held up at gunpoint Saturday night!

[Tried'nTrue]

This past Saturday night, I received the opportunity to add another story to my life-experience collection. My teenage brother and I were going to the post office to check our mail, shortly before midnight. As we drove down the street, a Ford Escape roared up to us, then matched our speed and commenced swerving into and out of our lane, coming within 12" of my truck. Seeing that the 2 visible occupants of the Escape were older teenage males, I assumed it was just a couple of guys challenging us to a race or a fight. We ignored them and their constant stare-downs. When the erratic driving continued, however, I told my bro (who was driving) to slow down, as I figured the Escape's driver may be drunk. However, the Escape slowed down and matched our speed, still swerving into and out of our lane. Just then, we reached the post office turn-off and pulled into the parking lot. I continued watching the Escape to see if they would follow us.

At first, they kept going. However, the vehicle suddenly pulled a quick turn and cruised over to the PO's parking lot. By this time, my bro and I had walked into the PO. I continued to watch the Escape's path of travel through the door. The SUV slowly cruised past our truck and then parked in front of the post office's doors. I warned my bro that the vehcile had parked near the door. He and I got our mail and, when we neared the doors to exit, saw that someone was walking away from our truck with a car stereo-sized object in his hands!

Quickly going out the doors, I yelled out, "What are you doing at my truck!?!" The stereo-carrier quickened his pace towards his vehicle. Just then, the other guy came around the front of the Escape and, when he was about 6' away from me, quickly pulled a pistol out of his pants. He racked the slide and pointed it at my brother and I, yelling, "Where are your f*#^@#g keys at!?!" Since it was my younger brother who'd been driving, I wasn't about to tell that guy that my bro had the keys. So, I determinidely and firmly replied, "I threw them away in the trash can." The guy stopped a second then again told me to give him the keys. I insisted that the keys were absolutely gone. Internally, I was absolutely determined to not budge an inch. At that point, the stereo thief told his accomplice that they should go. All this while, a young woman had been sitting in the back of the Escape, observing the proceedings. My brother and I stood there, facing the gunman. After a long pause, they got into the Escape and tore off. Fortunately, I was able to get their license plate # (which was covered with a dirty plastic plate) and, once they were at a safe distance, I called the police and reported the hold-up. We went into the police office to file a report and it turned out that the cops had been able to catch 2 of the 3 suspects and were closing in on the gunman. It turns out they had stolen at least 1 other car, several more car stereos, and had broken into at least 1 house, all on Saturday night. My brother and I id'ed one of the 2 guys as well as the vehicle and our stolen, broken car stereo. All in all, it was quite the experience! Not that I'd recommend seeking it out, or course...

I'm thankful to be alive. I'm thankful that I got the license plate number and at least 2 of the 3 were apprehended that night. I also realize how true some of the self-defense advice that I've read is.

First up is situational awareness - being aware at all times of one's surroundings and the people therein. I was fully aware that the Escape's occupants were after us. However, since they were teenagers, it didn't even enter my mind that they could have a gun. That is a faulty assumption that I won't make again!
Secondly, I realize that not backing down to threats takes the would-be predator out of his/her game. They thrive on surprise and assumed fear of their show of force. Neither my brother nor I gave in to their demands, nor did we show fear. In fact, I don't think we showed much emotion at all, save a methodical, quiet firmness.
Thirdly, I realize that a weapon on one's person is probably not going to be immediately deployable. I had a legal folding knife on me, but at few meter's range, I couldn't have charged and subdued the gunman before being shot. Had I had a (legally) concealed firearm, the gunman already had the drop on me. Ironically, handguns are banned from post offices, which are federal property. Being a law-abiding citizen, if I had a concealed carry permit and was carrying my handgun with me, I would have been constrained to leaving my gun behind, leaving it in my vehicle when I needed it. It's absurd. The criminals had no qualms over using their gun on restricted grounds...
Fourth and finally, I see once again that the brain is the best survival tool of all. Remaining (relatively) calm and rather firm took the predators out of their game, presenting them with an unexpected situation. The surprise was on them.

And, lastly, I absolutely thank God (no offense meant to Jewish readers for writing His name) for His presence and gift of level-headedness Saturday night.

