Women be alert

Jo · 21-10-2003, 12:44

Don't know how true this story is, but thought it better to pass it on as not. Don't want to scare anyone, but I think somentinmes it's good to be reminded to stay alert...

ABOUT A MONTH AGO THERE WAS A WOMAN STANDING BY THE ENTRANCE TO THE TRAFFORD CENTRE, PASSING OUT FLYERS TO ALL THE WOMEN GOING IN. THE WOMAN HAD WRITTEN THE FLYER HERSELF TO TELL ABOUT AN XPERIENCE SHE HAD SO THAT SHE MIGHT WARN OTHER WOMEN.
THE PREVIOUS DAY, THIS WOMAN HAD FINISHED SHOPPING AND WENT OUT TO HER CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT SHE HAD A FLAT TYRE. SHE GOT THE JACK OUT OF THE BOOT AND BEGAN TO CHANGE THE
FLAT. A NICE MAN DRESSED IN A BUSINESS SUIT AND CARRYING A BRIEFCASE WALKED UP TO HER AND SAID, I NOTICED YOU'RE CHANGING A FLAT TYRE. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE CARE OF IT FOR YOU?" THE WOMAN WAS GRATEFUL FOR HIS OFFER AND ACCEPTED HIS HELP.
THEY CHATTED AMIABLY WHILE THE MAN CHANGED THE FLAT, AND THEN PUT THE FLAT TYRE AND THE JACK IN THE BOOT SHUT IT AND DUSTED HIS HANDS OFF.
THE WOMAN THANKED HIM PROFUSELY, AND AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO GET IN HER CAR THE MAN TOLD HER THAT HE LEFT HIS CAR AROUND ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE SHOPPING CENTRE, AND ASKED IF SHE WOULD MIND GIVING HIM A LIFT TO HIS CAR.
SHE WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED AND SHE ASKED WHY HIS CAR WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD SEEN AN OLD FRIEND IN THE CENTRE WHO HE HADN'T SEEN FOR SOME TIME AND THEY HAD A BITE TO EAT AND LOOKED AROUND THE
SHOPS FOR A WHILE. HE GOT TURNED AROUND IN THE MALL AND LEFT THROUGH THE WRONG EXIT, AND NOW
HE WAS RUNNING LATE AND HIS CAR WAS AROUND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CENTRE.
THE WOMAN HATED TO TELL HIM NO BECAUSE HE HAD JUST RESCUED HER FROM HAVING TO CHANGE HER FLAT TYRE ALL BY HERSELF, BUT SHE FELT UNEASY, THEN
SHE REMEMBERED SEEING THE MAN PUT HIS BRIEFCASE IN HER BOOT BEFORE SHUTTING IT AND BEFORE HE ASKED HER FOR A RIDE TO HIS CAR.
SHE TOLD HIM THAT SHE'D BE HAPPY TO DRIVE HIM AROUND TO HIS CAR, BUT SHE JUST REMEMBERED ONE LAST THING SHE NEEDED TO BUY. SHE SAID SHE WOULD ONLY BE A FEW MINUTES, HE COULD SIT DOWN
IN HER CAR AND WAIT FOR HER, SHE'D BE AS QUICK AS SHE COULD BE.
SHE HURRIED INTO THE SHOPPING CENTRE, AND TOLD A SECURITY GUARD WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THE GUARD CAME OUT TO HER CAR WITH HER, BUT THE MAN HAD
LEFT.
THEY OPENED THE BOOT, TOOK OUT HIS LOCKED BRIEFCASE AND TOOK IT DOWN TO THE POLICE STATION.
THE POLICE OPENED IT (OSTENSIBLY TO LOOK FOR ID SO THEY COULD RETURN IT TO THE MAN).WHAT THEY FOUND WAS ROPE, DUCT TAPE AND KNIVES. WHEN THE POLICE CHECKED THE FLAT TYRE, THERE WAS NOTHING
WRONG WITH IT, THE AIR HAD SIMPLY BEEN LET OUT.
IT WAS OBVIOUS WHAT THE MANS INTENTION WAS, AND OBVIOUS THAT HE HAD CAREFULLY THOUGHT IT OUT IN ADVANCE.
THIS WOMAN TOLD THIS EXPERIENCE ON THE FLYER SHE WAS PASSING OUT SO THAT OTHER WOMEN COULD BE WARNED.

Tealeaf · 21-10-2003, 12:50

Jo,

You're probably to young to remember the Yorkshire Ripper in the late 70's, but there was a similar story going round then, which every one swore had happened to a friend of a friend of theirs....except it was'nt a man in the passenger seat, but a little old lady with hairy arms.....who left behind a bag containing a hammer, etc.......The only problem was, how did Sutcliffe disguise his beard?

HarryX · 21-10-2003, 12:56

Jo

I would dispute the story on the following grounds..

All that to get into her car? Presumably once in the car he was going to threaten her to drive soemwhere else and not to the other side

Why all that to get in the car . he could have stood around the car next to her pretending to be on a mobile and when she got in. he could simply have got in the passanger side and threatened her without all the charade. Simple as that

But the story means he risks being caught by actually letting down the tyre in what must be the busiest car park in the north of England. Also alerting the person when as you say he puts the case in the boot before asking.

