www.chirpthird.com: A strange thing happened last night

This is topic A strange thing happened last night in forum SSOA: "Back Porch" at www.chirpthird.com.

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Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

Mel, Bret & I went to the grocery store, a different one than we normally do, but still a busy area, well lit and around 7 pm.

We came out of the store and were walking towards my car. I saw a guy, he looked pretty scuzzy, walking towards SScarlt. He went kind of wide around the passenger side from behind and started getting closer as he came around the front. I had the keys in hand and was hitting the lock button to get the lights and sound to go off. I was very frustrated when that wasn't working. Next thing I know I see him reach out a hand to the hood along the drivers side. We were still a little ways away when I yelled (with Mel about a second behind) "Don't touch that car!". The guy looks up all surprised and mumbled something Mel said he thought might have been "I just wanted to see if it was a decal." and walked away from her and got into a big truck and drove off.

There was no one, and I mean no one, parked anywhere near her. I did that on purpose like I always do. This guy looked very quesionable and acted very suspicious.

I obsessed all night about it. How far away from the car can I be to have the alarm beep when I hit the button?

Anyone hear anything about this being some modus operandi for car theives? Am I just being totally paranoid and should chalk it up to someone just admiring her, especially since we washed her that afternoon?

And how much jail time would I get for attacking him? Would it have been emotionally and psychologically devistating to my 13 yr to see his mom go off on a total stranger and then get hauled away? Would Mel have had a heart attack if I started charging the guy??

[ 08. March 2004, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Krista ]

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Krista:
And how much jail time would I get for attacking him? Would it have been emotionally and psychologically devistating to my 13 yr to see his mom go off on a total stranger and then get hauled away? Would Mel have had a heart attack if I started charging the guy??

1) You could always claim self-defense.
2) No! You'd be the coolest mom on the block.
3) Is his insurance paid up??

[Big Grin]

Seriously, that would freak me out, too!! I'll be interested to see how far away you have to be for the lights & horn to go off....

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

We're military so ins is a non-issue. [Big Grin]

Bret already uses my car to his advantage, the little twerp! He had a friends parents drop him off the other night and had them wait while the garage door went up so they could see her. I've created a monster!! [Smile]

Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

I don't think I've tried the lock button as a panic button. The red alarm button is what I use to as a panic button.

Glad nothing happened to your car!

Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :

One good reason I don't drive the SS to any store.

Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :

My panic button works from inside building here at work. I've dissabled it because it got hit by accident too often.

It might be time for a new battery.

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

I just put a new battery in less than a month ago so I know that isn't it.

I didn't want to be tooooo paranoid and figured having the car flash once would have gotten him away from it with out having it go crazy in panic mode. I've seen some of the guys at the car shows use the single flash pretty effectively, Just enough that the offender knows someone is nearby and won't try anything with out drawing the attention of the entire area. Next time (heavan help me if there is one!) I'm using the red button with out even hesitating.

Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :

Key fobs are the worst. They always seem to work easily and from a long distance when you don't need them and not at all when you do need them. My truck fob will work from across the parking lot all the time but not at all when I am standing right next to the truck. [Mad]

I replaced the battery in the SS fob less than a year into into its' life. It was being really stubborn. The new battery did nothing. So, nearly 3 years later I still have that battery in and it works just like it did when it was new - OK but not always consistent.

Sorry to hear of your incident. Some people don't realize that personal space applies not only to people but to cars as well!

Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

Try using it under your chin if your range is long. Your head may act as an antenna. (Go ahead and laugh, but it works.)

Posted by Jim Mac (Member # 113) on :

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
Try using it under your chin if your range is long. Your head may act as an antenna. (Go ahead and laugh, but it works.)

Also hold it up - sometimes height works on these things. I have the same problem with the key fob for my Saturn daily driver - the range sucks!

Posted by Travisnd1 (Member # 1982) on :

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
Try using it under your chin if your range is long. Your head may act as an antenna. (Go ahead and laugh, but it works.)

it does work, I tell people this all the time and they laugh and dont believe me....oh well!

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

I'm perfectly ok with looking silly for all of a few seconds if it'll eliminate the stress and trauma I felt last night from happening again!!

Posted by BadWS6 (Member # 1799) on :

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
Try using it under your chin if your range is long. Your head may act as an antenna. (Go ahead and laugh, but it works.)

