Have you ever been mugged? If not, how do you make sure you’re prepared?

[Marco10]

No never

Yes I was mugged, they were successful

They attempted to mug me but failed because ______

Updates

+1 y

One stupid hack that my crazy cousin uses is whenever he walks alone in a shady neighborhood he just pretends he’s talking on the phone about guns in a deep Russian accent. Probably not a good idea to try though. 😂

[AmandaYVR]

Yep, I was held up at knifepoint.

I was around 21ish and I worked F/T in a unisex clothing store. It was a new business, I was there from the start, along with two other girls, but it was tough and we were struggling. The owner owned another clothing store (sold very different styles - menswear, workwear, etc.) several blocks away (close.) But in this store, he was always trying out new inventory, seeing what became popular. He found a niche, where a lot of our sales ended up being in the male teenage casual streetwear style. This town was not urban or tough at all, but the niche style probably was rooted in hip hop in America or something. Baggy, massively oversized jeans, and similarly huge t-shirts with stupid graffiti-style graphics on them. Every day we were getting more and more of these idiots shopping with us. But sales were still not great, so one girl quit, another was P/T, and I ended up being the main one working there - by myself.
Larry, the owner/manager would come over every day, relieve me for lunch, etc etc. (He used to get mad at me for talking on the phone too much to my friends. I still feel really bad about that. I was bored sometimes.) Anyway, you see where this is going.

One day, a gang of them comes in. Native Indians. (The degenerates of the town.) They instantly spread out, like a swarm of wasps. One stood at the door with his back to it; others started grabbing clothes by the armful, stuffing them in bags, inside their stupid baggy pants; and one came up to my behind the counter and cash register, grabbed me from behind and held me there, with a knife up against my throat. He said, "You move, I'll fucking cut you", and fucking robbed me and the store. That little bastard. I was an absolute shock.

Part of me was thinking, "The nerve of these motherfuckers." I was already thinking about what their punishment should be. (There are no punishments too stiff, in my book.) I felt metal up against my throat, but it wasn't sharp, exactly, so I lifted up my arm and touched it quickly with my hand, and it seemed to be that he either had a dull-ish hunting knife (around 8" or so) or he had flipped it the other way around, perhaps, so that the sharper side was not on me. I wasn't sure. So I decided that he wanted me contained, he had balls for sure, but I didn't exactly believe him that he was going to slash my throat.

They grabbed lots of gear (more stupid saggy pants and graffiti t-shirts), and the cash from the register, and my wallet (that was the second time a fucking customer stole my wallet - the first was a woman and her kid, who she had distract me while the kid must have gone and rummaged behind my counter.) I've had so much shit stolen from me. I never did shit to anybody, and am always the one who gets shits purpetrated on them.

Anyway, I figured they could get caught if the cops got there in time. But how to time it.
The phone was on the desk. We had programmed some numbers into it, on speed dial. 911 was one I think. Larry, at his other store, was another. The four or five of them were in the store for a few minutes, running around, sort of a smash and grab. I was getting angrier by the minute. Then the idea came. I threw the phone off the hook (it was corded, and dangled down the counter, just out of sight) and pressed the speed dial for the other store. Guess who answered? Larry. Lucky me, it could have been any of his several employees. I didn't say anything, but the guys were talking to each other. Larry listened, quietly. He figured it out instantly. He got on another line and called the cops. The showed up very quickly. As soon as the gang heard the sirens, "She called the cops! Let's get out of here!"

[AmandaYVR]

He shoved me to the side (no knife violence), and they bolted, dropping a bunch of the clothes as they ran (maybe all clothes? I don't know.) Multiple cop cars came, some cops came in but they had left so most were on their tail. With a German Shepherd police dog. Ha haaaaa. I heard the dog chased and attacked one, bit him as the kid was running into someone's yard, over a fence. That was the most satisfying part of the whole ordeal. I still feel gleeful when I think of that part. I hope it hurt like hell.

Larry soon came in running, his eyes wide like mine. Later he said to me, "Do you remember what the first thing you said to me was?" No, what? "They fucking robbed me, Larry!" I think the whole thing was just incredulous, the nerve. He was upset too, but I think he also felt badly that I had to go through that, and that we didn't have two employees to dissuade such things. But he was really proud too. He loved what I did, that I thought to do that with the phone.

