CRIME NEWS: Crime In Our General Area

Email from the Giverny Neighborhood Watch forwarded to the KG email list by Chris:


Subject: Crime in our general area

Dear Giverny Neighbors,

The following email is about a crime that occurred Sunday night. I have abbreviated it in order to hide the identity of the victim. We all must take extra precautions in this economical climate and holiday season to avoid being vulnerable to crime. If you have to grocery shop at a late hour, always ask for help to your car. Keep your keys in your hand and be ready to throw them to avoid abduction and constantly be aware of your surroundings. Listen to your instincts and if you feel uncomfortable, quickly move to a safer location. Take extra precautions to be safe.

Karen Bailey
Giverny Neighborhood Watch


Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008

Hi, I just wanted to send out a note to let you know Shannon was robbed at gunpoint Sunday night at the Colony Place Harris Teeter parking lot at 9:55 PM. The burglar put a gun to her head and threatened to kill her if she did not give her cash and cards and pin number. She was driving the Honda Pilot and had the purse in the back so she had to get out and get it with a gun pointed at her. He did not physically harm her in any way, but she was frightened beyond belief. When she came home it was truly emotional. We were horrified by the experience and spent late Sunday night with police. It was reported by the Observer and the TV news stations as 3 burglaries with gun/knife happened between Metropolitan Trader Joes to Harpers at Southpark and Colony Place by a black man with dread locks within an hour. The thief was able to get $1,600 out of 3 different ATM machines and ended up at Gateway Village (edge of uptown on Trade and Cedar) for the final two ATM withdrawals.

PLEASE stay safe and be careful at dark and follow safer protocol than you have in the past. The police officer said these types of crimes are happening more and more in safe, non-crime areas because folks are getting more desperate in these tough times.

Shannon was honest and gave her actual pin number. The police officer said that is best practice because if you lie and get caught, it can be a bad thing. There have been reports of victims being taken to the ATM's to prove valid pin. I am sending this email so (1) you all know this has happened to Shannon and (2) so you have this education and can protect yourselves.