SEAL Survival Guide (31 page)

CONVENIENCE STORE OR BANK ROBBERY

Although each situation is different, individuals who decide to hold up a convenience store, for example, will usually be armed, desperate, and unpredictable—which is a
very
dangerous combination. Keep in mind, this person is committing a serious felony and can become extremely dangerous if you present yourself as a disruption to their intent. You have very important decisions to make in a very short time, which is why the threat assessment is again so important.

1. If you have access to a quick escape before the robbers control the scene, take it!

2. Failing that, your best response is to stay low, and find cover if possible.

3. Comply with any instructions the robbers have, up to the point at which you foresee harm coming to yourself from doing so.

4. Remember, “Life before property.” If you think the assailant will simply leave the premises after taking what they want, then let them. Let them finish their bank robbery without drawing attention to yourself or intervening.

5. Keep an eye on their movements without direct eye contact. Don’t be curious and stare at them to see what’s happening, since this will actually increase your chances of being considered a witness that the assailant might be inclined to eliminate.

6. However, as I stated earlier, “If I die, let it be on my feet.” I’d rather take the risk of fighting than risk being gunned down by a drugged-up criminal while lying on the ground. These assailants are usually so dangerous that they could start shooting everyone present, even if unprovoked. If this is your threat assessment, and you are in the immediate proximity of the assailant, fighting is the only option. Pull the trigger and disable the thief with your maximum effort.

7. When it’s over and police arrive, don’t move, and make sure to show your hands, so as not to be mistaken as a threat. (See the instructions for encountering law enforcement in the “Active Shooter” section,
page 37
.)

CARJACKING

Since the day the horse was left in the barn and the automobile became the standard means of transportation, cars have been getting stolen. Until relatively recent times, the average car thief knew how to hot-wire a car and take it when the owner was unaware. Carjacking, defined as forcibly stealing a car while it is occupied, increased in popularity proportionately as more and more antitheft devices became included in autos.

For the criminal, it’s easier to steal a car that is running or one that has keys in it than it is to steal a vehicle with a screeching alarm system that may alert authorities. That you happen to be in the car, or are about to get in it, is an asset to the thief, since the car is ready to steal and drive away quickly. However, you are also the carjacker’s greatest liability, and one that needs to be overcome swiftly with an element of surprise. Unlike in other crimes that require planning, such as home invasions, the carjacker usually makes a rapid choice of which car to target. Still, they do have criteria and are generally looking for several things when picking their targets:

• Someone who seems preoccupied and distracted (such as on a cell phone).

• Individuals who seem weaker than the carjacker or look like they will not fight.

• Vehicles with only a single occupant.

Situational Awareness

Carjacking happens when the car is stopped. Nearly 95 percent of all carjacking takes place in urban and suburban areas, usually no more than five miles from the victim’s home. These crimes occur more often in broad daylight than at night, and usually at intersections or in large commercial parking lots when the victim is either entering or exiting their car. According to the FBI, a weapon, predominantly a gun or a knife, is used in 75 percent of all carjacking incidents. Since most law enforcement agencies do not track carjacking separately from general theft and/or assault, it is difficult to precisely profile the type of person most often victimized. However, the National Crime Victim Survey suggests that men driving alone are more frequently targeted at night, while lone women are the primary victims during the day. In either case, situational awareness is the first defense against car-jackers.

No carjacker is going to jump into a moving vehicle, so be particularly alert at:

• ATMs—they get money and a car

• Gas stations—the carjacker gets a full tank of gas and a vehicle

• High-crime areas

• Freeway exit and entry ramps

• Less-traveled roads (in rural areas)

• Intersections where you must stop

• Isolated areas in parking lots

• Residential driveways and gates

Typical Strategies

Learning about the strategies thieves use will help you determine precautions you should take to avoid them. Be aware that in these first three methods there is some type of
“story”
associated with the carjacking. Pay attention to the tale that is being told to help you avoid danger.

