Crisis Averted

[SteyrM40]

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to relate an interesting “incident� that happened to me two nights ago. I have gone over this a few times in my head and have discussed this with some close friends and family and have pretty much had time to dispel any notions that the following incidents were anything ordinary. I would also like to set this up by letting you know that I live in a nice neighbourhood in the Galleria area in Houston.

On Tuesday night (around 11pm) I had to deposit some money in a bank account. I went to one bank to make a withdraw, then went by a Bank of America branch near my house to deposit some money in the ATM. I always pull very close to the ATM and am constantly vigilant of my surroundings. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

On my way home (no more than a 2 minute drive), I noticed a car behind me that had one dim headlight. Having at one time in my life been a car salesman, I immediately recognized that it was a Lexus.

Keeping that in the back of my mind, I went down the road that leads to my horseshoe/U-shaped street. I took a left on my street and when I got half way down to my house (right in the corner of the “U�), I noticed that the Lexus had also turned down my street. Knowing fully that none of my neighbours has a Lexus, I decided to sit in my car and wait for them to pass. I untucked my shirt and moved it behind the grip of my handgun. I also did a quick check of my pockets to make sure my back-up magazine and cell were exactly where I thought they were.

The car passed me slowly and went around the U. I got out of my car and walked into my yard, when I then heard a car coming towards me. The same car was coming back around towards my house (they doubled-back), but this time with the headlights off. Knowing that this was not at all normal, I decided to move to a covered spot behind another car (Bronco) in my driveway. I immediately made sure that my background (in case I had to shoot) was as “safe� as it could be.

I kept a close eye on the approaching vehicle and stood so that my face was visible, but my body was covered. I wanted them to know that I was present and aware of what they were doing. I placed my hand the grip of my Steyr and peered down the street. Being a teacher, I have over the years mastered a stare that generally lets people know “I mean business.�

Whilst slowly approaching me, they all of a sudden sped up and went down the street, keeping their headlights off the whole way. I stepped out to see if I could get a license plate number to report to the police, but since their lights were off, I couldn’t read the plates.

I sort of shrugged it off as strange, went inside, and went to sleep. When I woke-up Wednesday morning, I realized that what had happened was not at all strange, but was likely someone followed me home from the bank and was looking to rob me. I tried to go over in my head how this could have been me “overreacting�, but an unknown vehicle doubling back and approaching me with its lights off at 11:30 at night is hardly normal.

The important thing is that at no point during this incident did I think I was overreacting. I immediately went into my “zone� and took what necessary steps I thought needed to be taken. I knew that if the car were to stop, I would draw my weapon; if a person were to step out menacingly, I would aim; and if I felt threatened, I would shoot. These all seemed like logical progression and I was not distracted by adrenaline.

Luckily, it didn’t come to drawing or shooting, so I cannot know for sure how I would have handled those situations. Nevertheless, I was happy I handled the situation the way I did, and I was even happier to learn that I am very alert, aware, and prepared for such a situation. It has only served to reaffirm why I carry a weapon with me daily.

How would you have handled the situation?

Stay safe…

SteyrM40

[gigag04]

I would've driven around, had some friends post my cell phone # on the forum and get some of you guys to meet me and ambush the guy and find out whats up.


jk...I think you did well except for actually going home. I'm gonna drive around, and call for help.

Also - having a shotgun/m-4 in the car would make me feel more at ease...I know my .45 gold dots can go through glass...it just feels better knowing that i could take out sheet metal too.

-nick

[j1132s]

Wow, that is strange. While reading your post, I'm thinking that maybe it's some teens trying to scare people? Did you check out the car's occupant(s)?

I'd have gone inside the house and taken up position inside. From the way you described the situation, it just doesn't sound to me like they were serious about robbing you.

However, I'm glad to read that everything is fine.

[AOPAPilot]

Being in very good relationship with local PD (volunteer medic/FF) I would have called a unit to intercept the car if they continued to follow me and given them my name so they knew who I was and that I was armed.

