I know its not 914 related but but it could happen to you I need eye right now.

Well this is not a good night. I was about a mile from home in a parking lot with people around having coffee and coming in and out of shop at the stripe mall. Two keep it short I was approached by two Spanish guys one pulled a gun choked it and said give me your keys. I did he than said give me your cell phone and off thay went followed by a blk truck. I know thay found me from the cars FS add, Thay stole my 99 M3.
I am scared, nervous and very shock up. Police have already come and gone and I am alive. Thank god. I live in a very nice area but I have learned a long time ago crime is everywhere and tonight it was my turn.
I was at gunpoint. It really is not a good feeling.

If anyone see this car iin the LA area its a 99 M3 with the carbon fiber wing and clear lenes and a light tent all around. It has or had AC split 5 spoke rims. Please just call the Police and stay clear. As I did. I can be reached at 818 266 7774 Only asking you guys to stay on the lookout. As felt tonight life is golden respect it.I have posted on like 5 club boards I know it may have no effect but I just cant sit and do nothing.

LAPD CONTACT BOB GRANT 818 834 3158

LIC # 5RYA008 VIN WBSBG933XXEY82556
If anyone can get this info over to other website related to BMW that would be great. bimmer .org. bmw club etc, Email me and I will send you pic to upload.

2am I cant sleep all I can do is write on forms, posting here and on Criaglists to do something to make me feel better.

UPDATE 4-9-07 THANKS TO EVERYONE.

I just wont to give a big thanks to all of you who have taken a moment to read about what happen to me. I am OK, thanks to friends and family. I was unable to express to many detail after it happen but some of you figured it out. Yes I was set up by what the PD and I believe to be Simi pro car thief gang. That got an order for either parts from my car or the whole car and this guy was not going to go with out it. That evening a 8pm I meet them in a crowded parking lot with people coming in and out of store and others setting around having coffee. I showed them the car and went on a test drive within minute the guy asked if the car had lojack or any other tracking system on it. I don’t now why but that question made me very uneasy (alarm 1). I speeded very quickly back in the direction of the parking lot where we had meet up but before we got back he asked if I would dive down this other street to test the bumps (alarm 2) I said no I don’t feel comfortable driving down a street with someone I don’t know. So at High speed I continued over to the parking lot parked got him and I out of the car and tried to end this by telling him OK I got to go things to do, He was trying hard to keep me there but I reached for the door and at that moment he said I am taking the car as he pulled out his shirt and a black gun. He choked it in my face and said I taking this car and told me to give him the keys as I slowly moved back. He than said Give me your cell phone. I did, as he had my stuff he than ask that I don’t walk one way but walk the other way I did and after getting fare enough away I heard the car start I turned as he left followed by a black truck.
I write all this because many have and will sale cars or something in the future. I often pick up used parts not knowing where I am going. I have sold over 30 cars to private parties, But it takes only one gun held to your face in a public parking lot to make you rethink how you go about it. I hope that by sharing my event with everyone it will make you take precaution to maybe prevent this happening to you. But as I have learned if thay wont it, thay will take it, Be smart give it up, its only a car. And you will thank god you did after there gone. Now I think back to what other precaution I could have taken beyond meeting in a public place.
A few tips are make sure you are not calling a person back on a pay phone number. Ask for a second number. Meet in a place that has security cameras in the parking lot and inside the store. I will now ask that you fax me a copy of your drivers Lic#. Why not I would I have nothing to hide. The dealers do it before letting you go out in a car. Bring a friend and consider meeting in the PD parking lot. Maybe add a kill switch that would only allow the car to get a few mile away and in would die, Thay do sale a device like this already.
Lojack is always a great option. I hope other will add to this list and we can all be a little safer dealing with the unknown.

OMG Thank god your still alive. You could have easily been shot by those scum bags
Very sorry to know what happen to you

Damn. Car can be replaced, you can't. Glad you're OK.

Just not right.