Zack

 

[cambeul41]

At the post office

There are those who argue that carrying a gun into a post office is not illegal. http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/rtc-usps.html . However I am not volunteering to be the test case. At the post office closest to my home, the sign saying that it is illegal is not even visible until one has already gone through the lobby with the self-service machines and mail boxes and then past the barrier gate that is closed at night and past the metal detectors. Then, to see it, one has to turn around and look towards the lobby. I tell myself that I should be alright unless I go far enough in to see the sign.

When my wife and I go there at night to use the machines or mail something, we park near the door and one stands guard (usually me) while the other takes care of business.

I am a bit confused, If you realized that the Escape's occupants were after you, why did you go blithely about your business as if they did not constitute a viable threat? Teenagers don’t have access to guns? Baseball bats? Knives?

 

[Mac Attack]

What nationality were they?

That stuff happens all the time out here in the South. Good work on keeping your cool but ask yourself, was your life and the life of your brother worth giving up to protect a car? The macho man would say it is, but I am sure your parents or a person with children would say otherwise.

Personally, being a legal CCW carrier I would have protected my property if I felt I could get the upper edge on them, but if he already had the gun drawn and aimed at me and I have no cover to dive behind I would have just given it up. Is this the wrong mode of throught? I just do not hold a higher value on life than I do on property which could be replaced.

 

[Tried'nTrue]

I am a bit confused, If you realized that the Escape's occupants were after you, why did you go blithely about your business as if they did not constitute a viable threat? Teenagers don’t have access to guns? Baseball bats? Knives?

The threat that I wrongly assumed they presented was some talk and perhaps a challenge to fight. Really, a knife or bat really doesn't bother me much. I've had my leg crushed by an 800 pound boulder, so I've seen worse... I went about my business because it honestly didn't occur to me that they had more nefarious intents than showing off for the girl. I won't make that assumption again.

What nationality were they?

Good work on keeping your cool but ask yourself, was your life and the life of your brother worth giving up to protect a car? The macho man would say it is, but I am sure your parents or a person with children would say otherwise.

They were Hispanic. And no, my life or my brother's life isn't worth our old, dirty truck. However, since my bro had the truck keys, I wasn't about to say that. I said what I did to protect him.
I do know, though, that compliance with a criminal's demands doesn't guarantee the victim safety from violence. There are too many cases of gratuitous shootings after victims have complied to suggest otherwise. I am now more inclined to believe that showing some fortitude and resistance, in whatever manner, is actually a better gambit for safety than unquestioning obedience.

 

[MCgunner]

I ignore the stupid signs and rules in Texas except for sporting events which I rarely attend anyway. I hate stick and ball sports. I don't care if it's illegal to carry in a post office, rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. I carried for many years before I could get my paws on a carry permit to make it legal.

Yeah, someone starts messing with me like that, I'm on the alert, gun ready. I don't believe in taking $--- off morons like that. If they're lookin' for trouble and I can't avoid it, I'll bring it and hell will follow with me. That's just my attitude I guess. I figure if I have to fight, I ain't gonna hold back. Fortunately, I've never run into this sort of thing in my little town. I have to go to the big city now and then, but I try not to make it a habit. I avoid trouble or the possibility of it best I can, but I'm ready if it comes to me. Don't walk down no dark alleys, don't park in dark areas of the parking lot, etc, etc, common sense.

 

[Nickotym]

sounds like you did most things OK, but I would have skipped the mail or locked the truck if I had to get the mail right then.

Most important thing is neither you or your brother walked away with more holes than you came with.

 

[1 old 0311]

You walked away, and you don't have to spend $100,000 defending yourself in a civil suit. You won.

 

[Technosavant]

While things could have been better, they could have been MUCH worse. Given the way things played out, no problems.

Only change: when faced with such aggression from another driver (the matching of speed, swerving into your lane), call the police. If it appears you are being followed, unless you are walking into a police station, don't stop (and especially don't enter into a place where you must disarm). Apparently you have no carry permit, so carrying a weapon is out of the question (assuming you wish to follow the laws, which I greatly recommend). That means you have to be a little more proactive in calling in the cavalry to back you up.

 

[Lennyjoe]

What nationality were they?

Irrelivant.

Had it been me, I would of passed the post office and kept going until either I lost the losers or found a cop. Maybe even of driven to the nearest cop shop.

