My son's girlfriend was carjacked!

[Samurai_Writer]

Hey everyone, my 22 year old son's girlfriend (they have lived together for 4 years, off and on) was carjacked last night. The guys beat her up pretty badly. My son was able to track the car down to an apartment complex only two blocks away from where they live, but the criminals got away with her car. She is OK, resting at home. However, there were papers in the car that give the criminals his and her names, addresses and photos. The criminals also saw my son in his truck, so knows what he drives, too. The cops came out and did their thing, but of course, the criminals were long gone.

It's times like these when I feel so helpless living 1100 miles away from them. I know I couldn't help them much if I was there (except perhaps giving them a place to stay instead of being in that apartment), but I still feel horrible.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what they can do to protect themselves? I am nervous about my son having a gun at home, but I suppose it is necessary.

[sir_captain]

1. damn

that's horrible.

i know this is drastic, but could they consider moving?

but seriously, this sounds like advice that should come from the police

[TXlib]

2. If he's thinking about getting a gun...

I'd recommend he think very carefully about whether he's prepared to use deadly force. I think a lot of people who run out and buy guns afer being victimized are doing so hastily, and really aren't prepared to kill. The gun, if an incident ever happens, then ends up in the criminal's hands.

Also, make sure he practices regularly with it.

I would recommend that both he and his girlfriend agree on the above points, or else they shouldn't get a gun.

[Frangible]

4. 98% of defensive uses of guns don't involve firing it

While you should certainly be prepared to use force to defend yourself, you probably will never have to. I carry CCW because I refuse to be a victim, ever.

That said, I'm sorry to hear this happened. It's one thing to lose your car, but to be abused like that in the process is terrible.

[commander bunnypants]

3. man

I am glad she is ok

DDQM

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. Where are they located?

If it's in the Washington DC area, I may have some resources that would help them.

They should express their concerns to the police, who will most likely be glad to offer advice based on experience.

I'm so sorry this happened. Your son's girlfriend might want to get some counseling to help deal with the flood of emotions this trauma is bound to induce. My best wishes to all of you...

[Samurai_Writer]

6. They are in Houston, Texas

Spring Branch area to be exact. Located around Hammerly and Blalock.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Maybe some Houston area DUers can help...

If your son has reason to believe the criminals might strike them again, they might want to move.

Do they have any friends or family they might be able to stay with until they find a place?

[Samurai_Writer]

8. I suggested that...

My mom lives about 20 miles from him, just outside Houston. But my son basically said "They're not scaring me out of my home." Typical young male machismo, unfortunately. Perhaps when he has calmed down a bit he will rethink it and see it's probably best for them not to stay there.

[Samurai_Writer]

9. Update

I got more information from my son and his girlfriend this afternoon. She was sitting at a red light at 10pm last night with her windows open. Her purse fell the the floor, and she bent down to retrieve it. That's when the carjackers approached her. They put a gun to her head and then pistol-whipped her face while dragging her out of the car. She's got a severe black and swollen eye, but other than that she is OK physically. When I talked to her she sounded like she was doing OK. Of course, my son was not letting her out of his sight today, but he has to go back to work tomorrow.

The other sad thing is she had just gotten her car back 2 days ago, after it being in the shop 2 months from being in a car accident. So now she is again without transportation, and has been trying to find a job for several months. She should get a rental car in a few days, but I don't know if she will be able to drive. I know I'd be scared to death if I were her.

I'll let you all know if they catch the bastards who did this. My son did mention that he was considering moving to a 'safer' part of town (is there such a thing in Houston? I don't think so, after living there 26 years myself).

[UrbScotty]

10. Yikes... This gives me chills.

I hope everyone is all right.

[Samurai_Writer]

11. Another Update!

My son called me during lunch today. He got the car back! With no help from the cops (why am I not surprised?).

Seems that the guy who stole the car bragged about it to a friend, who ALSO knows my son. This friend saw my son's GF at the neighborhood store. She has a swollen face and black eye, and the guy asked her if she was the girl who got her car stolen. She said yes, and the guy told her where the car was and where the guy lived. The car was parked one apartment complex over from where my son and she live, and get this -- the guy who stole it lives in the same apartment complex as them -- ONLY FIVE DOORS DOWN FROM THEM.

My son came home from work, got the car back, and called the cops. The cops were just arriving when he called me, so I am waiting for him to call back after they leave, and after he tells the apartment management about it. He is definitely going to be moving, even if he has to break his lease, because it is just too dangerous for them to stay there in the same complex as where this other guy lives,and this guy knowing where they live. Hopefully the cops will arrest and charge the guy, and he won't be able to make bail.

[Loonman]

12. Wow

I'd get medieval and beat the piss out of the prick.

But that's me......

[Samurai_Writer]

13. Oh, this is just wonderful...

My son just called back. The cops say they cannot do anything because they did not catch this guy in the act and my son recovered the car on his own! Even though they assaulted my son's girlfriend and she is willing to press charges against him. This is outrageous! The guy lives 5 doors down from them and could come after them at any time, and the cops just basically say, 'sorry, come back if he kills one of you.'

Of course the apartment management won't do a damn thing about the guy either, and won't let my son out of his lease. Well, lease or no lease, he's moving ASAP!

[fudge stripe cookays]

14. Oh RadFem I'm so sorry!

Is there any way you can help them round up the cash quickly?

This sounds like something that would sound good on one of those "On Your Side" features on the local news.

I would have your son call one of the stations and tell them the story. Shame the apartments into at least letting your son out of his lease when it's obvious their safety is at stake.

Good luck to you, your son, and his girlfriend. I hope all will trun out better. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[TexasMexican]

15. Wow thats bullshit.

Who did they talk to? Just some random street cops that showed up? Or did they go to the station and talk to someone there about filing a report?

I dont know what I would do if something similar happened to me and if the police were unwilling to help.

I'd like to think that if the legal system ever failed me in that way that I would take the law into my own hands, but I wouldnt really know for sure until I myself was put in that position.

I hope for the best for your family.

[Samurai_Writer]

16. I'm relieved now!

My son and his girlfriend are moving in with my mom who lives just outside Houston for the next few months. They are going to save their money and then find a place to live in a safer neighborhood.

As for the carjackers, the police detectives are still investigating the incident, but hopefully they will arrest the guys soon.

I'm feeling very relieved that my son and his girlfriend will be away from those guys and not have to worry about them every time they walk out their front door.

[liberalitch]

18. car jacking is a federal offense...

I have a friend who was car jacked and the cops wouldn't do anything to the thug (of whom the whole neighborhood was terrified)..... well, she called the FBI..... you'd be AMAZED at how cooperative the locals suddenly got.

[Champ]

17. Some options

They shouldn't move, crimes like this can happen anywhere at anytime. But let me tell this, it may not be right but if someone carjacked my girlfriend and beat the shit out of her in the process I would get some friends and find that piece of shit. Or if she had a gun she could point it at them and say 'get the fuck away', you shouldn't worry. If your son is a grown man I'm sure he is more then aware of the dangers and how to use a gun to defend yourself. Hell give them a baseball bat they can use to protect theirselves, legally you are allowed to use enough force deemed necessary to defend yourself.