Should I be concerned?

[johndoe1027]

I was mowing the front yard yesterday when a pickup rolled by (a pickup that I've never seen in my itty bitty neighborhood). I live near a corner where there is a stop sign. I looked up as they passed and noticed that the passenger (18-30) was staring at me. I mean not even looking away when I returned the stare. I was careful not to look threatening but did let him know that I noticed. He continued to stare as they stopped, and as they turned right, he rolled down his window so he could get a better look (I guess). My first impression was that he was trying to ID me. It was odd enough for me to kill the lawnmower and go in the house to grab my M&P9c. I had my NAA 2 mag in my pocket but felt the need for something a little more robust after that.
I went to high school about 10 minutes away and have lived in this area all my life so it is common for me to run into people I know (even while mowing the front lawn, happened twice in two years). Those people usually stop and say hey, not stare as they drive away.
I brushed it off and finished up the yard (looks nice BTW, went from rider to push mower).
I went inside to continue work on a room upstairs that I am getting close to carpeting (after 3 months of remodeling 240 sq ft ). I was on the roof of the 1st floor cleaning and razoring the windows outside the 2nd floor room (rear of the house). Not sure if that makes sense, I can climb out the 2nd story window and stand on the 1st floor roof. So I was out there working when I noticed the same truck (with two passengers again but I was way too far away to tell if they were the same) drive around the dirt road that circles my house. I really don't think there was enough time for them to stop while out of sight much less get out of the truck and do anything (i.e. reason for their trip around the circle). I can see each end of the circle but not the middle due to houses and trees.
I attached a really quick crappy drawing of their routes (1st in red, 2nd in blue). I didn't see which direction they came from on the 2nd pass but did see that they went towards the interstate. I couldn't tell much about what they were doing in the truck on the 2nd pass since I saw mostly roof of the truck.
So am I being crazy for worrying about this? I only have 2 "enemies" (haven't seen either in years) but one was (at the time) pretty crazy (read: totally insane and strung out on uppers). My only thought at the time is that it was a buddy of a former "unfriendly" that may still be trying to find me. I can't come up with anything else that makes sense.
What would you do/think in this situation? Thanks for all of the helpful replies.

 

[imatt]

Last time we had people on and around our property "scoping it out" in this fashion, they were looking houses to break into. Police agreed.

My 2c.

 

[answerguy]

I hope you won't be too offended but I removed some of the unnecessary info that you included and made some paragraphs so it's a little easier to read in hopes that others will be more easily able to give you some advice.

I was mowing the front yard yesterday when a pickup rolled by (a pickup that I've never seen in my itty bitty neighborhood). I live near a corner where there is a stop sign. I looked up as they passed and noticed that the passenger (18-30) was staring at me. I mean not even looking away when I returned the stare. I was careful not to look threatening but did let him know that I noticed. He continued to stare as they stopped, and as they turned right, he rolled down his window so he could get a better look (I guess). My first impression was that he was trying to ID me. It was odd enough for me to kill the lawnmower and go in the house to grab my M&P9c. I had my NAA 2 mag in my pocket but felt the need for something a little more robust after that.

So I was out there working when I noticed the same truck (with two passengers again but I was way too far away to tell if they were the same) drive around the dirt road that circles my house. I really don't think there was enough time for them to stop while out of sight much less get out of the truck and do anything (i.e. reason for their trip around the circle). I can see each end of the circle but not the middle due to houses and trees.

I attached a really quick crappy drawing of their routes (1st in red, 2nd in blue). I didn't see which direction they came from on the 2nd pass but did see that they went towards the interstate. I couldn't tell much about what they were doing in the truck on the 2nd pass since I saw mostly roof of the truck.

So am I being crazy for worrying about this? I only have 2 "enemies" (haven't seen either in years) but one was (at the time) pretty crazy (read: totally insane and strung out on uppers). My only thought at the time is that it was a buddy of a former "unfriendly" that may still be trying to find me. I can't come up with anything else that makes sense.
What would you do/think in this situation? Thanks for all of the helpful replies.

 

[johndoe1027]

He was awfully obvious for that and my house is one of the least appealing homes in my neck of the woods to a robber IMHO. I live in my house and 50% of the homes in the neighborhood are vacation homes. You might be right but he seemed more worried about me then my house or belongings.

