Video of a Wallyworld parking lot armed purse robbery. It also happens very fast.
http://www.ultimateclearlake.com/2010/06/see-video-hold-wal-mart-parking-lot
http://www.ultimateclearlake.com/2010/06/see-video-hold-wal-mart-parking-lot
They blindside you while your busy doing something else
- Thread starter philip964
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Situational awareness would have probably helped her avoid this. Another person with her would have most definitely have helped considering the robber came from the blind side of her vehicle. He was on her before she knew what was going on.
Anyone who has kids with them is a prime candidate for these types of crimes, the parents focus is on the child and they're less likely to put up any kind of resistance for fear of the child's safety.
Anyone who has kids with them is a prime candidate for these types of crimes, the parents focus is on the child and they're less likely to put up any kind of resistance for fear of the child's safety.
If it had been me, I would have turned over what ever the guy wanted. The temptation would have been to draw after he was returning to his car and you could get away from the location of your child. However, it was in the day time and even here in Texas, I doubt you would have any justification for discharging your weapon. So best you could do would be to take a picture of the leaving car with your cell phone camera. Your gun out in case they decided they didn't like you doing that.
So much for a women keeping her gun in her purse.
So much for a women keeping her gun in her purse.
Gouranga
Member
They did that perfectly, except the location. Wally world has 7,000 cameras in the lot. They will probably get caught because of it if that vehicle was not stolen.
From that woman's perspective with the tint in those windows, she would not have seen it coming. By the time he turned the corner to put a gun on her, it was too late. I know with my vehicle, when I am in a similar situation I try to keep one eye out around the vehicle (I can see through my tint when it is sunny like that). Even with that, in the best of circumstances, not sure if I could draw fast enough. You got to figure, even if you see him, you may not realize he is there to rob you vs. ask for directions until you see the gun and by then it is too late.
I hope they nail these guys quick, they will be doing that a lot more I am sure.
From that woman's perspective with the tint in those windows, she would not have seen it coming. By the time he turned the corner to put a gun on her, it was too late. I know with my vehicle, when I am in a similar situation I try to keep one eye out around the vehicle (I can see through my tint when it is sunny like that). Even with that, in the best of circumstances, not sure if I could draw fast enough. You got to figure, even if you see him, you may not realize he is there to rob you vs. ask for directions until you see the gun and by then it is too late.
I hope they nail these guys quick, they will be doing that a lot more I am sure.
Just finished watching the video and I'm not seeing much that the woman could have done. SA doesn't seem like it would have helped. It's a parking lot. There are cars driving around, and people walking around in the lot. This all happened in about 10 seconds.
The right strategy here would be to keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up and scan the area before exiting the vehicle. Yet, in a normal day of running errands, it's going to be difficult to do that all day, every day. Very difficult problem.
The right strategy here would be to keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up and scan the area before exiting the vehicle. Yet, in a normal day of running errands, it's going to be difficult to do that all day, every day. Very difficult problem.
mljdeckard
Member
I'm with shockwave. Don't talk to strangers who come up to your vehicle. Don't open your windows or doors for them either.
But if you're going to plan for this, when you are driving, you need to carry in a way and place that you can easily draw and fire through either window and not let the BG know you are reaching for a gun and not your wallet.
But if you're going to plan for this, when you are driving, you need to carry in a way and place that you can easily draw and fire through either window and not let the BG know you are reaching for a gun and not your wallet.
KodiakBeer
member
I don't understand why these videos are always so blurry now that we're in the digital age. My cheap camera could capture the robbers features and the license plate from that distance, but these store cameras are always blurry - are they still using a VHS tapes????
Victim walks to passenger side of her vehicle and opens door to put something in or get something out of the passenger side (possibly her 4 yo daughter) and the BG comes in behind her from the back of the vehicle. From the time the BG vehicle stops to the time the victim is threatened is about 7 seconds. She has no warning unless she sees the BG approach in the reflection of the passenger door window.
This is a good illustration of how things happen so quickly.
Lessons learned???
Carry essential items in your pockets instead of purse?
This is a good illustration of how things happen so quickly.
Lessons learned???
Carry essential items in your pockets instead of purse?
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Yeah...even pretty good situational awareness is not always enough, especially if it is a serendipity or event which shows up as that one did.
There was nothing to see untill the BG's had parked and the one got out and trotting over...obscured untill he had rounded the rear corner of her Vehicle.
Those guys had a good method, with not much anyone could see from any vantage point.
About all the gal could have done, was run, and bet the BG's would prefer not to follow and make a scene.
If she was carrying, then who knows, up to her as for the 'window' she had to work with.
There was nothing to see untill the BG's had parked and the one got out and trotting over...obscured untill he had rounded the rear corner of her Vehicle.
Those guys had a good method, with not much anyone could see from any vantage point.
About all the gal could have done, was run, and bet the BG's would prefer not to follow and make a scene.
If she was carrying, then who knows, up to her as for the 'window' she had to work with.
Gouranga
Member
Taking into account she had her kid in the car, running away leaving them with the kid ain't gonna happen, and you do not want to have folks shooting all around the car either. That is what we call a no-win scenario I am afraid. Give the BG what they want, hope they leave and don't mow ya down.
