Preparedness
Powerlifter Takes Down Bag Thief, Leaves with More than Souvenirs
Miurell Vargas, a 26-year-old powerlifter, had a rather eventful day on March 29 when her vehicle was broken into and her bag and wallet stolen. The spirited athlete was undeterred, immediately embarking on a search for her stolen possessions, driving around in her car with an eagle eye for her distinctive Nike bag.
Interestingly, Vargas wasn’t particularly concerned about any cash that might have been in her wallet. The treasure she sought was far more significant and irreplaceable. Vargas elucidated, “My mom’s picture was in my wallet. And my mom passed away eight years ago.”
Unfortunately, the chase took an unexpected turn. Vargas found herself involved in a car accident near NW 2nd Avenue and 22nd Lane in the Miami neighborhood of Wynwood. As fate would have it, the surveillance camera captured the entire event.
In a twist of fate, it appears that Vargas caught sight of the thief around the time of the collision. With a quick exit from her damaged vehicle, she confronted him on a nearby sidewalk. Vargas recounts, “I tried to force and grab my wallet, and he didn’t want to let go of it… So, that’s when I started punching him — because it was either me or him.”
According to Vargas, the suspect was quite vocal during their encounter. “He was yelling that it wasn’t my bag and that I was crazy,” she stated. However, the suspect, later identified as Luis Machado, was soon apprehended by the police and left with a souvenir from his encounter with Vargas – a black eye.
Although Machado admitted to possession of Vargas’ property, he denied breaking into her vehicle. As Kiara Delva of Miami police noted, “He admitted to having some of the victim’s property, but then he claims he didn’t know how the property became in his possession, which obviously were conflicting statements that didn’t make sense.”
Machado now faces charges of burglary, criminal mischief, and petty theft. He is accused of breaking Vargas’ car window and stealing her belongings while she was at work.
Regrettably, the vehicle of the innocent bystander involved in the crash was also totaled. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. Vargas, who was ticketed for the accident, expressed remorse to the other driver. “I just want to say sorry to the person that I crashed into… She gave me a hug. She was very nice. I just want to say sorry to her.”
Vargas admitted to the police that she was so engrossed in pursuing the suspected thief that she ended up colliding with another car. But she didn’t sound regretful. “So, that was sentimental value for me that I needed to recover,” she said. “That’s why I did it.”
She further admitted, “I had so much adrenaline in me that I didn’t think about the consequences.” Vargas’ story serves as a powerful testament to the lengths a person will go to protect what matters to them the most.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Homeowner Jailed After Confronting Alleged Squatter in Her Home
A Georgia homeowner found herself in an unexpected legal predicament after confronting an alleged squatter in her property. Loletha Hale, who owns a house in Livingston, Georgia, had been dealing with a squatter situation since August, according to her account to WSB-TV. Despite her attempts to resolve the issue, it was Hale who ended up in jail.
Hale’s troubles began when she discovered Sakemeyia Johnson residing in her home with a former tenant. The tenant had previously been evicted, and Johnson initially received a citation for squatting. However, a court later ruled that “Sakemeyia Johnson is not a squatter,” despite Hale’s insistence that Johnson was never a tenant.
On December 9, Hale entered her house to prepare it for a new renter and encountered Johnson once more. Hale claimed that Johnson had “broken the locks” to gain access. She stated, “She just caught up out of nowhere. She had this guy with her, and I locked the door. I locked the screen door, and he forced himself in telling us to get out.”
Despite Hale’s efforts to have Johnson charged with trespassing, it was Hale who was arrested. Police body cam footage captured an officer explaining to Hale that not everyone is as fortunate as she is, saying, “Everybody isn’t as fortunate as you to have a bed.”
Johnson, on the other hand, maintained, “I was written a citation saying I was a squatter. But a judge signed an order saying that I wasn’t a squatter.” The police arrested Hale on charges of executing an illegal eviction and making terroristic threats, as she was heard saying, “leave before I get my gun.”