Last thing I would have done is parked in front of my own house. If I have to fight, or have my life threatened I want to be as far from as my home and loved ones as I can be.

Did you check out the car's occupant(s)?

I'd have gone inside the house and taken up position inside.

1. Not his duty to "check out occupants inside"... especially being followed, in the dark, it would be quite difficult to make out decent desriptions of occupants being the car was obviously dimmed out as per his accounts.

2. Go to your house and let them know where you live and risk possible confrontation/retaliation?

The LAST thing I want is the bad guys to know where I live.... I am by no means saying I have LEO experience, but having lived with my father for 18 years (Secret Service Agent) I have picked up on quite a few VERY essensial things..... one is never bring the fight home or the fight to your family. That is one of the WORST things I think a person could do.....

If you are unsure about something, call the police and have them intercept for you, YOU PAY THE POLICE for this service and for THEM to risk their lives doing the job they do every day, dont try and play Rambo as if you have no other options. If you have a cell phone, USE IT while you have time and are relatively safe (continue moving in your vehicle while watching them follow you)

Lastly... I would hardly call this a "Crisis Averted"

[longtooth]

As soon as you knew you were being followed get you cell & call LEO. Let them know you just made the deposit. BG's dont know deposit from withdrawal at long range. With them on the line make several turns that are not the directions to some late night eatery. Let them know every turn you make & that same car is making them too. Let them intercept. +100 for what Pilot said above. DON'T TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE. Even if there is no fight, arrest, nothing but an unfriendly visit w/ LEO that they probable have visited with before; they know where you live & at best may later vandalize to get even. As a substitute teacher in a tough district I have met some of the students in public & had to say to them, gentlemen we are not at school. There is no principal to send you too. Go about you business or I will call the principal that will keep you over night. Have been asked where I lived. Have been asked what I drive to school. My answer is where I live, what I drive has nothing to do with history, math,...return to your assignment. DON'T TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE IF POSSIBLE. (old man's advice.) You did great on the danger perception & preparation in checking everything. There is a time to touch & feel. Over all good job. No you did not over react.

[SteyrM40]

Hello again,

Thanks for all of the helpful comments. I am always glad to get others’ opinions on this, especially those who are more “in tune� to the situation.

I would like to address one issue: that of me pulling up to my home. I did not suspect this car was actually following me until I arrived at my home (the street I love on is not terribly long). The time between me stopping in front of my house and the one-eyed Lexus pulling onto my street were only about 2 seconds apart. The drive home from the bank is short and involves two left turns. It’s hard to gather enough road time to determine anyone is following you.

When I noticed the dim headlight in my review on the way home, all I really thought was “That guy needs to change his headlight.� When I was in front of my house and I noticed the dim headlight coming down my street, I thought to myself “This guy doesn’t live in this neighbourhood and what is he doing on my street?�

I live in a somewhat busy part of town and people try to use my street as a cut-through to go to another major thoroughfare. Having an unknown car go down the street is not that unusual. People just usually pop out of the other end of the U-shaped street and go on their merry way. What put me in code red was seeing the same car come back around the corner, lights off, and creeping down the road. At that instant, I made the aforementioned preparations.

Given the option, being even slightly suspicious that a person was tailing me, I would lead them on quite a nice tour of Houston and its freeway system. A nice trip down the Westpark Tollway would lose most people; only EZ Tag users can get on there.

Thanks again.

Stay safe…

SteyrM40

[gigag04]

Yeah - that would be better. The scary thing is that I can just imagine the type of person driving a poorly maintained lexus...and it's not the type of person I want setting up for a robbery at midnight.

[oilman]

First, you were not over reacting.


Our neigborhood has a contract with the Harris County deputies. If I suspect someone is following me I will my 4 right hand turns (or 4 left hand turns) if he is still with me he is following.

