A determined criminal can commit any crime. That being said, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim if you’re reading from the criminal's playbook, so to speak. Carjacking from the criminal’s perspective is pretty straightforward. Separate the driver from the vehicle. Their tactics will involve three basic elements. Approach, contact, and escape. Approaching the vehicle and making contact are the critical elements of the crime and pose the greatest challenges to the criminal. Their approach can take any number of forms but contact usually involves a kind of blitzkrieg attack. They want you off guard and confused. Most people have a difficult time with decision making when surprised and will generally submit. Understanding some of the methods criminals may use will help you avoid getting into potentially dangerous situations. The following are three tactics used by carjackers and some suggestions for avoiding the confrontation.
The Bump
The bump occurs when the criminal causes a minor traffic accident with your vehicle. Oftentimes they will tap the back of your bumper while you’re stopped at an intersection. Criminals will troll for a specific victim and select a single woman or young adult. Watch the vehicles around you. If such an accident occurs and you’re alone stay in your vehicle and keep the car in drive with your foot on the brake. Exchange information through the glass. Call the police if the individual scares you and be prepared to drive off if you can do so safely. It’s better to drive a few blocks to a busy gas station or restaurant where people are present.
This technique involves the criminal feigning distress either by a parked vehicle or walking out into the street waving for you to stop. If a person is truly in distress you can always call the police for assistance. Do not stop to help strangers when you are driving alone. If you can, drive around the individual while honking your horn. If you see them soon enough consider stopping and backing up the way you came. Just watch out for other vehicles and avoid causing an accident.
The Ambush
Drivers are most vulnerable when either entering or exiting their vehicle. Usually this happens when either parking your car or walking towards it. Get into the habit of approaching your parking space or vehicle slowly. Look for individuals sitting in adjacent vehicles or loitering nearby. Remember, they may have spotted you parking the car and have been waiting for you to return. Try to enter and exit your vehicle as quickly as possible after scanning the area for possible threats. Keep your key fob in hand and be ready to set off the alarm if you have one. You may also consider the use of a whistle, air horn, or other personal protection device. If anything looks suspicious return to where you came from and get an escort or call the police.
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