Hale expressed her disbelief at the situation, stating, “To see that woman walk into my mom’s house while I was in the police car, something is wrong with this picture. Something is inherently wrong with this picture.” She also questioned, “How can she not be squatting when I’ve never had any type of contract relationship with this person.”
Reflecting on her arrest, Hale described the experience as humiliating, saying, “I spent the night on a mat on a concrete floor in deplorable conditions. While this woman, this squatter slept in my home.” She is uncertain when she will be able to return to her property, as she awaits a hearing for Johnson’s appeal, despite Johnson not meeting the statutory requirements for one.
Hale remains in a state of limbo, unsure of when she will regain access to her home, and continues to seek legal resolution to the situation.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Teen’s Carjacking Attempt Teaches Suspect A Hard Lesson
In a startling turn of events in Raleigh, North Carolina, a 17-year-old’s attempt at carjacking quickly unraveled, demonstrating the risks involved when targeting armed citizens. The incident unfolded on a Sunday night, with the young suspect’s plans going awry almost immediately.
The teenager, armed and dangerous, initiated the carjacking in the Red Roof Inn parking lot along Arrow Road. Despite his aggressive approach, the suspect’s aim left much to be desired. “Well, would y’all look at it — a free notice to all wannabe carjackers!” a commenter remarked on social media. The intended victim, a man, emerged unscathed, largely due to the suspect’s poor marksmanship.
Crucially, the victim was not defenseless. He had his own firearm and was prepared to use it. According to police reports, the man returned fire, successfully wounding the teen. The suspect was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.
The community’s response to the incident has been supportive of the victim’s actions. “Glad [the] victim was able to defend himself,” one commenter noted, reflecting a broader sentiment of approval for self-defense in such dangerous situations. Another individual expressed satisfaction that the victim fought back, stating, “Glad to see someone fighting back with these punk[s].”
As the investigation continues, charges are pending against the young suspect. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences for those who engage in criminal activities, especially in areas where citizens are armed and ready to protect themselves.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Homeowner’s Christmas Night Defense Sparks Debate in Tight-Knit Community
In the early hours following Christmas Day, a tragic incident unfolded in Madison, Indiana, when a homeowner reportedly shot and killed two intruders. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call at 3:48 a.m. on December 26 from a resident on North Bulldog Drive. The caller, who claimed to have shot two individuals who had broken into his home, brought attention to a situation that has left the community on edge.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered the bodies of Dalton Keith Skirvin, 27, and Kaleb Adam Skirvin, 29, both of whom were brothers and residents of Madison. Their past records reveal that Dalton had faced multiple charges related to theft and burglary in 2017 and 2018.
A neighbor, Heather, who resides a few houses away from the scene, described the homeowner as a “friendly guy, never had any issues with him. Sweet neighbor.” Having lived in the area for nearly two decades, Heather emphasized the close-knit nature of the community, noting that everyone knows each other. She also mentioned that she went to school with the Skirvin brothers.
The neighborhood has experienced a series of break-ins recently, with one occurring just days before the fatal shooting at the same residence. Charles Pruitt, who lives across the street, recounted a conversation with the homeowner a few nights prior. “He called me and told me that somebody broke into his garage,” Pruitt shared.
Reflecting on the incident, Pruitt expressed his concerns: “It’s scary. Could have been my house they broke into.” This sentiment resonates with other residents who have chosen to remain off-camera but acknowledge the growing unease due to the recent burglaries.
As the investigation continues, it remains uncertain whether the homeowner will face any charges related to the incident. The community, while grappling with the aftermath, is left to ponder the delicate balance between self-defense and the tragic loss of life.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Bret
May 14, 2024 at 2:11 pm
The police never would have found the suspect nor would she have gotten her belongings back. A number of reasons for this. Insufficient numbers of police, rampant high crime rates everywhere, non prosecution of these criminals. And the police want to tell us to not do what she did. The police are minutes away when you only have seconds to protect you and yours.
Marian Toto
May 14, 2024 at 10:11 pm
Of course, she is entitled to retrieve her possessions as she was capable and trained.