I was just robbed

[jiacinto]

A teenager just came up to me and took my wallet! He put a gun to me.

I am scared. I really am. I cancelled my credit cards. I am terrified.

This happened in front of my house. I don't know what to do.

This guy has my address, knows my name, has everything about me.

I called the cops and they took a report. They told me to move out of N. Miami Beach.

But I have no job, no money, no nothing. Things are so bad.

I really feel forseaken.

[Heddi]

1. did you call the police?

if not, why not?

[Heddi]

24. you should also

call the 3 major credit reporting agencies---I know Equifax is one, but can't remember the other 2.

Tell them you want an alert put on your name & SS#. Basically, if anyone (even yourself) tries to open a line of credit in your name or SS#, the application will be put on hold until the credit agencies get ahold of you and get your approval that yes, you yourself did try to open a line of credit.

I believe the alert stays on file for 5 years (but I'm not sure). At any rate, keep this 'alert' on your name & SS# for at least 5 years.

Call your bank, call the DMV as well.

In addition to filing a police report (will really come in handy should those CC's be used before they're officially cancelled and you dispute the charges), ask the police if they can do a drive-by your place every night for a few weeks. The robber has your address, and while I dont think they would try to break into your place, you never know.

Consider getting a really big vicious dog as well :)

[mbartko]

2. Hope you're OK

[1a2b3c]

3. I would have shot him

He's lucky youre unarmed.

[BigMcLargehuge]

4. Jeez man

just remember that everything you lost can be replaced. The important thing is that you weren't injured. Call the cops and see what they can do for you.

[Deja Q]

5. Holy cowpie!

Yipes. I'd be :scared: too. Have you called the police?

[kixot]

6. damn, dude.

Sorry to hear, some of those kids get desperate.

Where were you? What were you doing?

[quinnox]

7. That is awful

You did the right thing.

[Stone Cold]

8. man...

...I hope you're ok. You did the right thing and let him take your wallet instead of fighting back. Who knows, something worse could've happened. Glad you're ok.

[corarose]

9. OMG That's so horrible

Are you alright? How old was the kid?

Sorry to hear about that.

[Stone Cold]

10. If I had a gun...

...I would've shot the mother fucker myself.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

11. oh my gosh, Carlos!

This is terrible, I'm glad you are OK.

[david_vincent]

12. That'll really rattle a guy

It might take a few days for you to calm down.
Take some single malt scotch and steady your nerves. Things will be alright; after all, you weren't hurt. He probably just wanted the cash and doesn't give a damn about anything else in your wallet.

[flamingyouth]

13. I am so sorry

Call the police. See if you can get a friend to stay with you tonight - or see if you can stay with someone. I'm thinking of you. Take care.

:grouphug:

[bicentennial_baby]

14. Sorry to hear that Carlos

I know you've been having a rough time lately, and I'm sure this did'nt help. :(

Take a deep breath, and be thankful. You are ok, and you'll be ok in the future. Have faith...

:hug:

[alwynsw]

15. So sorry for you...it's harrowing

Now you all know why I carry a .45 damn near everywhere I go. I am well trained and not afraid to use it.

The consequences of using it are usually far less tragic than not using it. A little police questioning beats dead anytime.

No, I am not advocating vigilante justice, just personal defense.

[lcordero]

16. talk to all three credit agencies and put out a fraud alert

[Rabrrrrrr]

17. Dang. That's a terribly shitty feeling of violation

I've never been robbed in person, but we had guys steal crap from our fraternity on occasion, and every time it happened - knowing they were in my room while I wasn't there - was a feeling of total violation. Really creepy how that felt. Can't imagine how much worse it might be to be robbed in person.

I hate thieves.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

18. That's harsh. You have my sympathy.

Remind me NOT to move back into town. Country livin' is the life for me...

[JVS]

19. Oh my god! How terrible.

I can't believe how awful your fortunes have been lately. This is unreal. I hope things get better soon.

[DEM FAN]

20. Hope You Are OK. Keep Your Chin Up.

Sorry What Happened. :-(

[Exultant Democracy]

21. That sucks buddy

my friend got her place broken into and robber last week, but having it happen in person must really trip you out. Don't be surprised when you are still jumping at shadows a few months from now.

