Violent Mugging on South Elliott Place
A young woman reader writes: Last Thursday night at 1:30 a.m. I was mugged on South Elliott Place between Dekalb and Lafayette by 2 young men (between 16-25, but didn’t get a good look). They came running up from behind and grabbed me (not sure if they jumped out of the bushes or a dark…
A young woman reader writes:
Last Thursday night at 1:30 a.m. I was mugged on South Elliott Place between Dekalb and Lafayette by 2 young men (between 16-25, but didn’t get a good look). They came running up from behind and grabbed me (not sure if they jumped out of the bushes or a dark area under a stoop), threw me to the sidewalk, said they were holding a gun to my head, frisked me, and took my wallet, phone, keys, bag, and then ran away.
The victim also reports that, according to a detective at the 88th Precinct, this is the third time in the last week that a woman in her early 20s has been mugged by two men of matching descriptions between 1 and 4 a.m.
uh no one is scolding her. just giving common sense advice, which, clearly she did not have. of course you can do all the precautions in the world and still have something happen to you and/or get mugged, but why go out of your way to make yourself a victim and make it easier for criminals?
*rob*
z–good point. we must be careful to not blame this poor woman. she was the victim after all. There is a way to discuss how to minimize one’s exposure to this kind of thing without implying that it is the victims fault.
The name of the free car service is called Right Rides.
http://www.rightrides.org
“RightRides organizes volunteers to operate a fleet of up to 6 cars that are donated by Zipcar. Driving Teams can only drive women, transpeople and gender queer individuals home. RightRides is currently available every Saturday night from Midnight – 3 AM late night Saturdays (aka early Sunday morning).”
It’s a great service, I wish more people knew it existed. They are always looking for volunteers and donations to sustain the service, since it’s free.
there’s nothing that warms my heart more during the holidays than to see the victim of a violent crime scolded for her naivete and carelessness. bravo, folks.
“To be on the phone while walking”
I’ve always thought this was a very bad idea…??
Why would talking on a phone alone at 1:30am be something to deter someone from robbing you…?
Sad to hear, but completely predicatable I’m afraid. I’m a guy and I wouldnt be walking alone at that time. If I had to, I’d be moving quickly, and ready to sprint in a heartbeat (most crooks dont want to work too hard).
A young woman walking alone at 1:30am? that was probably the easiest money those bums made in a while. You have to be more alert and proactive if you want a chance at avoiding being a victim. cabs and/or friends are a good idea at that time of night.
Two other thoughts: Any sophisticated city woman, young or old, always carries “cab money” on her. Even if you are picked up in a car or in a limo, even if you expect to come home with friends. Etc.
I remember being “frisked” by a young gang back in the 80’s, when this was so unremarkable I didn’t bother to tell anyone. It’s an old technique, probably passed on from generation to generation. I had my wallet in my briefcase and I yelled bloody murder and they ran away. If I had my wallet in my pocket they would have taken it. If I had been a woman, they would have knocked me down and taken my briefcase.
I’m glad this young lady wasn’t hurt and am sorry she had to deal with this experience. Whether “this is New York” or not, it sucks that people can’t walk from the subway to their home without having to be afraid of their neighborhood. Hopefully if this is indeed a single pair of guys doing this, the police will find them soon.