From Maryann

I wanted to post the story of what happened last night for a heads up to everyone to be aware of their surroundings and to take precautions. It makes you realize how quickly your life could just be over.

Larry was on his way to the house last night about 9:15 pm. He took the usual route which runs by DFW Airport and right by my office in a pretty secluded area in the evenings. A car passed him and then cut him off right before the light and proceeded to slam on the brakes. Larry hit his brakes to keep from rear ending the car and when he looked up another car had pulled up almost on the rear bumper.

The passenger of the first vehicle jumped out wearing a Scream halloween mask and with a gun. He yelled at him to unlock the doors, having nowhere to go Larry did so and he got in the passenger side. He told him to follow the first car which he did about two miles down the road to a park with a gravel lot. They pulled in, the guy asked Larry what he had that was valuable and if he lied he would kill him. Larry told him about the laptop, camera equipment, golf clubs, etc in the trunk. He made him put his face in the steering wheel and stay there while he got out and looked in the trunk.

He came back and asked him what else he had, L didn't have any cash on him and the guy didn't want his credit cards. He remembered he had his Ipod so he gave them that too and with that the guy told him to get out of the car. He made him lie on the gravel face down in the parking lot and told him if he moved he'd shoot him. At that point they took off with my second car, a Pontiac Grand Am.

Since he was next to the airport and there was nothing around he ran about a mile until he found a couple walking who in turn called 911. (They took the cell phone in the stolen car) By the time the cops called me and I got up there they had already tried to ping the cell phone to find the location but the carjacker turned it off immediately so no luck. It definitely seemed like a professional hit and the police said that it's quite possible the car will be used for another crime in the next few days. When I asked why they'd steal a Pontiac over some fancy expensive car they said it would probably be used as a getaway car and it's a bonus for them it does not have On Star.

Although there really wasn't much he could have done to save himself, it makes me realize how unaware I am of my surroundings. The police said the best thing to do in the situation is what he did - follow their directions exactly and do not do anything to cause waves. I wanted to post to remind everyone that it could just happen to anyone at anytime and to please be careful. -M

PS He's fine, unhurt but horribly shaken up.