Update on my robbery: Getting my money, feeling a bit less fearful

[liberalhistorian]

Well, I FINALLY, after almost three weeks, got my money back from the bank. When they called to tell me they'd credited the $700 dollars to my account, they were all huffy about it, as if I should be grateful to get my own money back when it was their own negligence that allowed the thug who mugged me at gunpoint to take it out of the ATM in the first place! Kinda like Shrub taking away millions of jobs, then saying that those who have jobs should be grateful for whatever scraps they're thrown, no matter how bad the job is!

They still haven't sent me a replacement debit/credit card, which I was supposed to have gotten last week. In a way that's a good thing, though, because I'm sure I'm spending a lot less money than I would if I had the card, lol!

I've gotten a lot more observant and careful about my surroundings. I actually notice my surroundings now, wherever I am, and I no longer automatically take for granted that something bad will always happen to the other guy. I'm a bit more trusting of people, although not as much as I'd like. But I have to remind myself that it's only been three weeks, that it's normal to still feel a little suspicious and distrustful of people. But I am getting better at it. I no longer work any overtime unless someone else is in the office who can walk me to my car, which is probably a good safety measure even if I hadn't been mugged in my workplace parking lot. I'm not as afraid of going places alone as I was right after it happened, but I'm still a little leery. I think I'm getting better in that respect as well, though it'll be a long time before I'm totally back to normal.

And you know, the thing that really gets me is that the guy seemed desperate, even as he was jamming the gun in my ribs and then in my neck, I could sense the desperation. He simply couldn't get over the fact that I only had a few dollars cash on me, it was as if he had to have the money or he'd die. Now, dollars to donuts he wanted money for drugs, I'm certainly not at all naive where that's concerned. But if he was in really desperate need, say for food, rent money, money for medicine, or something like that, I wouldn't have minded helping him. I've been in desperate financial straits myself, and was fortunate to run into people who were glad to help me out. So now that I'm in a little better financial situation (not great, but a lot better than it used to be, especially for a college graduate!), I wouldn't have minded helping out. That's what really gets me.

As for the police investigation, I've heard nothing, I don't even think they're really working on it all that much. I'm sure it's not important to them, since I'm just another statistic, another number and name on a police report. I don't even know if they've gotten the film from the ATM surveillance camera, or talked to the FBI agent who saw the guy standing at my car door about an hour before it happened, and thought he was acting a little weird (there's an FBI office in my office building).

But I'm alive, and that's what really counts. And I got my money back. And I'm getting a little bit better, one day at a time, as far as fear, suspicion, and distrust of others are concerned. And hopefully, that will continue!

[amazona]

1. glad you're OK and got your money back

I think it's unrealistic to expect a robbery to be investigated. They are not investigated where I live (south Louisiana). We were robbed and shot at but so clumsily that we were not actually injured by the screwed-up crackhead but the better half could feel the bullet whistle by his forehead. No fun but it makes a funny story over a decade later...it was never investigated, in fact, although WE were investigated. You know, they automatically assume you're involved with drugs if you are a victim so they can write it off without putting out any effort...and we're talking about this happened in our own home! We moved away ASAP of course but law enforcement followed us and send drug helicopters over our new house for the next two years. I am not kidding. If I had to do over again, since no one was injured, I would not have filed a police report. Unless you have insurance -- or in your case, of course you needed a report because of the bank theft -- it doesn't seem to serve any purpose.

Ack, on edit, meant to ask where you live?

I am glad to hear you are doing better! It does cause nightmares but it does go away.

[liberalhistorian]

4. I live in Painesville, Ohio, which is about 25 miles east

of Cleveland, near Dennis Kucinich's district. I think your ordeal sounds worse than mine, at least he didn't actually shoot at me and I wasn't considered suspect by the police. I think they're just overwhelmed, and since I wasn't physically harmed it's not a top priority.

[asjr]

2. robbery

I am glad you have your money back. That was a terrible ordeal to go through. And the way you were treated, it was as if you did not matter. I have been robbed twice in my lifetime and neither time was pleasant. I know what you are going through. My complete anger got me through the ordeals. And my vocabulary was strengthened.

[liberalhistorian]

5. You've been robbed TWICE?

Sheesh, that's a lot worse than what I dealt with! To have to endure it once is bad enough, but to go through it again, I can't imagine. Just the thought of going through something like that again, at least right now, makes me almost physically ill! I'm glad you made it through both ordeals and are still here with us!

