It didnt make the news, but this AM around 7-7:30 there were 3 individuals driving around a SW side Indy township doing armed robberies by finding targets of opportunity as people were warming up/scraping windows and otherwise trying to go to leave their homes to go to work. Not stealing cars, but apparently going for phones, purses, wallets, etc. I think the patrolman said they hit 8 people in the township before they were caught. I dont think anyone was hurt.
My across the street neighbor was the 8th victim.
I was rousted from my bed by a firm, persistent knock at the front door at 7:45. It was IMPD. I was half asleep and confused/shocked and asked "wait, what? Robbery or burglary?" the latter and other property crimes arent uncommon here. Neighbors knew about my cameras and he asked me to see if I got anything to get a better description of the perp. (only 15 mins had passed and they wanted answers NOW) I had. Not as much detail as I would wish, but I got the act, with audio. (it was sickening and angering to watch such a nice young lady assaulted and terrified simply for being outside on her own property minding her own business)
You cant see the car on video (just out of frame) but you can see the headlights where they do a u turn at the intersection and park facing the exit for a getaway about 125' from her. He comes into frame walking in her general direction but not directly at her. He hits the sidewalk behind her car and appears to have a trajectory of moving on down the sidewalk. As he reaches the far side of the drive walking away from her, he immediately does a 180 and walks behind the car and approaches her by the drivers door and points a gun at her. That is where she screams and runs off. (cant say I blame her) She ran to the front door with perp in tow for help from her boyfriend, screaming hysterically the whole way. The perp followed her, presumably to follow her inside, but from my perspective, as soon as she opened the front door and their pitbull started barking he took off like Usain Bolt. I SOOOO wish the dog had bolted out the door taken a piece of him. (He's really a big baby, even though he looks vicious.)
The detective stopped by half an hour after the Patrolman told him I had video. He said they thought they had the suspects in custody. Woohoo!!! They nailed them right outside our neighborhood, about 250yds up the street)
Here is the takeaway I got from it. Her SA sucked. A car does a U turn 100' away from her and parked. Then somebody got out and started walking toward her while the car remained and was still running. (HUUUGE red flag... unless the car leaves) She appeared to have no idea he was there.
So what changes in my carry habit? I usually would not "strap on" and carry at home until I had to go out and leave my property. (its a peaceful, safe neighborhood after all) Then I would strap on and just leave it on when I got home because my Supertuck is awesome and super comfy. *shameless plug* I think that will change from now on and my gun will go on right after my belt is threaded through my pants and my wallet goes into my pocket. Im going to always have at least a pocket gun, or OC spray if I'm in running shorts and outside. This is getting ridiculous. They have gone from sneaking around and stealing stuff when people arent looking at oh-dark thirty, to sneaking into running cars left to warm up, to now strong arming folks as they get ready to leave for work. It cant get much worse than this. (well, yes it can. We do have the odd home invasion, but that so far (thank God) is due to drug activity. Perps figure out drugs are being sold and there is mucho cash in the house)
Here is hoping my video helps the prosecution. But my money is on a plea deal and 6 months in county lockup.(if that) Just in time to do this again in nice weather. Hell, I wouldnt be surprised if he is out before the snow melts. Here is hoping next time he catches a bullet. Animals. And most infuriating, as they were doing this, The school buses were running. They missed the elementary bus by 5 minutes or so. Another 30 minutes and there would have been about 6 high school kids standing around waiting for the bus.
My across the street neighbor was the 8th victim.
I was rousted from my bed by a firm, persistent knock at the front door at 7:45. It was IMPD. I was half asleep and confused/shocked and asked "wait, what? Robbery or burglary?" the latter and other property crimes arent uncommon here. Neighbors knew about my cameras and he asked me to see if I got anything to get a better description of the perp. (only 15 mins had passed and they wanted answers NOW) I had. Not as much detail as I would wish, but I got the act, with audio. (it was sickening and angering to watch such a nice young lady assaulted and terrified simply for being outside on her own property minding her own business)
You cant see the car on video (just out of frame) but you can see the headlights where they do a u turn at the intersection and park facing the exit for a getaway about 125' from her. He comes into frame walking in her general direction but not directly at her. He hits the sidewalk behind her car and appears to have a trajectory of moving on down the sidewalk. As he reaches the far side of the drive walking away from her, he immediately does a 180 and walks behind the car and approaches her by the drivers door and points a gun at her. That is where she screams and runs off. (cant say I blame her) She ran to the front door with perp in tow for help from her boyfriend, screaming hysterically the whole way. The perp followed her, presumably to follow her inside, but from my perspective, as soon as she opened the front door and their pitbull started barking he took off like Usain Bolt. I SOOOO wish the dog had bolted out the door taken a piece of him. (He's really a big baby, even though he looks vicious.)
The detective stopped by half an hour after the Patrolman told him I had video. He said they thought they had the suspects in custody. Woohoo!!! They nailed them right outside our neighborhood, about 250yds up the street)
Here is the takeaway I got from it. Her SA sucked. A car does a U turn 100' away from her and parked. Then somebody got out and started walking toward her while the car remained and was still running. (HUUUGE red flag... unless the car leaves) She appeared to have no idea he was there.
So what changes in my carry habit? I usually would not "strap on" and carry at home until I had to go out and leave my property. (its a peaceful, safe neighborhood after all) Then I would strap on and just leave it on when I got home because my Supertuck is awesome and super comfy. *shameless plug* I think that will change from now on and my gun will go on right after my belt is threaded through my pants and my wallet goes into my pocket. Im going to always have at least a pocket gun, or OC spray if I'm in running shorts and outside. This is getting ridiculous. They have gone from sneaking around and stealing stuff when people arent looking at oh-dark thirty, to sneaking into running cars left to warm up, to now strong arming folks as they get ready to leave for work. It cant get much worse than this. (well, yes it can. We do have the odd home invasion, but that so far (thank God) is due to drug activity. Perps figure out drugs are being sold and there is mucho cash in the house)
Here is hoping my video helps the prosecution. But my money is on a plea deal and 6 months in county lockup.(if that) Just in time to do this again in nice weather. Hell, I wouldnt be surprised if he is out before the snow melts. Here is hoping next time he catches a bullet. Animals. And most infuriating, as they were doing this, The school buses were running. They missed the elementary bus by 5 minutes or so. Another 30 minutes and there would have been about 6 high school kids standing around waiting for the bus.