Village?s resident has purse, car stolen in home invasion

[The Gazette]

A Village’s woman experienced a frightening ordeal after a man broke into her house and stole her Cadillac this morning. Around 7:30 a.m., Michael A. Prouty, 39, forced his way into a residence on Ballesteros Drive where he engaged in a brief struggle with a woman before fleeing the scene with her cellphone, purse and

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/villages-resident-has-purse-car-stolen-in-home-invasion/)

[manaboutown]

Man steals car during home invasion in The Villages, crashes it in Ocala, deputies say (https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/10/24/man-steals-car-during-home-invasion-in-the-villages-crashes-it-in-ocala-deputies-say/)

Lock him up...again...

[cjrjck]

I wonder of he does contract work in TV? Interesting location for a home invasion. If he entered TV on foot, he may have cut through the Polo grounds.

[Randall55]

I wonder of he does contract work in TV? Interesting location for a home invasion. If he entered TV on foot, he may have cut through the Polo grounds. Interesting that he robbed a home of a single woman. They must have met somehow, prior. I doubt that the home was a random pick.

[BillY41]

According to the article this mutt is a career criminal, habitual offender and all other lame names they call convicts. Why hasn't our system of justice seen the light and given him a life sentence? Police can only arrest the miscreants our courts have to step up.

[Dusty_Star]

Interesting that he robbed a home of a single woman. They must have met somehow, prior. I doubt that the home was a random pick.


It also seems like a very strange time 7:30 in the morning for a violent crime. Perhaps he had slept in the polo grounds, she was out for a walk & he saw her & followed her onto her property. Blaming the victim is easy & odious. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people.

[AZTOFLA]

Yes, he does handyman work in the Villages. Thankfully he didn't show up to finish our job 2 weeks ago.

[Dusty_Star]

Yes, he does handyman work in the Villages. Thankfully he didn't show up to finish our job 2 weeks ago.

Wow! Thanks for the info. I've seen lists of trusted providers, maybe we should have a list of 'never hire these people, ever'.

[Blueblaze]

This is why Texas has a 3rd strike law. I was on a jury once for a career criminal and "Bloods" gang member, who attempted to burglarize a store and then led police on a high speed chase the wrong way during morning rush hour traffic on the freeway. It was his third felony offense. He should have gotten life.

We gave him 50 years, on the prosecution's recommendation. We all felt bad handing down such a long sentence, but as I explained to the lone holdout -- an elderly lady of the same melanin persuasion -- the kindest thing we could do for the guy was to send him back to the only place on Earth where he could survive without terrorizing his neighbors. Because, in addition to his violent criminal record (which included nearly beating a man to death in a bar), the man was covered from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet -- not an exaggeration -- with gang tattoos. When the State presented it's case, they explained to us the "secret" meaning of all those tattoos, and it was horrifying. In among all the other face tattoos, there were FOUR tear drops, representing murders. Whether or not that was just a false boast, this was a man who had managed to engineer his life so that the only place he would ever be accepted is prison.

I am convinced there are people on this planet walking around without souls. What else can you do with them, but remove them, once identified.

[ThirdOfFive]

This clown had NINE felony convictions in the past 20 years.

Which begs the question: what was he doing on the street and NOT in prison?

[Nanlob]

Pray tell. What does "melanin persuasion" mean?

[Velvet]

This is why Texas has a 3rd strike law. I was on a jury once for a career criminal and "Bloods" gang member, who attempted to burglarize a store and then led police on a high speed chase the wrong way during morning rush hour traffic on the freeway. It was his third felony offense. He should have gotten life.

