Minnesota -- Two young Rochester students (first and second grade) said a man approached them Wednesday afternoon as they were walking to their day care after school according to kttc.com.
The unknown man reportedly told Isabel and her friend that they were supposed to go home with him. The two young girls ran away and made it home safely.
The youngest girl's mom says a code word may actually have saved the girls' lives. When the man told the girls they were supposed to go home with him, the second grader asked 'what's my password?' when he provided the wrong answer she started screaming and they ran away.
The girl and her mom picked out the code word just in case someone other than she had to pick her up.
Showing posts with label red flags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red flags. Show all posts
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, May 25, 2007
There were red flags
Oregon -- On May 24, 2004, just before allegedly kidnapping, raping and killing a 19-year-old college student, the 40-year-old suspected killer stalked and then approached two other women near Oregon State University. He then tried to lure them into his van, prosecutors say. He intended to rape and kill them, too, a Benton County District Attorney said.
The man tried to coax the women, both OSU students at the time, close to the van. But the women, who were alone, sensed trouble.
"There were red flags," the District Attorney said. "He tried to engage them with conversation and conduct that clearly establishes that he is trying to lure them into the van, but he just can't get within striking distance."
The victim was last seen about 10 a.m. May 24, 2004, cleaning lampposts in the parking lot of apartments managed by her brother-in-law near the Corvallis campus. Police and thousands of friends and strangers searched unsuccessfully for her for two weeks. Her body has not been found.
Source
The man tried to coax the women, both OSU students at the time, close to the van. But the women, who were alone, sensed trouble.
"There were red flags," the District Attorney said. "He tried to engage them with conversation and conduct that clearly establishes that he is trying to lure them into the van, but he just can't get within striking distance."
The victim was last seen about 10 a.m. May 24, 2004, cleaning lampposts in the parking lot of apartments managed by her brother-in-law near the Corvallis campus. Police and thousands of friends and strangers searched unsuccessfully for her for two weeks. Her body has not been found.
Source
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Didn't like the feeling
Seems very strange to me that the parents didn't check with the modelling agency, all the time her mother got this creepy "something isn't right" feeling.
Story:
Minnesota -- A 17-year-old girl told her parents a photographer had approached her at a local store, claiming to be affiliated with a modeling agency. The man even gave her $200 to buy clothes for the photo shoot.
"To make that money quick, there is something not right. I didn't like the feeling I got," said her mother. The parents took several steps to check out the man. They even contacted local police to check out his criminal history. They found out he had a clean record.
However, when the teen showed up at the hotel room in Brooklyn Park in March, she said she became frightened when the photographer locked the door. The man then showed her other teenager's pictures, some partially clothed, some younger than she. "Right there I was, oh my God, I mean, how much younger, I am 17-years-old and she looked very young and it scared me," the girl said.
After taking several photos of girl, she said, "All of a sudden he grabbed me by the shirt and ripped my shirt off and threw that on the ground." When the man stepped into the bathroom, the girl said she escaped, first peaking at his wallet to learn he had given her a fake name. She then ran to her car, called her Mom and then police.
Source
Story:
Minnesota -- A 17-year-old girl told her parents a photographer had approached her at a local store, claiming to be affiliated with a modeling agency. The man even gave her $200 to buy clothes for the photo shoot.
"To make that money quick, there is something not right. I didn't like the feeling I got," said her mother. The parents took several steps to check out the man. They even contacted local police to check out his criminal history. They found out he had a clean record.
However, when the teen showed up at the hotel room in Brooklyn Park in March, she said she became frightened when the photographer locked the door. The man then showed her other teenager's pictures, some partially clothed, some younger than she. "Right there I was, oh my God, I mean, how much younger, I am 17-years-old and she looked very young and it scared me," the girl said.
After taking several photos of girl, she said, "All of a sudden he grabbed me by the shirt and ripped my shirt off and threw that on the ground." When the man stepped into the bathroom, the girl said she escaped, first peaking at his wallet to learn he had given her a fake name. She then ran to her car, called her Mom and then police.
