and this qualifies as a krap-load of drama. :)

Good on you Bill. Fortunately you are alright and they caught the bad guy.

Good job, Bill. Sometimes you just get pissed off and throw caution to the wind. I’ve been there and done that.

All good responses so far. Personally I would not have run after the guy for reasons already stated. Here in CA I would be legal toast if something happened to him. My wife works with lots of gang kids in North County and hears lots of stuff. Trust me you don't want to be on their radar.

^2 on the driveway chime info.

I'm guessing that the driveway chime is tripped by a beam like the cat catcher on electric garage door openers, or some type of motion detectors.

I once chased down an armed robber in broad daylight but I did not know that he was armed until he spun around and pointed a pistol at me. I jumped behind a tree and told the guy behind me chasing to let him go. The cops got him, I went to court and pointed at him from the stand and said, "that guy right there". Don't know what the final resolution was of the case, he was probably out way too soon.

When I was younger, up to about age 50, I could run like the wind and I would sock it out w some thug without thinking twice. I was fearless. I'm still not afraid of people w stupid tattoos and gym muscles but I'd probably be really disappointed in my old body if I had to throw down w someone younger and in shape. :)

Well done. Must have been quite the rush.
Glad he doesn't know where you live.

I'd be praying that he comes back but then I have a Winchester Defender w 18" barrel and a 12 gauge slug in the chamber, followed by a few buckshot shells. I don't think he can have that where he lives. :cool:

For the record... Bill owns spoons (plural)

I'm not very clear on the laws under which you guys live "down under". Does "owning" a gun mean he legally keeps them at home? Of must they be stored at a gun club facility? Assuming you guys can keep them in your own homes, can you keep them loaded and accessible? Assuming you can keep them loaded and accessible,, what kind of legal jeopardy will you find yourself in should you actually shoot a bad guy?

"Owning" firearms has many, many restrictions around the world. Just ask Stijn...

Thanks for your kind words guys. And I really mean it. It sure was FUN, but a bit scary at the same time.

I've found out after the event he is a really bad guy. For someone aged 22 he has been in and out of jail quite a lot!

Haha, I'm fine but still limping around with a sore archilles tendon, It will be OK in a day or two I'm sure.

Stijn, the bike wasn't that valuable (USD$2,000 or $3,000) but I really hate being ripped off, and this guy was caught in the act so he was going to pay big time.

PWD The fact he is in jail for a couple of weeks then video link from prison there may be more to the situation that I have been told. Probably on bail already for something bad.

Captain, the chime setup is a bit like a doorway chime you may see in a shop but the chime itself only rings in the house not the garage this is it here https://www.swann.com/au/swhom-drivea

Flatbutt. I think she enjoyed the drama, or the success of it. She was still on the phone to the police dispatcher when the police arrived. She said it was pretty funny to say "OMF they are coming back this way again, Bill's just a few meters behind him..."

Jeff we are allowed guns but have strict laws. No guns for this sort of situation. A one on one fists and boots fight in the street is fine as long as "I'm defending myself at the time."

The police were very pleased to have the guy and good evidence against him as they usually just have phone calls the next day about things having been stolen, so it cuts back in their workload,

Good that you caught the guy, or the cops did.
I just hope the bike wasn't damaged when the perp dropped it and took off.

I might have been tempted to hop on the bike and chase him down with it.

Bill....GOOD ON YA!

I owe you the second beer.

I only wish I had known at the time when some of my stuff here was being stolen.
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...40/7212164.jpg

If this ever happens to me....I'm gettin' on PPOT and asking BAB fer help!

Bad Azz Bill :)

But don't do that no mo'...might be BAB Jr yer tanglin' with...and yer smarter than him ;)

And sometimes ya just don't GAF....it happens.

Yes. +Infinity.

Regarding the garage alarm/chime product, we live off what you'd consider a remote road in a wooded area (no subdivision) and have a fairly long driveway. Having concerns about curious "visitors", I installed a driveway monitor that uses an electromagnetic sensor to detect a vehicle (large metal object) entering the driveway. I've actually triggered it with a wheelbarrow when doing yard work. We've been very pleased with this product - I bought another and installed it at my parents house after my Dad passed away to give Mom a bit more security. It has a range of about 400 feet and I think in the 8 years of ownership, I've replaced the batteries in the transmitter 3 times.

https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Mule-Wireless-Driveway-FM231/dp/B003765W0W/ref=asc_df_B003765W0W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167142405023&hvpos=1o1&hvne tw=g&hvrand=1309884649101713696&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hv qmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010762& hvtargid=pla-311195766629&psc=1http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1561577204.jpg

Thanks for doing the leg work on this, Mark. Interesting device and something to consider in this day and age of so many dirt bags who have zero respect for others and/or their property.

No matter where you live or what the reasons, shooting someone will royally screw up your life in manifold ways. Cops will arrest you for murder; they won't show up, hear your story, and clap you on the back with a "Good shoot, Citizen!" Your "victim" will sue you. If he's dead, he'll have a large, grieving, and needy family. If you don't kill him, you'll get asked to support him forever.

Got a job or a career that keeps you busy? Plan on a year or so pause in your career while you become an expert on self-defense/castle doctrine/stand your ground. Own your own business? Kiss that goodbye, along with your house, your time, and your bank accounts. You can either pay those in hot pursuit or pay your lawyer to keep them at bay. Or both.

And, while it might seem completely justifiable in the moment, any normal person who kills another over a property crime will inevitably ask himself if it was worth it. Most will conclude it was not. It isn't.

Bill, you want to ice the Achilles and use heel lifts for a bit while it recovers. Use a lift on both, so you stay even, 1.0 to 1.5 cm thick. Ice it 10-15 minutes at a time, a few times a day.

Alternatively~

Ice 3-4 min, Warm(NOT hot, like heating pad on low) 1 min, Ice 3-4 min. Start and finish with cold, total of 20 minutes, do this a few times a day.

The bike's fine thanks. Being a XR400, the farm tractor of dirt bikes, it takes more than this to harm it LOL

XR400s are known to be an arse to start when they haven't been ridden for a while. I think the guy would have been three streets away by the time I'd got it fired up.