2 am I know I did the right thing but I keep thinking what if I didn't. If I had done anything in a way to scare the guy where would I be? I know the car is the least of my worry I have been truly blessed in my life but this has left a mark on my soul. My loss of sleep is normal I think, Tonight my mind is running in circles.
Thanks for letting me vent here.

Sorry to hear about this, but you did the right thing. As other have said the car can be replaced, that's what insurance is for. If you made the choice to try and scare them off, you might not have been solucky. I hope the F&*$*@G A-Holes get burned....

I know how your feeling now. I had a rental car stolen in DC while I was working assisting with storm claims after hurricane Isabel. It was a saturday after noon on a nice sunny day. I was in a customers home for no more than 5 min. If I'd have come out a minute sooner I may have been confronted with the gun. They got the car, my cell phone, my computer, my personal property and a stack of company checks.
I spent the next two weeks there under more mental stress than I ever experienced. At the end of the day I would really just need to take a nap as I was worn out from the stress. If you can't shake it off find a way to get out of town for a couple of days. Sorry to here about this. I'll post this over in the E34 BBS and the Healey BBS I also frequent.

You'll be ok.

L,
Glad to here your ok. My friend had a jetta for sale in San Diego,Some called him to "Make A Appointment" to meet them at there office building,Guess what he was jacked there.We always suspected the car went to Mexico,It was never found.You did the right thing !! Imgaine if that was your "six",What would of you done? I just got Terry a new M3 Vert and told her to watch for any one following her to work/home,You can not drive around a nice car today with out worring about it,Thats too bad !! Again you did the right thing. I really like your garage !!
Take Care,914

So sorry to here this Lee, good thing you gave it all up though, we would hate to hear of you being injured or worse during this confrontation.
There are some really bad people out there, there not just in the movies....

Makes one think about one of those GPS car locators installed in your car.

Damn Leamon! The car can be replaced. I don't even know what to say. You'll probably get *close* to normal, but...

Lee,

Wow, what can I say, I'm glad you are here posting.

I'm not saying this to scare you any further but depending on what's in your glove box, they now have your address ect. Please take the extra measures at your homefront for a while. I'm sure you've already thought of that, but I just needed to state it.

Take care and keep up posted.

Ferg

You are one very lucky Dude!
This day and age, you don't go anywhere without backup, that being at least a Browning 9MM with 14 HP's in the clip, one in the chamber, in a belt holster, and a Walther PPKS .380 in an Uncle Mike's ankle holster.
Oh, you live in a state where it's tough to get a carry permit? Guess what, you have VICTIM tattooed on your forehead! Move to a better state, 'cause the fuzzballs don't seem to have any trouble getting something to carry...

If you're selling and someone wants to meet you, you go with a buddy (who CAN and WILL shoot). He (or she; don't want to sound sexist here!) rotates off to the side, gun out, safety off, under a newspaper, jacket; you pick. You show the car, making sure that you keep the "buyers" between your gunny and your car. Your gunny DOES NOT engage in conversation, look at anything but the potential perp(s), and stays alert for anything unusual. If it looks "odd", cut it off and get out. So the buyer is offended; big f...ing deal. There will be someone along later to buy the car...
If I am showing a vehicle, I disable it by pulling the coil wire. When the buyer shows up, I get out of their way and let them pick the car apart to their hearts content. NO test drives unless I get a very warm and fuzzy feeling about the buyer. And I drive first, then they drive back. If I don't get the feeling, I pack it up and tell them "Thanks for looking". Let them leave first... just stand and wait them out. Then take the "long" way home... and keep an eye on your rear view mirror. Paranoid? Sure... if you don't like it, move to Antarctica... penguins prolly won't pull a gun on you there!

Really bad news dude.

I hope they get caught here in Bakersfield. The pd and sheriffs here have a habit of shooting first...

Sorry you had to go thru that, but you did it, you did the right thing and you are

alive. That feeling will go away but you may find yourself not putting yourself in

a position like again and with a strange urge to arm yourself, at least I did.

That is a scary incident. Glad you are ok.

Be sure to change the locks on your house, and if you had a garage door remote - address that as well. They know where you live by your registration info and they have your keys. You may need to think about any car key you had on that ring as well.