Answer guy, I'm not offended at all (still haven't noticed what was unnecessary yet but you would be a better judge of that than I would since you have the 3rd person perspective). I forget that the lines are so wide that a simple 'enter' doesn't distinguish much, sorry about that. All that time spent and no advice?

I should have mentioned that there was at least an hour between their appearances.

 

[helpless]

Could have been nothing, but that is not what people like us are supposed to think about so,...

We had our house broken into. Turned out the guys lived right around the corner. I am sure they must have drove past our house a few times first right? Maybe they where casing your home and sizing you up.

Be safe and stay armed, even when you are at home.

 

[trfcrugby]

I hate it when people do that. I live on a corner lot, in a pretty quiet neighborhood. One afternoon I had the garage door open, and I was working out, hitting my heavy bag, minding my own business. A truck with three hispanic gentleman stops in front of my driveway, and the driver hangs his head out the window and does a really loud laugh/ha ha call, and just sits there. I turn around, see then, and start to head down the driveway, and they burn out in front of my house, and leave.

I now have a monitored alarm, three huge American bulldogs, motion sensing lights, security screens, and I don't exercise with the garage open no matter how hot it is.

Yes, I would be concerned. You don't know how many times my wife and I have turned around and gone back home because we see a shady car down the street with people, when we are leaving to get some dinner or whatnot.

 

[The Unknown User]

The type of behavior is pretty odd, and generally indicative of something out of the ordinary. If you see that truck again, call the police immediately.

 

[johndoe1027]

trfcrugby, we might have the opposite problem. I was out there with no shirt on and I weigh 180 lbs (mostly beer belly) @ 6'0". I was not intimidating since I just starting working out again last week. I'm not a musclular person by any stretch of the imagination (yet ). I can kind of see why some idiots would antagonize you. Same reason some drunks always pick on the biggest guy in the bar. They think it proves something. Exactly what it proves I may never know.

thanks for the advice helpless. I'm not nearly as worried about a robbery as I am about some people finding out where I live. I am worried, yes, but much less so. I've never wanted a dog until now...

Rob, you think??? I call the sheriff (no PD in my town) and say that a truck rode by 3 times in 2 days? What would they do?

 

[wdlsguy]

Did you get the pickup's license plate number?

 

[johndoe1027]

No of course not. I was standing in the yard with nothing to write on and didn't even think about it until they had turned the corner and he continued to stare. The 2nd time I saw them they were too far away to even see the plate. Odd truck though, very easy to spot, not another like it. That's one good thing about it.
I took a little walk around the neighborhood last night to see if maybe someone in the 'hood got a new truck. That would explain it. I didn't see it on any of the streets that intersect the circle around my house. I'll do the same tonight to make sure it's not a forgetful neighbor (quick trip around the circle to get something, maybe wife was outside with it so they wouldn't have to get out) with a very nosey son. Could be but I'm doubtful.

 

[kellyj00]

most robbers aren't going to stare at YOU...especially if you're the homeowner.

Next time, try waving and smiling like an idiot. Some folks will take anything as aggressive unless given a reason not to, thus why they stared at you. Sure it wasn't polite, but if you would have given them your intentions by waving, they might have just waved back and continued on their way. They may have circled back just to apologize for staring at you, or to say "Hey, Joe... remember me from high school? I thought it was you but couldn't tell..."

Most folks are genuinely nice and have good intentions, including me... I'm not trying to be a jerk and tell you what you did wrong, only suggesting that some folks like to pick a fight whenever they can and will stare right back at you.

 

[ilbob]

Many years ago I had a very similar occurrence. I was out mowing the lawn and saw the same car drive by half a dozen times while I was mowing. It was a car that was a bit out of the ordinary so it stood out. There were two black males in the car, which is also a little unusual for the area I live in.

It was a little creepy to see them drive by every few minutes for no particular reason.

 

[Bob M.]

I don't like the looks of this.....

Stay alert, and armed. Next time get that plate number if you can. Also, It would be nice to get a picture of the truck too. (Thinking Cell phone cam, if you have one.)

