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filmtex wrote:... dealt with these kind of folks on a daily basis. It seems like they're always up to something....

If they put the same energy that they use to hustle into honest work, they would do well. But they have to have a dishonest "angle."

I read an interview with a reformed scam artist once. He said something like, "Your money isn't your money—it's my money that's in your pocket or bank account."

Referring to the highway robbery above, this is a common technique. Another is bumping a vehicle from behind to get the driver to stop and get out. There have been many waves of serial robbery, rape, and murder along interstates. I-10 is notorious that way. Even though it is heavily traveled, there are long stretches where there is nothing but woods, swamps, or pastures along the road.

I had an ironic incident where I was being honest: I saw a car traveling along with the tail of the passsenger's coat hanging out the door. I realized if they drove any distance it would be filthy and shredded. I tried to get the attention of the passenger at a stop light. The woman passenger and male driver ignored me, looking straight ahead.

Oh, well.

- Jim

- Jim

The problem is having both hands full and having to look into the vehicle.

People putting babies into car seats have it even worse. You can drop a bag of groceries, but not a baby. Also vacuuming the car at a car wash is awful in terms of situational awareness.

- Jim

anygunanywhere wrote:I have met Jim face to face before and broke bread with him. He has great situational awareness ...

Thanks.

Actually the act of putting groceries in the trunk makes a person vulnerable in a lot of ways. I try to move one eye to the back of my head when I'm doing it.

My one regret is that I didn't get their license plate and e-mail the community service officer. Whether it's a scam or robbery, the police should be aware of them. The next target may be weak or gullible.

- Jim

I'm inclined toward robbery as well. Maybe they were going to do something that involved one of them getting in the car to "check it out."

I forget to mention I drive a Honda Accord, which is one of the highest-theft vehicles. It's a 2003 model and in less than pristine condition, but I'm sure a chop shop would take it.

- Jim

I was in the parking lot of Kroger on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston around 7:30 a.m. today, putting my purchases in the trunk of my car. The weather was drizzly. The parking lot was sparsely occupied.

Just as I finished, a pickup truck containing three Hispanic men pulled up behind me. The driver said that he ran a body shop and could fix my bumper. (Someone dinged the bumper a while back.) He spoke English without an accent, probably grew up in Texas.

I said, "I can't afford it," while backing toward the car door.

He said, "You don't know how much I'm going to charge." At this point his tone of voice was aggressive.

I said, "Sorry," and got in the car. They pulled away.

I am confident that these guys were up to no good. Someone who runs a body shop doesn't solicit business by driving around the parking lot of Kroger.

My only question is whether this was a scam or they were sizing me up for robbery. The three of them could have pulled off a strong-arm robbery, if not armed.

I've run into a bunch of parking lot scams, like the cheap electronics for sale, asking directions, out out of gas, etc., but not this one.

- Jim