Dangerous Parking Lots

[debmidge]

I have a friend who does not tell tales. Recently in Union, NJ she was in strip mall parking lot on Route 22 West and some men attempted to abduct her. She's about 68 years old. This was between 3:00-3:30 in afternoon on a weekday.

She was walking out of her car, a dark panel van with blaring music pulled up. The doors opened and 3 men came out to her and tried to pull her in. Another man in the parking lot came to her rescue and was pulling her out of the van. He saved her. The van sped away before they could get the plate number.

Please, everyone man, woman, child, be very careful - also do not park in between 2 vans or SUV's as that creates a wall wherein no one can see you and you can be robbed.

The music from the van, we feel, was used to obliterate her screams; however, she said it happened so suddenly she never screamed.

What a world......please be safe and conscious of your surroundings.

[TrillumHunter]

I'm very glad to hear your friend is okay. We had a man recently pulling up to women and telling them something was wrong with their car. He told them to pull over and he would look at it. He then proceeded to damage the car so that it would no longer run and offer them a ride. He was finally arrested and he has a long criminal history of battery against women. Scary stuff!

Bravo to the man who got involved and helped her!

[home-based-mom]

These are both well known, tried and true tactics commonly used by the bad guys. Unfortunately it looks like they are not well known enough.

If you have parked your car safely at the mall and come out to find your car is now between two vans - especially if either is a panel van - go back into the mall and get a security guard. Don't feel like a paranoid idiot. The situation may be perfectly innocent and harmless - or not. Better safe than sorry.

[happygirl]

I've received that email forward a number of times, too.