[proud patriot]

22. oh man Carlos

Are you okay ? Did You file a police report ?

Stopping the credit cards was a good thing .
Now you should call DMV also .

Man oh Man how scary .

[jiacinto]

26. I had the cards stopped

I called the cops already.

[proud patriot]

29. good good

(((((hugs)))))) :loveya:

[roguevalley]

23. get locks, get a loud barking dog tape and have a friend stay with you

a while. Hugs, honey.

[FDRrocks]

25. you kept all your money in your wallet?

good luck dude. try moving to a non GOP state.

edit: When I was young, we were robbed in Ft Lauderdale. Called the cops, they ending up catching the fuck and getting back 80% of what was stolen.

[bluestateguy]

27. What kind of "cops" do you have there?

There response was to tell you to move? Well now we know how things are run in Jeb Bush's Florida.

[Cleita]

28. Don't you have some family that can help you?

You shouldn't be alone right now.

[jiacinto]

30. Closest Family in IA

nt

[Cleita]

32. Carlos you have to call them.

They need to know what is happening to you. You'll feel better talking to them as well.

[jiacinto]

34. I don't have their #

they jsut moved.

[Cleita]

35. Carlos there has to be someone you can call to talk to.

eom

[jiacinto]

37. Called my friend

nt

[Cleita]

38. Good.

Did s/he have any help to offer? Can you call him/her anytime until this is over? You need to have some human contact now with people you trust.

[DoNotRefill]

31. Dude, that sucks....just be glad...

that he didn't take the really important thing....your life...

[sistersofmercy]

33. Glad you're ok! It sucks to be mugged you feel so violated.

I was mugged several years ago felt violated for a long time combined with that "I guess I'm kind of lucky, in a way!" feeling. I also had nightmares for weeks.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

36. Glad you're okay!

Hate to sound smarmy, but this too shall pass. Just keep hanging tough until it does.

[Rowdyboy]

39. Good God, man, if it wasn't for bad luck

you wouldn't have any at all. My hearts with you, guy.

[jiacinto]

41. Thanks

nt

[Frangible]

40. That's horrible

Not to go gun nut on your ass here, but I've been in a similar situation and never liked the feeling of helplessness which is why I'm now armed. Florida has CCW so consider giving yourself the right to self defense as an alternative to moving. Just my opinion-- if you don't want to, that's a valid opinion as well and I respect that.

At any rate, good job taking the first steps to avoid identity theft. Make sure to go all the way preventing identity theft though-- it's a very real problem.

Also, if he was after the cash, was he in a vehicle? Was there somewhere he could have thrown the wallet after taking the cash? Just a thought.

[AquariDem]

42. Shit

Are you okay right now?

[jiacinto]

43. I am just really scared right now

nt

[Wonk]

44. Look on the bright side. You weren't shot like I was when I was mugged

back in '91 (over a measly $20).

[jiacinto]

45. The mugger knows hwere I live and has my address

I am scared.

[bluestateguy]

48. May I make a suggestion

When the cops brilliant solution is to "move out of N. Miami Beach", you might want to consider taking steps to protect yourself with a firearm, or getting a right to carry permit. Of cousre, you must do what you feel is in your best interest, but you might not want to rule out that option.

[jiacinto]

49. I hate guns

but then again I might just do that.

[HEyHEY]

46. Man realy sorry Jiacinto

This just tops the shi off eh?

[Ellen Forradalom]

47. Oh my gosh.

That's awful. Can you go to anyone's house for a little while?

[sandnsea]

50. You are really having the shit pour down

I can't believe this happened to you. I am so sorry. Maybe there is some sort of victim's fund that can help you? Some states have things like that. I just don't know what to say. This is just terrible.

[tom_paine]

51. I am so sorry, carlos!

I am also sorry for voting in that dumb ass mugging poll. I didn't read the top paragraph in which it mentions you personally.

I had no idea that this had happened to you.

My apologies and my sympathies.

[Wonk]

52. I liked your answer. I guess I should have just left the commentary out.

"It is somewhat random, like a lightning strike.

But keeping your eyes downcast and your shoulders slumped is like wearing a foil helmet in a thunderstorm.

Combination of factors."



It's not like folks wouldn't have figured out what prompted the poll, though....