[asjr]

7. robbery

It was not at gunpoint but anytime something is stolen from you its an ordeal. If it had been at gunpoint I would have had a heart attack.

[AnnabelLee]

3. I'm so glad you've gotten your money

from the bank. I agree with you on the debit card--you probably are spending less money without it!

It sounds to me like you are making good progress. Comparing your commentary today on the man who held you up with the way you were feeling right after it happened, I see a remarkable difference. You've begun humanizing him, wondering about his circumstances; if he had said he was in need of food or the other things you listed, you would have, I'm sure, done what you could to help him.

I'm glad you're beginning to feel better.:-) (((liberalhistorian)))

[Cha]

6. I'm Glad time has passed and you're doing better!

And how dare they act "huffy"? They should pay you with interest for blowing in the 1st place!

That's so bizare that an "FBI agent" had noticed the guy and thought he was "acting weird"!

Who knows..he may be caught yet! Lot's of things can happen down the road.

But like you say the main thing is "you're alive" to get better! :-)

[leftist_rebel1569]

8. yay!

at least you're doing better, that's always good! :hi:

[Bossy Monkey]

9. A cautious Yay

Every day in every way...

[roguevalley]

10. honey,

this hug is for you.

{{{{{HUG!}}}}}

[MaineDem]

11. Thank you for the update

I was wondering how you were making out.

I'm glad the money had been credited to you. It's amazing how people act like they're doing you a favor when they're only doing what they're paid to do! Customer service is nonexistant these days.

I'm glad you're dealing so well with this. I'd still be a wreck! Hang in there. :)

[Romulus]

12. glad things are looking up for you

being aware of your surroundings is your first line of defense. I have a feeling you will remember that.

Being in the Marines made me "paranoid" about keeping a "tactical mindset." I think that has kept me out of bad situations for the past 13 years. Hope your mindset will do the same for you. :hi:

[SaveABug]

13. I second that thought

must have been a terrible experience.

[InkAddict]

16. Yup, don't sit with your back to the door,

vary your driving routes, and stay away from small planes. The "low people" and J-Ass-crack are watching and awaiting your failure to observe your surroundings! Watch for signs of lost pets in the neighborhood. (ROTFL)

[Brewman_Jax]

14. Glad that you're still with us

and the bank has restored your account, and you're improving. Stay strong! :thumbsup:

[InkAddict]

15. Be forewarned,

don't expect "justice" in that county "Due process" is a term that Lake County enforcement and admin officials can't wrap their brains around because long ago they may have been caught up in something SO BIG...!

Naturally they're all quite busy CYAin' so there's really very little time to look for the run-of-the-mill criminal types that only threaten and rob for a few bucks --

The expert advice rec'd here - let the perps get away with unconstitutional practices and get over it. NOT! For a long time, my faith in this country was at an all-time low. Little did I expect that same queazy conspiratorial "terror" to return in the form of LIHOP/MIHOP, but I do believe that events are all connected within six degrees of relation and serendipity.

TG, most of the perps have moved on to bigger and more "lucrative" public positions of trust/deceit or have DIED! My sympathies living in Lake County, a truly beautiful county tainted by corruption at possibly the highest levels.

[Duncan Grant]

17. Thanks for the update!

>I'm a bit more trusting of people, although not as much as I'd like. But I have to remind myself that it's only been three weeks, that it's normal to still feel a little suspicious and distrustful of people. But I am getting better at it<

This is good to hear! I was thinking of you just the other day...glad you're safe and well. Continued best wishes!

[cmd]

18. I'm so glad

I know it takes a long time for a sense of security to return. At least you got your cash back. Banks are always so happy to get your money and so snotty about losing any of theirs.

[SoCalDem]

19. Don't expect to hear from the police..

Unless the bank presses charges (if the atm photo was good enough to id), they will not pursue it.. It will be on file for the "next time" he does this and a few years down the line when he "crosses the line" and hurts someone, they will contact you THEN :(

That's sad, but it's the way it works sometimes.. You got your money back and he did not "harm" you, so the police will consider it a "wash"..

Thank goodness you are ok.. and just chalk it up to the randomness of the world.. It could have been ANYONE..He was not after YOU personally.. You will probably never ever have anything remotely like this happen ever again :):)