I was followed at the mall yesterday....

[lacrosse_lady72]

It's funny because the same thing has happened to me 9 times in my life! I go to these places on vacation, one place is in California and the other in Florida and there is the gigantic mouse that seems to follow me around everywhere! There are even pictures of him all over the place! To make matters worse, he has some kind of gang that includes a second mouse, a pair of dogs and a pair of ducks ...

 

[dismom2]

I am totally paranoid and I think it is a good thing. Not only am I paranoid for myself but for other people I know as well.

For instance, we were out shopping yesterday and my friend was driving. So she parked the car and we went in the mall. I immediately had the feeling that we needed to go back out to the car. She thought I was crazy and whined the whole time walking about but we went back and the doors were all unlocked. Apparently her electronic key is losing batteries and didn't lock the car. She had most of her Christmas shopping locked up in her trunk. YIKES!

So it may not make you popular but being paranoid can be a good thing.

Anything I leave in my car, I try to hide or conceal by putting on the floor in the back (I have dark tinted windows) and put a jacket or whatever I have in the car, on top of it. If it's small enough, I put it under the seat. People can still break in, but if you have it in plain view I think the chances are better that your car will be targeted (not saying your things were in view, I'm just giving a tip for anyone). I try to be very safety conscious, thanks to my parents who are always paranoid of being a crime victim (but that's a good thing---helps you be more aware).
ETA: I always look in my car windows before I get in, too. Never know who may be hiding in the back seat!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

dismom2: That's funny because I had a similar experience in DTD. I learned from that experience to speak up for myself when I am not comfortable with a situation.

A bunch of us form Fantasyland went to a midnight showing at the AMC at DTD. This was back when PI was still open. Because of how crowded it was, I had to park way out in the back of the lot. I wasn't worried because at the time it was very crowded. We got out of our movie about 2 am. I asked if somebody would walk with me to my car and then I would drop them off at theirs, but nobody was willing to. I thought about asking security but figured I was just a scaredy cat.

I remember walking past several teenagers leaning on a car who were dressed in a stereotypical "gang" clothes. It made me uncomfortable, but I figured I was just being overly paranoid. Security passed me and I almost asked them to escort me to my car, but chickened out.

As I was walking across the lot, a large SUV saw me. They were heading towards the exit (the opposite direction from where I was headed.) When they saw me, the flipped a U-turn. I could see four large guys in it. I immediately sprinted to my car and they sped up. We reached my car at the same time and they opened their doors and started to get out. I jumped in my car (thank God for remotes!) and immediately slammed and locked the door. They got back in their SUV and sped off. I have never been so scared in my life!

To this day I don't know what would have happened. Maybe there just trying to mess with me, but I'm glad I never did find out. From then on, if I was at DTD (even the Marketplace) after dark, I always asked for an escort. They don't get many requests, but I just explain that I had a very bad experience in their lot and it scared me.

I wish more businesses would offer escorts. My first college was an all women's college, and that was one of the main jobs of our security staff was to excort girls after dark. My new campus supposedly offered it, but after trying it once and being directed to 911, I never used it again. It was a shame they didn't make it more user friendly, that same year there was a rape on campus.

OP: I'm glad you listened to your gut instincts. Better paranoid over nothing, than ignoring your instincts and getting hurt.

 

[Rafiki31]

Please be aware the creepy guy you SEE Is usually the distraction so his inconspicuoous friend can rob or pickpocket you. They work in creepy teams.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Once I was in the food store and this gross looking guy comes up to me and asks me how I'm paying for my items. I didn't think anything about it at all, and answered him "credit card." After a few minutes, I was thinking about it, and thought it was a wierd question since he obviously didn't work there (he was not well dressed, and very unkept looking). I kept walking around the store, and kept seeing him, went to check out, and told the cashier. He got the manager and he offered to have someone walk me to my car (I had my DD with me who was about 9 months at the time). I said it was OK, I don't need anyone.... untill I saw the guy sitting on a bench waiting for me. Then I asked for the biggest guy working that day to walk me out! Never have seen that guy again.