We gave him 50 years, on the prosecution's recommendation. We all felt bad handing down such a long sentence, but as I explained to the lone holdout -- an elderly lady of the same melanin persuasion -- the kindest thing we could do for the guy was to send him back to the only place on Earth where he could survive without terrorizing his neighbors. Because, in addition to his violent criminal record (which included nearly beating a man to death in a bar), the man was covered from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet -- not an exaggeration -- with gang tattoos. When the State presented it's case, they explained to us the "secret" meaning of all those tattoos, and it was horrifying. In among all the other face tattoos, there were FOUR tear drops, representing murders. Whether or not that was just a false boast, this was a man who had managed to engineer his life so that the only place he would ever be accepted is prison.

I am convinced there are people on this planet walking around without souls. What else can you do with them, but remove them, once identified.

And to me it also seems he was mentally ill. But as a violent person, he needs to be away from where he can harm anyone. It is sad that anyone can be that worthless.

[MrFlorida]

This clown had NINE felony convictions in the past 20 years.

Which begs the question: what was he doing on the street and NOT in prison?

Catch and release program...

[Topspinmo]

I’m surprised this don’t happen more often with all the drug addicts living amongst use?:duck:

[Topspinmo]

And to me it also seems he was mentally ill. But as a violent person, he needs to be away from where he can harm anyone. It is sad that anyone can be that worthless.


Yes, got the “I don’t want to work syndrome” :eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Bogie Shooter]

There may be more to this story………….

[Blueblaze]

Pray tell. What does "melanin persuasion" mean?

A euphemism for an unmentionable subject that has not yet been declared verboten because I made it up.

[Eg_cruz]

Interesting that he robbed a home of a single woman. They must have met somehow, prior. I doubt that the home was a random pick.
They watch women at the stores and restaurants then follow them home. There use to be a couple that went to the doughnut shops looking for single women and elderly couples to take advantage of.

[Eg_cruz]

A Village’s woman experienced a frightening ordeal after a man broke into her house and stole her Cadillac this morning. Around 7:30 a.m., Michael A. Prouty, 39, forced his way into a residence on Ballesteros Drive where he engaged in a brief struggle with a woman before fleeing the scene with her cellphone, purse and

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/villages-resident-has-purse-car-stolen-in-home-invasion/)
Wonder why they didn’t call Onstar could have saved the car. Onstar could have located and turn the car off, that is the one thing I miss about not having a GMC

I hope she is ok what a terrible thing to happen

[Randall55]

They watch women at the stores and restaurants then follow them home. There use to be a couple that went to the doughnut shops looking for single women and elderly couples to take advantage of. I witnessed this a few times at the squares. Younger men following women around, watching, lurking, and waiting for an opportune moment. I have told several ladies to be careful and pointed to the individual. Sometimes, they run away, proving they were planning something. Be careful and keep your eyes and ears open.

[rsmurano]

Every state should implement the 3 strikes and your out law, no ifs or butts about it. How can someone call a tattoo gang member that has committed many crimes mentally ill? This is why we have these criminals back on the streets because we have softies on the jury’s that can’t see right from wrong, they think the criminal can right himself. Bring back Alcatraz for all 3 strikes and your out criminals.

[Marmaduke]

This is why Texas has a 3rd strike law. I was on a jury once for a career criminal and "Bloods" gang member, who attempted to burglarize a store and then led police on a high speed chase the wrong way during morning rush hour traffic on the freeway. It was his third felony offense. He should have gotten life.

We gave him 50 years, on the prosecution's recommendation. We all felt bad handing down such a long sentence, but as I explained to the lone holdout -- an elderly lady of the same melanin persuasion -- the kindest thing we could do for the guy was to send him back to the only place on Earth where he could survive without terrorizing his neighbors. Because, in addition to his violent criminal record (which included nearly beating a man to death in a bar), the man was covered from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet -- not an exaggeration -- with gang tattoos. When the State presented it's case, they explained to us the "secret" meaning of all those tattoos, and it was horrifying. In among all the other face tattoos, there were FOUR tear drops, representing murders. Whether or not that was just a false boast, this was a man who had managed to engineer his life so that the only place he would ever be accepted is prison.