I teach my girls that if you think you are being followed to never stop at your house, your intended stopping point or anywhere secluded. Always keep driving until you find an area with either plenty of other people around, a cop by the road or the nearest cop shop. Get on the phone and call me or the cops if your being harrassed.

Other than that, you did well. Anytime you face the wrong end of a gun and come out unhurt is a good thing.

Please understand that I am not trying to talk down about your efforts, just explaining what I would do in a situation like that.

Thanks for the post, it will definitely help all of us learn what to and not to do in a givin situation such as yours.

 

[chaim]

In this case you came out OK so you won, but use it as a learning experience. There were several things you did wrong.


When you know someone is following you and messing with you on the road DO NOT STOP. Don't assume anything other than what they've already shown you which is that they are up to no good. Stay in public, well lit areas. Run red lights or stay where you can make an easy right on red. Get on the cell phone with the cops. If you can, drive to the nearest police station.

Your situational awareness was up but you ignored what you saw. You stopped when you knew someone wasn't only following you but trying to force you off the road. Then once you made that mistake you continued with your business when you saw their vehicle enter the parking lot?! You should have made a run for your vehicle and got the heck out of there.

When you saw the guy taking your stereo you probably shouldn't have confronted him. You knew he wasn't alone. You didn't know if his buddies, or him, were armed. At the least you knew you were outnumbered. Tactically unsound decision. Wait in the post office and see what happens (do they leave or come after you) while you call the cops. Don't put your life or safety at risk over some easily replaced property.

Refusing the demands of a criminal with a gun was a very bad idea. You got lucky this time. To "learn" from it that "not backing down to threats takes the would-be predator out of his/her game" is the wrong lesson. It is true that giving them what they want won't stop someone intent on violence from killing you. However, NOT giving them what they want certainly increases the chances that they will turn violent. There is a reason that most experts advise giving them what they ask for, even carrying a $20 bill or similar separate from the rest of your money/credit cards/ID so you can give them something while potentially not giving them all you have. Your truck is not worth your life.

Last, as for your conclusion that a CCW wouldn't have helped because "the gunman already had the drop on me", a properly deployed CCW could have been very helpful in your situation- it is all about situational awareness. If it was me and I had a legal CCW on my person it would have been out and ready in case things got worse the moment it was clear these people were trying to force me off the road (a 3000 LBS hunk of metal, glass and plastic is most certainly a weapon, and they've proven hostile intent). If they had been more discrete and I didn't know they were following me (the only way I'd be stopping at the post office) I'd have my hand on the grip the moment I see a vehicle that may have been following me pull in the lot (using a J-frame in the pocket you can do this quite discretely). If you didn't think anything of a car pulling in the lot you knew they were up to no good the moment you saw the guy taking your car stereo- pull the gun out of the leather at that moment and hole up in case they come after you (and wait and see if they leave). They didn't get "the drop" on you, you let them get that advantage.

I'm not meaning to be as harsh as this may sound, but you made several mistakes and it is best to try to learn from them and draw the proper conclusions from them.

 

[jlbraun]

What about carrying a duplicate set of keys?

Toss them and run?

 

[atlctyslkr]

It's obvious before you left your vehicle that these people were looking for trouble. They knew you woudn't be armed either being at a Post Office. I think I would have just come back another time. Maybe gotten the plate of the vehicle and called it in for reckless driving.

I'll never know how many situations I have avoided by walking/running/driving away at the first hint of trouble.

 

[Majic]

Several things to consider.
First 2 teenagers going to check the mail at midnight.
Observing continual erratic offensive driving by another and ignoring a potential problem.
Parking at a closed business and abandoning the vehicle.
Though not mentioned in the story it sounds like you didn't lock your vehicle when you left it.
While in the PO you noticed more activity from the suspects and even though most if not all PO have public phones you didn't call for help.

There are not many reasons for anyone of any age to have not waited 12 hours to check the mail.
After noticing the menacing driving pattern of the other vehicle you don't pull into deserted parking lot of a closed business.
Not backing down doesn't always defuse or confuse a situation. A predetor can see this as a challenge and it can provoke an attack. You just never know.
Consider yourself lucky and next time make better decisions as it shouldn't have never gotten to that point.

 

[hso]

Some good, some bad response to the situation.

You reacted to the guy leaving your truck and heading to the Escape instead of thinking like you did while protecting your brother. That's an important lesson there.

