Legal analyst explains homeowner rights after Chesterfield ‘ding dong ditching’ escalation

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Chesterfield woman is accused of abduction and assault after chasing juveniles carrying out "ding dong ditching" pranks over the weekend.

8News Legal Analyst Russ Stone says homeowners have rights in these situations, but recommends closely watching the amount of force used on others.

According to the Chesterfield County Police Department, around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, a group of juveniles went around the 2100 block of Old Indian Road ringing doorbells and running away.

Things escalated when they visited the home of Katheryn Rowell.

According to police, Rowell followed the group of juveniles in her car and eventually grabbed one girl by the wrist.

Police said she did not let go for some time after trying to take the girl's phone.

"Abduction is simply holding a person in an area, and they're not allowed to leave. You don't allow them to leave," Stone said. "It's annoying to have that happen at your house, but to then go outside and give chase and try to physically take one of those children into custody, you are running the risk of being stuck in the criminal justice system, which is what this lady has found out."

According to Stone, any kind of excessive force to protect life and property -- like under a "castle doctrine" -- would not apply in this case since the kids were not a threat. He said homeowners are essentially only allowed to call the police in this situation.

"If somebody has broken into your house, it is understood that the person must be a threat to you, which is why you're allowed to do it. But if somebody is just ringing your bell and running away, technically speaking, that person is not a threat to you," Stone said.

He says homeowners should have officers deal with any ding dong ditchers.

"I'm not going to say that you're legally entitled to go out and chase somebody down and physically restrain them simply because they rang the doorbell and ran away," Stone said. "Don't take the law into your own hands."

Rowell is set to be arraigned this Friday, Nov. 21. If convicted, abduction carries the consequence of up to 10 years in prison.