Can i call the police on someone who tries to take my xbox out of my room?

[Guitarmasterx7]

See, this is why you should always stay bigger than your little brother. So when he's like "i'm taking your xbox" and you can just beat his face in.

 

[Dags90]

I called the cops on my brother once, he's older than me but he's much the same as yours. Takes things that aren't his without asking, which is stealing. It got to the point where my mom bought me a separate mini fridge because he would steal my food. That was her idea of dealing with it.

You'll never be his parent at this point, so don't waste your time trying to parent him. Don't respond physically either, you're an adult and it's called assault.

If you call the police, don't call the emergency number if possible. They probably won't actually do anything because he's a minor and the parents aren't around. Well, they probably will scare the pants off of your brother (which is the real point). The cops in my town weren't particularly miffed when I called them over what some might consider a "family matter".

I didn't know so many people on this forum live in Camden, NJ, where cops can barely keep up with the crime.

 

[spartan231490]

Here's the situation. I bought this xbox with my own money, there is another xbox in the house (but it seldom works because of a dirty laser). One of my brothers bursts into my room and goes "let me use your xbox." i just told him no because im downloading something.

so technically if he takes it after i told him not to, can i call the police on him? (he also has some shady friends over that i dont want here, can i get rid of them too? technically speaking.)

and yes. i would call the police on my own brother. he's a drug addict who spends more than half his day (actually calculated) high and spends every last penny of his money on buying more drugs. i dont care about that, though, and ive never reported him for it. but if his actions start to interfere with my life.... thats where i draw the line

EDIT: he's already stolen some of my property (stuff that seems unlikely to be stolen or could easily be blamed on someone else). he's even taken my ID on more than one occasion. dont ask how it works for him. he doesnt even look like me yet he takes it anyways :/

I think he would have to take it from the property for it to be robbery, but I'm not sure.

 

[Sporky111]

Dude, if you want to call the cops on him just call them on the drugs. If you DID call them for Theft the charge would probably be lost among the other ones they'd hold him for once they found the drug use.

 

[Gutkrusha]

I know all the pacifists on the Escapist are saying 'get him help! Don't advocate violence!' Well folks, you can't 'get' an addicted person help. It doesn't work unless they want it to work.

Kick the shit out of him, get a lock for your door, and watch out for his druggy friends if he's causing you so much trouble or you're certain he's going to steal your possessions.

I advocate getting him put in Juvie. Is that a compromise? Or do you just think that violence will somehow fix the problem better?

Either solution would make his brother hate him for quite some time. Sending him somewhere to sober up would probably work better, yes.

But seeing as he's mentioned that his parents don't actually do any parenting, it would probably result in them getting their little delinquent out on bail(pre trial), which will give him plenty of time to take his anger out on the one that called the police on him.

There's no good or easy way to deal with a jackass douchewaffle drughead. Showing him that you aren't to be messed with would be the simplest, though probably not best, way to make him leave your stuff alone.

Would I typically advocate violence above talking? No. Talking usually solves things much better than delivering an ass-whooping. But it's fairly obvious that this person would only react to something drastic.

Juvenile Hall or laying on the ground with a black eye, both will cause the same friction between the two brothers. One is longterm, one is short-term.

 

[Liquid Ocelot]

Calling the police on this matter would be incredibly stupid, and a waste of the Police's time. Handle your familial problems yourself.

Either that, or just waltz into his room, and start taking his shit.

 

[lacktheknack]

I know all the pacifists on the Escapist are saying 'get him help! Don't advocate violence!' Well folks, you can't 'get' an addicted person help. It doesn't work unless they want it to work.

Kick the shit out of him, get a lock for your door, and watch out for his druggy friends if he's causing you so much trouble or you're certain he's going to steal your possessions.

I advocate getting him put in Juvie. Is that a compromise? Or do you just think that violence will somehow fix the problem better?

Either solution would make his brother hate him for quite some time. Sending him somewhere to sober up would probably work better, yes.

