I'm starting to get paranoid at work: Fucking thieves part 2

[Tobin S.]

I've told you guys about the stop downtown on my trucking route where I'm afraid I might get mugged. Then I told you guys about a co-worker who got fired because he left his trailer where he shouldn't have and it got stolen. Now I've got another story.

I was at the downtown stop last night and a lady claiming to be homeless asked me for $5. I took a close look at her and she was dressed in newer clothes, had a nice hair style, a jacket, and was carrying a purse. I stepped away from her, and looked in my wallet. I had 4 twenties and 4 ones. I gave her the $4 and said that's all I could do. She told me thanks, but instead of going in search of whatever she was in search of, she hung around a little bit looking at the cars and my truck. Then she left. That kind of creeped me out a little.

Then I got to my last stop a few hours later. I never see anyone at that stop. It's in a middle class suburban kind of neighborhood where everybody has enough money, food, and dope. As I was unlocking the door to my trailer a young man came walking up the street. But instead of walking on the sidewalk as he approached me, he cut through the parking lot and walked right by my truck and then around the corner of the building where I couldn't see him. A few minutes later, as I was unloading some freight, I turned around to head out of the trailer and there was a young woman standing there right by my lift platform. That gave me a little fright. As soon as I saw her she asked me for $4 because she needed some gas. I told her I didn't have four dollars. She then said that she would take me to the gas station so I could be sure that the money was spent on gas. I told her that was a no-go, too. She then cursed me and got in what looked to be a newer Pontiac Vibe and took off. I've been delivering to that stop for 8 months and that was the first time I ever saw anyone else there- and there were two people.

Here's where my paranoia comes in. I imagined that guy who walked by me going around the corner of the building and walking to an inconspicuously parked Pontiac Vibe. He tells the woman to go around back and try to get me into the car. They've rehearsed this. They've been watching the building where I'm delivering for the past two weeks and they know my routine. The plan would be to get me into her car (truckers can't deny a woman in distress) and then drive me to the gas station 3 miles away. The guy then swipes my truck and the freight on-board. When the woman and I get to the gas station, I go in to pay. When I walk out of the store she's gone. They will be 60 miles away before I know that my truck has been stolen.

The cargo I had on was return freight, but it was still probably worth several thousand dollars. The truck and the trailer are worth about $70,000 together.

Between all of that paranoid thinking, my co-worker getting his trailer stolen, and the suspicious behavior of the woman downtown; it's enough to get me to change my behavior. I'm going to start carrying less money with me. I spend about $5 a night on lunch. I think I'll just carry a ten with me into work. If someone asks me for money, I'll give them the change from my lunch and tell them that's all I've got. I'm also going to make sure I'm more aware of what's going on around me. Sometimes I get absorbed in thought, even when I'm unloading, and I don't pay enough attention to my surroundings.

Or maybe I should just up my meds. :D What do you think?

[flying rabbit]

1. That does sound kind of funny

and not the good funny either. Trust yourself on this one. Take precautions. It wont hurt either way.

[Bertha Venation]

2. well, you know the standard advice about your meds

don't mess with them unless your doctor tells you to

I wish I had some words of advice or comfort. I think that your plan - carry less cash and be vigilant - is the best you can do. And that's pretty good, actually.

:hug:

[Tobin S.]

3. I was just joking about the meds

I take 'em, but I ain't messin with 'em. :)

[Bertha Venation]

5. yeah

Mine work too well sometimes. I'd like very much to feel elation, but what keeps the bad stuff away also takes away most of the highs. :(

:hug:

[JVS]

4. Tell these people "Fuck off! I've got work to do."

[Tobin S.]

6. I'm just a big softie and a sucker for a sob story

:D

[JVS]

7. Yeah, well the first step into being told a sob story is being willing to even listen.

[Blue Diadem]

8. I don't think you're being paranoid. I think you're being cautious.

Times are tough out there and I think that leads to more criminal activity. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being aware of your surroundings as you were. You possibly saved yourself from being hurt or having your truck and contents stolen. I think the woman's request for you to go get gas with her and her reaction was a sure sign.

[Ikonoklast]

9. You are waaaaay too nice to strangers, Tobin.

My stock answer to ANYONE that approaches me at a truck stop, at a pick-up or delivery that doesn't look like they belong there, and start asking for money or what I'm hauling is, "Please get away from me, now. I will not give you money, a ride, the time, a cigarette, or anything. Leave me alone NOW or I will call the local police."

If they get offended, tough shit. They usually leave me alone, immediately. There needs to be more than one of them to take me down, unless they are armed. Then they can see how fast I can run, for an old fart.
I guess I am too jaded, but there are too many bad actors out there. I have had more than my fair share of bad scares by people that were willing to do me harm in order to either rob me or take my truck and freight. More than one time I had to quickly back away from a situation that was going to end up badly for me.

