Man followed my car into garage last night!

[Molliday]

I'm responding without reading the rest of the posts, but something similar happened to the lady that lives next door to my sister.

Instead, she stopped in her driveway to wait for her garage door to fully open, and while she waited, a man opened her door and stuck a gun in her face. He took her 3 carat diamond wedding ring and a Rolex watch. One of them - I can't remember which - was found a remarkable three years later in a pawn shop.

She worked retail in a very ritzy part of town, and the police think he saw her at work (and her bling) and followed her home.

Unfortunately I see stories like this in the news here, and the outcomes are often fatal. You must be incredibly shaken!

 

[wenrob]

Peper spray. I also have a fake tazer (dosnt work or anything) but it looks threating.

Not a great idea. That's like having a gun without bullets. If you're going to carry a weapon it should be in full working order and you should know how to use it. If you're not prepared to actually use a weapon then you should not carry one. A bluff will not be enough and could cost you your life.

OP, so glad that you are safe. I think you did all the right things with what you had. Motion detectors are a good idea. Please follow up on this guy. I'm with the previous poster that even if he worked for the cable company he was certainly still up to no good.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

OP do you happen to live in Long Island, NY? I saw something similar on the news last night and again this morning:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/long_island&id=7798096

 

[Anna_Marie]

I like the motion detector idea. We have no lights around us and I love it at night when we pull up.

 

[Evil Genius]

Pepper spray is your friend. You can buy it on the internet for about $2.00

 

[npmommie]

Pepper spray is your friend. You can buy it on the internet for about $2.00

here you have to buy it from a firearms dealer in state, and you have to have an FID card to carry it.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

Whether he checked out as being an employee of the cable company or not, I would not believe for a second that he was there on company business that night. He may very well have been an employee who was using his job as a cover to attack women. If you haven't already done so, you must report this to the cable company!

 

[shortbun]

When you call 911 from your cell phone, immediately tell the operator where you are because your call phone does not identify like home phones do.

 

[dawson5]

When you call 911 from your cell phone, immediately tell the operator where you are because your call phone does not identify like home phones do.

I think it's gotten better, not sure if it's 100% yet. Hubby was in Wisc. for a meeting for work. He was with other people and one of the guys accidentally butt-dialed 911. They followed the signal to his hotel room, where it was originally called from, they ascertained that nothing had happened in his room and then followed signal to a bar. He was there with a group of people, all for the same meeting, when the police approached asking if he was "John Doe."


Also, there was an article in the newspaper about troops not using some of the applications available on facebook via cell phones, because it could put their location in jeopardy.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=631282&publicationSubCategoryId=200

 

[disneychic2]

I also did not read all the replys, but wanted to say when I was a single parent I was advised to always pull into my garage and close the garage door behind me before I got out. I know your husband was right behind you, but for those times he's not, or for others reading this, it's a great idea I think. Carrying pepper spray is also a great idea. As are the motion sensor lights.

So glad everything turned out okay. What a scary thing for you to have to endure!

 

[kristina87]

I fully agree, I have motion lights on every corner of the house and 3 in front of the garage. I don't live in a bad area, but you just never know. My family is a police family and my dad is always telling me safety tips. I just moved to a house 3 hours away from my family so DBF can start residency, an alarm system and motion lights make me feel 100% better when he is on night shift for certain rotations.

I worked in a jail for 4 years in college and I was always told that lighting is one of the biggest crime deterrents, it can even save your life. One tip I have for people that are afraid of break ins is to keep your porch and backporch lights on all night. This has always made me feel safe because who wants to try to get into a door that is all lit up? Not saying they wont try but it's far less likely to happen. Our alarm system has a motion feature so when we go to bed, we turn it on and lock ourselves in the room, and in the case that someone gets in through a window or something, the motion detects it and lets out a loud WHOOPing sound and directly alerts the police, no matter what. Its great!

I'm so happy you're alright, I would have been terrified and honestly would have gotten in the car and probably turned him into a "Speedbump" as a previous poster said

theres no price on your life or safety!!