But seeing as he's mentioned that his parents don't actually do any parenting, it would probably result in them getting their little delinquent out on bail(pre trial), which will give him plenty of time to take his anger out on the one that called the police on him.

There's no good or easy way to deal with a jackass douchewaffle drughead. Showing him that you aren't to be messed with would be the simplest, though probably not best, way to make him leave your stuff alone.

Would I typically advocate violence above talking? No. Talking usually solves things much better than delivering an ass-whooping. But it's fairly obvious that this person would only react to something drastic.

Juvenile Hall or laying on the ground with a black eye, both will cause the same friction between the two brothers. One is longterm, one is short-term.

If you're desperate to take a third option, I suppose that psychological warfare would probably leave the smallest amount of friction (that you're thinking of, anyways). But these parents sound so detached that I wouldn't be half surprised if they never DID find out their kid was arrested.

OP, your life sucks.

 

[Roadface]

It seems that what a lot of people aren't understanding about his reasoning is that he is possibly intimated by his brother and would like a third party to intervene. Yeah it would be a waste of time to call the cops but it might be his only option if he doesn't want to get confrontational. But whatever, this is all speculation at this point.

The point I agree with the most though is going to the police station and getting advice from the people there. You could also talk with a school counselor instead of the police department. It would be more off the record and his/her advice would probably be just a valid.

Sucks that your brother has a drug problem mine has the same.

 

[ApeShapeDeity]

only if he takes it out of the house with intent to sell it.

but if it's a problem invest 15 bucks on a lock for your door.

This is pretty much to the point. The cops have better things to do than save your x-box from your stonned brother. If you're living with mum/dad/both and you're of age, move out. Or, better, you could maybe get him to move out!

Short of that just lock your door and call him 'knob golblin'. Fuck him is all, he doesn't sound like he respects himself, nor anyone else.

NB: I'm not reccomeding this, but... drugs are worth money. You could steal his satsh, call it an exercise in irony.

Edit: the escapist above has probably the most sensible approach.

 

[pyrosaw]

You should seriously beat some sense into him. You don't need to call because of thievery, just call because of drugs.

 

[IMakeIce]

Go to the police station, but as many people have said already, it is your parents property. Your bedroom is not yours. If he takes it off the property, then it becomes a problem, otherwise, you're out of luck as far as the police can help. It isn't illegal. But talk to an officer at the station, see what they say as far as your options go if the situation elevates somehow.

...he's even taken my ID on more than one occasion. dont ask how it works for him. he doesnt even look like me yet he takes it anyways :/

I'd be more concerned with what he's doing with your ID. What do you mean he's taken it? What does he do with it, and do you have proof?


Above all else:
You are in college. Time to step into the big world and get your own place. You obviously don't want to be in that environment anyway, so get out of it.

 

[KingTwelveSixteen]

You should go to the local police station and ask somebody there for advice, it will likely be much more informative than everyone here merely saying you should beat him up. (You shouldn't.)

 

[mjc0961]

Next time you see your parents, draw up a rental agreement for your room. Say that you'll pay (or do so much work around the house) as rent, make it clear that no one else is to have access to it, and then install a keylock. By doing that, you make the room your property, and if he breaks in, it's trespassing.

You can try getting him help, but until an addict is ready to be helped, you're just wasting your time and energy. Let him know that you'll be there when he's ready, and leave it at that.

Just because he's your brother doesn't give him the right to treat you like that, nor should you feel bad for attempting to call the authorities. I understand (and I think a lot of people responding here don't understand it) that this isn't about the XBox. It's about the violation of your property, and the behavior of your brother.

Also, try going down to a local police station and ask to speak to someone about it. Don't say that you're trying to get him dealt with, or make it sound like an emergency. Just be honest about what's going on, and ask what your options are. This way, you can find out the best way to handle it in regards to the authorities without calling them out. Any good officer will be willing to sit with you for 15 minutes or so at the station (as opposed when they are out on patrol responding to calls and have to come to you).