It made it in the paper, the described the dog chase, the arrests, the pending court case. I said of course I'll testify. I realized I'm terrible at describing faces, and it was so stressful and shocking a situation, I wasn't even sure whether there were four guys or five, which is weird. And in going through the books of possible assailants, I found out that so many of these seemingly innocent customers, had been robbing us blind, all along. Way more than just this gang. Nice, 'sweet' kids, who smiled right in your face. I described them all to Larry. He knew of some from his other store. Sometimes he was trying to call me on the phone to warn me about this or that kid/guy or girl/woman who was in the area, and that I should watch out for them.

[AmandaYVR]

So my experience at that store is a mix of feeling proud in some ways (I was good with merchandising; and I caught many others using stolen credit cards - I got a reward from Visa for that, and trying to pass off counterfeit money), and really, really guilty in others. I should never have been on the phone like I was.

It wasn't the first time I'd had stuff stolen (and was not the last; there were many more incidences later in life, too), but it was the one and only time I was held up, mugged. And I've never let my guard down since. I've also never been called for jury duty, but if I ever am (which I would absolutely hate; I really resent the idea of spending my time on some asshole's fate - I think judges should do that, not citizens), I will make no bones about the fact that I have never committed a serious crime and have only been the victim, I am not impartial, I want convictions, I want to even the score (I don't believe in karma, but I believe in justice, big time), and I will always recommend the harshest punishment the law allows. Because fuck people who fuck other people.

[Marco10]

My gosh Amanda! I never expected you went through an experience like this. Glad you’re safe and sound. Fuck these people, they’re the worst. Anything that’s gang related disgusts me (sounds stupid said by someone who lives in Chicago I know). I always jokingly tell my friends that I wish we can do a task force with the goal of cleaning the whole country from thugs and gangs. That would be a dream come true to me. These motherfuckers go around shooting people, robbing stores, recruiting kids, dealing drugs, terrifying the elderly, etc. and they act tough behind their stupid fucking tattoos and ugly jewelry. They need to be dealt with.

[AmandaYVR]

Yeah surprising, huh. I'm glad it happened a long time ago and not by adults. I'm not still troubled by it at all but it was very shocking and felt surreal at the time. It's sort of interesting or maybe surprising, how I would characterize myself as having a pretty low stress threshold (I do feel stress pretty easily), but in really stressful situations, I'm very contained and not emotional at all. Not that I'm necessarily good in emergencies, but I'm still me, always thinking. The old cliche of men portraying women as hysterical pisses me off.
Yep, totally agree. I get excited just thinking about you putting a thief in the trunk of your car, tied up or duct taped, and delivered to the police station. I like justice, vigilante justice, and the idea of cleaning up cities. With scum (and bullies), the only thing that works is force, right back at 'em.

[NathanDavis]

@AmandaYVR The fact that you didn't act on impulse and kept your cool, even if you felt like fuming inside, that's actually a great thing in emergencies. Calculating moves while/after you observe the whole situation is one of the best things to do, if you're going to actually do something. Admirable, really.

[AmandaYVR]

@NathanDavis Thanks, Nathan. 💐

[Marco10]

@AmandaYVR I know many women who are much stronger and much more composed than many men. Glad you’re safe. Wish my car trunk was big enough lol.

[Hannah_le]

I haven’t and I guess because I’m aware of my surroundings but also I don’t leave valuable stuff visible for people to see. Umm as well I guess coming off normal too Im assuming they target people that don’t have the best body language and come off weak or not confident so yeh.

[Marco10]

Yes you’re right. Body language is most important as well as not wearing headphones/looking vulnerable.

[Anonymous]

https://youtu.be/XZkAdGGkO6g

I saw this guy coming a block away I was working 15 hour case exhausted so I hand him my badge told him to give your money your MetroCard and take off your shoes what I said take off your shoes boy toss them in the water over there, you better off going on welfare cuz that's a lot of safer than this trying to fuck with me now I know who you are and where you live you hobo your way back to Alabama fucking with me for what I remember he lived 40 blocks away that is a long walk without shoes and it's freezing outside a year later I found out he was working the local bar circuit music venue I pay him back with electric static earmuffs music can be very loud and OSHA issue in a bar setting. It was kind of cool I did not have to handcuffed nobody I did not have to shoot nobody but I was very fortunate many people are not so fortunate so please, don't try this at home.

