So, sitting in the basement, it was myself, my aunts, my parents, little brother, and my friend. During a particularly gruesome scene in "Drag Me to Hell," we heard two loud bangs. Someone just took out my mailbox! This has been happening for a few weeks, the 4th time to be exact. So, I look out the window, see him take out another mailbox.

I run to my car, keys in hand, and Rich (my friend, drives a red 2006 Cobalt SS), give chase. Doing 80 in a 25, im zipping through corners. I come to the end of the street, look left, and see them take out a traffic cone.

Screw that, I'm pissed.

I take off, back end going wild, and speed up. I get right on their bumper, with Rich in tow. Rich passes them on the straight to coax them down a bit. He swerves and almost takes him out. I pull up to the driver's door next time around, and he swerves into me. This guy really wants to get away! He misses me by not even a foot. He's determined to get out of the situation.

Possibly stolen? After all, it was just a few mailboxes and a traffic cone.

So, following him a little more down the road, the Crv tries to ditch Rich... into a dead end. I follow, and rich blocks off the road. He almost hits the front of Rich's car swerving, and I go around to continue the hot pursuit. He blows a red, and I follow. I just get connected to the State Police through 911, and I told the trooper:

"I'm in hot pursuit of a group of kids that just took out a bunch of mailboxes and traffic cones!"

"Umm, on foot?"

"No, I'm travelling on Walnut Street in Lynnfield, approaching Interstate 95."

"Do you have a description of the vehicle?"

"Green SUV, foreign, license plate xxx-xxx, green lettering."

"Are you still in pursuit?"

"Naturally."

"Hold on! Hold on!... Repeat the description... (repeat)... I'm going to connect you with Saugus/Lynnfield Police, make sure you report this to the department where the events occurred."

"Of course, officer. Thank you very much."

Basically, the Saugus officer (we followed them through Saugus) told me to break off and stop chasing him. I agreed, and drove back home.

The Wakefield officer arrived shortly at my place of residence (still live with my parents, I'm a senior in high school). I gave him what I could, he took some pictures, and told me "I'll keep you updated." Doubtful, even if the perps almost ran Rich and I off the road.

I was really putting the car to its paces, needing to cover a lot of ground to find this guy, and taking many corners at a high rate of speed. And my evasive maneuver was pretty demanding, from 60 to 25 miles per hour.

Firstly, has anyone ever done what I did? Second, do you think the cops will actually keep me informed (i.e. notify me if they catch them)?

P.S. I will only respond to useful comments. Flames will go unnoticed. Opinions are fine, insults are not.

 

You will be lucky if you and your friend don't wind up getting a citation. It's not a flame, it's just a distinct possibility.

 

I weep for the future

 

I was just made aware of this. I left out some details for the cops. Should I take this post down?

 

Might not be a bad idea. Insurance companies have computers too.

 

you don't want to even hear what I would have to say.....so I won't....but I wouldn't do that again...consider yourself lucky this time, and to answer your question, yes I have pursued people like the one's you just mentioned...under control with emergency lights and siren to warn the general public that I was in pursuit of these dangerous mailbox killers...so don't respond to what I just stated, cause then I would have to flame you for your reckless endangerment driving...dial 911, get plate info if you can, and a description the vehicle...then back off and let the police do their job...
And since I am on duty right now, at the ER in our local hospital, with a crash victim...let me tell you this...what if you struck an innocent bystander, or was involved in a crash, or maybe the pursued had a gun, and decided to use it...or the 3 of you crashed and your friend was killed...would the mailbox be worth it...bad judgement my friend...can't believe your parents even let you do it...consider yourself flamed..not insulted, but flamed...oh, and no, they won't notify you if they catch them. Maybe your parents, but not you...now think before you act next time...we would like to keep you around awhile
I just noticed the responses...they won't cite you from what you stated, and insurance companies can't do anything either...but, man are you lucky this time....because mailbox or no mailbox, all of you would have gone to jail...trust the old cop on this one....the mailbox was criminal mischief...but the rest was equal...reckless endangerment, speeding, disregarding stop sign, driving left of center, and maybe a few more charges...wouldn't be worth it for a mailbox....

 

Going "80 in a 25 zipping through corners" in a crossfire?

yeah, ok.

 

I designed a mailbox that could take care of its self. It was a big one with a little one inside wrapped in foam. The space inbetween was filled with rebar and concrete. This was mounted on a 4x4 steel bar, set way back from the road surface. Weighed 350# all together and 4' down in the ground with more concrete.

Lasted for 3 years till a drunk took it out, saving himself from getting launched into the creek behind it. ( two others missed the mailbox and landed upsidedown in the creek just after I installed the new one). The drunk left the scene without his totaled F150 and I had to chase his asp to get his name and id in the public records. He felt that he did not have to pay so my lawyer explained it to him, then he paid me for my materials and time to the tune of $1750.00. Sweet.

