The freakiest thing just happened to me

larrygaga · June 2014

So I was at the store in the parking lot and I noticed this man standing around. I figured he was waiting for someone to get out of his car so I just was making sure all my things were in my purse. While I was doing that he got really close to my car and started looking in at me. Then he walked around back and was staring at my license plate ( I think). I thought I could wait for him to go away and then go in the store, but he wouldn't leave. So I started my car and tried to back out and he just stood behind me like he wasn't going to let me back out. I nearly hit him, because I wasn't going to let this fool stop me from leaving. As I was driving away he took this big fancy camera and it looked like he was getting ready to take pictures of my car or me or something. He stared at me the entire time I was leaving. Then he got into his car and started it. I don't think he followed me home. I really need to carry pepper spray in my purse, and here is my lesson.

theartistformerlyknownas · June 2014

Eek! That's super creepy!!! I know where to find a good knife if you need one.

JCbride2015 · June 2014

Damn that is creepy. I might have called the cops right then and there.

We always think of urban areas as more dangerous, but suburban parking lots can be really scary too, sometimes. At least it was light out and you're OK!

sarawifenow · June 2014

Ahh that is creepy as fuck! You definitely did the right thing by leaving! I would just be extra aware of your surroundings for awhile.

vk2204 · June 2014

That is super creepy! Like PP said, be extra aware of your surroundings for awhile and get some mace! Or when I don't feel like pulling the mace out of my bag to be obvious I will hold my keys in my hand poking out between my fingers and make sure that if I have to punch someone they are getting stabbed.

AprilH81 · June 2014

This is kind of out there, but could he have been a private investigator? Maybe I've been watching too much Veronica Mars... lol

ladyamanuet · June 2014

SUPER creepy. If he is a PI, then he sucks - you aren't supposed to notice PIs.

I definitely would have called the cops, but I have no tolerance for stuff like that. Please be EXTRA aware of your surroundings for a while. If you see him again, try and snap a picture on your phone, or get his license plate number.

larrygaga · June 2014

I don't know why I would have a PI on me! I will be aware and I will be buying some pepper spray. I usually walk with my keys out. I'm no stranger to fighting though, so at least there is that. ugh. If I see this guy again I'll call the cops.

theartistformerlyknownas · June 2014

Be really careful with pepper spray... often the person getting hurt the most by it is the person spraying. And it expires pretty quickly and loses potency so if you try to use it once it's gone bad, you'll really just annoy the perp more.

jdluvr06 · June 2014

That is creepy! Yeah get some pepper spray.

mysticl · June 2014

vk2204 said:

That is super creepy! Like PP said, be extra aware of your surroundings for awhile and get some mace! Or when I don't feel like pulling the mace out of my bag to be obvious I will hold my keys in my hand poking out between my fingers and make sure that if I have to punch someone they are getting stabbed.

Several years ago I was at conference where one of the speakers was a woman's self defense expert. She said you should never do that because you can end up badly cutting your hand on your own keys as they slide through your fingers and then you won't be able to fight any more if you didn't take the guy out with the first punch. Her suggestion for using keys as a weapon was to hold them by the keychain and whip the keys at the person's face.

wandajune6 · June 2014

Be careful! And if you see anything off in the next few days, call the cops ASAP!

loveislouder · June 2014

Eek. Scary as shit. I know a good lawyer if you kick his ass! :P

emmaaa · June 2014

That is creepy! I would have honestly said something to him along the lines of, "Excuse me can I help you?" Just to call him out on his bullshit creepiness.

gmcr78 · June 2014

Sounds to me like he might have thought you did something-like damaged his car, or something. I once pulled up in a parking lot behind a car and the girl got out and stared at me, and then looked at her bumper as if I had hit her. I wasn't even near her bumper, and never touched the car. I chalk it up to her being a crazy litigious person looking for something to complain about in every situation. I basically glared at her as I walked into the diner I was going to and then kept an eye on her through the window until she left. Or this guy could be some random creeper, in which case, you may want to think about reporting him. At least to the business whose lot you were in.

larrygaga · June 2014

Do you think he could find out where I live by my plate number?

natswild · June 2014

@larrygaga‌ think about wasp spray instead of pepper spray. It's legal everywhere, and sprays about 20 feet

beethery · June 2014

lolo883 said:

Be really careful with pepper spray... often the person getting hurt the most by it is the person spraying. And it expires pretty quickly and loses potency so if you try to use it once it's gone bad, you'll really just annoy the perp more.