I used to laugh till I tried it really improves the range

Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BadWS6:

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
Try using it under your chin if your range is long. Your head may act as an antenna. (Go ahead and laugh, but it works.)
I used to laugh till I tried it really improves the range

I'll try it when I stop laughing, see if it works for me. [Razz]

Krista: in texas, the law is very specific about self defense. There are 5 circumstances where deadly or assaultive force are permissible under an affirmative defense clause. In a nutshell, these are:

1. Defense of your life.
2. Defense of another's life.
3. Prevention of a rape.
4. Prevention of a kidnapping.
5. Defense of movable property (car, wallet, etc).
6. Defense of non-movable property (house, etc).

The law is basically designed to provide citizens with a means to defend themselves in the event that criminal acts occur against them, and the police are not around. Most states have self defense laws, but not all have property defense laws. Texas is rather unique in that respect, but then again, we are rather unique in most respects. Try looking in your state's website to find information about the laws regarding defense.

Its best to be informed before you act.

Posted by blkragss02 (Member # 1801) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS:
One good reason I don't drive the SS to any store.

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by FireChicken:
Texas is rather unique in that respect, but then again, we are rather unique in most respects.

....and we carry guns!!!

Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :

Boy it is sure different in Canada. The law says you can only defend yourself with equal force to that which is threatening you.....even if your life is threatened or someone enters your home. For instance, if you are attacked by someone using a knife, you can not stop the attacker with a gun....only a knife.

Its actually applied that way too. I knew a fellow in university who had spent time in a maximum security jail for mansluaghter. He had been jumped by two "would be" robbers. He had a black belt in karate. He took out the first assailant by driving his jaw through his brain with his fist (killed him) then incapacitated the second one. He said his training was to get rid of the first attacker and then worry about the second.

I knew another person who was commando trained. His hands were registered as dangerous weapons, which meant that he was essentially unable to defend hinself.

Seems in Canada it is more important to protect the criminals' rights than the victims' rights. [Mad]

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

Bill,

In to many areas of the US it's gotten to be the same way.

Posted by helloween (Member # 1506) on :

quote:
Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS:
Try using it under your chin if your range is long. Your head may act as an antenna. (Go ahead and laugh, but it works.)

Its true!! [Razz]

Posted by helloween (Member # 1506) on :

quote:
Originally posted by cytruffle:

quote:
Originally posted by FireChicken:
Texas is rather unique in that respect, but then again, we are rather unique in most respects.
....and we carry guns!!!

I know that right [Big Grin]

Posted by twobratSS (Member # 2180) on :

What is the deal with people and our cars? I parked the SS in the farthest place I could find at Walmart the other night, no other cars within 50 feet. I get back out, and there's 3 cars all around it! Good thing I parked at the intersection of 4 parking places...

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

That has to be one of my biggest pet peeves as well. I parked in East BF for a reason people!! Mel has even stopped harassing me to find a closer spot. I just keep telling him we need the exercise! [Big Grin]

Posted by Steven2000SS (Member # 780) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bill Mason:
... For instance, if you are attacked by someone using a knife, you can not stop the attacker with a gun....only a knife.

Hey that wins the "dumbarse law of the day award".. so if if a guy is coming at you with a butcher knife and you just have a .45 they you have to either throw away the gun (and let him knife you) or throw him an extra guy.. Canada is one wacked out place.. [Wink]

Oh, and maybe the guy DID just want to see if the stripe was painted on or a decal [Smile]

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Steven2000SS:
Canada is one wacked out place..

...watch out for large snowballs incoming!!!! [Eek!]

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Steven2000SS:
Oh, and maybe the guy DID just want to see if the stripe was painted on or a decal

you look wiuth your eyes not your hands. most of us learn that in kindergarden.

Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on :

just carry a throw down gun with ya!
since he was moving so weird he could have easily been casing you.

Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :

quote:
Originally posted by cytruffle:

quote:
Originally posted by Steven2000SS:
Canada is one wacked out place..

...watch out for large snowballs incoming!!!!

By this time of year.....we have switched over to ice balls. [Big Grin]

However, in this case I agree that the law is out to lunch.

Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Steven2000SS:
Canada is one wacked out place..

Yep!

Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :

quote:
Originally posted by JohnS:

quote:
Originally posted by Steven2000SS:
Canada is one wacked out place..
Yep!

...is that JohnS & Bill??? heeheehee!! [Big Grin]

*ducksiceballs*

Posted by Krista (Member # 1904) on :

I loved those guys!!! Eh.
I remember the 10 Days of Christmas they did. A total riot.

D@mnit! I'm helping hijack my own thread!! Millie you are a bad influence!

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