Holy Sh*t That Was Scary

[MakeThatMakeSense]

So, I was just driving home alone at ~00:15am

And I saw a guy in a black tracksuit, out in the rain, in a posh road amongst big gated houses. And it looked like he was trying to break into a parked car.

So I was just processing what I was seeing. So I slowed down as I drove past, and then came to a stop down the street (much further, but still in sight I suppose).

It's not a remote spot. And actually it's not a road that tends to have 0 passing traffic.

Anyway, I called the police and told them what I saw. They asked if he was still there. I looked in my mirrors, couldn't see him. Assumed he must have fled. And backed up, still with police on hands free. Said no, I can't see him anymore.

However, then I saw an eye looking at me through the gap between the gate and the wall of this big gated house.

I still had the police on the phone.

I wound my window down and said "can I help you?" And then he appeared over the fence, shouting abuse at me aggressively and proclaiming that that was his house.

I really felt like it was not his house.
But whatever, I drove off and was talking to the police giving a description of him.
But I see him running after me in the rearview mirror.

So I just continued to drive on at a steady pace. But he must have jumped in a car because next thing, I'm being chased / pulled up alongside by this lunatic scally shouting abuse at me through the window.

I didn't react and I didn't want to speed up so in the end he threw a glass bottle at my car and sped off like a mad man.

The whole time I was on the phone to police.

They're out looking for him now.

Was scared to go home for a while but I'm in now.

Just sat here thinking... Wow I was just wanting to get in bed and enjoy catching up on Traitors and somehow ended up in some sort of mad dramatic night.

Did I do the right thing?
Feel like j just got myself in dangers path?
Should I have just ignored what I saw?

It just depresses me to think I wouldn't look out for people in my local area. Hence j felt a duty to call police.

I don't know what scene I just stumbled on but there was definitely something 'off' about it.

YABU - you should have just ignored it and gone about your business

YANBU - you did the right thing calling the police

I don’t think it’s victim blaming, it’s more posters wanting OP to think about her safety first.

Someone has to stand up to these people amd that involves an amount of risk.

If he'd been completely innocent he could have said so.

It obviously distracted him from whatever he was up to for a few minutes so good work OP. It's not compulsory to get involved but it's commendable when people do.

She did stop it, she distracted him and called the Police.

EDIT: sorry I should've read all of your updates before posting. Yes I hope you really take on board ways to keep yourself safer in these situations & should anything like this happen again (hopefully not) but hopefully you will just call the police and keep yourself safe.

Be gentle with yourself for a few days and try to stop your mind going over and over it by distract distracting yourself when it starts!

🤗🍰

People have no idea what they'd do in the heat of the moment. It's all predictably judgmental crap on here.

Exactly this!!

She said it as a warning/to try to be intimidating - but he’s not going to be intimidated by her and he’s going to make sure she is intimidated by him so she doesn’t call the police.

It’s like poking a wild bear.

How was he running after your car and then appeared behind you "next thing" in a car different to the one he supposedly tried to break into ?

This part of what happened doesn't make sense.

You should never wind your window down or get out of the car in a dangerous situation. You are safest inside the car with the doors locked.

calling the police- fine.

No, it is not. It is foolhardy and people need to be warned that their gut instinct to do the right thing can put them in danger. My relative died for what- to save some neighbour’s car? My mother never got over it and was actually very angry that her partner did not just walk on by.

Intervention is only ever proportionate if there is a victim’s life to be saved.

Not brave imo, but foolish. Just call the police, and let them deal with it.

So according to the majority of women women under 30 and about a third of all women, safer than a man:

https://x.com/YouGov/status/1791428466304250236?s=20

There is no way I would have done what the OP did, unless he was lurking outside of my own house, as I was returning home. I am not risking my safety for someones bricks, and mortar. I would have called the police, and that is all.

People can do what they like and the people willing to stand up to this stuff are the good guys, those of us who lack that moral courage (me!) don't have the moral high ground here, quite the opposite.

We have not obligation to keep ourselves safe and the cost of society as a whole, the OPs behaviour is commendable.

Agree, most dramatic! 😁

By that logic wouldn't the Police also be foolish to turn up?

You don’t need to mind your own business next time OP you just need to be safer in your approach. It was correct to drive further down the street and then then call the police, it just wasn’t sensible to reverse and confront. That’s exactly what you don’t do.

I live in London so seeing people committing crimes is not uncommon, I’ve seen people trying to break into places. You just call the police and stay out of it.

Be kind to yourself, when the adrenaline is pumping we don't get a choice in whether we pick fight or flight! So you weren't thinking logically just reacting.

It is victim blaming when the comments are things like "why on earth did you do that??" or "well that wasnt smart" etc - of course thats victim blaming and its bullshit because the entire point of your brain going into fight or flight mode is that you arent thinking logically with your frontal lobes, your primal amygdala takes over so no, we often make what might seem like irrational decisions in moments of stress that we wouldnt make when discussing it online in the light of the next day.

OP- please dont worry or stress about what you did, you were panicked.

I got caught up in an armed robbery a few years ago. Two men in balaclavas with actual guns burst into a shop I was in at the time and held the place up for the till money.

At the time, I felt zero fear whatsoever, just an overwhelming sense of indignation and rage. I had my purse on the counter when they came in and I literally took my purse and put it in my bag telling them "you arent fucking having that". Thankfully they didnt challenge me or force me to hand it over but looking back now I think bloody hell, they could have shot me for my flipping purse.

Of course afterwards, I felt all shaky and terrified as the adrenaline dissipated but none of us really know how we are going to react when faced with potential violence until we are, so ignore the people pretending that they do. They dont and it's arrogant to pretend otherwise.

OP- look after yourself now and make sure you have a relaxing weekend x

What are you talking about? Are the police not usually called when a burglary is taking place? Or if someone is acting suspiciously, lurking around cars, or peoples homes?

I don't think you did anything wrong - I'm 'brave' too and would have done exactly the same - the natural reaction when someone engages is to engage right back. Anyway - no harm done - you are OK. I do always intervene when I see or suspect wrongdoing - some fucker has to.

I think what I said was clear enough. Ask AI to explain it to you?

Ask AI what the function of the police is, you obviously need help to understand their role. Good Day.

Someones bored today

Y9ou poor thing - let us hope the police catch up with him.

Don't beat yourself up for your responses in the heat of the moment - we can all look back and think that we might have done something differently.

That sounds terrifying. I hope there's some footage somewhere and he gets caught.