@larrygaga Get a Kimber Pepper Blaster (click). Shoots a pepper gel up to 13 feet, and there is no spray blowback. Works like a dream and does. not. eff. around.

I always recommend these for women who are not comfortable with guns or afraid of carrying pepper spray because of the blowback issue. Stay safe

pinkcow13 · June 2014

larrygaga said:

Do you think he could find out where I live by my plate number?

That is extremely creepy. I think he might be able to, if he googles them? I would think maybe the DOMV would have some sort of record maybe.

vk2204 · June 2014

larrygaga said:

Do you think he could find out where I live by my plate number?

STUCK IN BOX

If he has access to certain systems that can gain that type of information, then he could find out. But I don't think any regular creepy person can do that without it. I would write down everything you can remember about the guy - what he looked like, the type of camera he had, the car he drove, ANYTHING, just to keep it fresh in case there are other issues in the future.

gladyscf · June 2014

vk2204 said:

show previous quotes

larrygaga said:

Do you think he could find out where I live by my plate number?

STUCK IN BOX

If he has access to certain systems that can gain that type of information, then he could find out. But I don't think any regular creepy person can do that without it. I would write down everything you can remember about the guy - what he looked like, the type of camera he had, the car he drove, ANYTHING, just to keep it fresh in case there are other issues in the future.

This. Do this as fast as you can.

LadyMillil · June 2014

mysticl said:

show previous quotes

vk2204 said:

That is super creepy! Like PP said, be extra aware of your surroundings for awhile and get some mace! Or when I don't feel like pulling the mace out of my bag to be obvious I will hold my keys in my hand poking out between my fingers and make sure that if I have to punch someone they are getting stabbed.

Several years ago I was at conference where one of the speakers was a woman's self defense expert. She said you should never do that because you can end up badly cutting your hand on your own keys as they slide through your fingers and then you won't be able to fight any more if you didn't take the guy out with the first punch. Her suggestion for using keys as a weapon was to hold them by the keychain and whip the keys at the person's face.

Ditto this. In my self-defence class they also said that once you punch someone your reflex is to open your hand, so you will likely drop the keys.

slothiegal · June 2014

Eeesh!

Just a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings. I used to work with criminals, and the majority of the violent offenders (muggings, rapes, etc.) said that they would look out for women who were playing with their phones, digging through their purse, just in general not paying attention. Walk with a purpose and make sure to look around the area.

And just because I plug it whenever it's relevant, I HIGHLY recommend the book "Gift of Fear"; it's a GREAT read about our instincts that can keep us out of harm's way. I can't say enough good things about it.

Senecaf · June 2014

Yikes!

larrygaga · June 2014

Thank you guys. I wrote down everything I remember about him and I will be on the lookout for that gel pepper spray. I won't punch with keys and I will be careful when I go out next. Hopefully it was just a weirdo. If I see him again I will call the cops.

MairePoppy · June 2014

That happened to my friend once at night. After she got into her car, a man pulled up behind her, locking her into her spot. When she started up her car, he stayed put, so she started honking her horn to get attention. He took off.

Dignity100 · June 2014

Scary!! Hopefully it's something more simple like he thought you had a stolen car or something silly like that.

mrsmorales2be · June 2014

OP - I seriously doubt he would be able to get your personal information from your tag number alone. The DMV wouldn't have a reason to release that info (and I don't think they can, anyway). He couldn't get it from law enforcement either (as a dispatcher, I would know...) because that information is law enforcement sensitive and, unless available on something that's public record (such as an accident report) that tag's not getting ran for, or released to, this creeper. And it's not like he can go to the records clerk and ask for any accident report involving your tag number. Just be situationally aware, and if anything else happens, contact local law enforcement.

lc07 · June 2014

I don't mean to scare you but there are tons of different types of jobs people hold where they have access to your address if they have your plate number or DL number. (Auto insurance employees, government agencies, Blockbuster FFS) Also, to anyone else reading (because this ship has sailed for you OP) if you ever feel like someone is stalking you - DONT drive home. You don't want to lead them to your house. OP, it was most likely just a random (albeit very creepy) one-time deal. Just be extra vigilant. Glad you know how to kick ass.

ElcaB · June 2014

If any thing like that ever happens again, you should absolutely report it.

In the meantime, don't just be on the lookout for pepper spray --- Amazon that shit immediately. Also, I have to ask: How do you feel about firearms? It might be a good time to get that CCW.

Fran1985 · June 2014

If you've written down everything I would still call police- just call the non emergency number. I would tell them all that info. Maybe the store has called before or someone else made a similar report. Most likely they won't be able to do anything, but I am always a fan of over reporting.

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