Baby carriage used as decoy in robbery

[seamusTX]

In Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania (Harrisburg area), January 2, someone pushed a baby carriage into the road in front of an oncoming car. The driver could not brake or maneuver quickly enough to avoid hitting the carriage.

When he got out of the car to investigate, a woman came and took the baby carriage. At the same time, a robber poked the driver in the back and demanded his wallet.

At some point in the confrontation, the victim was struck on the head.

The robbers escaped.

http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0109/582570.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How can we avoid falling prey to a similar exploit?

- Jim

[Purplehood]

Only options I see are having a wingman or driving on. As neither are viable to the majority of us, you can only try to keep situational awareness in a stressful situation.

[CodeJockey]

My thoughts exactly, situational awareness is key. This is a horrifying tactic.

[WildBill]

In Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania (Harrisburg area), January 2, someone pushed a baby carriage into the road in front of an oncoming car. The driver could not brake or maneuver quickly enough to avoid hitting the carriage.

When he got out of the car to investigate, a woman came and took the baby carriage. At the same time, a robber poked the driver in the back and demanded his wallet.

At some point in the confrontation, the victim was struck on the head.

The robbers escaped.

http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0109/582570.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How can we avoid falling prey to a similar exploit?

- Jim

This, and similar ploys are very common in Mexico. A seemingly bleeding or injured person will flag down passing motorists. The advice the Mexicans gave me was simple - "Don't Ever Stop!"

Of course, in the U.S. you would be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, if it was a real accident and someone was injured.

[anygunanywhere]

Spreading the word about these traps and discussing them with your loved ones is a great idea.

Anygunanywhere

[seamusTX]

Criminals use many lures and scams like this:

• Lady in distress by the side of the road with her boyfriend hiding in the car
• Pedestrian telling you your tire is low or there's something hanging underneath your car
• Driver bumping you from behind to get you to get out and look at the damage

It's almost enough to make you paranoid.

- Jim

[Fangs]

I've always stopped and helped people with flats on the side of the road. It helps to have a real jack in the trunk as opposed to the flimsy little thing that comes with a spare tire. Then again I'm young, in shape and have faith that I can handle myself if a situation arises. Maybe I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky too...

Gun held to your back? We covered that on day two in ninja training.

Seriously though, I do pay close attention to my surroundings in situations like that, and usually if there's a guy there already getting to work on the tire I'll just keep going. I just know how helpless my mother or sister are in a situation like that ("I can't unscrew the bolts, it's too tight"), and I know that the best thing that could happen is for a guy like me to help them.

Haven't done that since I got my CHL though, but then again I don't drive around as much as I used to.

[WildBill]

It's a shame that the predators of the world deter some people from helping those in need.

[seamusTX]

If a woman really has a flat tire, the situation probably is what it seems. If it's day time and the road is well traveled, it's probably not a criminal setup.

At night and in a somewhat deserted place, I would be very cautious.

A friend of mine stopped to help a woman in that kind of situation once. As he was getting out of his car, he saw someone hunched down in the other car. So he jumped back into his car and took off.

- Jim

[SlowDave]

It makes me very sad to think that we can't stop and help each other anymore because of a few "bad apples." I have been helped many times on the road, esp. back in college when I drove heaps from Texas to south Florida. I think I will continue to stop and help people, while being very wary, when it seems appropriate. I might lose on one of these, but I'm not willing to take the other option. If I die while helping someone, and also while doing my best to be wary, well then so be it I guess.

I did stop for a lady and her daughter a few months ago (when I had my CHL). They were alone, daytime, on a small highway west of San Antonio (not interstate). They had a water leak and had overheated and needed water. I was on a motorcycle and they seemed very unsure of me, which was okay with me. (I'd hope my wife and kids would be very suspect/guarded of a stranger who stopped to help them.) I was uncomfortable with the fact that my weapon was in my saddlebag and I'd basically have had to open it and arm myself in their sight, which I thought would really freak them out, so I didn't, although there was a good bit of risk in that. Another reason for carrying on my person vs. in the saddlebag, but other reasons to go the opposite direction.

[reechelle]

Yet another reason to teach your daughter/wife a little about cars. I had to learn to change a tire and the oil, check and fill all fluids, and other basics when I started driving. I also picked up quite a bit from my husband working on various cars over the past 17 years. My mom and I were stuck outside of a bar with a flat just outside of Austin about 12 years ago. I knew how to change the tire, but I was pregnant, so I was in the process of walking my mom through it when a trucker stopped and helped us. Several people came in and out of the bar, but none offered to help. We were very grateful for his help, but very cautious. I also had several cars that would stall on me occasionally. I just learned how to deal with it myself, so I could wave off anyone who stopped, although I was grateful.

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum, Reechelle.

Women need to be able to handle these issues, so that they don't fall victim to ill-intentioned "helpers."

If nothing else, they need to have a subscription to some automobile club or insurance program that they can call for help.

- Jim

[BluHog]

Another reason for carrying on my person vs. in the saddlebag, but other reasons to go the opposite direction.

I ride 98% of the time and will be carrying eventually. I'd be interested to hear more about that last sentence quoted above. However, that would probably be "off-topic" so a PM would be fine or maybe another thread? There might be one here (carrying while riding) but I'm still wandering aimlessly through everything here and I haven't seen one.

Thanks.