You'll never assume that a car load of kids, or a single kid, isn't a serious threat again. Good. If they're behaving in any manner other than sober and sane then you should be on the phone to the cops. If nothing else you could be getting a dangerous DUI off the road.

If you're going to pull into a parking lot to shake someone in a car who's behaving in a dangerous manner you should be picking a well lit and populated lot. Witnesses have a chilling effect on criminals that haven't commited to the act.

You didn't say if the lot was well lit and if you pulled up in front of a security camera.

 

[Brian Williams]

My teenage brother and I were going to the post office to check our mail, shortly before midnight.

Why?
A Wiseman defends himself best by not only not being attacked but not placing himself in the position of being able to be attacked

Just then, we reached the post office turn-off and pulled into the parking lot. I continued watching the Escape to see if they would follow us.

At least you looked to see if they came back, but then you let your guard down...
After this your situational awarness goes all to the dump.

He and I got our mail and, when we neared the doors to exit, saw that someone was walking away from our truck with a car stereo-sized object in his hands!

Let them go with a stereo, no reason to challenge.

Quickly going out the doors, I yelled out, "What are you doing at my truck!?!"

OK so you survived. And the BG got caught.
Was it worth either your life or your brothers.
It is Self Defense, not Defense after a challange, Self defense starts first thing in the morning and goes all day til first thing in the morning. It includes everything from good locks on your dwelling to knowing what is a weapon and how to use it.

First up is situational awareness - being aware at all times of one's surroundings and the people therein.

GOOD!

Secondly, I realize that not backing down to threats takes the would-be predator out of his/her game.

Did you have to challenge??? If you did not challenge, would you have had to stand up to the threat.


I normally do not critique posts like this but there was a whole lot of situations that should have been handled differently or avoided completely.

Erratic driving or hassles warrants a phone call immediately to Law Enforcement, they are equipped to handle problems are you, along with never stopping any where near where a problem driver can see you do so(unless it is at a police station).


Challenging someone who is leaving even with a piece of your property can get you killed today. It seems like they were headed out, best let them go on their way.

As the saying goes "God protects little children and...


I hope that we all can take something from this today.

 

[Scottso]

Personally you put you and brother at extremely high risk. Why go into abandoned parking lot after what had happened on road. Why did you not call police after harassment on road started? Why did you feel it was necessary to get mail after what had happened on the road, you should've driven to a well lit busy area, after pulling lot why did you get out of truck without waiting to see what other driver was going to do? and why in hell did you challenge him over a stereo? Is you and your brothers life not woth more than a radio? Why did you not lock your truck? So many questions and some really inapropriate responses, you put yourself at risk too many times by allowing yourself to be cornered. Pullinginto that lot was bad move, compounded by you and brother getting out of truck leaving it unlocked, going about your business in PO while turning your back on a possible threat. and then on top of it you challenge someone over a radio without being aware of the other guy when you knew there was more than 1 occupant.
Damn you and your brother are lucky, not too bright but lucky. What was so important at the PO that you had to have at midnight? You and your brother are irresponsible IMHO. What made you do what you did, Put yourself in harms way and harm will find you. You and your brother were handed another chance, don't screw this one up. Sorry to rant but seen too many people put themselves in positions where they may and will get harmed, then its "why me?" If you think before you act, not just one step but a few this would've never happened. This story, true or not, should show people that they are responsible for there own actions. F*ck with the bull sometimes you get the horns, avoid the bull.

 

[Zundfolge]

Just then, the other guy came around the front of the Escape and, when he was about 6' away from me, quickly pulled a pistol out of his pants. He racked the slide and pointed it at my brother and I, yelling, "Where are your f*#^@#g keys at!?!"

This part is interesting.

The time that I was robbed the robber did the exact same thing, drew the pistol racked the slide (in my case in a rather flamboyant manner) and then pointed it at us.

Aside from the fact that many of these guys "Mexican Carry" cheap POS pistols (I wouldn't want one pointed at my boys in condition 1) I think many of these thugs don't carry with a round in the chamber because they get the extra theatrics of racking the slide.


Makes it easier for those of us who carry with one in the pipe and don't give a damn about theatrics eh?

The gunman didn't have the drop on you because you got a good long look at his piece and figured out his intentions long before he had his weapon ready to use.

