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Very scary CF Parking Incident

88 replies

2018SoFarSoGreat · 10/02/2020 17:34

The same car has blocked my driveway two nights in a row. Today is garbage day, and the CD car was blocking the only spot where my bins can go on the kerb for pickup. We hemmed and hawed what to do, and finally decided to report it. Looked out an hour or so later (10 30 pm ish), CF car is gone. Good. DH put the bins out.

At 4:00 my Ring doorbell went off, then again. We jumped up in a panic, not quite sure what was happening, I instinctively ran to the hallway and put the light on. DH told me to come back in the bedroom, while he looked at the ring camera on his phone. A young man was standing there, alternately pounding on the glass and ringing the bell. The ringing continued, and loud banging on the glass panels in the door. I called the police emergency line, and they said they’d send someone. I was on that phone for 11 minutes – the longest 11 minutes in my life. The guy kept banging, louder and louder. Ringing and ringing. He was not going away. I can only assume his car was towed – but it was not in my house!

I swear, I thought my heart would leap out of my chest. I locked the bedroom door. Then went into the en suite and locked that door. All the while my DH was watching on the camera. The dispatcher at one point asked if I needed medical help (!) – no, just someone to come make this stop! She asked did we have any weapons in the house. For the first time in my life I wished the answer was yes. I thought this is how it would all end for us. So frightening.

The police arrived and it all went quiet. I reviewed the footage, and did not see the guy walk away, so assume he was arrested. Will follow up with the police department today. He knows where we live! He could come back. I swear I am ready to flee the country.

Just had to tell someone.

OP posts:
ASundayWellSpent · 10/02/2020 20:04

I would shit myself. My DH works nights so I would have been alone with two children. You're not overreacting at all IMO

Shookethtothecore · 10/02/2020 20:07

I would be scared in the Uk, more so scared in America as people carry guns like you say, it’s uNusual the police didn’t knock to check you were ok tho? Is that normal in America? Here they would knock and check in? Maybe chase that up

Jayaywhynot · 10/02/2020 20:09

I'm on your side, I'd have been terrified too. Ignore the clever buggers on MN, they are all so perfect and always know the way you SHOULD have behaved. Christ, they drain the life out of you! Hope you're over your nasty scare OP Flowers

2018SoFarSoGreat · 10/02/2020 20:20

DH just messaged that he saw both the car and driver two streets away. There is a house that is a Hostel/Crash Pad (ostensibly for travelers and advertised as being close to the airport) that has quite a bit of traffic in and out. He was parked on that corner, chatting to someone. So, he is either a guest or working there. That is close. I walk past that house daily.

I've emailed the community police officer for an update, and given them that information as well. Fingers crossed they get back to me.

OP posts:
T0tallyFuckedUpFamily · 10/02/2020 20:21

It’s perfectly natural to be frightened under those circumstances, OP. Ignore the bravado bunch, they’d probably shit themselves if they suddenly spotted their own reflection in a window.

Willow2017 · 10/02/2020 20:28

If someone was hammering on my door and ringing my bell (not chapping to ask you if you are coming out to play ffs!) at 4am i would be calling the police in a heart beat. Who the hell is stupid enough to go.answer some crazy person at your door at that time?
What is it with this competition to be better, braver, smarter, more savvy than someone else on here?

AvocadoAdvocate · 10/02/2020 20:28

Anyone with half a brain could have guessed you meant 4am. Very scary OP, I don't blame you for being concerned.

Vanhi · 10/02/2020 20:34

America. People who would do this may also have guns.

Not sure how I'd react to this in America. In England, I have encountered someone breaking into the flat below me. This was during the day. I considered calling the police but tbh phoning Manchester police and saying 'there's someone in Whalley Range breaking into a flat' would have been met with very little action. I ignored him and he went away, having failed to break in.

Worst one was some thumping idiot banging on my door around 11pm whilst I was watching a horror film. Of course, he wasn't to know this but he had to go down a flight of external steps to my front door. Without opening the door I asked him what he wanted, he asked directions to somewhere nearby, I told him where it was, he left. No idea if he was genuinely lost or had ill intent but I was not going to open the door. I was on my own.

So I'm fairly calm when no guns are involved. Sorry you were so scared OP. But don't blame MNers for lack of sympathy - it can be hard to imagine what it would be like in such a different culture, and it's not immediately obvious from your first post. (Garbage is a bit of a clue, but not enough on its own).

MayLeaveADentInYourSofa · 10/02/2020 20:35

I have lived in a few countries including the UK and US. Someone banging on my door at 4am would have terrified me in all countries.

If I were you I would be even more scared now because you don't really know what it was all about. You don't say if your husband spoke to him through the Ring and without knowing his intent and clarity from the police you really have no idea if the guy is likely to return and bother you again.

Limbicsystem · 10/02/2020 20:36

oh my word poor you! if someone knocked on my door at 4am i would poop myself and definitely call the police too. i live in a bit of a confusingly angled development and occasionally get new takeaway drivers mistake me for up the road (the numbers make no sense) and even then it sets my heart racing a bit!

i hope you feel a bit safer soon.

TrixieFranklin · 10/02/2020 20:42

I hope you feel better soon OP

mumwon · 10/02/2020 20:42

You were right to ring police & anybody who says they wouldn't are just plain daft (by the way spray deodorant or antiseptic spray or hair spray are all quite effective at slowing someone down if you can spray in the eyes) &a large wooden rolling pin or a nice solid iron fry pan ( image mn on Amazon ordering ….)

redwinefine · 24/05/2020 13:39

@2018SoFarSoGreat Did they ever get back to you? Hope this is resolved now. Sounds terrifying!

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