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

Peper spray. I also have a fake tazer (dosnt work or anything) but it looks threating.

just my opinion but i think the fake tazer thing is a very bad idea. you can get a real tazer or shocking device for pretty cheap these days. If it comes down to it and you really need to use it, if and when the creep finds out its fake or not working, it may really make things get worse for you. If you are going to pretend to have a tazer, you should just have the real thing. Peper spray sometimes will stop someone, sometimes though you miss, sometimes YOU get some spray on you and you get disabled, i would just suggest getting a real tazer and toss the fake one.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Id pepper spray him so fast!!! or you can keep wasp spray but the car door exit. That sprays even more then pepper

 

[disneyhand]

I was gone all day, drove home about 7 PM. It was pitch dark out, cold (going to snow soon) The house was all dark, too. I used the garage door opener and drove in and parked. As I was exiting the car, a man was RIGHT THERE, behind me! This is a residential neighborhood, only houses are on the street and on all the streets surrounding this area.

He asked me where I'd been and said he knew I'd been gone all day. CREEPY!

I was dumbfounded. I also knew my husband was right behind me, (having caught the light red turning into our development)

He asked me questions about what was in the house !!??!! Wanted to have a conversation and sell me something... I raised my voice and told him to LEAVE NOW! He laughed at me... I had my cell phone in my hand and called 911 as soon as that happened.

He kept standing there asking why was I upset and why was I yelling at him.

Right. Soon I was screaming for help, screaming "GET AWAY FROM ME", he kept standing there.

Finally he sloooowly walked away. 911 was listening as this went on.

My husband then pulled up and found me shaking, talking to the 911 operator. The creep was 2 driveways away.

The police caught him 6 driveways down. Evidently his 'excuse' is he works for the local cable company and wanted us (me) to change something or other. Right. In the pitch dark. Outside on a cold night. He finds a willing customer by following her car into a residential garage. And what's with him knowing I was gone "all day"?

SOOooo I discovered my screaming alerted ZERO neighbors. Nobody was outside on a cold November night, all windows were closed.

What do you do/use to feel safe? What do your daughters do/use? My dd told me she carries a "rape alarm" on her key ring, it shreeeeks when pulled on.... but, frankly, its more annoying than loud....

Is there a product out there that will scream even louder? Attract more attention? Perhaps something to keep on my car key ring? I have a very old unused can of pepper spray, but it is in my linen closet, did me no good sitting there last night. I WOULD have used it if I'd had it with me.

This is so creepy and just wrong on the part of any cable company employee. I hope you pursue it.

The beginning of your story sounds like the opening to an episode of "Criminal Minds" TV show.

I'm so glad you're ok!

 

[Diznygrl]

People think I'm nuts, but I keep my door locked an deadbolted when I am home in the house. Not taking any chances.

Holy cow, I think it's nuts NOT to keep the doors locked at all times, especially the front door.

 

[onelilspark]

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

This!

Thank God you are ok ! He was up to no good I am sure.
I know this is of no help to you because there was no one that you could see around but if you are ever in a situation that others can hear you for sure . Yell FIRE ! I swear before I married my DH I dated a police officer and he taught me that . One of my DD friends was being robbed in the parking garage at the mall and was yelling for help and no one came then she said she remembered what I told her about yelling FIRE . Yelled it and everyone looked . He was trying to shove her into her car when she thought of it . He already had her dang purse and he wanted her !

As for feeling safe I have a gun and a very large Rottie for home.

My Mom taught me that when I was little. We'd go down to the shore every year and she'd let my brother and I play in the arcade. If anyone tried to take us, she told me you yell "FIRE." Don't scream, don't cry, just yell "FIRE." A good little helpful reminder

People think I'm nuts, but I keep my door locked an deadbolted when I am home in the house. Not taking any chances.

Holy cow, I think it's nuts NOT to keep the doors locked at all times, especially the front door.

And this too! I grew up outside of Philly, in the burbs, so fairly safe, but I was still taught how to protect myself when I went into the city. Our doors were always locked and we had an alarm system. So for me, it's just second nature to always have the door locked, even if I'm home...actually, especially if I'm home. I can always replace a TV or a lap top, I can't replace me!

My fiancé's parents, who currently live outside Burlington, VT, were nervous when they came to visit and noticed that as soon as I let them in, I locked the door. His Mom let out with, "Oh, isn't this a safe area?" My fiancé laughed at them and said, "Oh, it's perfectly safe, she's just paranoid." Darn straight!

 

[cm8]

I was gone all day, drove home about 7 PM. It was pitch dark out, cold (going to snow soon) The house was all dark, too. I used the garage door opener and drove in and parked. As I was exiting the car, a man was RIGHT THERE, behind me! This is a residential neighborhood, only houses are on the street and on all the streets surrounding this area.

He asked me where I'd been and said he knew I'd been gone all day. CREEPY!

