'I caught neighbour stealing from garden but people say my revenge was extreme'

A woman has left people divided after sharing the revenge she got on her neighbours after she caught them stealing fruit from her trees.

The 27-year-old, who lives in a Las Vegas, explained where residents of her neighbourhood can grow fruit and vegetables in their front gardens, provided their crops don't hang over the public footpath and follow a number of other rules.

She and her husband have been growing fruit trees, but never expected to see her neighbours creeping into her garden to harvest fruit without asking her permission.

She posted on Reddit: "We are in an area where the city allows us to grow fruit trees and other plants for food in our front yard, as long as we have the proper irrigation and follow the guidelines for not having stuff to close to the sidewalk and whatnot.

"We recently noticed one of our trees, was looking a little more bare each day. Thanks to the Karen across the street we have cameras, so we decided to look back at the footage and see what was happening.

"Turns out the newer neighbours next to the Karen have been walking across the street and stealing from our trees and other plants."

Irritated, the woman began monitoring her garden more closely to determine whether it was a one-off incident or if they would return to pilfer again.

To her astonishment, her neighbours appeared once more and began helping themselves to her home-grown produce.

She continued: "This past week when myself, my kids, and father-in-law were out front watering in the evening and pruning things we had another issue with these neighbours.

"The man and his wife/girlfriend were pulling out of their driveway and decided to make a little pit stop in our yard! We stood there in shock, and asked them what the heck they were doing.

"The man just glared us down and ignored us, and started yanking full on branches off of one of our fruit trees! Me being me, I ran inside to get my hubby because I didn't know what this dude was gonna do next. Well, when hubby came out they peeled off and weren't seen again for a while."

In response to the audacious act, she reported her neighbours to the police, accusing them of trespassing and theft.

However, she is now questioning whether she overreacted. She added: "We have all the proof we need, but honestly was it worth the trouble to call the cops on these people?"

"I thought it was so I did. They came out reviewed the footage, took copies, and told us to immediately call them again the next time.

"They also recommended us getting more no trespassing signs since the obvious one on the fence didn't work.

"Apparently this can eventually be charged as a petty theft crime and multiple offences of trespassing where signs are posted.

"My husband doesn't think I should've gone that far. Am I the a***hole for calling the cops on my new neighbours after they stole from our trees?".

One user responded to her post, stating: "You did the right thing. That is stealing. You're going to have worse problems if you don't nip it in the bud!".

Another user chimed in: "The cops are right; it's a crime."

A third user commented: "The fact he stared you down means he's trying to intimidate you hoping you'll back down. You did the right thing."