 

[Disney Doll]

Eeyore's...I am no longer so laissez faire when I am at DTD. I keep in mind that it is essentially open to the public and all the public isn't very nice.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I probably would have held tight to my purse, and asked the guy if he was (or why he was) following me, just to let him know I was on to him. I always keep my purse held tightly to me when I shop in a crowded place--you never know--pick pockets are good at what they do, and can take something without you even knowing. I'm not a good target for those people.

I would never confront the person. You never know what frame of mind the stalker is in. It's best to call security.

 

[clovergirl5]

My very first thought while reading your post was maybe he WAS Mall Security. But I wasn't there to see what he looked like or exactly how it went down, so obviously I'm probably wrong.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I have seen plain clothed security people follow customers around the store before.
If it wasn't, thank goodness you trusted your insticts and called someone.

 

[LBAK]

Were you in Roosevelt Field? I was there yesterday afternoon and security had several people and a few minutes laters the police arrived. I figured then that it was time for me to go!

 

[dismom2]

I would never confront the person. You never know what frame of mind the stalker is in. It's best to call security.

I guess it would depend on the situation. If it was a crowded store I would be more likely to say something (and I'd probably take into consideration how threatening or crazy the person looks--- so, I wouldn't do it in every case), but I might be worried that they might be waiting outside for me . I have asked for escorts to my car before, mostly at night--some stores just don't have adequet lighting in their parking lot. I try to park close to the front and walk very fast, and I have an alarm on my car remote control that I keep my fingers on.

It seems that more and more there are people approaching me in the grocery store parking lots---telling me they "ran out of gas" and need money. I wish stores would or could monitor their parking lots better. I don't like to shop at night-- it's a scary place out there---even in the safest neighborhoods--you can never be too safe or too cautious.

 

[minkydog]

I've been followed a few times myself, the latest was last summer in New Orleans. Dsis and I were walking around the French Quarter late in the afternoon. It was getting dark because it had been raining, but we didn't feel uncomfortable. That is, until we turned OFF Bourbon Street. I saw a guy step out from a doorway and he discreetly followed us for a couple blocks, gradually gaining on us. Thankfully, we came upon a little bar & grill and ducked inside. The guy walked on but he met my eyes as he passed and smirked. I don't know if he was playing with me or what, but it really made me uncomfortable.

 

[Bluestars]

It's a good thing you trusted your gut feeling. If my husband was nearby, I would have done the same thing and called him.

I've been robbed at a gas station once. Ever since then, I take the keys out of the ignition and lock the car when I am pumping the gas. Also, I make sure I never have to get gas late at night.

I have been followed twice. The first time was at 2 am in the morning when I was heading home. Someone kept making the same turns I was making. When I knew for sure I was being followed, I got very scared. I didn't know where the police station was because I was visiting from out of town. Luckily, I was able to lose him when a light was turning red and I made a quick left turn and the guy went straight. I saw him put on his brake lights, but I speeded up and the first chance I got turned off the main road.

The second time I was followed a friend was driving. She drove straight to the police station.

A friend of mine was walking with me at night in Las Vegas. We were walking through a parking lot. This guy was heading straight for us and looked like he was going to walk right in between us. Without talking, my friend and I both got the feeling the guy was going to rob us. We both held tight to our purses and glared at the guy. He turned at the last minute.

You can never be too careful.

 

[kim929]

That is so scarey... you always have to be on alert at all times.
When I was with my exh, we had a meat market, he was in the back traying the meat and I was in the front putting things in the case when this car pulled up to the door. There was a guy in it and he just kept staring at me, I kept calling the ex, but the ex being who he is took his time about getting out front. This guy was creepy. As soon as my ex walked around the wall to the front of the store, creepy man took off. He drove out of our parking lot across the street and killed the women working alone in her store. After that, I refused to work alone.