[Marco10]

Lmao this is badass! Motherfuckers deserved it.

[Opinion Owner]

I even stole the bullies girlfriend in high school yeah don't try this at home kids but the pussy was worth it

[Anonymous]

In the parking lot, at a college, and it was pretty dark. He pretended that he had a gun, in his sweatshirt.
He obviously didn't expect the keys, and the slash across his cheek, and then the quick kick to his sack, and then, his head hit the pavement 3 or 4 times, somehow!
Ironically, I was just leaving a Kick-Boxing/Taekwondo class!!
No gun, and when campus police showed up, he had "fallen down" a few more times!
He got 36 months for attempted robbery, and resisting arrest, as he fought the police, when they came.
I was HAPPY TO TESTIFY against him!! Bastard!

[Marco10]

Good on you man. I hate these cowardly pigs. I’ve been preparing for an encounter like that almost my whole life.

[Opinion Owner]

@marco10 Don't make it out to be some "Hero" thing, dude!! I was scared shitless, and I didn't even realize I was reacting, and scratching his cheek with my keys, like the Instructor had taught (That class was mostly for women, and he couldn't call it "self-defense" because of some of the legal issues with the college. I had taken many of his Tae Kwon Do classes, and was Green Belt, and he aske me, and several other guys, to sign up, and take this class, mostly to be the "assailants" as he taught women to protect themselves!)
I NEVER, EVER wanted to be in a situation, like that, but I reacted, without thinking, based on what I learned.
KNOW how to defend yourself, but also know when to just get away!!! Just be safe, and don't try to be a hero, OK?

[Marco10]

I don’t try to be a hero. If I was put in a situation like that though, I guess my only option would be to fight.

[AmandaYVR]

Anon, your first comment is a complete 180° from your second. Everything about what you wrote portrayed YOU as a tough guy/badass/whatever you want to call it.

"Hero" implies saving someone. Being mugged, and what you described, is about fighting the attacker off and self-defence. Some are capable of that, and some are not.
I commend you for what you did, and that this asshole didn't get away with it.

But don't disparage Marco when all he did was support you, and bring up the topic here of a potentially similar self-defence situation. It's hypocritical of you, and you're actually gaslighting him here for no reason. Not cool.

[Opinion Owner]

@AmandaYVR You have seen too many movies, my dear!! I NEVER EVER want to be attacked, and NEVER want ANYONE to ever face that, and don't want to portray it, like it was some "Hero" thing! It happened, I defended myself, but I don't want anyone reading that, and thinking they can just go out, and do the same, not knowing what I know, and what I trained to do!
I don't know where you got this "Badass" IDEA from, but it wasn't my intent to give that impression!! I was scared shitless, and just reacted, because of what I was taught!!
I AM NOT, IN ANY WAY, endorsing any kind of vigilante, or "badass" bullshit idea that it seems you thought, from my post!! HELL NO!!
I was not, IN ANY WAY denying his response, and "disparaging" as you say!! I am saying that this happened to me, and I AM NOT SAYING PEOPLE SHOULD THINK THEY CAN DO THE SAME!!
Be safe, ALWAYS!! Get away!! Never fight any assailant, if you can just get AWAY!!
Please don't misunderstand!!

[AmandaYVR]

I know who you are. This is not about me (or Marco) "misunderstanding" anything. This is about your poor writing and communication skills (again) and putting the onus of blame on others when there is a reasonable interpretation of what you wrote.
You were boastful, and then you backtracked. You're a disagreeable contrarian. That's what's really going on here.
And we're done here. I'm not going further with this.

[Opinion Owner]

@AmandaYVR Sorry you can't understand, and you read into this, things that aren't there!
I did what I had to do, in THAT MOMENT, but I ALSO SAID, Don't do that, and run away, because most people haven't taken those classes I had, at that time, and I didn't want to make people think that they should fight, when it is ALWAYS BEST, to JUST GET AWAY!!!
FIGHTING IS THE LAST RESORT, and by what I was taught, I SCREWED UP!! I should have just slashed his cheek, and run away, got safe, and called the police!!
Why are you posting all this HATE ON me, when I was just talking about something that happened, and then telling others, THAT HAVEN'T HAD THE TRAINING, to just get away?
What is your problem?

