Thursday, May 29, 2008

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.

22 comments:

Lacy said...

w00f's MA and the brats, wow now that was scarey...he had a guardian angel with him, for sure...i usually try to watch what is going on around me, but being from a small town sometimes i dont pay a lot of attention, but i will from now on..just happy he is safe...and thanks for reminding us we are not invinceable...

b safe,
rocky
bear and
angel lacylulu
and mama!!!

Ruby Bleu said...

OMG Maryann....thank goodness he is ok. Be safe...

Michele

Randi said...

Maryann! OH MY GOD! I am so thankful Larry is OK & that only stuff was taken...wow..what a wakeup call... I consider myself to be quite aware of my surroundings..but in a situation like that, well, you have no choice I guess but to obey...wow...this just sends chills up my spine, which I'm sure won't be lessened anytime soon...for you or Larry...

Please take care...I guess its these situations that you can take "stock" of what you have & the most valuable of all came home safe & sound...

Love to all,
Randi's mom

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Oh dear. That is very scary. I hope the police catch those bad people... Thank dog Larry is unhurt.

~ Girl girl

Gus said...

MaryAnn and Larry...We are just grateful that Larry was not hurt. Let the Pack have their loving way to help him feel more secure.

kisses
gussie

Unknown said...

OMG that is terrifying! Glad he wasnt hurt!

Mud Monster said...

OMG Maryann Mommy and I both held our breath reading your post. Thank dogness Larry was unhurt. What a horrid thing for people to do. Both mom and I hope and pray that the police do catch those bad people.

Tell the pack I said to give their daddy & you licks from me.

xoxoxo,
Quincy

Shmoo said...

I'm so happy that Larry is ok, and I hope they get those b****ds for doing that to him. What is wrong with society?

Meeshka

Lady Kaos said...

I'm glad Larry is okay and they didn't hurt him. He did a good job and I hope the police find those people and lock them up! I'm sending you and Larry lots of chaotic hugs!!!
Love
Kaos

Molly the Airedale said...

OMG, what a horrible experience for both of you! Thank goodness Larry wasn't hurt!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Shannon said...

OMG! How terrifying! Glad Larry is ok and despite this being a "small town" I will definitely be paying a lot more attention to my surroundings! Sending you guys lots of hugs!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Maryann.
Sure that was scary. Glad to hear that Larry is unhurt.
Take care
Lorenza

One of the pack said...

Ugh! This is so horrible.
We are very excited no one was physically hurt, but what an awful ordeal.

Sibe vibes to you!

Lola

Princess Eva and Brice said...

We are so sorry to hear that you and Larry had to experience that. Thankfully, he didn't panic and then end up in worse situation. I don't think that it's a situation that anyone could ever truly be prepared for but if it did happen to us, we hope that we would react as Larry did.

Thanks for reminder,
Eva (and Doug & Vic)

Izzie said...

Oh my. I'm so glad Larry wasn't physically hurt! I can't imagine how scary that must have been. I'm sending positive woof-vibes his way today!

Deanna said...

OH! Scary!

Amici said...

Whew, that is a horrible thing to happen to Larry. We're glad he is okay. We hope the police catch those people.

Jans Funny Farm said...

Someone waving a gun at you is definitely a terrifying experience. We're glad they took the car and didn't harm Larry. Well, we're not GLAD they took the car. You know what we mean. The car can be replaced. Larry can't be.

wally said...

Oh wow. I'm so glad that Larry got away unhurt. He is very brave. THat sounds so terrifying. My ma ape is very worried about you guys.

wally.

Kapp pack said...

How scary and I know that's an understatement! Thank dog Larry is ok!

Woo woo, Kelsey Ann

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your story with us! It's a good reminder to stay calm in dangerous situations.

XOXO

Dog Lover

Lisa said...

I've always heard of the ones pulling in front and hitting their brakes as insurance scammers, but man how scary this must have been for poor Larry. Thank God he's okay!!! I hope they catch the monsters who did this.

National Canine Cancer Foundation