I am convinced there are people on this planet walking around without souls. What else can you do with them, but remove them, once identified.
I wish other states would follow Texas. That's a very interesting story and you spoke great truths to you cohorts on that jury. You probably saved a 4th teardrop, at least until he was back in prison. You did a great civic duty.

[Windguy]

Pray tell. What does "melanin persuasion" mean?

I took it as a way to avoid use of the “N” word, but I may have misinterpreted the commenter’s intention. Still don’t know why it was important to mention a jury member’s race.

[Windguy]

This is why Texas has a 3rd strike law.
One potential problem is that someone who is facing a third strike might take extreme measures to avoid capture and endanger the public in the process.

[Windguy]

He looks like a nice christian boy to me. This all must be a mistake.

[jimjamuser]

This shows exactly that The Villages is a SOFT TARGET. That is why more POLICE are needed and more cameras are needed around all The Villages' areas. Older people are SOFT TARGETS. And I see relatively few POLICE patrols. The Community Service patrols do NOT seem effective. They may be a waste of money that could be spent on sophisticated surveillance equipment.

[LaLaLuna]

This is why Texas has a 3rd strike law.

We all felt bad handing down such a long sentence, but as I explained to the lone holdout -- an elderly lady of the same melanin persuasion -- the kindest thing we could do for the guy was to send him back to the only place on Earth where he could survive without terrorizing his neighbors.

SORRY BUDDY - your point was lost to me no matter how valid it may be once your racism kicked in. This world of ours does not stand chance unless we all change the way we see our neighbors.

[Windguy]

Certainly not at the same percentages.

How many innocent black men have been convicted and executed just because they were convenient and easy to convict?

You might want to read “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

[flash4353]

If he was convicted nine times one can only imagine how many times he did not get caught, and how many times he plead out to several crimes so he was only convicted of one. It's got to be in the hundreds.

[GATORBILL66]

This is just one reason to keep a loaded gun in everyone's home!

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I witnessed this a few times at the squares. Younger men following women around, watching, lurking, and waiting for an opportune moment. I have told several ladies to be careful and pointed to the individual. Sometimes, they run away, proving they were planning something. Be careful and keep your eyes and ears open.I read this response to a woman friend over the phone she felt the same way that she would actually find it creepy that someone was actually paying enough attention to her that he had to come up and tell her this, google says there are 145 ,000 people here now we are not having a major crime wave

[Bealman]

Not sure the Nanny State prevents crime. People need to make their safety their responsibility. There is no simple solution to crime. Bill Clinton had the three strikes law. Only years later he regrets it because of the overcrowding of jails. Ask those that come from a Nanny State if they feel safer because of so many surveillance cameras. They don't prevent crime, they just sometimes help with the aftermath. Don't blame the money spent on community watch. I think they do well with their intended purposes. Every corner of every block could have an armed police person, but I am pretty sure crimes would still happen. Remember Smokey the Bear, "Only YOU can prevent fires.". Same is true with crime prevention. Don't rely on others for one's protection.

[Bealman]

This is just one reason to keep a loaded gun in everyone's home!

If you are trying to be funny or serious, please stop. It is a ludicrous statement with no point but to stir emotions on certain issues. If that was your intention, hopefully no one but me replies.

[Bruce3055]

Every state should implement the 3 strikes and your out law, no ifs or butts about it. How can someone call a tattoo gang member that has committed many crimes mentally ill? This is why we have these criminals back on the streets because we have softies on the jury’s that can’t see right from wrong, they think the criminal can right himself. Bring back Alcatraz for all 3 strikes and your out criminals.

I think 3 strikes refers to life without parole for the 3rd conviction. There are some very sad cases where that resulted in excessive prison terms and great cost to the state.

Isn't it possible for the judge / jury to impose appropriate sentences that may include life on a case by case basis without a 3 strike rule?

