavior. If they had kidnapped a child, that would be a different scenario. In this case, the robbery victim created a potentially life-threatening situation over a property loss.

M'Bob · May 30, 2022

Dan S
Maybe you can just give your own opinion for once and refrain from criticizing others. Yes, I read it..

“Just give your own opinion for once.” Hmmm…I guess I’ll have to start footnoting all the others on this forum whose opinion I’m borrowing.

Thanks for the head-up!

Dan S · May 30, 2022

M'Bob
“Just give your own opinion for once.” Hmmm…I guess I’ll have to start footnoting all the others on this forum whose opinion I’m borrowing.

I think you're having a bad day. I suggested that you can give your own opinion without criticizing the opinions of others. It's a useful skill to cultivate, and it separates contributors from trolls.

M'Bob · May 30, 2022

Dan S
I think you're having a bad day. I suggested that you can give your own opinion without criticizing the opinions of others. It's a useful skill to cultivate, and it separates contributors from trolls.

Not at all having a bad day. You got your hair up because I intimated that your opinion was void of appreciation of someone else’s cultural perspective. I apologize if it came off as if I was personally attacking you, was not my intent. Just disagreeing was all.

Tony C. · May 30, 2022

I think that a bit of levity is in order. So...two of countless gems from The Simpsons. Homer goes to this gun store to purchase a weapon:

The gun salesman shows him a fancy automatic rifle, and arouses him further with various accessories. Homer quickly agrees to buy the package and is ready to pay.

Gun salesman: I’m sorry, but there’s a five day waiting period before the purchase can be completed, so that we can perform a background check.

Homer: Five days?! But I’m angry now!

Walrus · May 30, 2022

I just know if anyone were to snatch my Vostok I would break out all the stops, including nuclear, to retrieve it. I have a special set of skills for such matters

ghce · May 30, 2022

I guess the victim may well of thought he was doing his civic duty in the absence of clear local police enforcement.
OK I get that it is just a watch and only a possession however the use of firearms is a clear justification for removing these robbers from society, have they maimed or killed already? I don't know but I do know that the use of a firearm in any modern police jurisdiction will bring about an overwhelming response from local police enforcement often resulting in injury or potentially death of either the perpetrator or innocent bystanders, in this particular instance only property seems to have been damaged and 2 criminals who use guns in their activities to threaten and potentially kill their victims are now safely locked away.
I absolutely do not buy into the argument of turning the other cheek as only property was involved because it so clearly isn't a mere crime of theft.

Archer · May 30, 2022

ghce
I absolutely do not buy into the argument of turning the other cheek as only property was involved

I don't think that was what anyone was suggesting. Only that going after armed robbery suspects in the heat of the moment, crashing into other people's cars, putting your life and the lives of others in danger is really not worth it for a watch. If it is to you, then we can agree to disagree.

Dan S · May 30, 2022

In many jurisdictions, even the police are quite restricted with respect to high-speed pursuits in populated areas because it is so dangerous.

RI Omega Fan · May 30, 2022

Duracuir1
Good thing he did not have a TANK. Could have been much worse. Have a great week everyone…View attachment 1423342

Ah, good old Theo Kojak - who loves ya, baby?

kkt · May 30, 2022

Walrus
I just know if anyone were to snatch my Vostok I would break out all the stops, including nuclear, to retrieve it.

But then, I wouldn't be wearing my most precious watches on the mean streets of Bogota without my bodyguards with me.