Was I just almost mugged?!

[SilverOrb]

(Note: see attached diagram please.)

So I went grocery shopping for a few small things tonight. Nothing major... Just some odds and ends.

I parked a few rows over from the grocery entrance (the little half circles are the store entrances). My car is the blue one, the red one will come into play soon.

Now keep in mind that I live rather close to a BAD area. I grew up in areas as bad, and tend to be very aware of my environment.

As I walked to my car, my hands were full of groceries. I noticed two young males (one about 13, the other about 17ish?) playing and being rather boisterous. They were going back and forth between the front and side of the building (where you see the red circles).

As I got to my car and started to unlock it, something felt off and I kept the boys in my peripheral vision. I heard one say "Come on, let's stick her and run!" ("Stick her" around here usually means either stab or punch!!!) I turned in shock and fear and looked there way as they ran at me full force.

When they saw me looking at them and grabbing my purse, they then stopped on the other side of the red vehicle from me. I was shaking, but watched them walk back to the side of the store. I threw my stuff in the car and locked all the doors.

I felt at the time like maybe I over reacted... But I called store security from my car.

Later it really hit me what was happening... Wow. Not am experience I wish on anyone! I ended up freaking out in the car later... How close I came to being a crime statistic....

[Pixilated]

Chances are good if "something" was ringing alarm bells, it was for a good reason (and you gave a couple of good reasons in your post). Thank goodness they seemed to be amateurs who, once they realized you'd seen them (and were apparently not cowering in fear) decided to do the "Nothing happening here, folks" routine.

*sends lots of chocolate chip cookies to SilverOrb*

[bhskittykatt]

Glad you were okay. That could have ended a whole lot worse.

I had a similar experience happen at the motel with a rather large group I was evicting for disturbance. I was watching them from about half a building away to make sure they left, and one of them said "That's her, let's jump her!". I went to the front office and locked the door, which including locking another guest inside, and called the cops.

[MadMike]

My stepdad was in a similar situation awhile back. Before I tell this story, I'd like to remind everyone not to get into the whole "guns are good/bad" debate. That's for Fratching, not here.

He was picking his mother up at the hospital, and it was late. As he was helping her out to the car, he saw a group of guys approaching him. They weren't heading towards the hospital, and there were no other cars in the parking lot, so there was no reason for them to be heading that way.

His mother was around 90 or so, so they couldn't exactly run to the car and get in quickly. He has a concealed carry permit, and he was carrying that day, because apparently that hospital is in a bad area. As they got close, he pulled his jacket open just enough to show his weapon. The other guys immediately turned around and went the other way.

[Whirly_bird]

MadMike, that's the same reason why I taught my kids to shoot and box. Still worry cuz they live all over the place, but I know they can take care of themselves.

[XCashier]

You totally did the right thing, Silver, and I'm glad you're okay.

Far too many women don't want to "upset" the man or "cause a scene" so they ignore the gut instinct that tells them that guy hovering nearby is up to no good. And that's exactly what the muggers (and worse) are counting on.

[PepperElf]

I felt at the time like maybe I over reacted... But I called store security from my car.

(And what Xcashier said as well!)

From how you described the situation, you weren't overreacting.

Two men talked about their plan to "stick her and run" and then ran at you. Sounds like you have something worth reacting over.

There's nothing wrong with listening to warning signals. Those signals can do wonders to keep people out of trouble.


Only other thing I can suggest is a high power flashlight, since you said this was a nighttime event. I'm a bit of a fan of Surefire myself - works great for illuminating dark areas, especially if you're in a bad area that's not well lit etc. Only downside is that the ones I like can eat through CR 123 batteries pretty well. but at least the LEDs don't burn out normally

[MoonCat]

Always trust your instincts when they tell you something's not right. Better to be wrong and embarrassed than hurt...or worse.

[Keiara]

Holy crap! Definitely not overracting. This and Mike's story is why I carry...

[AnaKhouri]

Glad you're OK! There has been a story in the news about two children around those ages who murdered a woman's baby after trying to mug her, so unfortunately these days you can't even think, "They're just kids trying to act tough."

Being aware of your environment is the best thing you can do. If I am going to my car at night I never chat on the phone or do anything else until I am in the car because I don't want to be distracted, just in case.

[Seshat]

The only thing I might suggest for a 'next time'; as soon as you felt things were 'off', turn around and go back to the store, and ask for an escort to the car.
Or again, back to the store, alert store security, consider alerting the police. And wait in the store till the boys were gone.


But then, I'm much less capable of self-defence than the average. So I tend to prefer the extra-cautious approach. :wry:


The only other thing I have to say is ... wow. And I'm so glad you're alright.

[SilverOrb]

Thanks guys. It's nice to know I didn't completely over react. I am definitely finding my pepper spray!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forum Runner

[SilverOrb]

The only thing I might suggest for a 'next time'; as soon as you felt things were 'off', turn around and go back to the store, and ask for an escort to the car.

Unfortunately by the time I realized how much trouble I was in it was too late to make it back in. I was almost there.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forum Runner

[suburbandecay]

Only other thing I can suggest is a high power flashlight, since you said this was a nighttime event. I'm a bit of a fan of Surefire myself - works great for illuminating dark areas, especially if you're in a bad area that's not well lit etc. Only downside is that the ones I like can eat through CR 123 batteries pretty well. but at least the LEDs don't burn out normally

I keep a maglite in my truck. Good light for night use, and a handy impromptu weapon when held by the bulb end.

[Gaki]

When I'm in a place I don't know well I actually make eye contact with EVERYONE around me because studies show that if you make yourself human with eye contact and a smile you are less likely to be attacked. Of course sometimes I smile in a really weird way so people just leave me the heck alone. Don't wanna mess with the crazy girl.