Lee about your episode, hope they find the perps and your car.

Ferg.

Leamon - I'm very glad that you weren't injured by the perps. Hopefully your car will be recovered and the theives get a good while in jail.

While I'm not an advocate of what Sam was proposing, I do hope that one day those guys try to jack someone with a concealed carry permit. And chances are pretty good if they're in SoCal. Clay always says... An armed society is a polite society.

I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you. I've often imagined what it'd be like to stare down the barrel of a gun. I'd be terrified and probably frozen. I'm glad you came out of it alright.

Jen

But I must say it appears in Lee's case they had the drop on him. And armed or not he did the right thing.

Ferg

Sorry about your trouble Leaman. Glad you're OK. Nothing worse than a thief except a thief with a gun.
Cheers, Elliot

Leamon,

Glad you are ok. You did the right thing. I am glad you are safe.

As car guys, we wrap our hearts up in these machines sometimes. But they are just machines.

If your key ring had a house key on it, make sure you change your locks.

Glad you're ok Leamon.

Change your locks ASAP. Like Ferg said, they have your info now. There was a news story here locally, that the hot new trend is to steal info out of glove boxes.

I'm certain they were just after the car, but change your locks JIC

leamon,

you did the right thing. you made it out and are here telling us about the shitty experience. that is a win.

i have been in the same situation staring down the barrel of a sawed off shotgun as the little prick was jabbing the barrel hard in my temple telling me he was going to kill me. it was at a restaurant i worked at in college. it took a couple of months to put my head back on right (which is still open for debate) but you will get over it. i promise.

cheers,

scott

I cleaned this thread of all of the non-topic drivel. I hate doing that.

deleted

You can never draw on a drawn gun. You did the right thing. So sorry this happened to you but you are OK. Rod Stewarts 930 Porsche got jacked by a gunman in 1982. It is just a car. I had a 73-911S that got stolen right after I had rebuilt the engine. I just turned 500 miles on the rebuild and parked it and it was gone, boom. The feeling was so bad. I know that feeling. I was 26 and it felt like my whole life had ended and I looked all over for it thinking I may find it. It did feel better when I got paid off but could never replace it. If you are not a gun guy do not get one to carry till you read this book.

All you gun toeing people need to read this book to get real when you can and cannot use a gun. I used to pack a gun every day and came close to getting myself shot as I came out of my factory one night very late with my 45 ACP at my side by my brief case as the LAPD pulled up at the very moment I closed the door. They shined the light at me and asked me what I was doing and I told them I was leaving for home and they went. If they saw my gun they may have shot me.

In the Gravest Extreme. The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection by Massad F. Ayoob

After reading this book I stopped caring heat.

Bob Burton

very sorry to hear the news, glad you're OK.

As to safety:
(1) As someone mentioned above, yes change your house locks immediately, and reprogram your garage door opener for the remote (unplug it NOW until you figure out exactly how to do that).
(2) Also as mentioned above - if not directly related to your situation - sales transactions with individuals (car or otherwise) should be done in a public place, during daytime business hours. And with one or more friends nearby but not immediately present - i.e. able to watch the transaction from a distance & call for help if trouble arises. My next sale will be in front of the main entrance to the local shopping mall, or else in front of my local Starbux.

As to personally identifiable info: Unless I'm loaning someone my car, I keep my car Reg. and Insurance card with me & not in the car.

Also regarding keys, this may not work for everyone, but: Once upon a time I started carrying two separate keychains (when I bought my 3rd car - too many keys for one keychain; one's for the cars, the other for house/etc). Well, I put a "decoy" on the car-keys keychain - an old housekey from where I used to live, which doesn't work in any of my house door locks. In case some future car thieves/jackers were to get my car& car keys and find my address. Would at least slow them down, hopefully enough until the local cops could be notified. Maybe a little paranoid of me but there it is.