This is pretty much your best bet. No calling the police out, you go to them and ask about your local laws and what you can do. And yes, get a lock, that will certainly help. And, of course, don't let him come in and take your stuff. If he tries to take it by force from you, he's handing you a free pass for you to kick his ass. Otherwise, what's he going to do about it?

 

[IMakeIce]

...And, of course, don't let him come in and take your stuff. If he tries to take it by force from you, he's handing you a free pass for you to kick his ass. Otherwise, what's he going to do about it?

This is not true. Unless the brother actually tries to damage the box or assaults the OP before taking the box, the OP will be the one guilty of assault.

Sorry, but that's the law system in this country. Assault is assault, no matter what direction you look at it from.

 

[William Ossiss]

It seems that alot of people have this moronic misguided notion that SNITCHING is bad. are we all from the fucking ghetto? NO. we are not.

calling the police on your brother for this isn't going to get you anywhere. and based on the conversation that you had with the moron, (no offense to you, but if someone doesn't wish to listen to reason, then there is nothing you can do) the only thing you can do at this point is beat his ass.

i cannot believe that no one has suggested this (from the comments ive read) but sometimes that's the ONLY thing that will sink into the heads of these morons. from what you have said so far, i assume that these people are young. about 15-ish? it's no excuse, but it's expected from children. and you as an adult need to put your foot down. parents are only parents when they are around and watching their children. not to mention listening to them.

GOD i feel old. and im only twenty three! but after dealing with morons that are thirty and older and still act like complete children (my mother included) it gets old fast.

you've gotta put your foot down and either smack them around, or buy a lock like others have suggested.

 

[zxBARRICADExz]

Hmm...tough call.

Where are your parents? Get them to intervene first.

well thats the problem. they're never around. im legally an adult so im the only one responsible for the house most of the time. but no one listens to me, so i just ended up shutting myself in my room all the time to avoid my brothers doing this to me:

Me: You shouldn't have a picture of yourself doing drugs right on your cell phone background. You know you-
A Brother (either): SHUT UP! GOD! YOU'RE SO ANNOYING!
Me: I'm just trying to-
Brother: NO THEY CAN'T!
Me: Yes they-
Brother: Shut up.
Me: I'm jus-
Brother: Shut up.
Me: Will yo-
Brother (pretending like he's talking to someone else): Wow, he just won't shut up. Didn't I just tell him to shut up?


real conversation i had this morning. not taken out of context

He's younger than you, right?

Knock some sense into him when he's sober. I mean, literally, knock him on his ass. Maybe he'll know you mean business then. Then, if he tries to call the police on you, tell them about his drugs.

Alright, maybe that's not the right way to go about things, but your brother is in a shitload of trouble and he's got a skull like concrete. Very few things are going to penetrate that - it might be jailtime, it might be something worse. Like getting shot by one of the fuckers he buys drugs from because he ran out of money or something. I don't know. All I know is that that can fuck people up. It's in his best interest to call the police on him when he has drugs. Maybe he'll hate you for the rest of your life, but all those drugs are just horrible.

And yes, I've had to deal with close relatives who have, or have had, bad drug addictions. Two of them, to be exact. One of them ran out for drugs as my grandfather, whom he told he'd stop doing drugs as a promise, was laying on his deathbed. He stole one of our cars and broke in somewhere to get drug money. Somehow, he got caught and in jail. This was a few weeks after he'd got out of a 5-year sentence. Well, originally 2 years but it got extended every time they found - you guessed it - drugs on him.

Forgive me if my feelings towards drugs are a bit rash. I fucking hate them.

same here man...i have zero tolerance for drugs.. if i was this guy, i would totally go alpha male on his ass... and then call the cops about the shit he's doing to his body and the amount of crap he's putting people through for being a complete D-bag.

 

[Eumersian]

I would have no problem with it, if what you say is the truth. Maybe some "legal reinforcement" is just what he needs to stop being the way he is.

 

[William Ossiss]

I know all the pacifists on the Escapist are saying 'get him help! Don't advocate violence!' Well folks, you can't 'get' an addicted person help. It doesn't work unless they want it to work.