Sorry just all seems a little iffy to me.

Oh yeagh I doubt you can hand out flyers at trafford or anywhere else without security moving you on.. no matter what the subject is. You would need permisison or a licence which this story desn't bend itself to.

Tealeaf · 21-10-2003, 13:00

Where exactly were you about a month ago, Harry?

lettie · 21-10-2003, 15:09

I've had this one sent to me as an e mail about 6 weeks ago, and although I wouldn't put anything past some folk, if this were to have happened at the Trafford Centre, it would surely have been on the North West News, with an e-fit of this man, as well as in the local newspapers.
Have had lots of other warnings via e mail in the past, most of which are doubtful, would love to know who starts these things, as they always happen to a friend of a friend. Think this is just an urban myth like the Kentucky fried rat one a few years ago. 8)

Tealeaf · 21-10-2003, 15:33

The Kentucky Fried Rat?.....tell us more!

lettie · 21-10-2003, 15:50

Kentucky fried rat was one of those urban myths that did the rounds in the early 90's. Don't know who started it, but we never heard it by e mail, but on holiday in a bar in Cyprus. It was something that happened to a friend of a friend (as usual)
The story went that this person bought some food at a popular international fast food establishment, not necessarily KFC, but unfortunately the story became passed on as kentucky fried rat. The food had a funny taste to it, and the person decided to have it analysed (as if) and they found it to contain meat from rat.
I beg to differ on this, if my food tastes unusual, I complain there and then and either get my money back or a fresh meal, which is what I think most people would do. Lots of urban myths have started in bars, and now e mail. Some of them are quite amusing/unlikely and some have a ring of truth.  Just a way of filling silences when you've nowt better to say, gossip really, but intended to provoke a reaction, laughter, shock, disgust etc.

HarryX · 21-10-2003, 16:03

Quote:

but intended to provoke a reaction, laughter, shock, disgust etc.

Exactly and the story posted here is meant to scare people.. Posting a scoremongering story with a dissclaimer saying I don't wish to scare anyone is at best contradictory. The truth is the story is meant to scare.

Bluesmaster · 21-10-2003, 22:28

No Harry the truth is that this sort of thing goes on every day in the real world...all women should be aware. A member of my family was the subject of a similar incident.
Fore warned is fore armed.

B.

HarryX · 21-10-2003, 23:31

We know it does...

What we are talking about is the particular instance as outlined and some people think it is untrue. I am one of them and have outlined why I think this..  I don't really need telling how bad the world is thanks. I have a wife and two teenage daughters and i worry about them all the time.. Like i say. its the particular instance we are talking about.  I am suprised you found that so difficult to follow..

Angel · 22-10-2003, 03:19

What is scary here in America is that in some of the bigger cities to get into the gangs you have to go to a gas station food store etc and break into a car driven by a women and cut parts of the body off. It is a scary world we live in.

Jo · 22-10-2003, 07:11

I sometimes wonder if these things are started maliciously with an aim to damage, in this case, the shopping centre in question, by making people think twice before going there. For example, I once got an e-mail telling me that a certain element contained in shampoo and shower gels was cancerogenous, can't remember the element, sodium something or other maybe. Anyway, I checked all the products I use and they all contained it. Tried looking in the supermarket, and they all contained it, then low and behold some months later, a product came out claiming to be "without sodium something or other".. hmmmm.... couldn't be they started the rumour could it?

Regarding this story, I also doubt it's truth, but I must say it made me think. Contrary to what Harry said, I think the exact point of winning over the woman's trust and making her feel in some way endebted to him, the man had more chance of getting in her car and driving off with her than if he had jumped in. I think this psychological deception is a dangerous weapon, it's certainly put me on my guard,. whether I believe the story or not. Better to be safe than sorry....

Dizzy D · 22-10-2003, 07:28

Well i have heard that story, but in a different way, something about a girl at the Trafford Centre getting to her car a guy stood there saying someone had broke her window and he had seen them and chased them off, but stood next to the car awaiting the "person" who owned it to come.

So the woman said thanks and she will sort it from there, but he asked for a lift home and she refused, he got a bit mad but she drove off.

That saved her life cos she went to get the window fixed, and they found a knife and rope duct taped under the passanger seat.

I didn't know if that was fact or someones warped way of having fun, but i am always aware when i am on my own.  You have to be  :-/

Tealeaf · 22-10-2003, 08:16

It just goes to prove, girls, that you can't trust anyone these days - apart from ol' tealeaf, here.

lettie · 22-10-2003, 15:27

A lot of these warnings go out via e mail, and although I wouldn't put anything past some people, I do think that you have to stay rational and use your common sense. If I believed everything sent to me, I'd be too frightened to go anywhere. The best way to stay safe is to try not to put yourself in a dangerous situation in the first place and listen to your gut instinct ( don't be frightened to make a noise)

It might surprise you to know that us District Midwives and Nurses have to visit houses where the police will only go in twos. That we get called to dodgy areas at night and are usually alone. We are told that if for a moment we doubt our own safety, get the hell out of there and call for assistance, either the police or colleagues. Also not to put anything between yourself and the door if you know you are in a violent household. We do try to go to these places in 2's if we can, but staffing levels don't always permit it. :-/