I was dumbfounded. I also knew my husband was right behind me, (having caught the light red turning into our development)

He asked me questions about what was in the house !!??!! Wanted to have a conversation and sell me something... I raised my voice and told him to LEAVE NOW! He laughed at me... I had my cell phone in my hand and called 911 as soon as that happened.

He kept standing there asking why was I upset and why was I yelling at him.

Right. Soon I was screaming for help, screaming "GET AWAY FROM ME", he kept standing there.

Finally he sloooowly walked away. 911 was listening as this went on.

My husband then pulled up and found me shaking, talking to the 911 operator. The creep was 2 driveways away.

The police caught him 6 driveways down. Evidently his 'excuse' is he works for the local cable company and wanted us (me) to change something or other. Right. In the pitch dark. Outside on a cold night. He finds a willing customer by following her car into a residential garage. And what's with him knowing I was gone "all day"?

SOOooo I discovered my screaming alerted ZERO neighbors. Nobody was outside on a cold November night, all windows were closed.

What do you do/use to feel safe? What do your daughters do/use? My dd told me she carries a "rape alarm" on her key ring, it shreeeeks when pulled on.... but, frankly, its more annoying than loud....

Is there a product out there that will scream even louder? Attract more attention? Perhaps something to keep on my car key ring? I have a very old unused can of pepper spray, but it is in my linen closet, did me no good sitting there last night. I WOULD have used it if I'd had it with me.

, I would have injured him with the quickness, while reaching into my bag retrieving my "piece", I would have been so terrified myself, but I would have regained composure long enough to use my CWP on him. Thank God you were not harmed in any way. I would be freaked out that he was following you.
Please get a OOP against him he sounds.

 

[rodeo65]

So glad you're ok and your husband was right behind you. Great that you called 911 so quickly as well. I used to be much more trusting (naieve) and thought most people were basically good people. Probably they were, but I do think there is so much more crime due to drug use and addictions as well as people in dire financial situations that you just can't trust these days.

A couple of years ago we lived in an area that had see it's fair share of break ins. In fact our van was broken into in our own driveway and the DVD player stolen out of the ceiling while we were home and asleep. The garage was cleared out and the van moved inside that night. Then within a year DH's car was broken into and any spare change stolen from his console. I still always felt realtively safe because my DH is a really big guy and worked from home. One afternoon the doorbell rang and I went to answer it. It was an alarm company guy trying to sell us (even after seeing our no solicitation sign hanging at eye level). I said no thanks and tried to close the door but he put his foot in and wouldn't let me close it. I called my husband who threw him off the porch. He actually called the cops on US.

The cops came and took his statement and then came to talk to us. He said the guy said we stole his ID badge?!?

The cop came back after and told us he was holding the guy waiting for someone to come pick him up because he was unfit to drive. I didn't smell any alcohol on him so maybe he was high. He was definitely aggressive. I don't think in this case he was trying to harm me, he was just going to try to bully me into a sale (great tactic - does that actually work on people?), but we made sure to contact his company and file a complaint.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

ACK! How scary!!

I had read about people rolling into the garage as the door is closing so you are trapped in the garage with them, so I tend to leave the door up when I get out of the car. Then I close the door and watch it go down so I can be sure nobody is in the garage when I unlock the door to the house.

This presents a whole other dilemma.

 

[dismom2]

Very scary indeed! Glad you're OK. We have motion detection lights outside the garage, and keep porch and patio lights on all night. We also have an alarm system for our house, and motion detectors inside. Our dogs are very annoying because they bark at everything, even if someone is out front (even if the door is closed, they still hear or sense people out there) but I appreciate it, for safety reasons.

I can't remember if you said you have dogs? How about putting a doggie door in the garage. If someone enters your garage, I'm sure they would run out there. If they heard you scream, they'd run out there. Dogs always help me feel safer.

I also carry pepper spray that a police officer friend of mine gave me. I keep my doors locked when I am inside, too. We've not been victims, and live in a decent area, yet I get accused of being paranoid, too. I call it being safe! So, don't ever listen to anyone who accuses you of being paranoid. You are just being smart and safe. Better to be safe than sorry.

I saw on TV that it's not a good idea to have a lot of bushes for criminals to hide in, either. And close your curtains at night, and just be aware of cars lurking around that look suspicious. I have a couple very nosy neighbors, and I'm glad---we all keep an eye on the neighborhood.

Again, glad you are OK. Def. call the cable company.