Citizens apprehend 14 year old
By: The Brandon Sun Email Story Printer Friendly Version

A Frederick Street resident made a citizen’s arrest over the weekend after he caught a teenager writing graffiti on his car, police Sgt. Rick Semler said yesterday.

The homeowner called police Sunday morning to report a vandal painting graffiti on her garage, Semler said. She then called back later that afternoon to say her husband had caught the alleged vandal writing more graffiti on the trunk of their car.

The incident occurred in the 900 block of Frederick Street, according to police.

A 14-year-old male youth from Brandon was arrested and will appear in court on Nov. 22, charged with mischief to property.

Semler said it’s generally not advisable for citizens to try to apprehend suspects on their own, but the homeowner acted within the law when he caught and detained the teenager.

“I’m going to be perfectly honest,” he said. “In general, it’s probably best to let the police try to make an apprehension.”

“However, you have to do what you have to do. He was well within his rights to make a citizen’s arrest and that’s exactly what he did.”