First and foremost, I think gomer did what we all want our neighbors to do -- be caring enough about their neighbors to take positive action and help keep our neighborhoods safe.
With regards to the actions, I'll admit that I was rooting for gomer through his scenario -- hoping the PD arrived to find the BG down in the "felony prone" position. However, with state laws varying so much it is difficult to use a "one size fits all" answer.
As to Mr. PinnedandRecessed who keeps asking what the relationship is between the intruder/burglar and the female resident -- it's an irrelevant point. Re-read the initial scenario. Guy backs into the driveway, opens trunk. Okay, so he's been asked to take her [fill in blank] to be repaired. Suspicious, but not illegal. But then he walks up and kicks the door in -- without knocking, ringing the bell or otherwise trying to determine if anyone is home. That's what the cops would call serious probable cause. If he'd been invited to perform some task or had a key, he'd have paused to unlock the door or knock. Neither happened, so the logical "reasonable man" presumption is that this is a burglary (at least) in progress.
Were it me, I think I would have waited for him to be walking away from me and yelled "DON'T MOVE!", then followed that quickly with "Set that down and put your hands on top of your head, NOW!" If he complies, the next item is to get him to kneel down and remain that way until the cops arrive. If he turns around, as described and asks if you're going to shoot him, respond "Only if you make a move." The next decision is his. (Whether you shoot him or not is up to you and any threat he presents).
I should note that if your local PD has a history of long response times it's not a good thing to try apprehension like this. If several minutes go by and the PD doesn't show up, your BG might get the idea they AREN'T coming and try to force your hand.
With regards to the actions, I'll admit that I was rooting for gomer through his scenario -- hoping the PD arrived to find the BG down in the "felony prone" position. However, with state laws varying so much it is difficult to use a "one size fits all" answer.
As to Mr. PinnedandRecessed who keeps asking what the relationship is between the intruder/burglar and the female resident -- it's an irrelevant point. Re-read the initial scenario. Guy backs into the driveway, opens trunk. Okay, so he's been asked to take her [fill in blank] to be repaired. Suspicious, but not illegal. But then he walks up and kicks the door in -- without knocking, ringing the bell or otherwise trying to determine if anyone is home. That's what the cops would call serious probable cause. If he'd been invited to perform some task or had a key, he'd have paused to unlock the door or knock. Neither happened, so the logical "reasonable man" presumption is that this is a burglary (at least) in progress.
Were it me, I think I would have waited for him to be walking away from me and yelled "DON'T MOVE!", then followed that quickly with "Set that down and put your hands on top of your head, NOW!" If he complies, the next item is to get him to kneel down and remain that way until the cops arrive. If he turns around, as described and asks if you're going to shoot him, respond "Only if you make a move." The next decision is his. (Whether you shoot him or not is up to you and any threat he presents).
I should note that if your local PD has a history of long response times it's not a good thing to try apprehension like this. If several minutes go by and the PD doesn't show up, your BG might get the idea they AREN'T coming and try to force your hand.