[cjrjck]

This shows exactly that The Villages is a SOFT TARGET. That is why more POLICE are needed and more cameras are needed around all The Villages' areas. Older people are SOFT TARGETS. And I see relatively few POLICE patrols. The Community Service patrols do NOT seem effective. They may be a waste of money that could be spent on sophisticated surveillance equipment.

Maybe for your neighborhood but keep that nanny state stuff away from me. I find The Villages to be relatively crime free with just the right balance of security and freedom.

[Randall55]

I read this response to a woman friend over the phone she felt the same way that she would actually find it creepy that someone was actually paying enough attention to her that he had to come up and tell her this, google says there are 145 ,000 people here now we are not having a major crime waveNot creepy at all. When you are walking to a restaurant or store and see a man following a woman, you want to make certain she is aware. I'm always with my wife and keep a distance. We do not make it a long ordeal. Just a quick, excuse us ma'am, but that gentleman has been following you. Point to him and tell her to be careful. Once the woman sees the man running away, she thanks us.

I have lived here 18 years and walk LSL or Brownwood for exercise each night. (BTW: It is usually the same group of young men) There are opportunistic people in the squares. The woman is free to believe us or not.

[jimjamuser]

According to the article this mutt is a career criminal, habitual offender and all other lame names they call convicts. Why hasn't our system of justice seen the light and given him a life sentence? Police can only arrest the miscreants our courts have to step up.
Pay Mexico or some other South American country to hold him in prison. In the long run, it would cost the U S less and Mexico or Venezuela probably could use the money.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Not creepy at all. When you are walking to a restaurant or store and see a man following a woman, you want to make certain she is aware. I'm always with my wife and keep a distance. We do not make it a long ordeal. Just a quick, excuse us ma'am, but that gentleman has been following you. Point to him and tell her to be careful. Once the woman sees the man running away, she thanks us.

I have lived here 18 years and walk LSL or Brownwood for exercise each night. (BTW: It is usually the same group of young men) There are opportunistic people in the squares. The woman is free to believe us or not.we both have been here longer then you and it’s certainly taken these opportunistic young men a long time to seize there opportunity , hmmmmm let’s see the last time a young man followed a woman home after stalking a her at the square and did her wrong wasssssssss ,hmmmm never FYI her sister thought this was funny , creepy but funny ,

[wamley]

It means ignorance of the writer.

[Blueblaze]

I took it as a way to avoid use of the “N” word, but I may have misinterpreted the commenter’s intention. Still don’t know why it was important to mention a jury member’s race.

Racism was the reason. The lone holdout's unconscious racism almost released a maniac to kill again. If people would quit demanding special treatment for their race, and quit hating people for crimes against their race that occurred 100 years before they were born, and quit assuming some affinity with criminals because their skin color is similar to their own -- the "N" word that I couldn't use would go back to being merely the scientific racial designation you will find on the birth certificate of 15% of the population old enough to live in the Villages, and I wouldn't be forced to make up silly euphemisms to mention it.

[Randall55]

we both have been here longer then you and it’s certainly taken these opportunistic young men a long time to seize there opportunity , hmmmmm let’s see the last time a young man followed a woman home after stalking a her at the square and did her wrong wasssssssss ,hmmmm never FYI her sister thought this was funny , creepy but funny ,You are confusing the story. We are not watching the women. We are watching the same young men we see in the squares on a regular basis. We often see them point to a woman and then one begins to follow her. Maybe they are looking for a hook up and this is their ritual. Maybe they ask for some spare coins, maybe this or that. Who knows? We watch because we feel
uncomfortable around them. There are opportunistic people in the squares.

[jimjamuser]

This is just one reason to keep a loaded gun in everyone's home!
I can agree with that. But, personally, I wish that the US would do what Australia did and ban all semi-automatic rifles - they allow only single shot and bolt action rifles.