THE BUMP AND JUMP

One technique carjackers use, particularly in quiet areas of suburbs or on country roads, is to hit your car from behind. The normal procedure following such an incident is to stop the vehicle and exchange license and insurance information. However, check out if the scenario seems a bit too manufactured, and scrutinize who is in the car that
just hit you, especially if you see that it is occupied by two people who seem particularly focused on your reaction. I’m not saying that an elderly lady with a poodle on her lap accompanied by another senior couldn’t be a carjacker. However, this scheme is usually pulled off by two or more younger males. Once you stop, they’ve got you. If your gut tells you this seems wrong, keep moving slowly, and wave for them to follow you, until you can stop the car in a more public place. Also, get on your cell phone and notify police of what just happened, who you are, and why you are moving from the scene. Give them information on where you plan to stop.

GOOD SAMARITAN

In this situation, a car may seem disabled on the roadside. One of the jackers will try to flag you down while another person, near the car, feigns injury. Once you stop to offer assistance, they pounce.

Again, I’m not advocating that you avoid helping those in need, but remember to be aware of the situation. Think before stopping to assist in an accident. Immediately call 911 and report the situation, location, number of cars involved, and any injuries. You may choose to wait until the police arrive instead of intervening directly.

If you need a closer look, with your windows rolled up and doors locked, slowly approach the scene but keep at least ten to fifteen feet of distance. This will allow you plenty of time and distance to flee the scene should things go wrong.

THE RUSE METHOD

This is when a car drives alongside you or flashes its lights, apparently wanting to tell you that something is wrong with your car. They may say there is an object dragging from your rear bumper, or even that it seems that there is fire near your muffler. It will always be something that seems to demand immediate attention for the purpose of getting you to pull off the road and stop your car. Generally, the bigger the story, the less accurate it will be, so be aware and listen to your instincts and keep your BS detector on high alert.

THE TRAP TECHNIQUE

They follow you home and wait until you pull into your driveway or a gated community. They ambush you when you park or while you are waiting for the gate to open. In this scenario, the attacker drives up from behind and blocks the victim’s car.

SURPRISE ATTACK

Some carjackers don’t bother with a narrative and merely open your door and yank you out. This is not usually the case at an intersection, since the car will most likely be in drive. This could happen while in a parking lot, when carjackers see that your car is running but you are distracted by texting or whatever.

Prevention

Always remember: Carjackers count on the element of surprise. So the first point of prevention is to not be distracted in high-risk areas. This means no cell phone conversations or seat-dancing to your music. Additionally:

• Keep your doors locked and windows up. Most new vehicles will automatically lock the doors when you put the car in gear.

• When stopped, use your rear- and side-view mirrors to stay aware of your surroundings. This increases your safety and makes it more difficult for an attacker to surprise you.

• Keep some distance between you and the vehicle in front so you can maneuver easily, if necessary. Always remain about one half of your vehicle’s length from the car in front of you when stopped at an intersection.

• It also may help prevent your car from getting carjacked at intersections if you install the maximum allowed legal tint on the front windows. This hinders carjackers from knowing
how many people are in your car or if you are alerted to their planned attack. Don’t be distracted with texting, for example, while approaching your parked car on foot. Enter the car while remaining attentive and wait to send your messages or place your phone calls at another, well-lighted location.

• If you are bumped from behind, or if someone tries to alert you to a problem with your vehicle, pull over only when you reach a safe public place.

• Think before stopping to assist in an accident. It may be safer to call 911 and report the location, number of cars involved, and any injuries you observed.

• If you are parked at a mall or at an office building, and the lot seems abandoned when you wish to return to your car, ask the building’s security for an escort.

• If you are driving into a gated community that doesn’t have security personnel and uses only an intercom, call ahead to have the gate opened. Then wait on the street until the gate is open before turning in and possibly getting trapped.