Aa
Bet the teen learned a lesson...
Delmar man arrested after tackling teen prankster
Posted: Jul 21, 2010 3:55 PM
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Delmar man arrested after tackling teen prankster
2:16
By JOHN McLOUGHLIN
DELMAR, N.Y. -- A Bethlehem homeowner who says he was simply trying to protect his home and family has been arrested after he chased, tackled and dragged a 14-year-old boy back to his home to await police.
Daniel Van Plew, the 37-year-old general manager of a local pharmaceutical plant, says four teenagers created a ruckus outside his home in the upscale Haswell Farms subdivision about 10 p.m. on Saturday night, first banging on the rear door, then ringing the front doorbell.
Van Plew says he, his wife and their two young children already were in bed, but Van Plew gave chase and caught one of the four pranksters. Police say the boy suffered cuts and bruises as Van Plew subdued him, so they arrested Van Plew for endangering the welfare of a child.
Police say none of the four kids was arrested because they are juveniles.
Van Plew told NEWS10, "You feel like you're guilty, like you did something wrong because you have been arrested, but yet, you feel like you did something that is not unrealistic. "
Bethlehem Police say Van Plew should have called them, instead of chasing the kids himself. A spokesman says the whole legal issue "becomes fuzzy once you leave your own property and how much force is used, especially when dealing with a juvenile."
Neighbors were divided; one said she could not understand how a man can be arrested for defending his family and home, but another said Van Plew did not do a smart thing when he tackled the youngster and brought him back to his home.
Van Plew's home has several surveillance cameras, but police say they did not retrieve any video of the incident.
Neighborhood kids tell us these nighttime assaults on a home are not uncommon in that area and are called "Ding-****-Ditches" by perpetrators. They ring the doorbells, the Ding-****, and then they get out of there as fast as they can, the "Ditches" part of the prank.
Posted: Jul 21, 2010 3:55 PM
Video Gallery
Delmar man arrested after tackling teen prankster
2:16
By JOHN McLOUGHLIN
DELMAR, N.Y. -- A Bethlehem homeowner who says he was simply trying to protect his home and family has been arrested after he chased, tackled and dragged a 14-year-old boy back to his home to await police.
Daniel Van Plew, the 37-year-old general manager of a local pharmaceutical plant, says four teenagers created a ruckus outside his home in the upscale Haswell Farms subdivision about 10 p.m. on Saturday night, first banging on the rear door, then ringing the front doorbell.
Van Plew says he, his wife and their two young children already were in bed, but Van Plew gave chase and caught one of the four pranksters. Police say the boy suffered cuts and bruises as Van Plew subdued him, so they arrested Van Plew for endangering the welfare of a child.
Police say none of the four kids was arrested because they are juveniles.
Van Plew told NEWS10, "You feel like you're guilty, like you did something wrong because you have been arrested, but yet, you feel like you did something that is not unrealistic. "
Bethlehem Police say Van Plew should have called them, instead of chasing the kids himself. A spokesman says the whole legal issue "becomes fuzzy once you leave your own property and how much force is used, especially when dealing with a juvenile."
Neighbors were divided; one said she could not understand how a man can be arrested for defending his family and home, but another said Van Plew did not do a smart thing when he tackled the youngster and brought him back to his home.
Van Plew's home has several surveillance cameras, but police say they did not retrieve any video of the incident.
Neighborhood kids tell us these nighttime assaults on a home are not uncommon in that area and are called "Ding-****-Ditches" by perpetrators. They ring the doorbells, the Ding-****, and then they get out of there as fast as they can, the "Ditches" part of the prank.
I understand why the homeowner was arrested. He was out of line once he chasted the kid off the property and by force dragged his sorry butt back! .What I dont understand is why these juveniles were wrecking havoc on the neighborhood at this time of night. Where were their parents and why were they not brought up on child neglect charges. Why are these kids always everyone else s problem. I think that might need to be addressed on behalf of the kids and their safety. If MOM and DAD were to be held accountable for the kids behavior I guarantee this kind of thing will stop. My parents would have killed me! Or at least would have made me wish I was dead! lol
good for him, as long as he didn't hurt the kid great.. he was a teen, knows better and parents need a wake up call... I hope his parents drop the charges and thank this man for setting their kid on the straight and narrow. If he would have called the cops first we all know the kid would have been long gone. Imagine if it was a single female with little kids living there and in the middle of the night she hears banging on the front and back door.. Enough to traumatize ya!!!
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