I got an e-mail from a coworker, who got an e-mail from a friend, who got a bunch of e-mails from women who wanted everyone to know to be careful because people have tried to get in the passenger side of their cars.
I’ll leave you with a few of the tales (these weren’t reported to police, fyi), and just a reminder to stay alert to your surrounds. Also, lock your doors as soon as you get in your car. I’ve been saved a few times that way, myself:
Yes, a couple weeks ago I stopped at the ATM machine by the Spring House off Center Point Rd. (my new car automatically locks the doors when I get in and put it into drive) Thanks goodness! A young African American male came up from the apartment side of the driveway and tried to get into my passenger side of the car. He pulled on the door and then banged on my window to let him in. I was close enough to the ATM machine that I didn’t feel that he would come around to the other side but I still panic a bit. SCARY!!!!
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I had just been in Kmart across from Lindale Mall, and I just got into my car & started it. when this guy (a black male, about 35 yrs old, about 5’8) ran up to my car & got right up against the passenger’s side door & tried to get in! He was telling me to open the door, and I couldn’t see if he was pulling on the door handles, but I’m assuming he was. Luckily, my doors lock automatically when I put it into gear, because when this happened, everything went into slow motion & I got really flustered & couldn’t find the lock… So anyway, I couldn’t drive forward, because I was blocked by cars, so he just stayed there trying to get in & trying to get me to open the door. Finally I got a break in cars, and moved forward & he followed me for a bit, but then ran away. I was parked far out in the parking lot, that last car in the line, so that probably wasn’t a great idea, and something I’ll never do again when I’m shopping alone.
So- I have no idea if this guy wanted to rob me, ask me for money, ask for a ride, or if this was his weird way of trying to hit on me? No clue what this was, or what could have happened, if anything, but I’m just glad nothing happened and I’m glad it didn’t end up as a news story.
But, it was scary! I was really shaken up about it. It just left me feeling less safe. I’ve never really had something that bizarre happen to me in CR. So, I want all my girlfriends to be extra careful when they’re out shopping alone this Christmas season, or anytime! Because you just NEVER know!
Arrested Developments 
December 12, 2008 at 11:21 am
Why isn’t anyone reporting these incidents to the police!? You’re not helping the rest of the community that is not getting these emails or reading this blog.
December 15, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I’d have to agree with excelcorgi. If someone comes up to your car and tries to get in, that’s suspicious. The police need to be aware of such activity to protect others. Otherwise, they don’t have any information to be alert to the fact this is even going on. Then this guy might end up getting in someone else’s car and doing something far worse.
On the other hand, a lot of crime goes unreported. Mainly due to fear. Look at sexual assaults for an example. A staggering majority go unreported. The main reason is because victims don’t want to be revictimized through the legal process.