[jimjamuser]

Not sure the Nanny State prevents crime. People need to make their safety their responsibility. There is no simple solution to crime. Bill Clinton had the three strikes law. Only years later he regrets it because of the overcrowding of jails. Ask those that come from a Nanny State if they feel safer because of so many surveillance cameras. They don't prevent crime, they just sometimes help with the aftermath. Don't blame the money spent on community watch. I think they do well with their intended purposes. Every corner of every block could have an armed police person, but I am pretty sure crimes would still happen. Remember Smokey the Bear, "Only YOU can prevent fires.". Same is true with crime prevention. Don't rely on others for one's protection.
An individual can NOT afford to put up security cameras and hire a staff to watch them 24/7. Yes, there is a company that advertises that. But, since The Villages has mostly older and vulnerable people (with money) then The Villages is a big enough organization to set up cameras on every block and even have drones overhead with cameras. The technology is there - the only thing needed is the need to do it, the will to do it, and the budget to do it.

[Bogie Shooter]

You are confusing the story. We are not watching the women. We are watching the same young men we see in the squares on a regular basis. We often see them point to a woman and then one begins to follow her. Maybe they are looking for a hook up and this is their ritual. Maybe they ask for some spare coins, maybe this or that. Who knows? We watch because we feel
uncomfortable around them. There are opportunistic people in the squares.

You ever discuss with the police “all these young men you see in the squares on a regular basis”?.
Like the Sumter county Sheriff always said….If you see something -say something.
If you are so damned concerned, do something to end it…..

[Randall55]

You ever discuss with the police “all these young men you see in the squares on a regular basis”?.
Like the Sumter county Sheriff always said….If you see something -say something.
If you are so damned concerned, do something to end it…..We have spoken to an officer about it. The officer was in the square after a womans's purse was snatched. He told us there is petty crime in the squares and cause to be alarmed. He told us to stay on guard and be alert.

It does not occur EVERY NIGHT while we are enjoying our nightly walks. When it does, we do not follow the men and investigate. If we feel a woman is being followed, we alert her. Never once was the woman angry with us or laughed. There is one particular guy who runs when we point him out. His running away tells us that he is up to something. This is the person we pointed out to the officer. We have not seen him in quite some time.

[miharris]

Looks like its a trip back to the big house for him for an extended stay.

[Boomer]

Well........one evening, a while back, I saw something in Brownwood......

Two young women, dressed in rather revealing tops and booty shorts, were helping an older guy to the parking lot. One on each arm.

They all looked happy enough.

I know nothing untoward or unseemly ever happens in TV, so I just thought how nice it was of those two ladies to be helping that guy find his car.

Boomer

[Lea N]

Interesting that he robbed a home of a single woman. They must have met somehow, prior. I doubt that the home was a random pick.

I hadn't thought of that but you are right.

Many years ago my husband and I lived in CT. I rented an apartment that was downstairs from the apartment he lived in. I was the only single woman living in the apartments in this house (old Victorian that had been renovated to apartments.)

The original landlord was a kind older man (I was in my 20's, he was in his 80's.) He passed away and left the rental property to his two daughters. They really didn't want anything to do with it and did minimum work on the place.

They hired someone to paint the outside of the place. He painted by himself. At that time I worked two jobs but was home and was vacuuming. He knocked at the door and asked if he could use my phone. I let him in and he made a quick phone call and then sat on the couch as though he was invited to do so. I was busy cleaning and told him to leave. He wouldn't. So I started vacuuming again and he left right away.

I told my husband what happened (remember we weren't married yet.) About a week or so later I looked out my back window and there was a police car parked in the back parking area. I called my husband and jokingly said there is a police car in the back, what did you do? He said he is here with me right now and wants to talk to you to. At first I thought he was joking.

I went upstairs to talk with the police officer. He asked all kinds of questions about this man and if he had hurt me. He seemed very concerned. This painter had a tattoo on both hands, one said love and one said hate.

It turns out he had raped and murdered several women, I don't know how many. I don't know if he was ever caught. He had been on America's Most Wanted but I didn't know it at that time he showed up at my door.