At that point I will keep driving and call the deputies to meet me somewhere (I actually had to do this once and when the follower saw the constables he took off).

Sound like you did not know you were being followed until you got home. At that point I think I would have gone into the house rather than staying outside and prepared for eventualities inside. Would have also called the constables.

Glad it turned out ok.

[stevie_d_64]

One of the things I would have to introduce would be that how would you know, or should you assume that the car a person is driving that way is theirs to begin with???

Another would be that anyone I notice doubling back to where I am would definitely get extra attention, but they'd never realize that from their perspective...I don't believe that would be deceptive, just low-key, because you don't really know what that persons intentions are...

I could think of many reasons why someone would do that, and most of the time its harmless and may not have anything to do with you...But theres always that little voice in your head that hits you with a hammer saying "Pay Attention!"...

And whatever happens after that, you pretty much got things covered anyway if you ask me...

I think you reacted properly and proportionally...I wouldn't change a thing...

[Boma]

You did the right. Just becareful if they come back. They were out to rob you or do harm.

[Paladin]

Overall I thought you did very well. You kept a good lookout, prepared yourself mentally, and found cover.

I didn't read anything about a flashlight. Was wondering if you carry one at night? I would, and I do. (Actually I've got 2 in the car, a carry light, and a light by my beside.)

Maybe I'm a bit paranoid, but if I even slightly suspect I'm being followed I don't stop and I don't go home.

I'll pass my destination and make irregular turns till I'm satisfied that I'm not being followed.

[SteyrM40]

Hello again,

Once again, thanks for all of your responses.

On my way from another bank today, I decided to stop by the HPD substation that shares the same building as this particular bank branch. I went in and told an officer (Officer V. Flores) that I would like to file a report about an "incident", and that I would let him decide what to call it.

I recounted the story and I gave him as many details as possible. He had my ID, so he also had my CHL. He didn't even mention the CHL; it was a total non-issue. He told me that I handled the situation well, and that he would have done the same thing I did. At one point, he also jokingly told me "Maybe if you had have poped a couple of caps in 'em you would have gotten them to move along a little quicker."

In the end, Officer Flores gave me an incident report and listed it as a "Robbery Investigation". He also informed me that since I wasn't able to provide a license plate number, the investiagtion wouldn't go further than a report, but that it's always good to have this sort of thing on record.

He also suggested I call the bank branch and let them know about this incident. I called the branch manager today who tahnked me for the information and said they would pass it on to their parking lot security staff.

Thanks again.

Stay safe...

SteyrM40

[JohnKSa]

For those who don't live in high-crime areas, a visit to the ATM is probably one of the most dangerous things we do.

Criminals know that people leaving ATMs have cash. It's like a lion hunting at a waterhole--prey will be coming if you have the patience.

Here's something that happened to me at an ATM. I was leaving a store and as I was passing an ATM, there was an elderly lady in a large car pulling up to the ATM veery slowly.

Prior to that, I had noticed that there was a really ratty looking car parked just across from the ATM. I thought that was strange because the lot was nearly completely empty and the ATM was probably 100 yards away from the nearest store. The main store in the complex had been had been one of those electronic superstores that closed. Some sort of book store bought the store but they never came close to filling the lot like when the superstore was there. Anyway, I thought it was weird that someone would park so far away from any of the stores when the lot was almost completely empty.

As I passed the ratty looking car, I saw that there were two men in the car watching the car at the ATM very closely. I was almost out of the lot when it hit me what was probably going on. I pulled back around and made another slow pass by them--they promptly pulled away and left the lot.

I can't say for sure what was going on, but I know what it looked like. I think they were waiting there for a likely victim to either follow home or rob on the spot.

[Boma]

Wow that lady may not even know what you did for her. I'm sure she would have been thankful.

[Geopagus]

Alot of great advice was given here. The only thing I would add is that 11 P.M. is probably not a good time to be depositing or withdrawing money from a bank, regardless of where you are. Glad everything turned out well.