I feel compelled to tell every woman (and man) about the front-row experience I had to a car jacking. As I had done hundreds of times before, I pulled up to get gas at the filling station. I pulled up about 5 feet to the car in front of me. A sweet looking, 60ish looking woman was pumping her gas. I also noticed a mid-age man leaning against the gas station building. I thought it was a bit odd, but it's not exactly against the law to look suspicious and be waiting for someone.
What happened next took place in a blink of an eye. The lady finished pumping her gas; she walked to the front door to get in. At the same time, the man dashed toward her, pushed her out of the way and jumped into her car, took her keys and sped off.
The poor woman didn't know what hit her. Thank goodness he didn't harm her!
I spent the next two hours with her and being interviewed by the police. I was fine, until I got home and the shock of it hit me. Then I started thinking "what if......?"
What if it had been me? Had I pulled in seconds before it would have been my car that was targeted. What if my son had been in the car? What would have I done? What would my son have done? What would the man have done to my son? Of course, my thoughts all went to the worst case scenario.
My son has an autism spectrum disorder and is essentially non-verbal. I don't believe he would have been able to know what to do or defend himself. O.K, so enough ruminating. Here's the take away:
When you pull into pump gas, look around and pay attention to the surroundings. If you see someone hanging around for no apparent purpose, be suspicious! Drive out and go to the next gas station if you have to think twice.
