Man followed my car into garage last night!

[KAMLEM]

As soon as I pull in the garage I close the garage door and watch it close behind me before I even get out of the car.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Get a concealed carry permit. A handgun makes plenty of noise and has other benefits as well.

 

[hentob]

This is awful!

Are you going to press trespassing charges? I would.

 

[phred52]

Thanks for the support guys!

Motion sensor lights are going up this weekend. Although the car will trigger that when I pull in...... I'm also going to be sitting and waiting for the door to close behind the car before I exit, while I watch in the mirror.

I'll shop around for a small air horn, too. Thats for my piece of mind, I don't think my screaming was very loud because I was trying tooo hard.

Yes, I heard on the police radio that they had the guy, and that he had ID for the cable company. I mentioned to "my policeman" that the creep needed education in how to approach customers and to learn that "LEAVE NOW!" means turn around and walk away, NOT consider that permission to continue to stand there, smiling & asking questions. eesch! Last I knew he was in the back of the police car, and the cops were not happy with him.

 

[phred52]

Get a concealed carry permit. A handgun makes plenty of noise and has other benefits as well.

You made me laugh out loud! You are absolutely right, I'll think on that suggestion.

 

[hentob]

Thanks for the support guys!

Motion sensor lights are going up this weekend. Although the car will trigger that when I pull in...... I'm also going to be sitting and waiting for the door to close behind the car before I exit, while I watch in the mirror.

I'll shop around for a small air horn, too. Thats for my piece of mind, I don't think my screaming was very loud because I was trying tooo hard.

Yes, I heard on the police radio that they had the guy, and that he had ID for the cable company. I mentioned to "my policeman" that the creep needed education in how to approach customers and to learn that "LEAVE NOW!" means turn around and walk away, NOT consider that permission to continue to stand there, smiling & asking questions. eesch! Last I knew he was in the back of the police car, and the cops were not happy with him.

I would press this. I would NOT let it go.

 

[RitaZ.]

Get a concealed carry permit. A handgun makes plenty of noise and has other benefits as well.

How would that have worked in the OP's situation? The guy surprised her. Was she supposed to tell the guy to wait while she retrieved the gun out of the car or wherever it is kept/stored?

.

 

[dicar123]

Utterly terrifying! I'm so glad you're ok!

I just can't get over the guy not seeming phased by how upset you were! If I ever have to pull my phone out and call 911 and the guy doesn't immediately run away...I don't even know what I'd do.

 

[manning]

I carry my keys in my fist....in case I have to hit someone.


:

This is how you want to hold your keys

http://thinklikeablackbelt.com/blog/the-key-to-using-keys-in-self-defense/

 

[bellebud]

so have you complained his job? I definitely would!

 

[dis-happy]

I wonder if this is grounds to get a restraining order on him. I'd certainly try! Also, definitely make a formal complaint to the place he works.

We live in a very nice neighborhood. My neighbor down the street came home one night then rolled the garbage can out. A car pulled up with 2 guys who aimed a gun at him and stole his wallet. He and his wife had just come home from dinner out and they think he was followed from the restaurant.

You can't be too careful. Glad you were okay.

 

[NotUrsula]

The air horn is still a good idea because most people will not tolerate the noise well up close -- it is a good way to make someone who is not really bent on mayhem go away. (I'd call 911 before using it, however.)

We have an adult assisted living facility near my home, and sometimes the residents come wandering around the neighborhood. Most of them are actually harmless, but most of them are also brain-damaged in some way, and they often don't understand when they frighten people. There was one man in particular who used to just show up and stand on porches and under carports, often because he wanted to get out of weather -- asking him to leave did no good; he would go when he was ready. I first encountered him standing on my front porch one day not long after we moved in, and he scared the beejeezus out of me. (His face was rather frightening if you encountered it without warning; he was heavily scarred and missing an eye, so at first it appeared that he was wearing a rubber mask.) He died about 2 years after that; I was told that someone ran him down with a car in the dark.

 

[Darcy03231]

I have a concealed carry permit and carry a Smith & Wesson. Not too many people are going to stick around faced with that!

 

[bbwfan]

Depending on the model of garage opener you have, you can set it to close faster or slower...have someone set it to faster. I was worried about this too and had my door set to close at a faster speed. And my husband thinks I am crazy, but I lock my car doors even when it is in a locked garage!!! In the am I get in start the car, then press the opener and drive out. press the opener and watch the door shut!!! Safety first

 

[catycatcat4]

Wow i would have threatened to back the car over him if he didn't leave.
I would carry pepper spray and or a pocket knife for safety.

Hope he gets charged with somthing.

 

[onelilspark]

I think the best thing you can do is just be aware of your surroundings. I've been told I'm paranoid, but if I even think a car is following me, I don't pull into my garage. I have to drive around the block to get to my place--1 way street--so if anyone who lives before me is coming home at the same time, I tend to think they're following me, so I've had to circle a time or two!

The only time I think someone was actually following me was when I was a teenager on my way home from work I stopped at a Wendys. Guys behind me didn't order anything and pulled out after me. I pointed my car in the direction of the police station (make sure you know how to get to the closest station!) and they turned off right before I hit the station.

When I'm walking at night, my keys are out in my hand (thanks for that link, good to know I do it right!) And I love the car alarm tip.

My motto when people tell me that I'm paranoid is that I'd rather be paranoid than dead.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Glad you are ok but you must have been a little (or a lot) freaked out. We have conceal carry and the gun must be on your person.Not just randomly in the car. Big dogs help too that greet you at the garage. and then the motion lights, the alarm system, etc, Glad your husband was behind you coming home.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Afterthought. I will not even pull over for the police until I am in a well lit, public parking area. Paranoid, yes, alive, yes!

 

[surfergirl602]

Have you called the cable compnay to complain? I would!

Umm... the guy was more than likely NOT from the cable company. I've heard and read lots of stories about how they say that to get into your house to either hurt you or rob you.

ETA: I just read the post that he was from the company... but do you know how easy it is to make a fake id badge?

 

[surfergirl602]

You made me laugh out loud! You are absolutely right, I'll think on that suggestion.

We have a sign above our front door:

This house is protected by the good Lord and a gun.

We have about 6 firearms in our home, and even my kids know how to use them. Not that they do... but they've gone to the firing range, taken hunters safety courses, and my 10yo goes hunting with dad and is pretty darn good with a rifle. (My oldest kids are all girls, btw )