Avoiding a Carjacking

I’m not sure if any of you saw the event of Wed 12 MAR 2014 in Denver, Colorado. A criminal who didn’t want to go back to jail lead police on an hour long pursuit as he stole a car with a child in it, then carjacked two other vehicles in the process of trying to evade capture. The whole ordeal was captured on video from various sources. I watched the whole 54 minute video, most of it being the high speed attempt of a not so bright criminal barely missing cars, hitting some vehicles, driving the wrong way on roads, and so on. As I watched the video I found myself critiquing the criminal and the victims. Having been involved with training with a few army guys I learned some things from just talking with these PSD (personal security detachment) guys. The course we were taking was combat tactical driving. The guys that did (and do) this for a living have a particular outlook on driving and how to avoid problems. As I watched this event unfold on video (something you don’t see everyday) I started to think of ways to not be a victim of carjacking. I will give you my thoughts on this.
Moving
One thing I learned about a gunfight is that a moving target is more difficult to shoot. That’s why a Command Sergeant taught the phrase “Shoot, Move, Communicate” to his students. Well the same can be said for carjacking. Being static rather than moving improves your chances of being car jacked. There are times when you must be static, stop lights, getting gas, getting in and out of your vehicle. These are the times you must be vigilant. If you’re getting gas at night, or really any time, pick a pump close to the building where you will more likely be in view of others. Avoid pumps at the end of the row or at an angle that is unobserved from the convenience store or booth. Try to find a well lit place that is busy enough for people to be around. Lock your doors and take your keys. There is a new trend of “gas station sliders”. This is thieves that open the passenger side of cars at the gas pump and steal purses, or other valuables. Keep your windows up and doors locked. Remember always being in Yellow ( See blog: Threat Cons and Training 3/4/14) which means always alert. At a stop light use your mirrors. Ensure no one is walking up on you. Give yourself room to maneuver or exit. Keep your head up. Most everyone around you will have their noses in a phone. This is true of people walking as well as sitting at a light.
Be aware of being boxed in. Sometimes it’s unavoidable but a planned kidnapping with more than one car can put you in a no exit position real fast. Most carjacking is a crime of opportunity rather than a planned ambush. But just remember your situational awareness.
Distance and Speed
An advantage to driving as opposed to someone on foot, is the ability to get distance quickly from the threat. Now a vehicle does need to maneuver around other vehicles, obstacles, and over curbs. This is why an exit is important. No one wants to bang up their or others vehicles, but I’d rather deal with a fender bender rather than a threat trying to get into and take my vehicle. When stopping at a light you don’t want to leave too much space in front of you so another vehicle can pull in front of you but you also want to give yourself space to exit if needed. Practice as you drive and you will be able to find that comfortable space you should leave yourself. I don’t see any reason for anyone to run up to your vehicle and try to open your doors. A panhandler usually won’t approach your car unless you indicate that you have something for them.
A tip on jumping curbs and medians. You’ll want to be sure you have clearance so you don’t high center your vehicle in an attempt to escape. Look at curbs and medians as you drive. You’ll be able to size them up to know what you can and can’t do with your vehicle. If you find a need to escape this way you should always go over these obstacles at an angle. This will let you slide and keep one drive wheel on the ground at all times. It will also relieve the shock of your tires. Keep the momentum when you try this and don’t stop until you’re over. This is not a speed maneuver but torque I the key. To practice this lay a 2x4 on the ground and drive over it at an angle and head on to get a feel for the difference.
Push Through
A common technique taught in terrorism aversion courses is putting your bumper on the vehicle in front of you and pushing it out of the way. This would be a last resort move because it just may not work. The car in front may put on their brakes and not let you push them out of the way. Giving yourself space is the best way to keep out of trouble.
Distance and speed would be the best response to a carjacking attempt. But as a last resort, without a choice, being armed and ready to defend yourself or others in your vehicle is appropriate. In the Colorado video I never do see a weapon in the criminals hands. I can only assume the 2 victims who were pulled out of their cars did not have their doors locked. But always use your best judgment and if confronted by someone with a weapon, giving up your car is better than giving up your life.
Nothings says if someone bumps you that you have to stop right away and jump out of your car. If you continue rolling and stop 30 or 40 feet down the road, it won’t matter much. Give yourself space. Most criminals have not learned “close and engage” but often it’s a natural thing if you want to dominate and “win” a confrontation. With space, closing is more difficult for the aggressor and it gives the opponent (you) more options. Just like a confrontation on foot, closing the space between you and your target is important. Most gun events happen with 10 feet of the two involved. Giving yourself space in your car gives you the opportunity to put distance between you and the other guy. If you’re with your family and get in a accident and get out, have your spouse get into the drivers seat and be ready to leave if needed. Have a phone ready to dial 911 or call before you get out.
As I watched the Colorado video I saw simple things that could have made a difference in being a carjacking victim or not.
Practice
Just as you would teach a teenager to drive in an empty parking lot with cones, you too can practice some of the things we’ve talked about here. Do you or your spouse know the feeling of mashing the accelerator from a dead stop? Setting up cones for other cars and 2x4s for curbs and medians can give you the edge that you may need to avoid being a victim. Also, if you use code words for safety reasons with your kids have a word for a problem going down while you’re driving. Even if it’s just “Lock and duck!” Get in the habit of locking your doors if your car doesn’t do that automatically. Also, set up all your mirrors to cover what’s going on behind you. Consider adding convex blind spot mirrors that stick to your mirrors that give you better view. Window tint might also be something to consider but make sure you are doing so legally in your state. Keeping windows up is also a good idea in heavy traffic.
Going through life paranoid of everyone and everything is not what I suggest. But going through life oblivious of your surroundings is dangerous and stupid. Be wise and do the little things that will often keep you out of harms way.
A few weeks ago I was getting gas at a convenience store I don’t usually go to. I happened to be armed, something I usually can’t do working on a government installation. As I was walking in after pumping gas a man approached me and started to close. He started with “Are you from around here?” and he was getting uncomfortably close so I put up my hand and that stopped him. I said “Hold on one minute” and kept walking to get in the building. He said something about finding HEB but not being sure where Walmart was. I put some space between him and I before I turned to face him. He kept advancing until I put my hand up. I think he realized he was encroaching on my space (21 Foot rule). I gave him quick directions to Walmart and he went away. My hand was near my weapon but not on it. Avoiding an attack, an ambush, or mugging is generally the same for avoiding a carjacking. Be aware and have situational awareness.
Stay safe
Semper Paratus
Burn