In January 2020, an unusual and concerning incident involving a 29-year-old Navy sailor, Savannah Grillot, and her 25-year-old boyfriend, Corey Curnutt, came to light.
The couple, living in Visalia, California, sparked controversy for their unorthodox approach to preventing bike theft in their neighborhood. They devised a plan to leave bicycles in their front yard, intentionally unattended, to lure thieves.
Their goal was to trap potential thieves, confronting them not just verbally, but with aluminum baseball bats. They even filmed these encounters and shared the footage online, broadcasting their version of justice on YouTube.
The couple’s actions led to their arrest at their home on the 200 block of East Dove in Visalia, after an investigation by the Visalia Police Department. They faced multiple serious charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.
The police discovered that this baiting and assaulting scheme began in July 2019 and lasted until November 2019. The couple filmed their confrontations, showing individuals attempting to steal the bikes, only to be chased and assaulted by Curnutt and Grillot.
Luckily, no one was seriously injured in these assaults, but the victims did suffer non-life-threatening harm. As of the latest updates, the police had identified four victims of these attacks.
The local community’s initial reaction to the couple’s actions was mixed. Some neighbors believed their extreme tactics were justified as a response to bike theft. However, as the severity of the injuries became clearer, public opinion shifted toward concern and disapproval.
An interesting aspect of the case was the revelation that Savannah Grillot was an active Navy sailor stationed at the Lemoore Navy Base, adding a layer of surprise to the situation.
This incident has sparked debates about how far people should go to protect their property and the ethical, legal, and moral limits of self-administered justice. As the legal system continues to address the case, it remains a topic of reflection on balancing personal protection with societal norms and laws.
