Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief - The Firearms Forum

22WRF · 02-02-2007, 08:10 AM

Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief

CAMBRIDGE, Minn. (AP) - A farmer who chased down a thief and held him at gunpoint until authorities arrived now faces a more serious charge than the thief himself.

Kenneth Englund, 74, was charged with second-degree assault, a felony. The thief, who the sheriff said admitted stealing about $5 worth of gasoline from Englund's neighbor, was charged with misdemeanor theft.

Sheriff Mike Ammend said people can't take the law into their own hands, and that Englund's actions were "an invitation to a shootout. There's so many things that could have gone wrong here."

On Oct. 15, Englund pointed a gun at Christian Harris Smith, 28, and a woman at the vacant farm next to Englund's place in Bradford Township. He then chased their vehicle at speeds of 70 mph, according to the criminal complaint. A 3-year-old child was in the vehicle.

During the chase, Englund used a cell phone to call the sheriff's office and asked if he should "blow them away," according to the complaint. His shotgun turned out to be unloaded.

Englund, a Township Board member for 37 years, pleaded not guilty, was released without having to post bail and is to return to court Feb. 22.

Smith was charged with another theft and was held in the county jail on a felony warrant from another state.

Prosecutor Dan Conlin said no one is looking to put Englund in jail. He said the charge fits the facts, but the case doesn't need to be resolved as a felony.

More than 350 people attended a fundraising dinner for Englund last month and a petition has circulated supporting him.

Bradford Township, about 45 miles north of Minneapolis, does not have a police force, and Englund said criminals can escape by the time a deputy arrives from Cambridge, 15 miles away.

catfish83861 · 02-02-2007, 09:05 AM

22WRF, Should this surpize anyone. After all the police force is a reactive force not a proactive force. Just my opinion but they should give Mr. Englund a medal for having the guts to deal with a da_n thief. Oh yea did the thief really need to be arrested at all, I mean he only had one or two other warrants. I think counselling

might work. You know have someone watch him for about 12 hours a day as he makes little rocks out of large rocks.

A thief has almost no rights at my house.

Nighthawk · 02-02-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catfish83861

22WRF, A thief has almost no rights at my house.

but in our legal systems the victim has NO rights

pickenup · 02-02-2007, 10:19 AM

They will have to bring Kenneth from prison, to testify at Christian's trial, so that Christian can get probation.

Does something seem a little out of whack here.
By the way, what is a "whack" ?

Marlin · 02-02-2007, 10:27 AM

Sounds like liberal Minnesota to me.

What can one expect??

Deputy Dawg · 02-02-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

but in our legal systems the victim has NO rights

You are so right

,this man sould be given a metal, I would be proud to have him for a neighbor

johnston3407 · 02-02-2007, 08:57 PM

Minne-sooot-a

Deputy Dawg · 02-02-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deputy Dawg

You are so right

,this man sould be given a metal, I would be proud to have him for a neighbor.

glocknut · 02-02-2007, 09:47 PM

Too many bad laws on the books... too much control over the American people.

mike
gn

stash247 · 02-02-2007, 10:05 PM

Where was Sheriff Mike, when the deed was done?
The Supreme Court has held that there is no Constitutional Right to Police protection; 'they will, if they can, as time permits...' WTF are they paid for then, except the revenue they create through traffic fines???
Mind you, I live in a different world; my home is in Texas. Here, the law says we have not the right, but the RESPONSIBILITY, as private citizens, to keep a crime from happening in our presence!
In law, though I have never heard of it happening, a citizen could be charged for failing to obstruct an illegal act!
I have neighbors like this guy, and pray to God I always will!
I believe it is time for a new Sheriff!

Marlin · 02-03-2007, 10:51 AM

A - M E N, Stash.

02-02-2007, 08:10 AM	#1
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,271	Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief CAMBRIDGE, Minn. (AP) - A farmer who chased down a thief and held him at gunpoint until authorities arrived now faces a more serious charge than the thief himself. Kenneth Englund, 74, was charged with second-degree assault, a felony. The thief, who the sheriff said admitted stealing about $5 worth of gasoline from Englund's neighbor, was charged with misdemeanor theft. Sheriff Mike Ammend said people can't take the law into their own hands, and that Englund's actions were "an invitation to a shootout. There's so many things that could have gone wrong here." On Oct. 15, Englund pointed a gun at Christian Harris Smith, 28, and a woman at the vacant farm next to Englund's place in Bradford Township. He then chased their vehicle at speeds of 70 mph, according to the criminal complaint. A 3-year-old child was in the vehicle. During the chase, Englund used a cell phone to call the sheriff's office and asked if he should "blow them away," according to the complaint. His shotgun turned out to be unloaded. Englund, a Township Board member for 37 years, pleaded not guilty, was released without having to post bail and is to return to court Feb. 22. Smith was charged with another theft and was held in the county jail on a felony warrant from another state. Prosecutor Dan Conlin said no one is looking to put Englund in jail. He said the charge fits the facts, but the case doesn't need to be resolved as a felony. More than 350 people attended a fundraising dinner for Englund last month and a petition has circulated supporting him. Bradford Township, about 45 miles north of Minneapolis, does not have a police force, and Englund said criminals can escape by the time a deputy arrives from Cambridge, 15 miles away. __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel -->

02-02-2007, 09:05 AM	#2
catfish83861 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Idaho Posts: 2,019	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief 22WRF, Should this surpize anyone. After all the police force is a reactive force not a proactive force. Just my opinion but they should give Mr. Englund a medal for having the guts to deal with a da_n thief. Oh yea did the thief really need to be arrested at all, I mean he only had one or two other warrants. I think counselling might work. You know have someone watch him for about 12 hours a day as he makes little rocks out of large rocks. A thief has almost no rights at my house.

02-02-2007, 10:19 AM	#4
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,841	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief They will have to bring Kenneth from prison, to testify at Christian's trial, so that Christian can get probation. Does something seem a little out of whack here. By the way, what is a "whack" ? __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

02-02-2007, 10:27 AM	#5
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief Sounds like liberal Minnesota to me. What can one expect?? __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

02-02-2007, 08:57 PM	#7
johnston3407 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Coast of Mississippi Posts: 592	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief Minne-sooot-a

02-02-2007, 09:47 PM	#9
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief Too many bad laws on the books... too much control over the American people. mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

02-02-2007, 10:05 PM	#10
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief Where was Sheriff Mike, when the deed was done? The Supreme Court has held that there is no Constitutional Right to Police protection; 'they will, if they can, as time permits...' WTF are they paid for then, except the revenue they create through traffic fines??? Mind you, I live in a different world; my home is in Texas. Here, the law says we have not the right, but the RESPONSIBILITY, as private citizens, to keep a crime from happening in our presence! In law, though I have never heard of it happening, a citizen could be charged for failing to obstruct an illegal act! I have neighbors like this guy, and pray to God I always will! I believe it is time for a new Sheriff! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

02-03-2007, 10:51 AM	#11
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: Minn. Farmer Charged After Chasing Thief A - M E N, Stash. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*