And those people are using that woman to distract you, sure enough. They know your schedule, and they are going to rob you if you aren't careful. I would inform the local police department about suspicious people hanging around the place where you are delivering. Let them come and make the determination who they are, and chase them away for you.

I had an inner-city pedal route that was nothing but one bad situation after another. For two of the places I delivered, I HAD to call the police to meet me there, as I had a key to get in to make the delivery, and the bad guys would be there waiting for me to get there. It was company policy, and the cops were more than happy to catch these guys in the parking lot and arrest them for trespassing.

You be careful. ALWAYS err on the side of safety, and stop giving your hard-earned money to these shits. I know that sounds hard, but I'd rather give to an actual charity than to someone that will bash you in the head and rob you in a heartbeat as soon as they see how much money you have one you.

Tell Dispatch your concerns about your safety, and the security of your load. Get the plate numbers off the car of the people trying to scam you, and turn it in to Safety. They should be able to make a call to the local PD where you deliver and make them aware of the situation.

[Tobin S.]

11. I think I'll do that, driver

I'm going to put in a call about that downtown stop to my boss and ask him if anything can be done about the pan-handlers coming on to their property. The deal at the last stop was the first time I've ever seen those people or anyone there. I don't know what can be done about that one unless they show up again and I can think to get a plate number.

[auntAgonist]

18. I'm with Ikonoklast on this one.

You be careful out there Tobin! ! !


aA
kesha

[Haole Girl]

10. That is not paranoid

Truck drivers get mugged or robbed. My grandfather, who drove trucks for a living, once hit a man over the head with a tire iron to defend his load. My recommendations? Take some sort of self-defense course, if you haven't already, and pack a gun (if your state allows it). Learn how to use it, first, of course. If not a gun, some other weapon. You may not use the weapon, but it will give you confidence others will pick up on (trust me on this on). Most importantly, as you said, ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. Oh, and trust your inner voice. :hug:

[Tobin S.]

12. No guns in big trucks, Haole Girl

Last I heard it was against the law to carry a firearm in a commercial vehicle. I think it's a felony, and that's everywhere.

As far as self defense goes, I'm still a heavyweight at 213, but that doesn't do a whole lot of good against a real weapon. I think the best thing I can get that's still legal is a tire billy.

[Haole Girl]

14. Well, that explains why my Grandfather used the tire iron!

;-)

[auntAgonist]

19. Federal Law

http://www.squidoo.com/federalcdlgunlaw

CDL Drivers Federal Gun Law.
Can a CDL truck driver legally carry a gun in the truck? This is a very HOT topic! In my previous article, "CDL Truck Drivers Carrying Guns," much controversy was created because nothing could be found anywhere showing any Federal Law stating that it was illegal to carry. I have pointed out that there is NO Federal Law saying that it is illegal, only city, county and state laws that make it illegal to do so, as well as policies set forth by the motor carrier. I have found the actual Federal Law revealing the insight on this subject, listed below:
Title 18 Setcion 926(a). The peacable journey law.
Sec. 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms.
Title 18 Setcion 926(a). The peacable journey law.

TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I--CRIMES

CHAPTER 44--FIREARMS

Sec. 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the
firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the
passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

---------------------

interpretation.

Federal Law Interpretation
OK...now that we have the Federal Law on this matter, what does it mean? I would say that you could give this to 50 attorneys, and all 50 would interpret it differently! I believe what it is saying, is what I originally wrote in my previous articles....a CDL driver may carry a gun in the truck with him or her, PROVIDING that it does not violate any other STATE law, in which the driver will be passing through. Thus my point again...city, county and state laws may be the prevention for CDL truck drivers to carry guns...

there's more on that page :)

[MilesColtrane]

13. My standard answer, " I can't help you, man."

I have neither the time nor the savvy to determine who really needs "a couple of bucks for gas/bus ticket/sandwich", and who's trying to scrape up enough for a rock to smoke.

My charitable contributions go through a more reliable distribution channel.

[Tektonik]

15. Bring a knife or whatever weapon you're allowed to have with you

That's creepy.

[Catshrink]

16. Desperate people do desperate things

Sounds like this was a setup and your intuition was right on. I agree with the advice above to alert your company and the police about the situation. Is anyone else around or is the area totally deserted? I'm thinking if you had a loud alarm you could set off it might draw attention to the situation which would scare them off. Get the license numbers if you can -- a photo would be nice but of course, it's at night so that would be difficult.

Somewhere along the line I've heard advice about robberies etc. They say that if you get into the car with someone so they can drive you to your ATM so you can get money for them, you're toast. Don't get into the car with strangers! It's as true now as when we were kids and our parents were telling us that.

Good luck! Pay attention to those instincts of yours -- looks like they saved you this time.

[Enrique]

17. you can lie to people about not having money

it's allowed. :-)

By the way, I can envision much worse scenarios than you described if you got into that woman's car.