ho ho ho, my ass...no jolliness here at the moment
Hi everyone.
I know Rafe has already posted what happened. i'm just putting my version out for posterity. or whatever.
Also, i wanted to say thanks to you all, especially those who don't even know me, for the concern and the well-wishes. its nice to know people care when things like this happen, so, thanks everyone. y'all rock. ;) and now without further hesitation, my burble:
It’s been an absolutely hellacious week for me and with the season’s rush
and crush going into full gear, I’m sure it’s been crazy for all of you,
too. I just want to share what happened to me on Tuesday, because if it
could happen to me, it could happen to any of you - criminals seem to
share a methodological universal consciousness of sorts and well, this was
simultaneously the most frightening and infuriating thing that has ever
happened to me.
I have been picking up a bit of overtime at the office to try to have some
extra fun money for Christmas and well, they also needed the help. I left
my office at 7:00 and drove home - the route I take is not through the
most savory of areas, but it’s a 6-8 lane divided highway with a direct
ramp to the freeway (and shaves up to 45 minutes off my one-way commute
time). Anyway, I had just pulled up to the red light and I was about the
4th car back. Its not the best lit area, but there were other cars around
(none of whom eventually would stop to help me) and there’s a bus stop
right there, too. The on-ramp was literally less than 500 feet away. I
wasn’t feeling unsafe or in danger or anything.
Then, with absolutely no warning, my passenger side window exploded and
all of a sudden this grubby black man was halfway in my car, grabbed my
purse and my courier bag off the passenger seat and ran. I was terrified
for about .2 seconds and was screaming at him and then I must have lost my
mind because I put the car in park and took off running after him,
screaming and cursing. (He is very fortunate that I don’t have a gun.
That may change in the future.) Unfortunately, the jerk had a bicycle
stashed a small ways away and also had a 15 foot head start on me and I
was in a skirt and high heeled boots - not exactly running gear. He was
about my size and I was so angry, I just reacted. (I know Dad, that was
very stupid of me...don’t yell at me - the police, Ralph and my own
conscience have already scolded me quite sufficiently.) Obviously, I
didn’t catch him and immediately flagged down a car to find out where to
go for help. I ended up using the phone at the seafood mart across the
street.
This has made the news. Here’s a link with the story…and ironically, the
timestamp and date for the article is exactly when he was smashing my
window and making off with a chunk of my life. And yes, the guy in the
picture is indeed the same man who got me, albeit a bit skinnier and
dirtier in the face. I could just punch the computer screen if i thought
it would do any good.
http://www.msnbc.com/local/wdsu/a1912731.asp?vts=121020031009&cp1=1
Apparently, this has been happening in spurts - the man is a crack head
and wanted on multiple burglaries. He used a handful for quarter-sized
rocks to smash my window. He watches the police making their rounds and
as soon as they leave he strikes - it can be dark or broad daylight. He
targets women in cars. If i had been a man in a truck, this never would
have happened, i'm sure. Fortunately (or not) I got a good look at the
man and was able to ID him in police photos. This man not only violated
my personal space and property, he also got just about every piece of
personal ID I have.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE …DO NOT KEEP YOUR PURSE OR BAGS OR ANYTHING ON THE
SEAT OF YOUR CAR!!! Put it under the seat or in the trunk. I know it’s
initially an inconvenience, but you can’t imagine what a major
inconvenience what I’m going through is. Or at least I hope you can’t
imagine. Be safe. If my door had been unlocked, I can only imagine what
would have happened. In that sense, I’m lucky.
So, now how do I pick up and move on? Well, I'm still really angry. I
don’t like waiting at red lights. I’m rather jumpy, especially if
strangers are walking by or standing there, both in my car and out of it.
I guess this will all fade with time, but it really stinks at the moment.
At least as of Thursday, I have my new window and the night it happened I
managed to close down all my accounts. I now have a new checking account,
a new drivers license and a new swipe card for my apartment. (They were
able to cancel the other ones so at least I know he can’t get to my house
with the swipe of a card.) This has been a bad scare and a real pain in
the butt…especially since I hadn’t finished my Christmas shopping yet.
Bah.
The list of what he took is typical i suppose, but it makes me sad to
think how many important things were wiped out in a few small seconds. He
got my check book (which i don't usually even carry with me!) less than
$20 in cash and change, my SS card, my 3 credit cards (2 good and 1
expired one), my driver's license, my swipe card to enter my apartment
complex, my palm pilot, my 3 boxes of un-opened Christmas cards that were
fully intended to be sent this weekend, a book, pictures of the animals
from survival center, family and friends, my health insurance card, my
house keys for Mom and Dad’s in Buffalo and DP’s apartment in Brooklyn, my
ATM card, and various other personal things.
I am beyond angry. Please note that all of your addresses/phone numbers
and email addresses were in my palm pilot. I’m pretty sure he just sold
it for drug money or ditched it and some other junkie did, but I wanted to
make everyone aware in case anything weird shows up in your
mailbox/emailbox. I’m very sorry if it inconveniences anyone.
I guess I’m just glad I’m safe and was able to ID him. If/when they catch
him, I’ll absolutely testify. And hopefully get close enough to kick him
hard enough that he passes out. Grrrrrrrrr.
Anyway, please, all of you, be safe, be smart and know I love you all. I
just wanted to spread the not-so-good-news with the warning. I’d really
hate for this to happen to anyone else because it always happens when you
think things are hunky-dory.
I hope you're all well. Talk to you soon and please be patient if my
Christmas cards may be a bit late this year.