Kick the shit out of him, get a lock for your door, and watch out for his druggy friends if he's causing you so much trouble or you're certain he's going to steal your possessions.

I advocate getting him put in Juvie. Is that a compromise? Or do you just think that violence will somehow fix the problem better?

Either solution would make his brother hate him for quite some time. Sending him somewhere to sober up would probably work better, yes.

But seeing as he's mentioned that his parents don't actually do any parenting, it would probably result in them getting their little delinquent out on bail(pre trial), which will give him plenty of time to take his anger out on the one that called the police on him.

There's no good or easy way to deal with a jackass douchewaffle drughead. Showing him that you aren't to be messed with would be the simplest, though probably not best, way to make him leave your stuff alone.

Would I typically advocate violence above talking? No. Talking usually solves things much better than delivering an ass-whooping. But it's fairly obvious that this person would only react to something drastic.

Juvenile Hall or laying on the ground with a black eye, both will cause the same friction between the two brothers. One is longterm, one is short-term.

as someone who has been to juvie for such things like skipping school, it never works. juvie is just a breeding ground for more stupidity. IN juvie, all thats done is playing cards (usually poker) and swapping stories about your numerous exploits with drugs and stealing shit. i remember talking to this one kid who was going on and on about getting into a gang war. bullets flying everywhere... and this fuck was proud of it.

 

[s0denone]

So we're advocating physical violence, but not police involvement for theft and possession of illegal substances? Just wanted to make sure here.

Yes, that's exactly what "we're" advocating.

Angerwing put it in a blunt, but sufficiently explanatory way:

Don't call the police. Seriously.

Regardless of your feelings, a criminal record can have major repercussions for the rest of his life. Don't be rash. If you really want to take action, beat him up. That way perhaps he'll be able to get a job when he's older.

Calling the police about your brother's theft of your XBox will likely not work. Calling them about his drug habit will. And take it from someone who had a younger brother with a drug habit: They don't get better on their own. He needs to be taken away from that culture, and he isn't going to choose to walk away. Jail time, rehab, something NEEDS to happen to solve this problem. My little brother is serving 9-12 in Spain right now because of his drug habit. Don't let the same happen to yours.

You think getting your brother thrown into prison is going to help?
I'm sorry about your brother. I, myself, have witnessed first-hand the extremely harsh punishments for drug-related crimes in Spain. (As a first-hand witness, though, thank God)

Again. Getting your brother thrown into prison isn't going to do anything except have him involved with even more fucked-up types (trust me), probably expand his addictions (as he befriends more people), possibly make a dealer of him... Not to mention hate the guts of the OP for the rest of his life.

The brother, if the addiction is that serious, (I'm unable to deduct if he just smokes weed every day from the OP, which wouldn't be "serious" at all) then he does need an intervention, yes - but not from the police. From his family!

..........

CALL THE POLICE.

EDIT: To expand on that, your brother sounds screwed up, completely out of line, and a hazard to himself and everyone around him. He needs an intervention, police might be a good start.

Screw passive-aggressive behavior and "manning up", this kid needs a good sitting in Juvie.

You obviously have no concept of what goes inside "Juvie".
It will NOT get better in there. Only worse.
EDIT:

as someone who has been to juvie for such things like skipping school, it never works. juvie is just a breeding ground for more stupidity. IN juvie, all thats done is playing cards (usually poker) and swapping stories about your numerous exploits with drugs and stealing shit. i remember talking to this one kid who was going on and on about getting into a gang war. bullets flying everywhere... and this fuck was proud of it.

As above poster noted.
I, thankfully, have not personally gone to juvie - but have several mates who have. I built my opinion on what they've told me, and what they've done since they got out.
Take above poster as a first-hand source then, instead of my second-hand stuff.

To the thread in general, and everyone advocating calling the police:
Shut the fuck up.
I know that may seem harsh, but if you think having your brother thrown into prison for possession will somehow aid any of their situations, then you are very wrong. I ask you to shut up in this fashion, as I have mates whose lives have been ruined by drugs, and others lives have been ruined by prison - calling the police in a situation such as this will NOT help.