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General discussion

NEW CAR JACKING SCHEME

Mar 2, 2004 9:34AM PST

I got this in email. I don't know if this really is a new car jacking scheme but it should sounds like it could be. Better safe than sorry.


Imagine: You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside.

Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into REVERSE.

Habit!

You look into the rear-view window to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper, some sort of advertisement stuck to your rear window.

So, you shift into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your vehicle to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view... when you reach the back of your car, that is when the car-jackers jump out of no where ... jump into your car and take off -- your engine was running, your purse is in the car, and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.

BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME

Just drive away and remove the paper that is stuck to your window later and be thankful that your read this email.

Discussion is locked

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Also.....
Mar 2, 2004 9:44AM PST

The Atlanta area has experienced a recent surge of cars being stolen that are left running to warm up in the driveway in the morning. I always figured if I was going to be a car thief that's when I'd go shopping. It seems the real thieves have now figured this out as well Sad

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Re:Also.....
Mar 2, 2004 9:51AM PST

clay are you in atl? as in june im moveing back there

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Re:Re:Also.....
Mar 2, 2004 10:08AM PST

On the west side in Lithia Springs...

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Re:Re:Re:Also.....
Mar 2, 2004 12:11PM PST

looking at colage park area or where i find cheap rentGrin

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Re:Re:Re:Re:Also.....
Mar 2, 2004 12:23PM PST

There's 5 or 6 places available on this block but I don't know what you call cheap. I know of some other areas too. If you'd like you can get my email addy from one of the mods.

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Re:NEW CAR JACKING SCHEME
Mar 2, 2004 9:48AM PST

Hi Rosalie

Good Tip. Will warn the Wife.

By the way. I did'nt want to butt in on your other post with Bob, but that Christmas design was also very, very good. With your talent, think you could fix this damn cnet? Happy

George

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Thank you, George. :-) Fix cnet? Why is it broken? ..
Mar 2, 2004 10:30AM PST

.
I thought it was the way it is on purpose and we were being punished for misbehaving. LOL

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Re:Thank you, George. :-) Fix cnet? Why is it broken? ..
Mar 2, 2004 10:40AM PST

Well, you may be right there. But, I have been battling it all day here. Maybe its because I'm new on here or its initiation period for Newbies. More like hazing.

George

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Are you talking about something out of the ordinary? What's happening?
Mar 2, 2004 3:58PM PST

.
What type of problems or glitches have you been battling, maybe we can help you. It may not be a fault with the forum or Cnet.

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Re: Aha, I just got back on again
Mar 3, 2004 12:21AM PST

Running Ok for now. I told KP over in the Volvo Car Posts under "Doon Buggy" But apparently no one else is having problems, so I guess I'll yank the cover and jiggle a few wires in this thing. Can't figure out why its just cnet. Next time it happens I'm going to slap this PC case around a little. Maybe a loose connection.

Thanks for the offer Rosalie, I'm going ease over and see if KP says anything.

George

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G, one thing somebody somewhere else suggested...
Mar 3, 2004 1:42PM PST

there could be an internet slowdown between you and cnet that we aren't seeing because we're using a different route.

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Re:Also
Mar 2, 2004 10:21AM PST

In Lawrence, MA which holds the world title for car jacking and insurance fraud, there have been incidends of pulling the driver right out of car at stop lights and driving off.
Good reason to keep your seat belt hooked up with doors locked and window up at a stop light. At least in the big cities anyway if you are a woman.

George

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Car Jacking at traffic lights have been greatly reduced in Texas
Mar 3, 2004 8:08AM PST

so I have read, since Texas started issuing Concealed Handgun Licenses to ordinary folks in 1998. The Jackers now realized even a woman may blast them in the face. Other crimes have been reduced as they do not know who may be 'carrying'.

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Re:Car Jacking at traffic lights
Mar 3, 2004 8:28AM PST

Hi John

Tough to get a hand gun license around here. Even need a permit for Mace and Boat Flare Pistols. The thieves get them OK, but not the citizens. Its almost a war zone up there in Lawrence MA. The Cops all wear combat clothes, flack jackets, the works. Hard to tell the Swat Team from a street cop. And... if you do not speak Spanish, forget it, you'll never make it.

George

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Have they outlawed baseball bats yet? How about steering bar locks. Deadly when swung in defense.
Mar 3, 2004 1:36PM PST

.