If the INSTANT you see a gun, you draw and start shooting ... this punk would have died right there with his hand wrapped around a useless piece of metal. I would generally operate under the assumption that if I see a gun, the gunman has no intention of just threatening me with it but instead intends to kill me ... that's an assumption that will likely hold up in court as well.


Oh and for those of the opinion that [whiny voice]"Protecting your property isn't justification for use of lethal force!"[/whiney voice]; the instant Thug #2 pulled a pistol the whole mess ceased to be about the truck and he became a candidate for a lethal response.




But the real issue here is that you continued to get your mail instead of driving to the nearest cop shop. Ya got lucky this time ... this time.

 

[DWARREN123]

You came out okay so what you did was the right solution. Please remember that this is only one occurence and, if there is a next time, may turn out different. Always be on guard.

 

[Norm357]

Other than the fact that you should have called the cops when you suspected trouble, you and your brother came out of this alive, so I think you did ok.

 

[sm]

Others have Accessed and Debriefed.

I am in the South, though I understand the following "behaviors" are happening elsewhere.

-"Street Dance" with Cars. Folks are driving erractic to distract, upset, and scare other drivers at night. Some are doing so in hopes of getting someone to stop, so they can rob them, including the cars.

Some folks have a legitimate reason to be out, such as shift workers, on call persons at hospitals, IT and the like.

-Well to do kids are "having fun" , or " for the thrill of it".
Usually a teenage girl in school uniform, will approach the elderly, anything from needing a $1 bill for quarters to get a Coke outside of a drug store, grocery store or similar to " my car won't start and daddy said to get a ride to his workplace down the road"

Elderly "think" , "what a harmless sweet child. NO.

Once inside the victim's personal space, anything from snatch and grap a purse, keys, to other young folks following the victim giving a ride, and being overtaken and robbed of car, wallet/ purse, perscription meds...any and everything.

-Elderly especially, and even more so the ones parked in handicapped parking and being followed home from drug store, grocery store, banks...

Now some are well dressed and appear to be "nice young kids" . Again it may be a cute HS age girl with a Bible, or Leaflets " We are having a Elderly supper at the church, would you like to come?" Many elderly are trusting, and think nothing of a young lady needing to use the restroom...sometimes in whispers it is shared what time of the month it is...

Cell phones, or page features signal the rest the front door is unlocked and matters get worse.

Oh the really bad thugs follow folks too...they watch, they see folks using Clothes lines, or working in the yard. They have seen "advertised" by handicapped parking, use of canes, walkers, shuffled footsteps...this person is weak and vulnerable.

-Bump and Run,
Where they "bump" your vehicle at a stop sign and you get out.
Thugs have done this forever...
Now the kids more well to do, well that cute young lady "I'm sorry, still getting used to driving a stick shift daddy said I had to learn on..."


Now I can be more flexible and all by myself being a male. My mom at age 76, with problems walking, and handicapped hang tag makes my abilty to keep us both safe, a bit harder.

Handicapped Hang Tag - NOT a plate. Tag is only used for Parking, Not driving around hung off rear view mirror all the time.

Handicapped Plates are easy to spot going down the road , as are Hang Tags for not only Handicapped Parking, also Parking Permits at Work - and other areas.

So a "victim" is cased, Might be your daughter with her Apt Parking Hang Tag, or College Parking Hang tag...Where she works...
The Elderly as well...

Illegal persons take note of how cute your daughter looks, your wife, husband coming from bank, parents coming out of a doctor's office.

Victims Advertise way to much! Even stickers for Audio equipment in a vehicle - makes that vehicle enticing, even the vehicle does NOT have that stereo, just the sticker.

Victims get "bumped and run" or followed to workplace, or home.

In a few radius of where my mom lives, Four Elderly have been attacked, after being followed home, in yards, and driveways.

Mom has a garage - very important security too for her. Her butt comes in and directly into garage. Once safe - she can take all the time in the world getting out of her car, getting stuff out.

About 5 blocks from here, a young man in new smaller car, with stickers, and soundsystem was alleviated of his wallet and car.

He attracted attention in broad daylight, a bit of street racing went on, that car left...
...only to cell phone buddies in a plain vanilla car to follow him home.
In the driveway, cute gal was lost finding her Aunt's house...hormones got the best of thinking and the two boys came out of her car and robbed him.

