…or, if not that, something funny, and not in a good way, was going on anyway.
The nearest cash machine to my place is at my local branch bank, in a small shopping center. There is a supermarket a few doors down, but on a Sunday, with the bank closed, the machine is a bit far away from other pedestrian traffic.
As a I walked up to the machine, three kids, all about 14, rolled up on scooters. and took up positions surrounding me. That was the first alarm. I had already started a transaction, so I had to wait for the machine to finish dispensing the money I’d requested, and couldn’t keep an eye on them all at once. At that moment, I sensed that the one directly behind me had picked up his scooter to a height that seemed as though he was about to wield it as a club. I turned around to see him putting it back down. “Hello”, he said. Hello indeed.
Apparently what stopped them was that just then a car had pulled up. The woman behind the wheel commented loudly about how odd it seemed that these kids were hanging about, and I made a point of hanging around myself while she used the machine.
I’ll admit I’m not the fastest person on the uptake, and it took a few minutes to register what happened (or seemed about to happen). These were weedy little kids; each one by himself was half my size, and I’m not a big dude. It threw me off.
After I drove off, I ended up calling the local Sheriff’s departement, and they said they’d check it out, but by then the kids had lit out for the territories. Maybe it was nothing at all, but it has bothered me enough that I’m here typing this out rather than sleeping.
Sounds like your instincts were correct. Don’t ever ignore them. You were really lucky that other person pulled up in her car when she did. Often, all people like these kids need is to know you’re paying attention. Ignoring them in favor of waiting for the machine was not the best thing. Better to turn your back on the machine even if the transaction times out, and face the would-be attackers, than to risk someone bashing in the back of your head. I know someone who did just that, and got a baseball bat to his head for it. Woke up to a police officer standing over him and calling the coroner - cop honestly thought he was dead. Hospitalized for three days.
I’m glad you and the other person were ultimately unscathed, but please don’t ignore those spidey sense tingles next time. The money will still be in the machine once they’ve gone. Just turn around and look at them for a moment, and if that’s not enough to make them skedaddle, ask them what’s up and have a hand on your phone in your pocket. Simply not looking like an easy target is all you need 99% of the time.
Get a whistle you can wear around your neck, use it whenever you go to the ATM. Have it in your mouth and ready to blow. I suspect a loud blast would have sent them off too!
Also consider having your phone in hand, either like you’re talking to someone, or you’re taking a picture, both could easily deter an attacker.
Glad nothing happened, keep on trusting those instincts!
It occurs to me that there probably is a surveillance camera on the ATM. I’ll swing by the bank this morning and see if they’d be willing to go back and look at the video (if any, and if my fat face wasn’t blocking the view).
I was almost mugged a couple of years ago. I was walking in an underground pedway and I became aware of someone walking very close to me. I was holding my purse on that side so I started suspecting that he was going to grab it. I did a 180 and started walking the other way and he instantly changed his direction as well so then I knew.
I came to a complete stop, turned and stared at him and he stopped, smiled, shrugged his shoulders and turned around and walked away.
There is likely a camera at the ATM; however, since the teens did not commit an illegal act, then it’s unlikely you’ll get to see whatever is on that camera.
Had you been assaulted, then it might be different.
It’s always a good time to remind folks to be more aware of their surroundings.
It’s easy to get complacent, but paying attention to people around you and how they are behaving is crucial to not becoming a victim.
I have avoided robbery, assault, and worse by changing my path, making eye contact with the bad guy so he knows he’s been seen, or even displaying a weapon without pointing it at anyone when I have noticed predators circling.
Please do some research on this, and take a self-defense course if you are able.
You’ll learn so many cool things on how to spot and avoid trouble everywhere you go.
Raising a skateboard to a striking position would be along the lines of pulling out a knife. It may be enough for the police to follow up, show the parents the video and let the kids know they now on a shit list. The local police followed up on an incident in my area years ago and we never saw the kids again.
Every little bit helps. You could have been their very first victim, or their first failed assault. Reporting the almost mugging will go into the local MO database that might prevent another mugging, and/or speed up their capture down the road.
[QUOTE=Duckster]
Every little bit helps. You could have been their very first victim, or their first failed assault. Reporting the almost mugging will go into the local MO database that might prevent another mugging, and/or speed up their capture down the road.
[/QUOTE]
Exactly my thinking.
Anyway, stopped at the bank and gave them a report. There was a camera on the ATM, and based on my position it should have shown the kid directly behind me. They indicated they’d be looking at the tapes, but I knew getting to see them myself was unlikely.
Glad that you informed the cops and the bank of this incident. I bet the little delinquents will try it again, and it’s possible this info will prevent someone else from getting hurt or at least make it easier to catch them if the kids do it again.
I think one should always be on alert when using an ATM. It’s a situation where you have a handful of cash and could quite possibly be distracted by the screen prompts, so I am sure that a lot of crooks consider it an easy target.
Good for you…robbery at ATMs is extremely common in Brazil-many victims are forced to draw out their entire account.
You have to be aware at all times…criminals come in all shapes and sizes, and it probably was not these dirtbag’s first attempt at armed robbery.