My $0.02.
Good luck, and I hope the pain and trauma of your experience diminishes sooner rather than later (that and I hope they get your car & the perps get their due) -

mike

i've been shot at twice, but i only had a gun in my face once.
some stupid nazi skinhead kid in germany. turned out the guy was a wuss. i ended up beating the living $hit out of him ...

i realize that might not work for everybody thought. i got lucky.
when the cops arrived they told me i was nuts for going after the guy.
they didn't say a word about him being all beaten up, so that was good.

life just plain sucks sometimes ...
Andy

I see the tendency to turn this thread into a debate over the virtures and faults of the NRA, of which I am NOT a member...
Mr. Burton is entitled to his views... as am I.
The point I was making is that you do not allow yourself to be on the receiving end of a drawn gun...but if you are, bow out as gracefully as possible, wait for your opprotunity, and unload your entire clip into the SOB's!!! Yes, you may have to put a few bullet holes in your own ride, but your are most probably never going to see it again anyway. The more "enlightened States" now recognize the citizen's right to defend themselves, and their property, with use of deadly force. Again, if your State takes a dim view of such, then shame on them! Change your laws, or change your lawmakers if they won't! Bottom line... if we make it easy, they will take it from us... if we make it hard, they will go where the pickin's are easier... criminals are lazy, or they would be doing real work! I see far too much of the "Oh, well, let the Insurance Company pay for the loss... it's only a car, boat, money..." We ALL paid for the loss of this BMW, and don't think for a minute the Insurance Company is going to replace it and not raise the premiums!
As far as the Police shooting you for having a gun... that's a real Ha, Ha! They won't even shoot the perps that are shooting at them first! Too much Red Tape for them to plow thru!

Glad to hear you are ok.

Those darn Spaniards! Definately the most unruly of the Southern Europeans.

Glad to hear you weren't an ultimate casualty.


When selling a vehicle:

1. Create a new e-mail address specifically for handling this sale.
..... It adds isolation and personal security as well as a path back to any propective buyers.

2. In your ad, ask prospective buyers to e-mail you and include a phone # to contact them at.
..... Call prospective buyers back from a phone booth so they won't have your personal home or cell phone #

3. Obtain as much information about the prospective buyers as possible during your phone calls (take good notes).
..... Know who you're dealing with prior to scheduling any appointments.

4. Meet the prospective buyer at a local police department or at a mall/shopping center that has video camera survelience.
..... Try to schedule day-time appointments.

5. Remove all important documentation and other personal belongings from the vehicle.
..... Keep your car key separate from any other keys.

6. Always have a 'friend' (or two) with you (real persons or a 'metalic' friend and an ankle holster if so inclined) ...
..... If a real persons, have a pre-arranged duress signal that will alert your friend(s) to call 911 if needed.
..... Leave your wallet other keys and cell phone with your friend(s) during the prospective transaction.


7. This should be a standard item, whether you're selling a vehicle or not:

..... Have a 'kill' relay installed to cut power to the ignition system within 5 minutes after starting the car.

..... Any reputable auto alarm installation company can do this.

..... Also, you can carry a spare remote so you can manually activate a kill relay as the thieves are driving away.


NEVER let your guard down guys ...

When I first moved to Texas, there was lady who got her BMW jacked with her baby in the back seat. Old guy sees woman knocked to the ground by large black guy, he goes and gets his pistol from his car. Criminal calmly is driving away. Lady is screaming about her baby. Old man susses out the situation, Black man driving, white woman crying about baby, baby in back seat. Shoots car thief in the head as he is driving off with car and child. Old man hailed as hero, but when interviewed he was asked about hitting child. "The baby was in the back seat, I was not shooting at him" They held his weapon, released him, returned weapon post investigation.

In California he would have been charged with manslaughter at best, murder if the DA was a tool. Just last week a man confronted some thugs breaking into his car at 0300 here. Two ran, one turned and put his hand in his coat, which earned him a hole in his chest. All three criminals escape, man calls cops and is charged with assault with a deadly weapon. "Victim" turns up at a hospital, is okay and "may be charged with a crime". Fucking California laws.