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Re:Have they outlawed baseball bats yet? How about steering bar locks. Deadly when swung in defense.
Mar 5, 2004 9:16PM PST

Actually, hearsay only, I've heard of people being warned about having baseball bats in back seat. Supposely they were told had to be in trunk, out of reach of the occupants of the car or else could be considered as weapons. And if they're not readibly visible from outside the car, as illegally concealed deadly weapons.

It's all hearsay, and may be the urban legend type of stuff, but it was discussed around work at my last job in another (larger) town.

RogerNC

click here to email semods4@yahoo.com

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It is Massachussetts after all...
Mar 3, 2004 1:48PM PST

you've got Teddy and John to protect you.

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Re:It is Massachussetts after all...
Mar 5, 2004 11:38PM PST

No help there KP. They are down in DC beating on Bush. When I go thru Lawrence I put Cheech & Chong on the lowd speaker and sail right thru.

George

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ROTFLOL!! -NT
Mar 5, 2004 11:43PM PST

.

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Re:NEW CAR JACKING SCHEME
Mar 2, 2004 10:47AM PST

Thank's for that Rosalie, handy bit of info. i wonder if it's got to UK yet. my daughter works at a big football stadium she'll warn security to watch out for it'

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I'm sure all schemes get around rather quickly. The point is ....
Mar 2, 2004 4:07PM PST

.
car jackers will pick a time when the engine is running, car standing still and preferably with the driver outside the car. That makes for the quickest get away. Just tell your daughter to be alert when driving the car and as George mentioned in this thread, keep doors locked and windows up especially at stop signs, parking lots and home driveways.

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The best defense....
Mar 3, 2004 5:03AM PST

...is to be aware of your surroundings before you get into your car. That piece of paper on the back window could more easily have been removed before the car was unlocked in the first place.

Always have your keys out and ready before you reach your car. Don't stand there with your packages fumbling for the keys. It might not be an invitation for a carjacker so much as an invitation for a mugger or rapist.

As soon as you get in the car, especially if you're alone, lock the doors.

Be aware of your surroundings if you stop at a traffic light or other temporary obstacle. Keep enough distance between yourself and the car in front of you to be able to take evasive action if necessary. If anyone approaches the car, get out of there even if it means performing an illegal maneuver. I've run red lights in such situations (as safely as possible, of course) and I'm sure no cop would have ticketed me if I had explained why I'd done it.

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I use that one for the intersection beggars.
Mar 3, 2004 5:19AM PST

I pull up slowly and leave about 1.5 car lengths and then as they approach I pull past them, so they go on to the next window.

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I remember that maneuver from my days working in NYC
Mar 3, 2004 5:33AM PST

You had to slow to a crawl and time yourself so you'd be able to gun it past them just as the light changed. Sometimes I'd put my wipers on to let them know I didn't want them touching my windshield. It usually worked except for the crazy ones.

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Re:I remember my NYC tour
Mar 3, 2004 6:25AM PST

Hi Josh
One day years ago I was stopped at a Red Light in Harlum and this kid ran over and started cleaning my windshield. Kept wiping & wiping looking at me. My Buddy in the back seat who was from Yonkers said, you better throw him a half buck or you will loose the rear window when driving away. I beat it the hell out of there and toured the Bronx.

Geo.

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Re:Sox looking Pretty Good Now. I'll All ready for them Yankees(NT)
Mar 3, 2004 6:35AM PST

.

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Should be an exciting season in the AL East....
Mar 3, 2004 10:12PM PST

...and not just because of New York and Boston. The Orioles and Blue Jays have improved their teams and even the Devil Rays have some talent this year.

I have to admit that many of the Yankees' offseason moves have left a bad taste in my mouth, most notably the loss of Andy Pettitte, and the Sheffield and A-Rod acquisitions. They're still my team but I'm having a bit of trouble getting psyched up so far.

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The best defense....
Mar 3, 2004 1:51PM PST

is a Smith & Wesson. Too bad you can't defend yourself in so many places.

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I think DavE once longed for
Mar 4, 2004 12:40AM PST
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Re:NEW CAR JACKING SCHEME
Mar 3, 2004 8:20AM PST

Good info and advice Rosalie. I showed to my wife and she said she can't remember approaching her vehicle from anywhere but the rear in the parking space of the businesses she visits. For me tho there are many times I approach from the front.

Another to watch for is VANS parked next to your drivers side. When present, wife unlocks vehicle from passenger side and ususally enters through there when Van is next to drivers side.