I know Rafe has already posted what happened. i'm just putting my version out for posterity. or whatever.
Also, i wanted to say thanks to you all, especially those who don't even know me, for the concern and the well-wishes. its nice to know people care when things like this happen, so, thanks everyone. y'all rock. ;) and now without further hesitation, my burble:
It’s been an absolutely hellacious week for me and with the season’s rush
and crush going into full gear, I’m sure it’s been crazy for all of you,
too. I just want to share what happened to me on Tuesday, because if it
could happen to me, it could happen to any of you - criminals seem to
share a methodological universal consciousness of sorts and well, this was
simultaneously the most frightening and infuriating thing that has ever
happened to me.
I have been picking up a bit of overtime at the office to try to have some
extra fun money for Christmas and well, they also needed the help. I left
my office at 7:00 and drove home - the route I take is not through the
most savory of areas, but it’s a 6-8 lane divided highway with a direct
ramp to the freeway (and shaves up to 45 minutes off my one-way commute
time). Anyway, I had just pulled up to the red light and I was about the
4th car back. Its not the best lit area, but there were other cars around
(none of whom eventually would stop to help me) and there’s a bus stop
right there, too. The on-ramp was literally less than 500 feet away. I
wasn’t feeling unsafe or in danger or anything.
Then, with absolutely no warning, my passenger side window exploded and
all of a sudden this grubby black man was halfway in my car, grabbed my
purse and my courier bag off the passenger seat and ran. I was terrified
for about .2 seconds and was screaming at him and then I must have lost my
mind because I put the car in park and took off running after him,
screaming and cursing. (He is very fortunate that I don’t have a gun.
That may change in the future.) Unfortunately, the jerk had a bicycle
stashed a small ways away and also had a 15 foot head start on me and I
was in a skirt and high heeled boots - not exactly running gear. He was
about my size and I was so angry, I just reacted. (I know Dad, that was
very stupid of me...don’t yell at me - the police, Ralph and my own
conscience have already scolded me quite sufficiently.) Obviously, I
didn’t catch him and immediately flagged down a car to find out where to
go for help. I ended up using the phone at the seafood mart across the
street.
This has made the news. Here’s a link with the story…and ironically, the
timestamp and date for the article is exactly when he was smashing my
window and making off with a chunk of my life. And yes, the guy in the
picture is indeed the same man who got me, albeit a bit skinnier and
dirtier in the face. I could just punch the computer screen if i thought
it would do any good.
http://www.msnbc.com/local/wdsu/a1912731.asp?vts=121020031009&cp1=1
Apparently, this has been happening in spurts - the man is a crack head
and wanted on multiple burglaries. He used a handful for quarter-sized
rocks to smash my window. He watches the police making their rounds and
as soon as they leave he strikes - it can be dark or broad daylight. He
targets women in cars. If i had been a man in a truck, this never would
have happened, i'm sure. Fortunately (or not) I got a good look at the
man and was able to ID him in police photos. This man not only violated
my personal space and property, he also got just about every piece of
personal ID I have.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE …DO NOT KEEP YOUR PURSE OR BAGS OR ANYTHING ON THE
SEAT OF YOUR CAR!!! Put it under the seat or in the trunk. I know it’s
initially an inconvenience, but you can’t imagine what a major
inconvenience what I’m going through is. Or at least I hope you can’t
imagine. Be safe. If my door had been unlocked, I can only imagine what
would have happened. In that sense, I’m lucky.
So, now how do I pick up and move on? Well, I'm still really angry. I
don’t like waiting at red lights. I’m rather jumpy, especially if
strangers are walking by or standing there, both in my car and out of it.
I guess this will all fade with time, but it really stinks at the moment.
At least as of Thursday, I have my new window and the night it happened I
managed to close down all my accounts. I now have a new checking account,
a new drivers license and a new swipe card for my apartment. (They were
able to cancel the other ones so at least I know he can’t get to my house
with the swipe of a card.) This has been a bad scare and a real pain in
the butt…especially since I hadn’t finished my Christmas shopping yet.
Bah.
The list of what he took is typical i suppose, but it makes me sad to
think how many important things were wiped out in a few small seconds. He
got my check book (which i don't usually even carry with me!) less than
$20 in cash and change, my SS card, my 3 credit cards (2 good and 1
expired one), my driver's license, my swipe card to enter my apartment
complex, my palm pilot, my 3 boxes of un-opened Christmas cards that were
fully intended to be sent this weekend, a book, pictures of the animals
from survival center, family and friends, my health insurance card, my
house keys for Mom and Dad’s in Buffalo and DP’s apartment in Brooklyn, my
ATM card, and various other personal things.
I am beyond angry. Please note that all of your addresses/phone numbers
and email addresses were in my palm pilot. I’m pretty sure he just sold
it for drug money or ditched it and some other junkie did, but I wanted to
make everyone aware in case anything weird shows up in your
mailbox/emailbox. I’m very sorry if it inconveniences anyone.
I guess I’m just glad I’m safe and was able to ID him. If/when they catch
him, I’ll absolutely testify. And hopefully get close enough to kick him
hard enough that he passes out. Grrrrrrrrr.
Anyway, please, all of you, be safe, be smart and know I love you all. I
just wanted to spread the not-so-good-news with the warning. I’d really
hate for this to happen to anyone else because it always happens when you
think things are hunky-dory.
I hope you're all well. Talk to you soon and please be patient if my
Christmas cards may be a bit late this year.