We did that a couple of times with a mains-powered angle grinder and a mini generator. In the middle of the afternoon, in a shopping street. Got some funny looks, I can tell you. Nobody said anything though. Certainly didn't get shot.

Call me crazy, but I'm going to guess that the sniper suggestion was in jest.

Colateral damage. It also encourages owners to keep a spare key ... so it's not all bad.