Author Topic: Reposting my event last night (after re-thinking it) (Read 3085 times)

mascot · « **on:** May 03, 2011, 09:12:29 AM »

Yesterday I was in San Diego and after my business was done I decided to hang out for a while until rush hour traffic was over. I wandered around a mall for a while (it was open, uncovered) and while walking around I heard loud glass-breaking sounds. At first I thought a car crashed through a storefront, but soon came more glass breaking and women screaming. So I ran over to where the comotion was and I saw three young guys smashing glass cases inside a jewelry store - it was a smash and grab right before my eyes!!

I checked to see what weapons they had, if any, and all I saw was a small, 5 lb sledgehammer so I went closer. I tried to get a look at the guys but it was all happening pretty fast and I also wanted to make sure none of the three women in the store were being hurt or threatened. As I got closer, the three darted out the store and around the side of it down a passage between a the jewelry store and a department store, so I started chasing. I was wearing flip flops so I couldn't really run, but the last guy heard me and turned around then ran ahead. I continued to follow, realizing they were headed towards the parking lot and an awaiting car, and figured I could at least get a description of the vehicle and a license plate number. When I got next to the car I saw them all get in and take off - they looked right at me - and I was hoping I could remember the number with all the excitement and adrenaline that was pumping through my veins! They pulled out and had a paper covering the plate... so I didn't get to see any numbering on it. Damn!

For the next two hours I was talking with store employees, 911 and then the police taking the report. There were about 7 or 8 police vehicles there eventually, and two news cameramen, but I asked to not be on camera so they obliged me on that. The police were nice to me and thanked me for getting involved. One guy was really kewl... he shook my hand and told me I was a "hero" for what I did. I told him I wasn't, then he said, "well, there were lots of other witnesses and they all ran the other way and couldn't tell us anything. You followed them, so yes, you're a hero". I thought that was nice of him, but of course I really am not a hero... just an observer.

What an interesting night! I hope they catch the scum!

tootsie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:27:19 AM »

Hi Blind Too,
You for sure saved the day for these sales people

You saw an attack, never minding that you just may have been whacked with a hammer or worse! I have seen more than most what happens when thugs think they can just walk in a store and steal and smash glass, these thugs, sooner or later turn to drugs and alcohol

A THOUSAND THANK YOU'S FOR YOUR BRAVERY

Tootsie

Jerry · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:56:49 AM »

good try!!!!!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2011, 11:28:53 AM »

What a happening on a day you normally don't take! Glad you are safe and injured. You were brave to chase the thieves down.

What!?! No one had their cell phone cameras on them? Scratching my head on this one....

mascot · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2011, 11:47:45 AM »

Haha... I had left my phone in the car and the three ladies where absolutely hysterical. It took me a couple minutes just to find out which one of the ladies was on the phone with police so I could let them know what the vehicle looked like in case there was an officer in the area.

The upside to this is that there was a video camera on the side of the building that all three guys ran past, so they will be on video (and then the real story of how I was really just walking the opposite direction and fell to my knees as they ran past me, as I cried out, "I DON'T WANNA DIE!!! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!" handing over my Mickey Mouse watch and my secret decoder ring, weeping in a ball of gelatine-like flesh and bones wearing my superman underoos!) LOL

But one thing I noticed was that people did run the other way, I was the only idiot in the bunch.

They all got closer after all was said and done and the police showed up.

2vetts · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2011, 12:56:48 PM »

kewl??

mascot · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2011, 01:19:42 PM »

2vetts??

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2011, 02:18:02 PM »

Great job Michael. We need more people who are willing to say something or do something when they see something wrong. Most people do in fact run, hide, or do nothing when they see criminal activity occurring. No one wants to be the one to take the lead. Cops of course will hear or see criminal activity and head straight for it....but they are paid and trained to do so and they have guns, body armor and backups who are en route. You were in fact a hero. You had none of the tools that cops have, except courage.

Had you attempted to physically stop them then I would have called you foolish.....but running after them to get a description of them, their car etc. took courage.

tlc · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2011, 02:49:30 PM »

Wow. Good job

and I'm scared of you!

mascot · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:08:38 PM »

Thanks, Mikey, but really not a hero, I don't think so. I don't know why I do what I do when I see a crime being committed, I just get involved for some reason - maybe just instinct. This isn't the first time I chased a thief, last time I apprehended one of the two kids and escorted him back to the store that he and his friend had just stolen a jar full of "cancer treatment" money. The first thief I chased was an attempted car jacker a few years ago. He jumped in a car and clubbed the driver in the head about eight times, ultimately giving him a concussion. So I chased the car jacker... unfortunately, I was also the "driver" but didn't realize he had clubbed me until the police showed up a few minutes later and the guy was in handcuffs, and the cop pointed out the blood dripping from the side of my head! ouch Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment?

mascot · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:09:47 PM »

Quote from: tlc on May 03, 2011, 02:49:30 PM

Wow. Good job and I'm scared of you!