You did the right thing, that car is gone, will never be seen again

As I said, some States "Get It", and some don't. Since CA doesn't "Get It", you will, right in the ol' wallet! Check out what you all out there pay for Auto Insurance on a "decent" ride... Incredible! And a big part of that is caused by theft losses...

You can get on your Lawmakers now, and have them change things, or you can sit back and watch them p... all over your piece of Paradise...

Sounds like he was on his own property, in a case like that I have two words for

'Rock Salt'.

Those two scum bags had the drop on him, not much he could do. They do

(Cali bleading heart liberal law makers) do have our gun hands tied to our

ba!!s. But if we feel that our lives are in danger we have the right, No the

duty to ourselves and our familys to dispatch the one we feel threatened by.

But pulling a 'Dirty Harry' in a public area is not going to indear you with the

police or the courts. If they are all ready driving away your life is no longer

in danger.

I'm glad to hear you yourself came out physically OK. Like's been said, cars can generally be replaced, people cannot be replaced. It sucks, and I can only start to imagine how you feel. Don't recall if you have any sort of surveillance in your garage, But I'd grab a couple of cameras from Harbor freight and put them up around your place. A basic alarm is easy to wire up as well.

In addition to changing locks at home, you need to put in a call to the bank and put an alert in on your credit information. Been a while since I've been out of the bank, but you can notify, and they should keep a closer eye on new accounts opening up and such. One of the positive upswings of the Patriot Act is the requirements for open new accounts in cases like this.

Glad to see you're unharmed. I used to think people wouldn't risk the death penalty for stuff like this, but some of the stuff I've heard over the past few years, that's not something I'd place faith in anymore. I won't jump in on the virtues of CHLs or arguments either way, just happy you've got the chance to pick up another M3 someday and the ability to continue visiting the boards.

Karma seems to catch up to people, though that's little comfort, and it seems that it takes longer than anyone would want..

Thank God you are not injured, maimed, or worse ..dead! I really feel for you, and thanks for sharing your experience. I know I learned something.

Jim

I'm looking! Driving all day in L.A. will keep an eye out.

Too close too home! Glad you're ok..

really feel for you. i experianced a stolen car (2x's). makes you feel violated to say the least and thats without gunpoint. i live in modesto, ca. area where 1 in 6 cars WILL be stolen. up until last year we where car theft capital for 3 years running. hoping for the best outcome for you, keep pursuing it and dont give up. your in one peice and painful as it might be cars can be replaced. glad your o.k.

L,
I owned a Glass company in the 80,s.IWas going to relplace a store frt. window at a liquor store in Sylmar Ca.I asked a guy in a truck can I pull into his spot guess what he pulled a shot gun on me,I just stood there saying to him why are you pulling gun on us,I only asked you nicley if I can pull into your spot. He said get the f... out of here.We left then it sank in, man we could have been shot. Returned to the liquor store told the owner,He pulled out his 357 mag and said dont worry,It happens alot around here,I still remember it 25 years later.Its something that you will never forget !! This thred in not about gun rights but how to save your life.I am a avid shooter/hobbyist.Packing is not for me.I will only get you in trouble some day.
914

Damn that sucks!! I just can't imagine living in an area where these things occur on a daily basis.....

....and people wonder why my shop isn't in California!!!

Thank god you are OK and too bad the perpetrator isn't dead.

UPDATE ON FIRST POST. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

Great tips

Given what you said about your experiences, I would advertise all cars for sale as having LoJack. Whether they do or not.

Again, glad you are ok.

I hope those assholes have a real good time up in San Quentin!
Thank God you're ok. Your very lucky to have walked away.
Konrad

Lee,

Thanks for the update, and I'm taking all the points into consideration, and I will be making some changes as how I do business as well. It's no secret I sell my share of cars. Scary stuff.

Boulder had a same incident recently, guy was selling his 911 and two guys met him after work at the company he owned. He was a weight lifter, real big dude, it's suspected he fought back, and paid for it with his life.

Ferg

More carjackers should get shot when pulling this crap

Any cameras from the stores or parking lot at the strip mall??

Considering this thread is from 2007, I doubt if they would help much

I was gonna say those thieves have probably died of old age by now.