We're standing in Hazelwood tonight outside St. Louis Mills Mall. This is the scene of one of the latest carjackings in the St. Louis area. We've had four in a week. One was deadly. A Velda City man was shot and killed by suspects (who are still on the loose) even though he cooperated with their demands.

It's a scary thought. You're in your car or walking to it and someone armed with a gun or knife carjacks you. One of the victims recently fought back and possibly saved his life and his girlfriend's life. I blogged about it earlier. Police say the best advice is to cooperate. The bad guys want to get in and get out ASAP. But each case is a judgement call. One safety expert had this piece of advice: be alert. It sounds rather simplistic but don't just disregard it. Think about it. In other words, be aware of your surroundings. When you walk out into the parking lot do you scan the area to see who's around? When you pull up to an intersection do you see who might be standing around on the corner? If it looks like there's trouble ahead maybe turn a block ahead of time. Be on your guard.

A lot of the times the stories we cover involve victims who have put themselves in dangerous situations or are hanging around with dangerous people. But carjackings are different. The victims from carjackings are usually just people in the wrong place at the wrong time.

3 Comments

Don said:

There is a common thread here. Every victim was driving a car that the perps wanted. New flashy SUV or any new car equals being a target.

October 31, 2009 11:06 AM

dlc said:

The low-life thugs need to get a job like the rest of us and pay for their own cars...but, then that would require them to be able to read and get their lazy a's out of bed every morning...I'd like to place a shot right to the skull of one of those mf's

November 1, 2009 12:07 AM

mike vuichard said:

So the Jacker wanted my flashy new 5 year old pontiac 4 door. wow I guess I should drive an early 80's rust bucket to keep from having something someone else wants. Don when its ok to steal because someone else has something you want you let me know cuz im outta here then. I work for what I have its not new or great but it is mine.

November 1, 2009 12:35 PM

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.