... no need to be scared of me, I'm just a little guy! And I'm sure you don't rob 7-Elevens or jewelry stores, so you're safe! hahha

Kittyzee · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:33:40 PM »

Whoa, great story Blind 'Too!!

Yup, the world definitely needs more people like you. I admire you for going after those guys, when you were clearly putting yourself in danger. Those actions make a difference in the world -- I hope it catches on....

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:18:30 PM »

You needed Rocky there!

purplepshn2004 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:46:27 PM »

Wow what a day you had! And you are in fact a hero, not many would do what you did! Glad you weren't hurt.

BTW, you tell such good stories!

Sounds like maybe you missed your calling, you should be in law enforcement!

mascot · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:58:00 PM »

Thanks, but a real hero is someone who risks their life to save others, I did no such thing. It's almost like those Holiday Inn commercials: "Well, no, I'm not a hero, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night!" haha

Honestly though, it's flattering to hear that and I do appreciate the sentiments, but I really just wanted to share the story. It made me feel good that I was able to get more information to the police than they would have had otherwise. I'd say my sister is a real hero, she has been a paramedic and is now a police officer in what she knows is a very dangerous area. So dangerous that they are instructed to not wear their uniform in their personal vehicle for fear that gang members would shoot to kill. Still, she does that job knowing what risks she could be taking. For me to classify myself in that category, it would take away from people who actually do risk their lives for the safety of others.

Jerry, I'm not sure what Rocky could have done, I'm pretty sure the crooks wouldn't have stopped to pet him! besides, he wouldn't have seen a thing! haha

-Greg- · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:33:27 AM »

Great job getting involved!! Maybe some of the other folks will choose to get involved next time after watching you!! So instead of a hero, how about a role model!!

Cheers!!

cindy · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:03:14 AM »

Quote

and then the real story of how I was really just walking the opposite direction and fell to my knees as they ran past me, as I cried out, "I DON'T WANNA DIE!!! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!" handing over my Mickey Mouse watch and my secret decoder ring, weeping in a ball of gelatine-like flesh and bones wearing my superman underoos!)

Thanks for doing something

mascot · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:14:14 AM »

Thanks, Cindy, so you don't buy that huh?

Greg... I'll take the beer! That works for me!

reddad35 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2011, 02:51:18 PM »

Way to go my friend. Some people have said that you chose to get involved. I am a believer that it is an instinct. If the same people that ran are at another incident, they will run again not matter the inspiration you gave them. It is not something to belittle someone about. It is an instinct. I too have been involved in accident and crime scenes. While people are moving away it is instinct for me to help. Its in your character to aid or assist. Thanks for being you.

mascot · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:36:51 PM »

Thanks, I appreciate what you all are saying. By posting it, I think it shows that there are ways to help tremendously without ever coming in contact with a criminal.

But you're very correct, for me it's just instinct and I can't imagine just walking away and not trying to help. That's not to say that everyone should get involved, just that it's part of who I am. I'm sure I'll continue to react the same way, and I always seem to be in the right spot at the right time to help. Not three minutes before the smash and grab, I was helping a guy in a restaurant who had lost his balance and fell. He was with his kid and told me he was okay so I let him be, after I left the restaurant, the the heist took place and once again there I was.

The next day (yesterday) some kid lost control of his truck and plowed into a car across the street from my house and I talked to him to calm him down and stayed there until the cops showed up.

So it was an interesting couple of days for me.

Julles · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2011, 05:51:44 AM »

Good job, 'Too.

It's just shameful that criminals are so brazen as to do something so violent in plain view and when the store is full of customers.

Vetts, "kwel" means "cool."

mascot · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2011, 09:07:42 PM »

Thanks, Julles. Yes, alot of that has to do with the fact that we are so soft on crime. Back when I got car jacked, the guy gave me a concussion, he het a woman getting into her car after he ran from me, but before all of this he and three other guys tried to steal another car and they beat up an old man who was watching, and yet he got five years in a juvenile detention facility because it was his "first offense". He racked up no less than ten felonies that evening and they called it a "first offence". He was a hair over 18 years old. They should have put him in prison, but all they taught him was that what he did wasn't that bad.

By the way, that car jacking over 16 years ago happened in the same area... same shopping center but across the street... from the jewelry store heist. Things haven't changed much there, have they?