Today at approximately 2:30 PM a female friend of our family was the victim of an apparent attempted kidnapping in the parking lot of the Sheridan Ave Walmart.
Background - this woman was shopping in Walmart with her young child when she noticed that she kept seeing the same black man in a red and white striped shirt appearing wherever she was in the store. She initially marked this up to mere coincidence. She eventually lost track of the man and left the store with her items and went to her car where she proceeded to put her child in a car seat and then started loading the back of the car with groceries. At that time she again noticed the same man with an another black man approach her from the front of her car while a Nissan Altima, with two or more additional men, pulled up behind her car. One of the men exited from the car, grabbed her, and pulled her toward the car. She began screaming which attracted the attention and intervention of two older gentlemen who were nearby. As the older gentlemen went to her aid, all of the would-be kidnappers got into the Altima and drove off. She filed a police report, no arrests as of this posting.
I guess the message is be very aware of your surroundings and the various predators (two of four legged) that may be stalking you. Also a woman with a child is perceived as at a distinct disadvantage because she is distracted and perhaps unwilling to do something that might endanger the child. Her reaction to immediately make as much noise as possible while resisting, in this case almost certainly helped foil their plan. Also, if you have doubts or suspicions, whatsoever, don't hesitate to ask the store management for assistance either directly such as in escorting or by alerting store security (if there is any) or by calling the police.
Background - this woman was shopping in Walmart with her young child when she noticed that she kept seeing the same black man in a red and white striped shirt appearing wherever she was in the store. She initially marked this up to mere coincidence. She eventually lost track of the man and left the store with her items and went to her car where she proceeded to put her child in a car seat and then started loading the back of the car with groceries. At that time she again noticed the same man with an another black man approach her from the front of her car while a Nissan Altima, with two or more additional men, pulled up behind her car. One of the men exited from the car, grabbed her, and pulled her toward the car. She began screaming which attracted the attention and intervention of two older gentlemen who were nearby. As the older gentlemen went to her aid, all of the would-be kidnappers got into the Altima and drove off. She filed a police report, no arrests as of this posting.
I guess the message is be very aware of your surroundings and the various predators (two of four legged) that may be stalking you. Also a woman with a child is perceived as at a distinct disadvantage because she is distracted and perhaps unwilling to do something that might endanger the child. Her reaction to immediately make as much noise as possible while resisting, in this case almost certainly helped foil their plan. Also, if you have doubts or suspicions, whatsoever, don't hesitate to ask the store management for assistance either directly such as in escorting or by alerting store security (if there is any) or by calling the police.