 

[OceanAnnie]

That is so scarey... you always have to be on alert at all times.
When I was with my exh, we had a meat market, he was in the back traying the meat and I was in the front putting things in the case when this car pulled up to the door. There was a guy in it and he just kept staring at me, I kept calling the ex, but the ex being who he is took his time about getting out front. This guy was creepy. As soon as my ex walked around the wall to the front of the store, creepy man took off. He drove out of our parking lot across the street and killed the women working alone in her store. After that, I refused to work alone.

Chilling!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

20-some years ago, when I was about 11-12, I had this happen to me. Every once in a while, my family and I went to dinner at one particular restaurant, and every time we went, I saw the same man there. He was always alone, and he always stared at me, watched every move I made, with this very creepy half-grin/smirk on his face. He made me very uncomfortable.

At the mall one day with my mother and grandmother, I saw the same man in the store. I didn't think he'd seen me, so in order to get away, I told my mother I was going to Record Town. I was wrong - the man followed me. As I was looking through the bins, he positioned himself on the opposite aisle, facing me, but between me and the door. Every time I moved further down, he moved with me. And he wasn't looking at the records - he was flipping through the bin, but staring at me out of the corner of his eye with the same creepy half-grin as always. After my mother showed up, he continued to stare and follow us until we left the mall. I don't remember when I finally lost the guy, but thankfully, I haven't seen him since I was a teenager.

 

[ChrisFL]

That is so scarey... you always have to be on alert at all times.
When I was with my exh, we had a meat market, he was in the back traying the meat and I was in the front putting things in the case when this car pulled up to the door. There was a guy in it and he just kept staring at me, I kept calling the ex, but the ex being who he is took his time about getting out front. This guy was creepy. As soon as my ex walked around the wall to the front of the store, creepy man took off. He drove out of our parking lot across the street and killed the women working alone in her store. After that, I refused to work alone.

thats horrible!

 

[ksumn1]

Such horrible stories. I really think intuition should be followed. If something seems wrong, scary or off ,take note. Kind of like when a kid doesn't like somebody...you should pay attention. They can't usually say why or verbalize it but they are often right. I've always paid attention when my kids aren't comfotable with someone.

One (male) friend of a friend often tagged along at events and my oldest DD (then 7) didn't like him. After a cookout one day, the guys were all playing cards and the women decided to go to the mall. The friend offered to babysit. DD didn't want to stay, said she didn't like Mr. XX cause he was weird to her So I took her with me, in my car. We came back a little early and XX was gone. DH said that another friend borrowed XX's car to get some beer and when he went to put it in the trunk, he foung kiddie porn that had fallen out of a bookbag in the back!! Needless to say, he was asked to leave and NEVER come back. Worst part was the images were apparently of little boys and girls who were about 6-9 years old. The guys didn't call the cops, or let anyone else but I was LIVID and so grateful that I listened to my DD because the thought of what could have happened is horrendous

 

[krcit]

Were you in Roosevelt Field? I was there yesterday afternoon and security had several people and a few minutes laters the police arrived. I figured then that it was time for me to go!

Sunrise mall. Roosevelt Field is too big for me, lol!!!



These are some creepy stories. Just goes to show you...follow your gut, at worst you may be a little embarrassed, at best you may save your life!

 

[wdw_girl_18]

These stories are so scary. I'll share mine.

A few months ago my mom told me she had stopped at walgreens before work, and some guy followed her almost all the way from the store to her car from the store. About a month ago my mom and I are in walgreens looking at makeup and right next to us is this same guy. We moved to the sun lotion section of the store, and there he is. Next we went on to find a notebook and surprise there is the guy. My mom and I got so scared at this point we ran to the cash register and paid quickly. We were so scared we could barely talk and ran to the car after we paid.

Its so hard to think when you know someone is following you, and they could have a gun That experience has me scared to death and I am so careful now. I also (as someone else previously said) always check the backseat of my car before I get in.

 

[surfergirl602]

As I am reading all of these scary stories of people being followed, I can't help but wonder.... WHY aren't any of you telling anyone? Why do you just run away??