Source
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Raised no flags
Sadly, even if you follow all security procedures, there's no way to avoid "smart" criminals.
Story:
Missouri -- Authorities continued their search Wednesday for a 48-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old real estate agent while pretending to be in the market to buy a house.
The man, formerly of Las Vegas, was released January 23 from a Texas prison after serving a five-year sentence for bank fraud.
Using an alias, he allegedly pulled out a handgun about 5 p.m. Sunday when he and the real estate agent were in the basement of a house in Weldon Spring. Wilson handcuffed the woman to a pole and sexually assaulted her. The assailant also allegedly put a knife to her throat.
The woman was later found by her husband and co-workers.
Source
Story:
Missouri -- Authorities continued their search Wednesday for a 48-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old real estate agent while pretending to be in the market to buy a house.
The man, formerly of Las Vegas, was released January 23 from a Texas prison after serving a five-year sentence for bank fraud.
Using an alias, he allegedly pulled out a handgun about 5 p.m. Sunday when he and the real estate agent were in the basement of a house in Weldon Spring. Wilson handcuffed the woman to a pole and sexually assaulted her. The assailant also allegedly put a knife to her throat.
The woman was later found by her husband and co-workers.
Source
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Red flags
Here is a great article about "red flags", or danger signs that I like to call them.
It's a great read by an (obviously) experienced police officer.
Even though the examples may be a little off from a civilian point of view, the underlying principle is spot on - always observe and think; use your radar!
Now this may sound tiresome, but I can assure you it is not. It is simply a matter of getting used to having your head and your body at the same place and time. It's nothing fancy at all.
Remember that good self-defense and self preservation begins with awareness. This is not the same as walking around being scared or being "prepared for the worst". Awareness is using your senses and your mind in a relaxed manner. It takes a little exercise, that's all.
Some of the things that may lower your awareness:
Drugs and alcohol, being tired, running late, using headphones or talking on a phone, being upset or angry, being occupied with past or future issues, being caught in tourist traps, travelling, shopping, watching or listening to something that intrigues you - and so on.
It's a great read by an (obviously) experienced police officer.
Even though the examples may be a little off from a civilian point of view, the underlying principle is spot on - always observe and think; use your radar!
Now this may sound tiresome, but I can assure you it is not. It is simply a matter of getting used to having your head and your body at the same place and time. It's nothing fancy at all.
Remember that good self-defense and self preservation begins with awareness. This is not the same as walking around being scared or being "prepared for the worst". Awareness is using your senses and your mind in a relaxed manner. It takes a little exercise, that's all.
Some of the things that may lower your awareness:
Drugs and alcohol, being tired, running late, using headphones or talking on a phone, being upset or angry, being occupied with past or future issues, being caught in tourist traps, travelling, shopping, watching or listening to something that intrigues you - and so on.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Courtroom incidents
Arizona -- "Because of the increased number of incidents in courtrooms over the last several years, we wanted to give court staff the ability to defend themselves if the need arises," Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Training Sgt. Matthew Searles said regarding a new program designed to teach civilian court staff basic self-defense techniques.
The first class was held Sept. 22, and staff members from the county attorney’s office, the probation department, pre-trial services, court security and court administration attended. In addition to hands-on defense training, they received instruction on Arizona’s use of force laws and on courtroom safety.
"The class has an emphasis on observation and safety awareness while in the courtroom, watching who’s there, where you sit and recognizing behavior patterns, basically increased observation skills and awareness," Searles noted.
Source
The first class was held Sept. 22, and staff members from the county attorney’s office, the probation department, pre-trial services, court security and court administration attended. In addition to hands-on defense training, they received instruction on Arizona’s use of force laws and on courtroom safety.
"The class has an emphasis on observation and safety awareness while in the courtroom, watching who’s there, where you sit and recognizing behavior patterns, basically increased observation skills and awareness," Searles noted.
Source
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Being followed
Hmmm...
