I had to make a turnaround late night and using Almeda Mall parking lot. It was empty and darkened. As soon as I turned in, I saw a guy in hoodie walking, not doing anything, just walking.JakeTheSnake wrote:One thing I do is circle around the pumps and get a eye for who may be loitering around, vehicles parked away from the store.
Don't just pull into the first available pump, especially in a unfamiliar area. If it looks shady, try a different station.
So, that's what I did. Found the other end of the parking lot to exit onto feeder for turnaround. No one around, no bushes, no buildings, just wide open parking lot. Just as I was stopped and waiting to turn onto feeder, a shadow came running up at my door. I barely had time to confirm door lock. He was at the door before I could even register what was happening. Just came out of nowhere.
Well, his ride stopped right in the middle of the feeder, and he carrying cell phone continued running past my hood and jumped into ride and off. That's all it was, a ride stop.
After I calmed down and realized there was no threat, that's when I realized how vulnerable I can be even when watching out. Had that cell phone been a gun and a real jacking was taking place, I would be the disadvantaged one on reaction time to defend myself.