Every time I read one of these stories it is followed by the old situational awareness statement that comes forth by someone who was not even there.
Although it is true that one must keep his/her wits about them out in public but at times especially in an area that has people coming and going you just can't always be so aware less you become a drooling paranoid who looks as if he's about to go off.
I know a guy who was robbed at gun point walking to his car in parking lot by someone who was putting groceries in their car!!
These kind of criminals can be pretty cagey folks and can simply come right out of left field even when you are looking at left field.
And by the way I read on the news this morning they did in fact catch and arrest all three of these guys due to the camera's in the parking lot.
Although it is true that one must keep his/her wits about them out in public but at times especially in an area that has people coming and going you just can't always be so aware less you become a drooling paranoid who looks as if he's about to go off.
I know a guy who was robbed at gun point walking to his car in parking lot by someone who was putting groceries in their car!!
These kind of criminals can be pretty cagey folks and can simply come right out of left field even when you are looking at left field.
And by the way I read on the news this morning they did in fact catch and arrest all three of these guys due to the camera's in the parking lot.
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Actually (IMHO) the one thing she could have done is simply park well away from other vehicles. I do this all the time to avoid getting mouse trapped and as I can use the exercise. 
That was a well planned and executed criminal act. Tough to guard against. Also illustrates the multiple attacker aspect - I'm sure she didn't see the others at all. Perhaps if she had shot the first one, the others would have fled - or they could have counter-attacked to rescue their partner.
That was a well planned and executed criminal act. Tough to guard against. Also illustrates the multiple attacker aspect - I'm sure she didn't see the others at all. Perhaps if she had shot the first one, the others would have fled - or they could have counter-attacked to rescue their partner.
Well at least they were able to ID the SUV and arrest the BGs:
http://www.click2houston.com/news/24019737/detail.html
Score another for the police!
http://www.click2houston.com/news/24019737/detail.html
Score another for the police!
Cosmoline
Member
As long as the gunman is within range of shooting you and is still armed, you're still in imminent deadly peril. There's no binding contract involved here. They can take your money, hop in their getaway vehicle and gun you down for good measure. In fact they often do. No eye witnesses that way. Don't assume just because you've "given him what he wants" that he will honor his side of the "bargain." THERE IS NO BARGAIN. In fact ignore the money completely. It has nothing to do with anything. The THREAT and the WEAPON are the important factors. The threat doesn't cease to be imminent just because the guy hops in his car. If you get a chance to defend yourself, take it.
That's pretty much the view I take.
Some see a glass half full, some half empty.
Some see the criminal attempting to leave the scene of the crime, some see the criminal gain distance before turning around to execute witnesses without getting blood on themselves...
sm
member
See.
hso post 8
Al Thompson post 12
The earlier one gets a signal, the more distance one has.
Not everything defaults to gun, in this case, from what limited information I have, was her life or that of 4 y/o threatened?
What is the statues of using lethal force in this location? It is none of my business if she has a CCW or not.
I am not so sure, many 4 year olds would appreciate a gun going off in close proximity to them.
So perhaps not carrying a purse (not advertising, giving perceptions of being aware, and able to respond without purse...another person would be easier prey...) and parking away from others, still with a straight, safe walk to store and back , might have given her the distance she needed.
hso post 8
Al Thompson post 12
The earlier one gets a signal, the more distance one has.
Not everything defaults to gun, in this case, from what limited information I have, was her life or that of 4 y/o threatened?
What is the statues of using lethal force in this location? It is none of my business if she has a CCW or not.
I am not so sure, many 4 year olds would appreciate a gun going off in close proximity to them.
So perhaps not carrying a purse (not advertising, giving perceptions of being aware, and able to respond without purse...another person would be easier prey...) and parking away from others, still with a straight, safe walk to store and back , might have given her the distance she needed.
sidheshooter
Member
+1 for Al Thompson post 12 as well, good comment. Keep an exit strategy any time you're in public.
Also Philip post 3: so much for off-body carry...
If somebody wants to get you and they are organized enough, it'll probably happen. That one is tough.
Also Philip post 3: so much for off-body carry...
If somebody wants to get you and they are organized enough, it'll probably happen. That one is tough.
lasinvegas
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In my opinion there wasn't a lot that she could have done differently. Another good example of how fast things can happen.
Extremely stupid of the robbers to use their own SUV with that obnoxious hood ornament on it. How many suburbans do you think were running around that town with 4lbs of chrome hanging off the end of the hood? Once that made the news the phones probably lit up in seconds with info.
Extremely stupid of the robbers to use their own SUV with that obnoxious hood ornament on it. How many suburbans do you think were running around that town with 4lbs of chrome hanging off the end of the hood? Once that made the news the phones probably lit up in seconds with info.
Yes!
On a side note: Many people tend to consider criminals stupid (many are!), but also confuse stupid with harmless.. Unfortunately for many victims, a crook's stupidity doesn't prevent him from being a formidable threat during the initial contact, as this case points out all too well. Sure they are too dumb to get away clean, but they were smart enough to execute their hit in such a way that 99% of this board would have been caught with a surprised look on their face.
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