[Booberdawg]

53. I am so sorry carlos

I would be pretty shook up too.

Chances are he just wanted your money and your ID has been discarded with your wallet long ago. If he wanted to hurt you he had his chance and didn't, so there is your answer.

I have never heard of a mugger coming back to pester someone except in the movies. He probably took the money and snorted it already.

[Iverson]

54. That's just awful!

That's outrageous, and you certainly have my sympathy and wishes for a smooth reconstruction of your life. Having a gun pulled on you is extremely upsetting.

[JCMach1]

55. arggggg

:(

[Andy_Stephenson]

56. Sorry you were robbed carlos.

"But I have no job" I thought you were working part time in an "upscale" department store. Did you quit? Were you fired? Damn dude that is real harsh news. But look at the bright side. You could have been in the morgue this morning...instead of here with us.

[Kolesar]

57. I am very sorry to hear that

I am still trying to figure out why the police told you to move out of N. Miami Beach. Does everybody who gets mugged have to move for their own safety?

[Gato Moteado]

58. it's jeb bush's solution for crime.....

....kind of like how chimpy's healthcare plan is "don't get sick".

anyways, i'm really against handguns, but the way i feel about things now, if that happened to me i would buy a firearm.

[MissMillie]

59. Not exactly your year

I'm so sorry for all your troubles. I know you're scared. I would be too. Do you atleast have some friends that you can stay with for a while? If you can't stay w/ them, do you at the VERY least have a shoulder to cry on?


I'll keep you in my prayers.

[grannylib]

60. Very sorry to hear, glad you are not hurt/injured/worse...

[Romulus]

61. look at it "pragmatically"

I don't know how much money was taken, but I hope it wasn't that much. Whatever amount it was, anyway, it wasn't worth your life/health.

Some people here are suggesting getting a gun, but don't make that decision right now. You are admittedly, and understandably, upset. Firearms ownership is too big a decision to make in haste.

The fact the guy has your address/name is scary, but in all likelihood he didn't even look at it, and your ID & wallet are probably already laying in a dumpster somewhere.

I view mugging as a rougher version of a bullshit lawsuit; you can either fight it (and take a chance at losing - in more ways than one :(), or you can "settle" it (and be sure of *not* losing anything more). You can't make a mugging/lawsuit go away by ignoring it, so you must deal with it by playing the best hand you've got. I think you did the best thing you could do.

Unfortunately, that's life.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

62. I'm so sorry that happened to you...

Hope you have a support system there in Miami to help you out. Try to get a job, and do try to move out of the area. It will make you feel a lot safer to move to another neighborhood...But whoever said it is right. The cops shouldn't have told you that. It made them sound as if they were blaming you for living in that neighborhood. I guess responsibility means nothing in any place where there is a Bush running things.

Duckie

[RebelOne]

63. I lived in No. Miami Beach at one time

And some naked guy tried to break into my first-floor apartment. I screamed bloody murder and he ran away. When the police came, they laughed and thought it was uproarously funny. So sorry about you being held up. Where in No. Miami Beach do you live?

[jiacinto]

64. Right near Aventura

That's all I'll say.

[indigo32]

65. Thats terrible Carlos

Its sounds like you handled it correctly. Now I have to concur with the poster who mentioned single malt scotch (pick your poison). Damn that would be scary. Hang in there.

[ProfessorGAC]

66. Eeeep!

That's not good at all. Hope everything turns out ok with the credit cards.

Boy, that's a drag. Try to keep chin up. Dragging it won't make anything better.
The Professor

[Forkboy]

67. It's happened to me as well

and yes,it does leave you quite shaken.

I wouldn't worry so much about him having your address as I seriously doubt he'll be too quick to come after someone who is now expecting it.These people like easy targets and not someone who might be ready the second time.

Having said that though,you might want to check your locks on the doors and windows anyways and make sure their solid,install a deadbolt if you dont already have one.Him returning may be a long shot but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

I know we have serious differences Carlos,but if it gets to the point where you want out of there and don't know where to go get in touch with me through a PM.I have an extra room and extra bed and I can always tell my landlord you're my long lost cousin or something so you can stay here.If he says no we'll sneak you in.We can be unemployed together!