"She was very aware this person was following her."
And still she just parks outside her house and gets out without being certain about the follower?
And we wonder why people are being victims, and calling crimes for random?
Luckily, this woman escaped unharmed though.
Story:
The victim, who was described as physically slight and "bookish," was returning home from a wedding early Sunday and had just pulled off of the Blue Route when the she noticed a car following close behind.
This car is right up on her to the point she thought it was a police car, according to police. She makes a right, and he's right behind her. She was very aware this person was following her.
When the victim pulled into her driveway she thought the car had driven past her house. But what she didn't know was that the driver of the black Solara parked behind some tall bushes and turned off the car’s lights and ignition, police said.
As the victim gathered some items from the back of her car, the suspect, wearing a mask, walked up from behind. He told her not to scream and to go with him.
At one point, he hit her over the head with what the victim believed to be a silver revolver with a black handle, police said. The woman was forced into the trunk of the car, which the man then drove off. The victim was able to escape from the trunk and call for help.
Source
"She was very aware this person was following her."
And still she just parks outside her house and gets out without being certain about the follower?
And we wonder why people are being victims, and calling crimes for random?
Luckily, this woman escaped unharmed though.
Story:
The victim, who was described as physically slight and "bookish," was returning home from a wedding early Sunday and had just pulled off of the Blue Route when the she noticed a car following close behind.
This car is right up on her to the point she thought it was a police car, according to police. She makes a right, and he's right behind her. She was very aware this person was following her.
When the victim pulled into her driveway she thought the car had driven past her house. But what she didn't know was that the driver of the black Solara parked behind some tall bushes and turned off the car’s lights and ignition, police said.
As the victim gathered some items from the back of her car, the suspect, wearing a mask, walked up from behind. He told her not to scream and to go with him.
At one point, he hit her over the head with what the victim believed to be a silver revolver with a black handle, police said. The woman was forced into the trunk of the car, which the man then drove off. The victim was able to escape from the trunk and call for help.
Source
Thursday, September 07, 2006
It didn't look right
This news article is a great read! I think we have lots to learn from experienced police officers, and the way their intuition works.
Bottom line: If something 'doesn't look right', 'doesn't sound right', or 'looks suspicious', there's a high probability that something is going on.
Story:
When Warren Jeffs, one of the members of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List was captured this last week, most of the story was focused on his religious sect, an unauthorized spin-off of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
What got less notice was that Jeffs was located, identified, and captured not by the estimable Federal Bureau of Investigation, but rather by a Mark I model of the World's Most Effective Crime Suppression Device: a uniformed patrol officer.
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Eddie Dutchover stopped Jeffs' Cadillac Escalade for having a paper license plate that didn't look right. Jeffs was sitting in the back seat of the SUV, eating a salad.
Dutchover's cop radar went off when Jeffs wouldn't make eye contact with him. When the trooper was told that the folks in the Cadillac had just spent a single night in Vegas, it occurred to him that they were carrying a lot of luggage for an overnighter. Dutchover started asking questions and collecting IDs. The rest is history.
Source
Bottom line: If something 'doesn't look right', 'doesn't sound right', or 'looks suspicious', there's a high probability that something is going on.
Story:
When Warren Jeffs, one of the members of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List was captured this last week, most of the story was focused on his religious sect, an unauthorized spin-off of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
What got less notice was that Jeffs was located, identified, and captured not by the estimable Federal Bureau of Investigation, but rather by a Mark I model of the World's Most Effective Crime Suppression Device: a uniformed patrol officer.
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Eddie Dutchover stopped Jeffs' Cadillac Escalade for having a paper license plate that didn't look right. Jeffs was sitting in the back seat of the SUV, eating a salad.
Dutchover's cop radar went off when Jeffs wouldn't make eye contact with him. When the trooper was told that the folks in the Cadillac had just spent a single night in Vegas, it occurred to him that they were carrying a lot of luggage for an overnighter. Dutchover started asking questions and collecting IDs. The rest is history.
Source
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