First-Person: Carjacking on a Cold Day

Being carjacked is a terrible experience. Of course, it doesn't take a genius to make that deduction. In an age where everything we do on a daily basis outside of our homes is largely dependent on our cars, being stranded somewhere, anywhere without your vehicle is going to be unpleasant. This is especially true if you are left to shiver out in the cold winter air.

It was December 2004 in a small metropolitan city in North Carolina around noon. I was out to pick up some groceries from a local food mart, just a few miles up the road from where I was living at the time. Now, on habit, I would crank the car and get it nice in warm during the winter. So, when I got into the car, I placed my coat in the passenger seat next to me. There were several lights on the way to the food mart. At the second light, a gentleman approached my car from the passenger side.

The gentleman was clean-cut and neatly dressed, so I had no initial reason to be suspicious. As he got closer he took one hand out of his coat pocket and made a 'hand-cranked window rolling motion'. Since there seemed to be a sense of urgency about the way he was acting, I assumed that he needed some help.

No sooner then I had the window down and he reached the car, then his other hand came out of his coat pocket and I found myself staring down the barrel of a pistol. The man (who is obviously not a "gentleman") then proclaimed, "I need you to get out of the car." While nervously putting the car in park, I can remember thinking, "wow, so the guy did need something...my car."

As I began to exit the car, I glanced back at my coat and began to reach for it.

"Leave the coat," he said.

"But..."

"LEAVE THE *** **** COAT AND (now leaning a little further into the car) GET THE **** OUT!"

Of course, I complied and promptly disembarked the vehicle. I stood on the sidewalk and began to shiver as I watch the man jump into my car and drive off.

Luckily, I only had a 30-minute walk to the police station and two days later they pull the guy over in my car for a DUI. Thankfully, no one was hurt and there was no damage to the vehicle.

Lessons to be learned? First, don't judge a book by its cover. I'm not saying not to help people. I am saying that you should use a little common sense and keep in mind that crime rates are higher and criminals get a lot bolder in December.

Don't let the fact that you didn't stop get you down either. Your protection and safety comes first.

Second, stay positive. Life has a funny way of throwing unique experiences into your life to keep you entertained and to help you learn and grow as an individual.

Last but not least, don't argue with a man (or woman) with a gun. Just don't do it. The outcome of this situation could have been a lot more tragic than it was.

Stay safe.