I did not really wish to tell this story but I figured if I can prevent someone from being hurt or alert some folks to watch out than I am doing the right thing by sharing this. On Sunday night my girlfriend and I were walking down West Grey St. in Midtown between the streets of Bagby and Baldwin (between Cyclone Annya and the Front Porch Pub) when from behind a young black male between 5-7 and 5-9 maybe 150-160 lbs attempted to grab my girlfriends purse and run with it. Well the attempt was unsuccessfull and since we were walking a few feet away I stepped up and grabed her arm and looked around. Well there was nobody else around and I was about to run her into the Cyclone Annya restaurant when he pulled a gun on me and said "you can either give the purse up or get shot or stabbed" I told her to give it to him and during the act she was taken down to the ground and before I could grab her she was punched in the face as the coward ran a half of block to a car with two more black men in it waiting to pick him up. The reasons this happened were #1 these were folks who do this for a living a complete set up #2 she had a large purse on her and was singled out #3 it was a slow night ie. not too many folks out on the street Now I am a very alert person and I have told many women not to carry a hand bag in downtown/midtown as well as travel in a large group. I did notice this individual as we were walking out of Buffalo Wild Wings and back down to the front porch pub where our car was but for whatever reason I looked back a few times and I guess since I am a big guy did not think anything was gonna happen. The guy was nervious even with a gun in hand and you could tell was desperate to get something. Anyway this can happen anytime/anyplace but lets be real there are certain places and certain types of people to look out for. 3,000 of these happen every year here in Houston and most of the victoms are white women and 95% of the criminals are black men under the age of 30. per HPD Robery division. Also while certain places or certain times or a certain number of folks in a group might seem safe it really never is when someone has a gun. I could not defend us against a gun and neither can anyone else. I am fine and I think in a few days my girlfriend will as well but never let your gaurd down and always let the women close to you know that taking a handbag out is just not worth it in certain areas. About the three person set up 3 black males, a 4 door sedan (small) 2 in the car and 1 guy making the snatch. He spoke like he was from Texas and not from La so I just can say please watch out I know I'll never be caught off gaurd again.
oh yeah 10:20 at night 2 blocks of walking for those not familiar with the area just to get an idea of how fast it can happen.
Exactly what I was thinking... But thanks for the warning, anyways. Anytime I go out at night, I leave my purse in the trunk of the car and just carry my phone and whatever cash I need on me. Sorry for your girlfriend, hope she isn't too shaken up.
She will be ok, credit cards a phone and a camera can all be replaced as long as your ok and the punch did not hurt her I just wish there was something I could of done. And yes all women should ditch the purse at all times.
Funny you should post this..... A friend of mine was robbed at gunpoint Saturday night about midnight. He'd been out on a date, dropped his date off, driving home, a couple of "Latino gangbangers" (his term) followed him for three blocks or so. When he pulled into his driveway, he got out of his car before closing the garage door, and the two guys had pulled into his driveway, drew guns, and demanded his wallet. He lost $150 and about 3 credit cards. He is a multiple gun owner with a concealed handgun license, and has vowed to be strapped down 100% from now on. I reminded him that if he used his gun in a situation like this, he might be opening himself up to an even bigger problem. Money and objects can be replaced, but lives cannot. Always be aware of your surroundings. If I see a car following me down my street when I'm on my way home late at night, I keep going.
So has crime got really bad in Houston these days or is it the same as say the mid '90's (last time I lived down there).
and if you are going to carry a purse, don't hold on to it so tight. if someone really wants it, they're going to take it. by clutching on to it, you're just gonna exacerbate the situation. and don't put your whole life in it either. just let them snatch and go...otherwise, you could end up with a gun to your face as was the case here.
Why the hell do people like that steal? GO GET A JOB... They are also setting a great example for young black kids. They also complain about being stereotyped for stealing. Um Hello? Did you grab the license plate?
does it matter, probably was a stolen car that was ditched a couple blocks down the road. Man, i wish houston had zoning!
I'm glad your girlfriend will be OK. That's very scary. Remember, it could have been much worse. There are 2 or 3 posters that I'm hoping don't see this thread because when they do..... hello race war.
yeah also watch out with cellphones. often, when you are talking, someone will shout from behind to ask you for the time, as your look down at your watch/cellphone, 2 or 3 guys will rush you behind and put you in a headlock with a knife at your face/throat. sorry this happened to you, but i admire your courage for sharing it so we all can be a little bit more careful now.
Yeah. I'm a proponent for carrying a concealed handgun, but if they've already got a gun pointed to your head, you should just give them what they want - it's not worth dying over a wallet. Question: If they mug you and are running away, and you shoot them in the back (with your licensed handgun) while they run away, is that legal?
No, They knew what they were doing the car was at an angle and the take was at a certain point in which it was impossible to get it. An outsider would of have to have helped us. Just be carefull guys/gals. Crime has gotten real bad since Katrina and it does not seem to be letting up. A transitional area like Midtown with many young naive women walking around is just the kind of place for this to happen.
Well if someone want's to start a race war they have issues, this was about alerting many posters here who hang around the midtown area of a planned set up that went down.