Broad Daylight, with a Fire Station close, and LEOs officers are often at that station.

Games, some more serious than others...

Night is bad, now the daring is doing more in Daylight areas.

Recent local news stated 70% of our home invasions and similar conducted in Broad Daylight.


Think like a Thief and out think them.

 

[sm]

Allow me to add-

Yesterday - Sunday.

Neighbor is getting over Bypass surgery, she was followed home from grocery store, the bandage from where vien removed in still visible. I went outside to smoke, I used a pc of Printer paper folded to resemble a letter " Hey, I got your mail by mistake, can I bring it over?"

Car left, not a car of friends or family I know that frequent her place.

--

I had 9 police cars come speeding up Cul-de-Sac, they went two house up from aforementioned neighbor. Guns drawn and I was able to see from a safe window.
Not sure what was going on, still don't as it involved College Police from near me....

That caused the folks that had followed another car home on the next Cul-de-sac over to leave rather quickly, that car was followed from church, handicapped parking, and these folks even went to a fire station, and waited.
They were picked up again down from fire station. That or followed from handicapped parking at a Buffet.

That couple is getting a hang tag ASAP in exchange for Plate.

Today - Monday.

There has been a number of folks stopping by the house the person was taken away in cuffs. Of interest is the car, the driver made it to carport, parked and locked just barely before officers arrived, I mean they were in hot pursuit.

Now my truck is out front, only good thing for me is...I ran errands with someone else today, upon seeing some "characters" pretended to be looking for a address...we waited until all these characters left, before I was dropped back home.

Driver called and said they are safe, not followed.

Broad Daylight mind you.


Point being, there is enough trouble / evil out there anyway in ADLs [ Actvities of Daily Living] without making matters even easier for the BGs.

 

[Jiml3]

Having been under the gun 4 times, I have to agree with your not showing fear
to the bad guys. It just encourages them when they think they hold all the power. When you show no fear it throws them off that maybe you may be packing or you just might be very capable of handling yourself. It discourages them from getting too close and changes the scenario that they planned.
As I said, I have been there it has worked each time for me. Also, when a guy has the drop on you, a concealed gun isn't going to do you much good. Only those of us that have actually experienced it know what we will do. Too many people without the experience will tell what they would do, but that is usually bull s--t. Anybody wondering why I was held up so many times might think I wasn't very aware. The fact is this all ocurred back in the sixties in NYC when I was bartending and coming home around 3 a.m. You cannot get a carry permit in NYC unless you have some political clout so while I was aware I was about to be held up, I couldn't out run a car or bullets coming at me. One time when a couple of guys got me on the street, I slipped a couple of twenties into the breast pocket of my jacket as nobody ever goes there. Anyway I expressed a bit of anger and frustration, stating that this was the second time this week they were robbing me and I wasn't made of money. This threw them off and explained why they were going to get very little from me without totally pissing them off. The BG was confused and said he didn't hold me me before and I said that he sure looked like the guy! The point is, it worked. Showing fear is your enemy in any
situation.
I'm happy it worked out for you.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Had I had a (legally) concealed firearm, the gunman already had the drop on me.

It seems to me that by the time he drew the gun, you had plenty of knowledge they were up to no good.

In your situation, I would have dialed 911 long before pulling into the Post Office, and would have dialed again when these punks returned. I would also have had my weapon discretely in my hand before leaving the building.

While no one was hurt in this instance, it could just as easily gone the other way. When a man has a gun on you, your life is in his hands.

 

[50 Freak]

Personally, being a legal CCW carrier I would have protected my property if I felt I could get the upper edge on them, but if he already had the gun drawn and aimed at me and I have no cover to dive behind I would have just given it up.

Even if I had the my CCW piece drawn on this loser first, I'd invite him to my radio. Trust me, losing a $200 dollar radio is a lot cheaper than the year or two of headaches dealing with having to shoot some teenage scumbag for stealing a radio. Plus while he's ripping out your radio, you can be taking down his license plate or calling 911.

But the minute that gun was pointed at me or my family, then it would switch over from a simple robbery to a possible homicide. At that point I'd drop that scumbag faster than heartbeat.

 

[MCgunner]

Had it been me, I would of passed the post office and kept going until either I lost the losers or found a cop. Maybe even of driven to the nearest cop shop.

Might be better off stoppin' at duncan donuts...