I may or may not have overreacted to this so I'll post the situation...
I was just finishing up a workout at the gym. While I was on the treadmill, I could see my Jeep out of a window (about 50 yards away) and noticed a guy looking in my passenger and rear window. This went on for about 15-20 seconds...he even put his hand up on the window to get a better look inside. At the same time his van was parked next to mine with the back sliding door open. I couldn't remember if I locked my doors (my windows were on but the Sunrider top was flipped back). It was also dusk, so I couldn't tell exactly what he was doing...only that he kept looking inside and had his rear van door open.
Well, I just kind of reacted and jumped off the treadmill, ran through the fire exit that's facing where my Jeep was parked (oh yes, the alarm went off at the gym and caused a scene) and sprinted full speed towards my Jeep! When I got close, he saw that I saw him looking in, so I yelled some things that I won't repeat, but basically said to "get away from my Jeep!" The guy immediately was startled and said "calm down, man, I was just admiring it, calm down." As he was saying that, I noticed a woman (I'm assuming his wife) bent over strapping their baby in a child seat in the van which was why the door was open.
Well, I kind of feel like a big jerk on one hand, but on the other hand, I just don't think it's cool for someone to be peeking in another persons vehicle. I mean someone can steal something very quickly, and I didn't want to risk it...especially since it was getting dark. I don't know, what do you all think
I remember some guy posting that he came outside to get in his Jeep and there were a pair of legs sticking out from under it. He called the guys out and he was a Jeep owner and was under there checking out the lift.
I would have probably used a more stealthy approach than you but hey, it's your Jeep. It you feel it being threatened, do what you have to.
I may or may not have overreacted to this so I'll post the situation...
I was just finishing up a workout at the gym. While I was on the treadmill, I could see my Jeep out of a window (about 50 yards away) and noticed a guy looking in my passenger and rear window. This went on for about 15-20 seconds...he even put his hand up on the window to get a better look inside. At the same time his van was parked next to mine with the back sliding door open. I couldn't remember if I locked my doors (my windows were on but the Sunrider top was flipped back). It was also dusk, so I couldn't tell exactly what he was doing...only that he kept looking inside and had his rear van door open.
Well, I just kind of went blank and jumped off the treadmill, ran through the fire exit that's facing where my Jeep was parked (oh yes, the alarm went off at the gym and caused a scene) and sprinted full speed towards my Jeep! When I got close, he saw that I saw him looking in, so I yelled some things that I won't repeat, but basically said to "get away from my Jeep!" The guy immediately was startled and said "calm down, man, I was just admiring it, calm down." As he was saying that, I noticed a woman (I'm assuming his wife) bent over strapping their baby in a child seat in the van which was why the door was open.
Well, I kind of feel like a big jerk on one hand, but on the other hand, I just don't think it's cool for someone to be peeking in another persons vehicle. I mean someone can steal something very quickly, and I didn't want to risk it...especially since it was getting dark. I don't know, what do you all think?
You're all right. I guess I freaked out because the guy had his door open compiled with my elevated heart rate from running on the treadmill lol. I really do feel bad though because I'm not an aggressive person.
Interestingly enough, the guy who shut the alarm off who works at the gym said it wouldn't have been the first time a car was broken into on their lot.
Been there, but I keep nothing of any value in it so I'm more likely to approach quietly and make sure they aren't up to no good.
As a car enthusiast if I'm checking out another person's vehicle, I keep a few feet away, and keep my hands behind me to try and make it obvious that I'm just admiring in case the owner comes out.
Action is always faster than reaction, if he did have bad intentions you would have had the upper had. Lucky for all parties it was a miss understanding.
Your reaction was understandable cjeezy... People admiring your rig is like people admiring your woman. Makes you feel good but there's a boundary limit.. Gotta respect that. When I see a nice Vehicle in the parking lot that I want to check out, I make it a point to admire with a space in between and for only a short time. NEVER touching it and defiantly never poking my head inside... That way if I'm being watched im not displaying any sketchy behavior..
Sounds like you got a nice ride & this guy doesn't have good manners...
Perhaps next time, before you tighten the knot on your Rambo headband....you might take a moment to jot down the license plate number of the van, and perhaps a brief description. Maybe even alert a few more witnesses to watch out the window while you trot to the rescue.
Kinda like having an attractive wife....
If you don't want people to admire your ride...drive a yugo.
When we go out to eat I always try and sit where I can have a view of the Jeep. I give you credit for blowing out there to protect your Jeep. I cant say I have had to do that yet but you never know how you will react until it happens. Its something primordial I think.
Did you strike up a conversation with the poor dude who has to have a minivan for the next 15 years? That fates worse than any beat down you could have put on him.
Ok everyone,...have overreacted to this so I'll post the situation...and I didn't want to risk it...especially since it was getting dark. I don't know, what do you all think
Been there, but I keep nothing of any value in it so I'm more likely to approach quietly and make sure they aren't up to no good.
As a car enthusiast if I'm checking out another person's vehicle, I keep a few feet away, and keep my hands behind me to try and make it obvious that I'm just admiring in case the owner comes out.
I should have clarified, I had to use the front fire exit door because it was the only door that would allow me to get outside quick. If not, I would have had to run through the entire gym, down a hallway, past check-in, through a doctors office lobby (the gym is shared with a health provider) and then out the main front door and around the corner to get to it. I would have lost sight of the guy. I certainly didn't run through the door to cause a seen...in fact I didn't even know the alarm would go off until I ran through it.
Lol... the fire alarm going off must have shocked you as much as your would be thief. That's a tough senerio though... dusk, mini van with the door open. You did what you had to do.
Came out of a store once and a woman had put her 4 yr old up on my VMax... I just looked at her and said you owe me 25 cents for the ride, kind of joking around. She actually turned out to be a very nice person. Guess she just never got the memo saying leave motorcycles alone, lol.
I know where you are coming from. It can be hard to tell what intension someone has when they are gawking at your ride. Once you have had your vehicle broken into a few times you tend to become paranoid. I would have gone out and asked what was up. You just can't tell if that person is looking at your ride because they like it or because they are looking to steal it or something out of it.
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