I have stopped protecting the creek and finally moved the mailbox to my other driveway entrance, driver beware of the curve, Woody

 

Woody's story reminded me of a TV show I saw awhile back.
Did anybody see the CSI "Vegas" episode where a guy kept getting his mailbox destroyed, so he built one and filled it full of concrete?
Then when the two guys came down the road (in a convertible) and hit the box with a baseball bat, the bat broke, and hit the driver, who then lost control of the car and they were both killed in the accident.
Long story short, the CSI guys figured out what happened, (the mailbox owner had buried the concrete filled box, and replaced it with a standard one) so the CSI's arrested the homeowner, on Involuntary manslaghter charges, (I think).
What got me about the show, was the two CSI agents (Nick and the younger guy) basically joked about how everybody played "Mailbox baseball" at one time or another, and it was like no big deal.
I've had a rural delivery mailbox here for 26 years, and it's been vandalized at least a half a dozen times, or more. (two weeks ago as a matter of fact) So over 20 years ago I simply installed an all plastic one up. (Wouldn't want anybody getting hurt while they try to destroy it). So far, it's held up pretty good to the ravages of youth over the years.

 

I believe once you had the plate numbers and description, under the law any furthur pusuit could be considered assault.

That said, if more people would take such personal responsibility fewer "perps' would get away with this stuff. Or even try.

Can't blame you though. We all secretly wish we could do this when our property is assaulted this way.

Bottom line, I'll bet you had a good time. Don't ever say it wasn't fun.

Even to the judge if you get cited.

I just hope the law in your community gives you a break. But you are in Massachusetts


roadster with a stick

 

Saw the same episode of CSI. Amazing logic to arrest someone because something on their propety broke the assault weapon while it was under attack by a vandal.

Suggests the writers have a rather liberal view of justice.

That most of the viewers saw no issues with this rationalized legal logic says a lot about our nation.

Having a reasonable expectation that Law enforcement, Paramedics or just a helpful neighbor can open my front door without a shot gun blast to the chest is one thing. Expecting that a mail box, a lawn, a flower bed, or perhaps a pet dog, should simply yeild to a random assault is frankly something else.

For the record, I repair or replace my mailbox at least once a year. Although some have been caught, so far nobody is dead.


roadster with a stick

 

Actually I did catch the id of one of the mailbox people and handed it over to the police officer that I was working with at that time long ago. Have not had an incident since, and the dude was like 25 or so and it did not go well for him, destruction of federal property,( your mail box). W DY

 

So... what your saying is its not a good idea to store my landmine inside my mailbox?

 

Life is not a video game "SEED" It is so disapointing to see such foolish actions on the part of children with cars. Does not say much for the parents as well who condone or turn a blind eye to such conduct. Doc, thanks for your well spoken thoughts,,,,Franc,,,,in the mind of a 17 year old child you response was nothing short of a free pass,,their not in pedal cars,,,look again at his admitted speed!!! I have seen to often the mangled and dead bodies of teenagers and the the victims left in their wake,,, note to "SEED" its out their now.forget law enforcement, insurance companies,,,lawyers have computers too...over a mail box...REALLY!!

 

Just tellin' it like it is.

I get scolded for being sacntamonious
I get scolded for being to rigid
Now I'm scolded for not scolding.

Truth is what it is. She should have stopped once she got the plate and ID.
Believe I said that.

Truth is she enjoyed the chase.
No problem with that admission

Truth is she may face consequences.
I told her to be honest about it.

Truth is, if you haven't felt the urge Bad Seed felt your a better man than most.

As always anymore, the perp is no longer the bad guy. Those who pursue him are.

roadster with a stick

 

Oh this is great. There was a CSI years ago that had a plot centering around a guy who was pissed off that morons kept smashing his mailbox...so he put up a new box filled with concrete and rebar. Kids came by to play mailbox baseball, hit the box and lost control and went right into a tree...they be dead.

 

I take it you didn't read the entire thread, or you would have seen that we were already talking about this episode just a couple of posts above yours.

BC.

 

Indiana law gentlemen....the mailbox sits in the road right-of-way in the majority of cases....if your does, just like telephone, light poles, they must break away when struck....the law states there should be nothing, no perminent structures in the right-of-way. I don't have the case in front of me right now...but a wrongful death suit was won when a young man lost control of his vehicle on ice and slammed into a concrete, brick veneered mailbox. It was ruled a perminent structure and parents won that case. These are mailboxes...not worth it...I don't like to be vandalized either, but just like the force continium we have to adhere to in law enforcement...don't go over board with this...it doesn't meet the lethal force criteria....by no means....so, with that said...l hope our young friend doesn't do that again...these people who he pursued could have been armed...and when their life was threatened...they could have used lethal force...not a prank I would condon but not worth the risk....enough law for me for one thread...on with the next world problem....lol

 

Nope, I didnt. I got over-excited apparently about the CSI rerun I had just seen. Dont Hate!

 

I hadn't even thought about that Doc. You are right, of course,and I shouldn't have given any words of encouragement either.
Still, one can't help but wish to personaly take care of these miscreants. Especialy since the police are generaly unable to help.

roadster with a stick