My heart goes out to the woman this happened to. She must have been so scared and probably doesn't feel safe in her home anymore.

[Lea N]

They watch women at the stores and restaurants then follow them home. There use to be a couple that went to the doughnut shops looking for single women and elderly couples to take advantage of.

Wow! The things these scum bags think of.

[Boomer]

We have spoken to an officer about it. The officer was in the square after a womans's purse was snatched. He told us there is petty crime in the squares and cause to be alarmed. He told us to stay on guard and be alert.

It does not occur EVERY NIGHT while we are enjoying our nightly walks. When it does, we do not follow the men and investigate. If we feel a woman is being followed, we alert her. Never once was the woman angry with us or laughed. There is one particular guy who runs when we point him out. His running away tells us that he is up to something. This is the person we pointed out to the officer. We have not seen him in quite some time.


I see you are catching flak from some in this thread. I don't think you deserve that.

I think the way you are handling this is fine. Your wife is with you when you tell the woman who might be being followed. You are not chasing after the guy who appears to be following.

My guess is you are naturally observant, perhaps because of a military background, or maybe because you happen to be one of those people who does not miss much.

(I was stalked once. An observant man stopped it.)

There are those who do not want to think about anything possibly going wrong in a place with almost 150,000 people, or whatever that number is. Overall, TV is safe by comparision to most places, but still.........

Boomer

[Randall55]

I see you are catching flak from some in this thread. I don't think you deserve that.

I think the way you are handling this is fine. Your wife is with you when you tell the woman who might be being followed. You are not chasing after the guy who appears to be following.

My guess is you are naturally observant, perhaps because of a military background, or maybe because you happen to be one of those people who does not miss much.

(I was stalked once. An observant man stopped it.)

There are those who do not want to think about anything possibly going wrong in a place with almost 150,000 people, or whatever that number is. Overall, TV is safe by comparision to most places, but still.........

BoomerI am a big boy. I can take flak. What I can't take is watching someone possibly being targeted by others. It never fails to amaze me that some believe there is no crime or mischief in the Villages. There are many opportunistic individuals who come here looking to take advantage of the residents. My wife and I have met our fair share.

[Sandy and Ed]

Man steals car during home invasion in The Villages, crashes it in Ocala, deputies say (https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/10/24/man-steals-car-during-home-invasion-in-the-villages-crashes-it-in-ocala-deputies-say/)

Lock him up...again...
Perhaps we should subcontract our prison system to some company in Mexico.

[Sandy and Ed]

Pray tell. What does "melanin persuasion" mean?
His skin color (race) was the same.

[Sandy and Ed]

If you are trying to be funny or serious, please stop. It is a ludicrous statement with no point but to stir emotions on certain issues. If that was your intention, hopefully no one but me replies.
Yes. Definitely keep a loaded gun in your house. Empty does no good when some one has already violated your home. Alternatively don’t keep a loaded gun in your house. That is also your Second Amendment right. I will not judge you for it either way. If I am able to, I will try to defend you and save you and your family’s lives.

[Sandy and Ed]

I think 3 strikes refers to life without parole for the 3rd conviction. There are some very sad cases where that resulted in excessive prison terms and great cost to the state.

Isn't it possible for the judge / jury to impose appropriate sentences that may include life on a case by case basis without a 3 strike rule?
Three strikes rule for a life sentence is arbitrary. All it was meant to do was prevent lenient sentences from stupid judges. We need better judges who met out reasonable sentences who can evaluate the criminal “behavior” of the person

[Steve]

A Village’s woman experienced a frightening ordeal after a man broke into her house and stole her Cadillac this morning. Around 7:30 a.m., Michael A. Prouty, 39, forced his way into a residence on Ballesteros Drive where he engaged in a brief struggle with a woman before fleeing the scene with her cellphone, purse and

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/villages-resident-has-purse-car-stolen-in-home-invasion/)

Not to knit-pick with the good folks at "The Gazette", but as a former radio news director it seems to me a very important word was left out of this story..."alleged". Even with all the overwhelming evidence at hand (photos, eyewitness accounts, etc.) this guy is still innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

[Indydealmaker]

SORRY BUDDY - your point was lost to me no matter how valid it may be once your racism kicked in. This world of ours does not stand chance unless we all change the way we see our neighbors.

