Holiday Tip: Arborland Mall parking lot "witness" scam
During this holiday season, news agencies have bombarded us with cost-cutting ways to “shop the bargains” and fill the malls.Â
Wisely, most have also reminded us to hide all of our valuables in our trunks instead of leaving them on the back seat in plain view for thieves. They've reminded shoppers to be aware in parking lots and avoid being so overburdened with bundles of bags, boxes and packages in our hands that we can’t observe our surroundings - much less mount any sort of resistance to a thief determined to snatch something from us and run.Â
If you read the articles I write, you’ll recognize these common themes of crime prevention:Â LOCK IT UP, DON’T LEAVE IT UNATTENDED, BE AWARE AND WATCH OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS.Â
Some of my critics scoff that the crime prevention tips I write are common sense. Perhaps they are, but people are still victimized every day - even in this Utopian hamlet we call Ann Arbor. I know, I read the police reports for 13 years. It was my responsibility to keep people safe and crime rates down by assigning some very talented detectives to investigate the crimes and apprehend the criminals.Â
Now that I’m retired, I still want to help. I think education and awareness are key. So I will persevere trying to make Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County safer and less hospitable to criminals.
A few years ago, a man had a scam in the Arborland Mall parking lot, where he would slink through looking for lone elderly women returning to their cars. He would run up to them out of breath and tell the women another car had damaged their vehicle and was driving away.Â
If the woman hurried, with the assistance of this interloping “witness,” she could catch the car and get a plate number to give to the police. Speed was of the essence, and they must hurry because the car was getting away!
Once inside the woman's car, the scammer would direct her out onto Washtenaw Avenue and  would search through the traffic, looking for the offending vehicle. A few minutes into the futile search, the scammer would inform the woman it was no use, the car had gotten away.
The crook would then suggest he took time out of his busy day to assist the woman, and it certainly must be worth some cash. She's now faced with a scary, physically imposing stranger in her car demanding money before he will get out. Naturally, the terrified women gave up the cash. Obviously, there had been no accident, no damage, this was just a scam using a perceived emergency and then intimidation to obtain the loot.
This happened several times until it was observed by a true Good Samaritan who witnessed the shocked look of panic on a victim’s face. This bystander came up to see what was going on and yelled for other people in the parking lot to assist.Â
The suspect yelled that he was being harassed and stormed off while one of the witnesses called the police. Patrol officers caught the scamp, and he was identified in other cases and locked up. What a great example of an alert citizen aware of his surroundings watching out for a neighbor. Let’s look out for each other this holiday season!
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety on AnnArbor.com.
Comments
JAM
Wed, Dec 9, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
Last winter, I had a guy KNOCK ON MY FRONT DOOR begging for money for gas... he told me he wasn't a crook, and opened his wallet to show me his ID. The wallet had credit cards in it. Hmm. When I told him I didn't have any money in the house, he went down the street and knocked on my neighbor's door. Wish he would have CROSSED the street, where the city cop lives!
Susan
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:46 p.m.
Well, I don't know about those other people who you mention, but I find your articles very interesting, helpful and entertaining. I loved the one about the "informer". Keep at it!
emdog
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 6:40 p.m.
Thank you Mr. Kinsey for another great article. Whenever I see your articles I always read them, because they are interesting and informative. Perhaps some people know every "scam" and trick in the book, but there are many others who appreciate your insight. Thanks!!
onevalleyguy
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 5:21 p.m.
Does everyone from Ohio travel here without a credit card or cash, or just the ones unable to buy a tank of gas so they can return home?
HerrSnibbens
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 3:47 p.m.
Just once, if they said they needed the money for a pint of Popov, I would give it to them, out of respect for the honesty.
pegret
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 1:06 p.m.
Because that one's been around town forever! And even from the same geographic area. I've been hit up with that 2 or 3 times, the first time about 20 years ago in the parking structure....the woman said she was from Saginaw.
M.
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 12:43 p.m.
@ krc: How do you know that she scammed you?
krc
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 12:11 p.m.
Here's another scam to watch out for: Crying women in the parking lot who come up to your car with tears streaming down their faces asking for money to help them get back to Bay City (or somewhere) so they can pick their children up from school(or some other ludicrous excuse). I fell for that one. Bay City? She was sober, clean and nicely dressed.In this season they might say they need money to get gifts for their children. That would be hard to deal with.
Judith A.
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.
I appreciate your efforts. I am at retirement age and have started to notice personally the targetting of 'lone elderly women.' I often have my head in the clouds, so, I like these safety reminders even if common sense. Also, I am experiencing the need to figure out how to play a different, but useful, role as I step down from my lifelong career. I think the post-retirement 'developmental stage' is a challenge! It is good to see someone committed to making a contribution after retirement whether the busy worker-bees appreciate it or not.
djm12652
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.
I still find it hard to believe there are people that dumb as to allow a "kind" [Ted Bundy was a nice, goodlooking guy] stranger get in their car. And to not even check for damage before going along with such a story...is it my imagination or is society dumbing-down that much?
Rex Roof
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 9:32 a.m.
thanks for the tip! I'll put this on my list of things I'm supposed to be afraid of.
Wolverine3660
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 9:16 a.m.
As I was coming out of Hillers last week, I saw a couple of guys, slinking around in the parking lot. I didnt have a cell phone on me, but I informed the Hillers staff and asked them to cal the AAPD. I wonder if they did.
Awakened
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 8:09 a.m.
Begging in parking lots is not new. Times are tough. The best advice is not to be naive and stupid. Good Luck Ann Arborites!
Mike D.
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 7:53 a.m.
My favorite scam is the guy selling "high-end" stereos that "fell off the truck." In reality, it's a known marketing ploy for low-grade equipment only available in parking lots.