If you’re getting low on dough, you might dig through your drawers for an old wedding ring or gold bracelet.    There’s a jeweler in our local mall who seems to be a friend in need. Because he has a steady flow of customers with valuables they need to sell.  But last week, a couple of men  invaded his store, grabbed a bunch of gold stuff,  and ran off without paying.  The jeweler  didn’t take it well, and went after them with a gun.  Even fired a few shots in their direction.  The irony is: they got away, but the merchant got arrested for chasing the thieves.

He’s actually facing one to five years in prison for criminal recklessness.  Seems someone was sitting in their car with a couple of kids and feared they might get caught in the crossfire.   But apparently,  the merchant  had a pretty good aim, and could see exactly where he was pointing his gun.   No one was shot or injured. The robbers haven’t been found.

At any rate, there’s quite a controversy going on now.  A lot of small business owners think he had every right to go after the thieves. However, the prosecutor, a Republican, said an owner can only defend his property  INSIDE his store—not outside.  A prominent Democratic lawyer quickly stepped up to his defense.  Politics?

At first, the prosecutor said the store owner  had to post the full bond of $25,000.  But the judge let him  out on 10%.   And now, they’ve scheduled a jury trial to take place in the fall.  That’s going to be a circus.  You have to wonder how a 72 year old, respected businessman in the community would have to spend time in prison for trying to catch a pair of thieves.  Those two must be having a good laugh.  It’s not often that the thieves go free, and the victim goes to jail.