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My 23 year old daughter was mugged in her apartment parking lot last Friday night. Needless to say, her Mother and I were and are very upset!

As I understand it, she was followed through the security gate by another car as she drove into the parking lot. As she pulled into her parking spot, she noticed the car that had followed her had stopped behind her (blocking her in). Thinking it was probably just someone dropping somebody off at the apartments, she proceeded to exit her car and proceed to her apartment.
As she stepped out of her car and closed the door, two masked figures approached her with a gun drawn and demanded she hand over her purse and lie down. She immediately threw her purse and keys on the ground and ran. No shots were fired and they did not pursue her.
The perps made off with about $10.00 cash, a credit card, cell phone, and a $600 purse.
Given the situation, I told her that she reacted to their demands exactly as she should have, but I stressed to her the importance of being aware of what is going on around her. If she believed that someone was being "dropped off" she should have waited to see if the car pulled away before she got out of her car.
Not ever having been robbed myself, I am not sure what my reaction would have been. I think my daughter did the right thing.
What would you have done?

Lefty

Wow! I am so sorry to read that. I agree totally that she reacted perfectly to the demands. 'Give up the stuff, but not yourself.' She ran instead of lying down.

Good reaction by her...
Bad situational awareness by her.

Will she get a CHL now? I think having a CHL just makes you become more aware. I know it did for me. Not only does the class help, if you have a good instructor, but just carrying in itself makes me think more when out and about.

No kidding. She did as well as she could have once she found herself in that situation.

I don't like being followed too much. If I notice someone I think might be following me I'll take a circuitous route away from my house to check.

I am so thankful that robbed & scared is all that happened to her. She did well under the circumstances. Awareness as you stated is imperrative. If she will consider defense training & a CHL that is also important. If they had wanted her instead of money she had nothing to defend herself with. 2 men against a woman she has no chance w/o a superrior weapon to theirs.

After making the mistake of exiting her car, she made no other mistakes. She probably prevented a second crime by running instead of laying down.

I'm glad your daughter wasn't hurt.

I'm puzzled by this, though:

The perps made off with about $10.00 cash, a credit card, cell phone, and a $600 purse.

$600? For a PURSE?

HankB wrote:I'm glad your daughter wasn't hurt.

I'm puzzled by this, though:

The perps made off with about $10.00 cash, a credit card, cell phone, and a $600 purse.

$600? For a PURSE?

I also was wonderin' about that $10 bill in a $600 purse but being the quintessential gentleman that I am...

HankB wrote:

$600? For a PURSE?[/quote]
Believe it. As someone who has shopped for a purse for his wife, I could not believe it myself. It's insane. They're just selling a name. And the sales people are snooty. It's laughable. Don't get me started on the music they play, too.

I'd rather have $600 cash in a $10 purse, myself...

Good for her for running!

was 911 called? how did the criminals leave the complex?. Any Id for the criminals?

Once she was out of her car, she made no mistakes and did well. I am glad she was smart enough to throw the purse and run, and also glad it turned out okay with no one hurt. But her first mistake was in parking. When she saw someone follow her through the gates, she should not park. Drive around the lot (I hope it allows her to make a circle) and leave the complex. This has become a very common trick for criminals to get into gated complexes. If it was another resident, they will park and get out of the car, making the first car through safe to park.

Many complexes ask that you stop your car after coming through the gate to block it and let the gate close before anyone else gets in. I like that idea but it seems like the same complexes put sensors in the ground to keep the gates open so they don't close too early, damaging some residents car.

srothstein wrote:Once she was out of her car, she made no mistakes and did well. I am glad she was smart enough to throw the purse and run, and also glad it turned out okay with no one hurt. But her first mistake was in parking. When she saw someone follow her through the gates, she should not park. Drive around the lot (I hope it allows her to make a circle) and leave the complex. This has become a very common trick for criminals to get into gated complexes. If it was another resident, they will park and get out of the car, making the first car through safe to park.

Many complexes ask that you stop your car after coming through the gate to block it and let the gate close before anyone else gets in. I like that idea but it seems like the same complexes put sensors in the ground to keep the gates open so they don't close too early, damaging some residents car.

I tell my wife if she thinks she is being followed to not come home, make 4 right turns if they are still there drive to police station. She asks where is police station at, I say I dunno

My daughter would bring the followers to me.

As a father of a daughter just slightly older, I can really empathize. I am glad to hear that she will be okay.