[KrakenAttackin]

I was at a gas station, pumping gas, with my then wife and infant daughter in the car. Suddenly three black thugs started walking my way, one with a screw driver in his hand.

I gently shifted my stance, drew my.357 Magnum, and kept it down by my side. The three blacks saw my smoke wagon and quickly turned 90 degrees and went to the store.

[Marco10]

Motherfuckers asked for it

[NathanDavis]

Nobody has tried yet, but I'm just not a muggers first choice, the valuable items to vulnerability ratio is not the ideal... lol.

[Marco10]

Good!

[AmandaYVR]

Love this, Nathan! 💪 With your height and piercings, I know you're not bs'ing, too.

[NathanDavis]

@AmandaYVR lol... I've literally been skipped by a mugger, and then saw him go after the person walking behind me, and because I did stop and stare (I like to think that's why) the guy just took some cash and went away quick, not a full clean-up... lmao.

[Anonymous]

It was my first paycheck and I had just cashed it. I was walking down the street from the bus stop I just got off from. I was dumb and had my cash out, then a group of guys came out of nowhere and robbed me at scissor point. Yes, they were carrying around a pair of scissors and that’s what they used to rob me. No joke. It happened like that.

[Marco10]

Ugh man that sucks. I guess it’s a lesson learned.

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah. It was.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never been mugged but I’d assume you haven’t either. Judging by your profile picture, I’d steer clear from you if I was a mugger.!!

[Marco10]

If it was a fair fight, I would shred them to pieces. If they were armed and I wasn't, there's only so little I can do.

[Anonymous]

I never carry anything of obvious value, not even a purse/bag. I always make sure I have my mace on me, in the event somebody sketchy approaches me and I am always aware of my surroundings.

[Opinion Owner]

My mamma always told me "cammina con uno scopo" and I've always done so, it's important to hide any possible weaknesses, as muggers are more likely to steal from the weak.

[Marco10]

You have a wise mamma. Do you live in Italia or the US if you don’t mind me asking?

[DaveToo]

Walking under the railroad bridge from the base in New London, three tried to jump me. Two went to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, the third whimpered until the police came.

[Marco10]

Good on you man, motherfuckers asked for it

[DaveToo]

Did I mention, I have a black belt in Karate and Jujitsu?

[bolverk]

Someone tried to mug me but they were unprepared for my response, as they had been casing me for some time I was ready when they made there move and sent them home with a fresh set of lumps.

[Marco10]

Same thing almost happen to me once. A couple dudes followed me for a while and then I turned and they crossed the street. I don't know why I was followed but it didn’t reach the point of physical confrontation.

[J2ohhhhh]

I'm just too interesting to be mugged. Once group of people tried and we ended up having a conversation, me talking about myself.

[Marco10]

How did that go exactly

[J2ohhhhh]

They asked what's the time which was such a classic opening line before stealing someone's phone, that most people would just say, I don't know, I don't have a phone or something like that. I checked my phone and told them the time. And they were just staying there like wtf. And after few seconds of hesitation: "where are you from?"

[IAMNathanael]

Well, I've never been mugged but I've had my property stolen before. My bike was stolen at my work place.

[Stevefiveo]

I took out my 9mm and was like you asked the wrong guy! They couldn't run fast enough. Lol

[Marco10]

They mess with the wrong people sometimes

[hahahmm]

Yeah, when I was much younger. But since then I always carry a gun.

[jamesgoldman]

Never but I wear steel toe cap boots everywhere I go and can wrap my chain round my hand like a knuckleduster

[Diversity_Hire]

Nope. That said, I'm a fucking giant, and I'm armed.

[Anonymous]

They tried to but I had nothing on me to take and my wallet was empty since I was just a kid

[Astarlessnightsky]

i do nothing, i simply go out and not get mugged.

[exitseven]

I have never been mugged.

[blondfrog]

Yep I got stabbed too.

[legalboxers]

He didn’t know I was a volly LEO -

[JesseJayNeak]

Never happened before

[anylolone]

Because I'm insane.