Woman robbed in Walmart parking lot

[Songbird]

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/201 ... se-robbery" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martinez then approached the woman’s car and asked if she had lost a cellphone he was holding, police said.

The woman told Martinez she had not lost a phone but offered to help him locate the phone’s owner, police said.

She made several mistakes and by doing so, set herself up to be a victim. I wish we could educate folks on things they can do to protect themselves, even if not carrying a weapon.
1. Be aware of what is going on around you.
2. Do NOT engage in conversation with strangers or offer to "help" them.
3. LOCK your car the second you get in it!

I'm glad she's ok and the jerk was caught.
Edited to add link.

[Jumping Frog]

Link?

[Ark03]

I think this is the story she referenced: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/201 ... se-robbery

[Songbird]

Link?

Added. Sorry.

[Oldgringo]

One 'mo time:

Never are we more exposed and/or vulnerable than when we have our backs turned to the world while loading purchases/stuff into our vehicles.

As for helping strangers.....meh.

[jocat54]

Too bad they shot him with a taser....should have been lead.

[VMI77]

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/201 ... se-robbery

Martinez then approached the woman’s car and asked if she had lost a cellphone he was holding, police said.

The woman told Martinez she had not lost a phone but offered to help him locate the phone’s owner, police said.

She made several mistakes and by doing so, set herself up to be a victim. I wish we could educate folks on things they can do to protect themselves, even if not carrying a weapon.
1. Be aware of what is going on around you.
2. Do NOT engage in conversation with strangers or offer to "help" them.
3. LOCK your car the second you get in it!

I'm glad she's ok and the jerk was caught.
Edited to add link.

The victim describes what happened in the comments following the article.

[MoJo]

A robbery in a Wal*Mart parking lot? Gee they have those signs that say security patrols the parking lot. I would have never thought.

Lets face it where better to rob someone than in a store's parking lot? People going into the store have money people leaving have stuff and maybe some money. Once you leave the "safety" of your vehicle you need to switch from yellow to orange until you reach the "safety" of the store where you can then switch back to yellow. How many times have I seen people digging for their keys once they arrive at their car? Too many. How many times have I seen people wandering aimlessly while searching for their car? Too many. People, your personal safety is your responsibility, the cops just clean up the mess.

[chasfm11]

The victim describes what happened in the comments following the article.

It was interesting to read a post from the actual victim. She did lock her car but was "sweet talked" by the BG into opening it - with nearly disastrous consequences.

This incident is a great reminder how quickly a BG can go from beguiling to bashing - or worse. If I've learned nothing else from reading the incidents posted on this forum, I've gotten a better appreciation for the sub-second timings that are involved in some crimes.

[MolonLabe]

I think it has been mentioned before, but I found the book "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker very informative, helped me change the overly polite manners I was taught to treat everyone with, even when I felt I could be in danger. I'm going to pass it out for Christmas presents this year. It also make the perfect "congratulations on getting your drivers licence" gift if you wrap it up with a bottle of pepper spray.

[ELB]

I think it has been mentioned before, but I found the book "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker ...

It does has some very useful info about trusting that your instincts and your subconscious are trying to tell you something very important when the situation "feels wrong." de Becker sort of loses his way in the response department later in the book tho. He is very anti-gun.

A good companion read (and gift)to this is Rory Miller's Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected. I don't think it is terribly expensive in paperback, and is a bargain in Kindle format. It might be a bit tough to get someone who poo-poos self-defense, whereas the de Becker book would be an easier start for them (but might reinforce their anti-gun stance in the end). However, for anyone who realizes that they could be the target of a violent attack, the Miller book is very very good.

[Songbird]

A good companion read (and gift)to this is Rory Miller's Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected. I don't think it is terribly expensive in paperback, and is a bargain in Kindle format. It might be a bit tough to get someone who poo-poos self-defense, whereas the de Becker book would be an easier start for them (but might reinforce their anti-gun stance in the end). However, for anyone who realizes that they could be the target of a violent attack, the Miller book is very very good.
elb

I'm reading this one right now. It's very thought-provoking and full of important info. Great read!

[JALLEN]

A good companion read (and gift)to this is Rory Miller's Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected. I don't think it is terribly expensive in paperback, and is a bargain in Kindle format. It might be a bit tough to get someone who poo-poos self-defense, whereas the de Becker book would be an easier start for them (but might reinforce their anti-gun stance in the end). However, for anyone who realizes that they could be the target of a violent attack, the Miller book is very very good.
elb

I'm reading this one right now. It's very thought-provoking and full of important info. Great read!

I added it to my Kindle tonight!

[MolonLabe]

ELB, very true about his stance on guns, I try to balance out his message with a plead to disregard his stupidity about it. I had never read a book that had given me better insight on my own instincts, wish I had known about Rory Miller's Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected before! Appreciate the suggestion, going to download it tonight.