Why condemn the OP for reporting the situation as it was? Racism is not recognizing that there ARE people who are sympatico with others simply because of their mutual race. Failure to understand this does not make you a non-racist, just an non-realist.

[Bill14564]

Three strikes rule for a life sentence is arbitrary. All it was meant to do was prevent lenient sentences from stupid judges. We need better judges who met out reasonable sentences who can evaluate the criminal “behavior” of the person

Not sure what is arbitrary about counting to three.

I do believe too many things have been "felonized." Felonies should be reserved for something more serious than, for example, a teacher having the wrong book in a classroom.

In this case it seems reasonable to believe that more than a few of the 12 felony convictions were for serious offenses. If "3 strikes and you're out" seems too harsh, what about 5 or 8 or 11? Everyone deserves a second chance (or third or seventh or...) but, "the thirteenth time is the charm," sounds ridiculous.

[jimjamuser]

Maybe for your neighborhood but keep that nanny state stuff away from me. I find The Villages to be relatively crime free with just the right balance of security and freedom.
People tend to feel confident about their SAFETY until something happens to THEM. Then it is a whole different world. For example, that representative in Maine changed his mind about assault weapons when there was a murder rampage in HIS district. I, personally, had over $1,000 worth of tools stolen several years ago as my house was broken into. Police investigated and came up with ZERO.
.......That was years ago and today crime has increased in The Villages. Believe me, you do NOT forget it when your home is burglarized. And it could have been worse if we were there at the time. People that have NEVER had a home break-in are a little too quick to dismiss the NEED for more POLICE by saying things like "nanny state", which makes no sense to me. More Police and equipment would not affect the law-abiding citizen, just the law-breaking ones that take advantage of The Villages being a "soft target".

[Diverdave]

Man steals car during home invasion in The Villages, crashes it in Ocala, deputies say (https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/10/24/man-steals-car-during-home-invasion-in-the-villages-crashes-it-in-ocala-deputies-say/)

Lock him up...again...

Florida reintroduced Chain Gangs back in the 90s. Let that guy spend the next 20 years or so in the hot sun and mosquitos cleaning up roadways.

[mntlblok]

Not sure what is arbitrary about counting to three.



In this case it seems reasonable to believe that more than a few of the 12 felony convictions were for serious offenses. If "3 strikes and you're out" seems too harsh, what about 5 or 8 or 11? Everyone deserves a second chance (or third or seventh or...) but, "the thirteenth time is the charm," sounds ridiculous.

Would have no problem with having whoever made the decision to let such scum back out on the street after more than a few felony convictions join them in such confinement. Actions normally - and should - have consequences.

And, how many felonies do you reckon he's *actually* committed per each one that resulted in a conviction?

Civilization is tricky business. Having such judges make these kinds of decisions makes it far trickier - and less likely to continue.

[Sandy and Ed]

Not sure what is arbitrary about counting to three.

I do believe too many things have been "felonized." Felonies should be reserved for something more serious than, for example, a teacher having the wrong book in a classroom.

In this case it seems reasonable to believe that more than a few of the 12 felony convictions were for serious offenses. If "3 strikes and you're out" seems too harsh, what about 5 or 8 or 11? Everyone deserves a second chance (or third or seventh or...) but, "the thirteenth time is the charm," sounds ridiculous.
Your point backs up what I am saying. Too many things classified as a felony. Throw a toaster at a person and the toaster becomes a weapon. Could become a felony case and be one of the three that gives you a life sentence? Again good logical laws with logical recommended sentences an most importantly good logical judges. A judge is not suppose to be a rubber stamp.

