Date Rob Claims Its First Victim

Some time ago, I introduced this new trend in criminology that I called date rob. This is where you are out on a date and toward the end of the night instead of having a one-night stand or just a good time enjoying the company of another, you are robbed by the one with whom you just spent time with. A very close associate had this happen to her but the robber did not make her more of victim than law enforcement did.

She had met this individual through a friend of hers and met for drinks. She had informed her date that she did not wish to partake in alcohol because she was driving and did not wish to be arrested for driving while intoxicated. Somehow she allowed herself to be talked into it and was assured that he would drive her home and their mutual friend could drive him back to his car. On the way he stopped off a few places, once to purchase some refreshments to have later at home and the other to visit a friend real quick. When he parked on side of the road, near his friends' house, he left the car running and took off across the street. My friend realized that her wallet was gone with all of her vital information inside as well as credit cards and driver's license. This was also the one time that she had neglected to take her cell phone with her and was unfamiliar with the streets and her surroundings.

She saw several police cars heading her way and instead of flagging them down to report the robbery, she panicked and tossed the full bottle of recently purchased alcohol out of the window. She was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to the station for processing. During her ride to the station, she made several attempts to inform them about the robbery but was advised to keep quiet. At the station, it was the same story regarding the taking of her personal property but again to no avail. Even the judge did not wish to hear anything regarding this at her arraignment. It was clear to them that because she was sitting under the steering wheel of this vehicle, the keys were in the ignition and the vehicle was running that she was in control of that vehicle which is the law and that was that.

Fortunately, she was able to afford a really good attorney who informed her that she could not be arrested for driving under the influence if she was the victim of a crime. Unfortunately the States Attorneys' Office and local law enforcement are not willing to cede this fact. She has shown unimpeachable proof that while she was incarcerated; someone was using her credit cards. Even the prosecuting attorney's witness supports much her story but still to no avail. I grant you that the on-scene police officers did have "probable cause" to approach her because of the littering but as soon as she informed them of the robbery, that should have been their primary focus. I can only surmise that since they have spent the money to build this new jail house, they need to pay for it in one form or another and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Just a thought!