Guard at CVS Pharmacy chases down, kills shoplifter in Dallas, police say

[jnelsoninjax]

A loss-prevention staffer at a CVS Pharmacy store shot and killed a person suspected of shoplifting after chasing down his getaway car Sunday afternoon in southeast Dallas, police say.

Police arrested 36-year-old Julio Ruvalcaba Monday on a murder charge.

Officers were dispatched to the shooting about 3 p.m. Sunday and found 31-year-old Christopher Geddes lying on the curb on the eastbound C.F. Hawn Freeway service road and Elam Road, police said.

He was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Surveillance video showed Geddes shoplifting from the CVS on South Buckner Boulevard and running to a Toyota Camry in the parking lot, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Footage from several minutes later shows another person leaving the store and getting into a Chevy Camaro parked outside. CVS employees identified that person as Ruvalcaba, a loss-prevention staffer tasked with reducing shoplifting.

Police are searching for his vehicle, which has not been recovered. It's a charcoal gray 2010 Chevrolet Camaro with license plate HKN-4449 and might have damage from a crash.

Witnesses reported seeing a Camaro chasing a Camry on the freeway.  The Camry, in which Geddes was a passenger, crashed into a sign at the Elam Road exit ramp and spun out, flattening a tire, a witness told authorities.

Police say Ruvalcaba followed the Camry to the intersection, where Geddes got out of the Camry and walked toward the Camaro. Ruvalcaba then pulled a gun and shot Geddes in the upper torso before driving east on Elam Road, according to the affidavit.

Ruvalcaba was taken into custody and interviewed at Dallas police headquarters. He invoked his right to remain silent.

He remains in the Dallas County Jail.

Source

[gregwilson88]

Fighting crime with crime... wonder what was going through his mind when he decided to chase down the suspect on the freeway...

[+Fulcrum Subscriber¹]

37 minutes ago, gregwilson88 said:

Fighting crime with crime... wonder what was going through his mind when he decided to chase down the suspect on the freeway...

He probably thought he was being a hero... like George Zimmerman.

[techbeck]

Good.  He should be charged with murder.  No reason to get in his car and chase him down like that.

[DocM]

16 minutes ago, techbeck said:

Good.  He should be charged with murder.  No reason to get in his car and chase him down like that.

In many states firing on a fleeing felony suspect while attempting a citizens arrest is 100% legal, a precedent based on a Michigan Supreme Court case those state courts and legislatures have drawn on and set their laws to reflect; People v. Couch. The policy is known as the "Fleeing Felon Rule."

 

In this case the FFR likely does not apply because shoplifting enough small goods for it to qualify as a felony is rare. Maybe a from jewelry store, or if they committed a serious assault, sexual offense or armed robbery.

[techbeck]

Just now, DocM said:

In many states firing on a fleeing felony suspect while attempting a citizens arrest is 100% legal, a precedent based on a Michigan Supreme Court case those state courts and legislature have drawn on and set their laws to reflect; People v. Couch. The policy is known as the "Fleeing Felon Rule."

 

In this case the FFR likely does not apply because shoplifting enough small goods for it to qualify as a felony is rare. Maybe a from jewelry store.

Said the video footage saying after Geddes left, a couple min later Ruvalcaba is seen leaving and going after the suspect.   Ruvalcaba pretty much hunted the guy down.    Also, Ruvalcaba put a lot of other people in danger chasing after the guy in his car.

 

FFR or whatever rule/law is in place can be trumped by common sense and looking at cases closely.

[Rippleman]

The murder had nothing to do with the actual shoplifting. Separate incidents divided by time/actions/motives. It simply is what triggered a series of horrible events that led to one person getting angry over something (could have been an insult?)  and losing their mind. Hope he gets prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Should be easy too with what the story says.

[DocM]

4 minutes ago, Rippleman said:

The murder had nothing to do with the actual shoplifting. Separate incidents divided by time/actions/motives. 

Correct, the temporal disconnect is another issue wrt applying the FFR which has an in the moment application.

 

Violent home invader is escaping from your home - boom! 

 

B&E guy is escaping with a $300 Walmart TV but hurt no one - yell "HALT," but if he keeps going call 911 and your insurance agent.

 

You see either later, call 911 etc.