The Policía Nacional in Valencia have arrested a property owner yesterday for stabbing a thief in the stomach, resulting in his death.
The incident, which occurred on Calle Ruaya in the Tránsitos area of the said city, actually involved two thieves but the second one managed to get away.
It is not clear whether the burglar died from the stab wound or, it appears, because the homeowner also allegedly fractured the man’s neck, which at the very least, did not improve the thief’s chance of survival.
The homeowner was consequently arrested and remains in police custody
Editorial comment: my lips are sealed.
(News/Noticias: Valencia)
Just out of interest, what is an acceptable amount of reasonable force if a burglar enters your occupied home? Burgling an unoccupied house is reprehensible enough; but burgling an *occupied* house raises the threat level considerably: You’re not only going to lose your stuff; but murder, trafficking, rape (unlikely in my case but theoretically possible because there are some weird people about), torture, and other unpleasant things are now on the table.
Clearly stabbing is disapproved of. Should we be going for head trauma? Is there some other direct action that is more socially acceptable? Clearly passive protests and a leaflet campaign is not going to work at that point.
The stab wound I can understand. Heat of the moment. Fear of the situation. Self defense ? The broken neck will be an issue !