I believe I was selected for a robbery this morning...

[ronlarimer]

At 9:15 this morning I stopped by the Dicks sporting good store at my local mall to pick up a new shirt.  When I arrived, I drove by the front of the store to check to see if the store opened at 9:00 or 10:00.

While I knew the store opened at 9:00, there was a question in my mind because there were two “youts” that looked like thugs milling around outside the door.  They both took notice of my Jeep and watched my drive by (this is normal, so I didn’t think anything of it at the time.)

I parked away from the building and walked in.  As I approached the door I saw  them watching me and assumed that they were going to hit me up for a dollar, so while keeping track of them with my peripheral vision I avoided making eye contact to reduce the opportunity get my attention.  The decision was a mistake.

After making my purchase I left the store and the “youts” were gone.  But there was a mall security guard that happened to be between me and my vehicle, innocently I asked him a question about some cones in the lot and he paced me back to the Jeep talking about them.

About 10yrds from the Jeep I spot the “youts” on the far side (drivers side) and they look surprised to see the security guard with me. At this point I felt pretty sure this wasn’t coincidence and made hard eye contact with each of them and addressed them in a strong tone.  They immediately averted their gaze and began walking away.

If I have handled the initial approach differently they might have chosen a different target.

While it is possible that they just happened to be near my Jeep, based on their quick demeanor change I do not believe that is the case.  I think they saw my reaction to them when I was walking into the store as a sign of weakness and targeted me for a theft (car or money) and then staged themselves to ambush me near my vehicle.

I do not know if the security guard saw this and decided to escort me or if he just happened to be close, but they two “youts” we’re visibly uncomfortable about his presence with me…  although only one of us was armed.

How would you have handled this situation? Would you have done anything differently.

[tombogan03884]

What's to do different ? Nothing happened.
The fact that you happened to be BSing with the SG when you got near your vehicle kept you from having to shoot one or both of them.
I don't worry about not making eye contact to avoid moochers, I have developed the ability to say "No".
My heads always moving and I don't hesitate to stare at freaks or suspicious characters.
I once had a "thug" with red green and blue spiked hair demand "Whatchu lookin' at", I replied that I had once done 6 months for f*cking a Peacock and I thought he might be my son.
His friends laughed and I went about my business.
The mistake, if any, that you made, was falling for the PC fear of hurting someones feelings.
If some one is emotionally damaged because I think they look suspicious then they should just go home and die since they are to fragile to live.
And if they aren't crushed by the trauma of it all, they know I know they're there.

[MikeBjerum]

Tom touched on it, but the only thing I would have done is make eye contact at the first meeting.  I like the idea of not acting like a sheep from the start.  Beyond that you showed good judgement in checking whether the business was open while in your vehicle, you had good awareness, you took advantage of security whether it was intentional or accidental, and you did react to the possible threat.

Best is that you are processing, sharing, and trying to learn from the incident.

[tombogan03884]

It's by comparing notes in incidents like this that we become aware of our weak points.

[ronlarimer]

It's by comparing notes in incidents like this that we become aware of our weak points.

That is why I threw it out

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