 

[johndoe1027]

Kelly, you are absolutely right. I was going to do just that (my favorite response to someone that's "mean mugging"). A big smile and kinda dorky 4 year old-style wave works wonders on someone with 'not so nice' intentions.

I'm not trying to be a jerk and tell you what you did wrong, only suggesting that some folks like to pick a fight whenever they can and will stare right back at you. I've seen that a million times.

Right again, that was the furthest from being a jerk I can think of, no worries man. I'd like some critical feedback as well I suppose. I was more worried about what to do or be ready for next but you can learn more by screwing up once than you can by doing it right 20 times.

ilbob, nothing happened afterwards?

Bob M. big 10-4 on that. I do have a cell cam. Crappy cell cam but better than nothing and I will definitely be getting the tag number. I used to leave the semi auto in the bedroom while at home (mini mag in the pocket) but the 9mm will stay with me for a few days (and maybe the 17 rnd extra mag too). The shotty will also get a little more exposure than it's used to. This might even be enough to get my g/f comfortable with me spreading around a few handguns (normally she gets really tense when she sees a gun). She is a little worried about this. She came home after the 1st sighting and I told her to look out for the truck. She came back upstairs right after I saw them the second time which concerned her a bit.

My plan is to
A) see them the next time (if there is one) they drive around (as opposed to being in the house not paying attention). I have plenty of work to do outside that should keep me busy until I feel comfortable that it was a false alarm.
B) Try to get close enough to the road ahead of them (easy if I catch them at the beginning of the circle) to warrant them slowing down if they have business in the area. If I am right up next to the road and they drive on by while trying to look incognito then I'll know something is up. A neighbor would stop and ask if something is wrong.
C) Wave and grin as mentioned earlier
D) Get the tag number
E) See if the Sheriff's dept will tell me whether they live near me or not.

Everything in between (what they do if I can get close to the road) will be situational decisions that I'll have to make then.

I'm sure someone will chime in if that is the dumbest plan I've ever had.

I would rather be proactive about this. If it is in fact someone trying to determine if it's me or not (other than to just say hey), I'd rather get that out of the way on my terms not theirs. At least I'll know it's about to happen instead of being surprised. I'll start walking everyday instead of every other day now for awhile too.

 

[JohnL2]

Maybe they were admiring your lawn?

I'd get the shotgun ready just in case. Some 00 buckshot will
be a real education for them. If you just want to maim them some
No.4 shot and aim low.

 

[ravencon]

I don't live in a high crime area. But we get a lot of walkers, runners, bicyclists, skate boarders as well as cars on our road.

When I'm doing yard work or other outside tasks I have at least a .38 snubby on me. I used to be negligent about this until one day I was concentrating on some task in the garage (door was open) and large young man called to me from too close a distance. He was a harmless fellow, selling something or other. But, I learned my lesson. When doing household tasks it is pretty hard to maintain situational awareness. The least we can do is have a serious crisis response tool on our person. Personally, I don't think a NAA .22 qualifies.

 

[Leanwolf]

Considering you were working around your house, perhaps they were a couple of scouts from the "EXTREME MAKEOVER" teeeveee show, and were considering you as a candidate for the show.

L.W.

 

[BigO01]

Could be anything , do you have any lawn ornaments ? Was your garage open ? Cars in the driveway ? Maybe if your lawn mower runs right he has never seen one that wasn't sputtering and about to stall or yours was about to stall and he was wondering why you haven't repaired it .

Maybe you're right and it is an old enemy or friend of .

Could be he is gay and wants a date with you .

 

[Avenger29]

If you just want to maim them some
No.4 shot and aim low.

We don't think in those terms here. I use 2 3/4" 00 Buck and 1 oz slugs in my shotgun (#4 buck will also work, but it is impossible to find around here). If you shoot someone, you shoot to stop. We don't shoot to wound, and we don't shoot to kill. We shoot to stop the threat.

Don't use birdshot, and be aware.

 

[johndoe1027]

Raven, I did just that once I saw them, got a real crisis response tool. The NAA only qualifies under 5 yards and even then it's not a serious tool, merely better than looking for a stick or rock. When I walked last night I had on a hoodie (started to get a little chilly in the evening) with my Streamlight Strion in my left hand in the hoodie pocket, my Rossi M88 38 snubbie in my right pants pocket, my M&P 9 compact IWB at 3:00 and a spare mag in my back pocket. It was good for my legs and feeling of safety.

