5-5-4. REASONABLE ATTEMPT TO PREVENT CRIME AGAINST PERSONAL PROPERTY NOT ASSAULT.

To use or attempts or offer to use force or violence toward the person of another is not assault when committed by the person about to be injured, or by another person in his aid or defense, in preventing or attempting to prevent a crime against his person or trespass or other unlawful interference with real or personal property in his lawful possession, provided that the force or violence used is not more than is reasonably necessary to prevent the crime.