[jimjamuser]

I hadn't thought of that but you are right.

Many years ago my husband and I lived in CT. I rented an apartment that was downstairs from the apartment he lived in. I was the only single woman living in the apartments in this house (old Victorian that had been renovated to apartments.)

The original landlord was a kind older man (I was in my 20's, he was in his 80's.) He passed away and left the rental property to his two daughters. They really didn't want anything to do with it and did minimum work on the place.

They hired someone to paint the outside of the place. He painted by himself. At that time I worked two jobs but was home and was vacuuming. He knocked at the door and asked if he could use my phone. I let him in and he made a quick phone call and then sat on the couch as though he was invited to do so. I was busy cleaning and told him to leave. He wouldn't. So I started vacuuming again and he left right away.

I told my husband what happened (remember we weren't married yet.) About a week or so later I looked out my back window and there was a police car parked in the back parking area. I called my husband and jokingly said there is a police car in the back, what did you do? He said he is here with me right now and wants to talk to you to. At first I thought he was joking.

I went upstairs to talk with the police officer. He asked all kinds of questions about this man and if he had hurt me. He seemed very concerned. This painter had a tattoo on both hands, one said love and one said hate.

It turns out he had raped and murdered several women, I don't know how many. I don't know if he was ever caught. He had been on America's Most Wanted but I didn't know it at that time he showed up at my door.

My heart goes out to the woman this happened to. She must have been so scared and probably doesn't feel safe in her home anymore.
That IS a pretty nasty story and I am glad that you survived. Today MORE women have MORE things to worry about - like date-rape blackout drugs. I talked to a lady who said that her daughter experienced twice being drugged by blackout drugs while at college.

[Taltarzac725]

Your point backs up what I am saying. Too many things classified as a felony. Throw a toaster at a person and the toaster becomes a weapon. Could become a felony case and be one of the three that gives you a life sentence? Again good logical laws with logical recommended sentences an most importantly good logical judges. A judge is not suppose to be a rubber stamp.

Equity should be taught more in the nation's law schools if it still has not been emphasized.

In other words, play close attention to the facts in each case.

This man should get very hard time IMHO. Unless there is a lot more to it.

[jimjamuser]

Would have no problem with having whoever made the decision to let such scum back out on the street after more than a few felony convictions join them in such confinement. Actions normally - and should - have consequences.

And, how many felonies do you reckon he's *actually* committed per each one that resulted in a conviction?

Civilization is tricky business. Having such judges make these kinds of decisions makes it far trickier - and less likely to continue.
I would guess that the ratio is about 5 to 1. 5 crimes committed for every one caught.

[Lea N]

That IS a pretty nasty story and I am glad that you survived. Today MORE women have MORE things to worry about - like date-rape blackout drugs. I talked to a lady who said that her daughter experienced twice being drugged by blackout drugs while at college.

Those drugs are terrible. You are right, there is a lot more to be aware of today than there ever was before.

[mntlblok]

I would guess that the ratio is about 5 to 1. 5 crimes committed for every one caught.

Got me curious. Got to googling and stopped here. file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/2021%20Crime%20Statistics%20Summary.pdf

Page 16 suggests that 5:1 is in the ballpark, at least as far as the ratio of reported crimes to arrests for same, though it ranges a fair bit according to the "category" of felony.

Now, conviction rates vs. arrest rates differ - who knows by how much. . . But, 13 felony *convictions* would suggest at *least* 65 felonies committed.

Why is something like that out in our midst? Why did this woman - and the rest of us - need to face such an easily preventable risk from such a subhuman? That's uncivilized.

[bcsnave]

I took it as a way to avoid use of the “N” word, but I may have misinterpreted the commenter’s intention. Still don’t know why it was important to mention a jury member’s race.

I didn't see anything about the Jury member competing ...did they run a 13.5 K or a full 26? ...did they win?