The only reason I didn't have a "real" gun on me at the time was because I had my shirt off. I have no problem with open carry but it being in front of my house, I didn't want to advertise the fact that I'm a gun owner. That might have been wise if these guys really were looking for a good robbery. I might be in the market for a 442 or a 642 soon as my stainless snubbie is a bit heavy for pocket carry.

JohnL2, I carry #4 buck in the shotty all the time anyway. The speed feed stock holds two 00 buck and two slugs for reloads. It's really a inside kind of gun since I don't hunt so I decided that #4 would best serve my purposes. And who in their right mind aims at someone with a freakin 12 ga and doesn't plan on killing them (ahem, stopping the threat, thanks Avenger, you beat me to it)? Nice sig BTW John, couldn't agree more.

Leanwolf, I only wish...I only wish they were.

Big001, no garage, cars yes, and didn't look like the "gay type". Thanks for the attempt to calm me down though.

 

[Bob F.]

Could be anything! My first instinct upon reading the OP was some turds out cruising and decided to challenge you, though somewhat obliquely. They did provoke a response, i.e. returned stare; so maybe decided to have another look to see if they could stir you up a little more.

The last time I was in the garage unarmed, (about 3 yrs. ago) a fox sauntered across the yard around noon. He looked kinda sickly. If the dogs bark "alert", I have a pistol, at least, in my belt or hand going out to check.

I have a cheap but accurate and reliable (enough) handgun I carry to work. I leave it in the truck and won't be out $500 if somebody smashes the glass and searches long enough to find. Our lot has good security with lots of cameras.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just making the point that I'm nearly always armed when legal or acceptable risk, even/especially at home.

Stay safe, and armed.
Bob

 

[johndoe1027]

I was armed but just barely. I hope you're right Bob. Seems kinda crazy to drive out in the middle of nowhere looking for a fight though. It would be a lot easier in more populated areas. And my house is behind a lot of trees, not right on the road. If they assumed it was my house behind the yard I was mowing (that is in front of the trees) they wouldn't have thought that swinging back by would have gave them an opportunity to confront me. My house is at least 75-100 feet from the road. And if they were looking for a fight that badly, they should have stopped and got out while they had the chance. I don't spend THAT long mowing a little patch of grass.
They also waited over an hour to come back (unless I missed a few of their passes).
The good news is that my house didn't get robbed or burned down today.

 

[Caimlas]

I'd say they're casing the area - probably your house - for a robbery. Two guys in a beat-up truck driving slowly through a neighborhood is a pretty good indicator on it's own. I seem to recall that houses with construction going on make good targets due ot the fact that it's accepted that there will be strangers around. Is it readily evident from outside your house that work is going on? If so, I'd be leery and let your neighbors know that nobody but yo uand family should be around, and about the suspicious activity (for their own safety).

 

[kmrcstintn]

1) report the suspicious activity to your police department, sherriff's department, state police, or whomever has law enforcement jurisdiction in your neck of the woods

2) stay armed whenever possible; keep a blade and chemical neutralizing agents on you when you can't

3) don't stare them down anymore (don't provoke them)

4) get a plate number; get a pic of the vehicle if you can (remember outstanding details if you can't get a pic)...the vehicle might be a rental or have stolen plates and having info on both plate & vehicle is very helpful

5) if you see them coming again...go inside, barricade, call police

6) if other 'neighbors' verify the 'suspicious activity' ask them to stay alert and you may need to start thinking about a neighborhood watch program if you see a pattern of strange vehicles

 

[johndoe1027]

That's the thing, the truck had a fresh coat of paint and a fairly new looking tool box on the back. My house isn't too terribly obvious about construction but it is noticeable sometimes. I spoke with a neighbor and told him about it tonight. He said he'd keep an eye out which is cool cause he can see most of my house from his living room window.

I should clarify, I did use the word stare for my actions in the OP. I did look at him a few times but not standing up (moved something out of the way of the lawnmower during it) and I didn't quite stare back. I went out of my way to not assume a attentive posture and just looked up enough to see that he was staring.

thanks for the replies guys. I might have a house sitter for a few days. I know just the person.