This video definitely did not waste your time. Very important points made in that video. So important that they may save one of your viewer's life some day. Probably one of your most important videos.
I am a prosecutor in a large southern city. Routinely I get cases that began as listings on Craig's List. Be especially careful when you use that method of doing business. At the very least, it is full of people selling items they have stolen. Thanks for the video.
I completely agree with your assessment of the situation. He gave you zero reason to trust him on multiple opportunities. ESPECIALLY with a second car involved. Your thought process and decision making is the difference between going home that day and being buried in a shallow grave out in the middle of no where. I would love it if you did a video on counter surveillance. I would have liked to think my spidy sense would have went off, but I am not sure I would have detected the second vehicle. Glad you are safe, keep up the great work!!! Love your channel!!!
I'm the same way. Worked "unarmed" Security in the projects. Basically was a curfew monitor. But still, to this day I still practice counter surveillance, and it drives my wife nuts! I still sit facing the door at restaurants, keep my eye on cars behind me, size up people in stores. If I'm in a gas station late at night and someone comes in, I look for a bulge. Well do alot more then that, but you get the point. I think everyone should know this practice. Came in handy many of times while traveling.
'Were they trying to set me up......?' ----------------probably. If it (cheap wood) sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No doubt in my mind, they were lucky that day. And it saved you a huge headache.
I was thinking the same thing. It reminded me of the story about the two thugs that tried to rob this old guy with a cane, and it turned out that old guy was William Fairbairn, the guy that invented Defendu martial arts for the military.
I was accused of being paranoid when I worked at a Hotel. I got on people about propping open the side security doors for smoke breaks, etc. and leaving them open and unlocked. I would tell them about a true story where a man escaped a ward for the criminally insane and walked into a hotel just like the one we worked at through an open door that was supposed to be locked and walked into a room with a small boy and in an instant cut the boy’s throat open, killing him... Might as well get rooms with outdoor entrances instead of indoor because the security is going to have human created flaws... due to laziness, neglect, etc. I would still recommend indoor entrances but we should treat them like outdoor entrances. When we travel everyone we meet is some kind of a “transient” personage and should be treated accordingly.
Yep,people jack the price up when they know your really going to need it. It's not quite as expensive here but not too far apart. Lol,he's either stealing the wood from someone else or he's been robbed after letting them come to his place. Around here it would be the first, stealing it and selling it.
I accidentally scared some of the money delivery guys. My mom was inside buying and I was outside looking for a close parking spot, where, I can see her. I circled around a couple times and I know that they always keep track of cars, but I'm thinking I'll find a spot soon enough. I then noticed that every time I went by they would stare at me so I was like shit. I'm scaring them, but I couldn't find a spot and I went around a couple more times and the guy looked really nervous and he was rushing his partner a lot and they were jittering and I thought man I hope they don't call the cops on me, but they left. Right when they left I found a parking spot, but once I parked my mom came out.
All my life, since I was a kid when I eat in a restaurant I automatically choose the seat facing the door. My little (now big) brother thought it was because I was a girl, big-sister-bossy , and nosy. Turns out my little (big) brother was wrong on all 3 counts. I was just being aware instinctively of the situation. :) My parents (Daddy especially) taught me to go by my gut instinct. If it feels wrong, bail and don't apologize. No telling how many people as they're being robbed or worse wish they'd gone by that little feeling and got out of Dodge. When I was a teenager, he told me if I ever found myself in a situation that didn't feel right to call him. No questions asked, he'd be there to pick me up. Never happened, but I knew he meant it. Too bad you're not in my area, we're clearing some land (oldest son is preparing to leave the nest, waaaahhhh!!) and we'd help you cut and help load all the firewood you could ever want just to get it out of the way.
Ex brother-in-law is getting it. (Still like our brother, lol). Son is helping him cut, load, and unload it in exchange for a few hours with his back hoe. But, there's plenty to go around. If you were here, we'd set you up. :) (Love the "free to a good home" like with the firewood).
Better to be considered a bit paranoid than be blindsided like those news people were. Having even basic situational awareness puts us ahead of at least 95 percent of common folk. I know there probably aren't people actively trying to harm me, but there's no way I'm going to live as if danger will never find me.
My wife and I were coming home from somewhere, and I noticed the same car behind me for what seemed like statistically too many turns. I told her that I wouldn't go home, but instead go around the lake road near our house a few times, and if he was still there, to the next State Trooper Barracks. Turns out it *was* a fluke, and the dude did live nearby - he turned into his driveway shortly before I got to the aforementioned lake road.
They were settin' you up for robbery..you would've had to shoot 'em so...yeah,you did the right thing.GIT.Your cop/survival instincts saved you from an ugly situation.I have some of these same instincts from my military experiences,it has saved me more than once.
I'm one of those "suckers born every minute:, yet, by the time you got to that long dirt road with sudden traffic, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. Really glad you pull out.
I absolutely agree with your way of thinking. Ive been in similar situations. Some might think its being paranoid or whatever. I call it instinct. Thanks for the video.
I feel like I've always been paranoid of others intentions. It does kindof make sense I have very little friends and my family questions it. They almost think it's insanity, but it's hard in this time to no stay cautious, vigilant, and aware.
+Alex Smithson Very smart way of behaving Alex. Being aware of your surroundings and having several plans to draw on in a situation is just common sense. Leaving oneself fully exposed and unaware is just asking to be a victim.
Yes sir you did right. As a former taxi drive in Pa and in Tn you learn to read people. Only thing I'd done differently is after 7 miles I'd stopped and never went any further. Being paranoid can be beneficial. I showed this to my wife and said see I'm not the only one. Thank You sir and keep up the good work
Always trust your instincts. Humans are the only animal that overrides their fear response. I'm always looking around, watching people and their hands and body language. I can't tell you how many times I've thought to myself; "He doesn't look right. I better watch him." I also taught my niece things like when you walk into a store or restaurant, Stop, look around, stay near the door. If you see ANYthing that makes you suspicious, exit. I ride the bus allot. I look to see who's onboard when I first get on and I sit as far back as I can do that everyone is in my front field of view. I also watch the exits to see who's boarding or leaving. Being aware of your surroundings is critical. One of my old Karate instructors once said; "By the time you have to go Hand to Hand with someone, its too late. Its better to avoid the whole fight in the first place. Lt. Col. Hernandez also thought me a saying:Watch 5'-25,' stay alive.
You should have become extremely suspicious as soon as you realized the dude had a ponytail! Can't trust them fools. Great story, and I like your shorts...lol
+Think Like A Cop - The Rest Of The Story A real man can pull off 80s shorts....provided they're coupled with crocs....couple those shorts with crocs AND socks and you're good to go. :)
It's definitely suspicious. I do the hood thing too, in fact most people here do, but I don't do it in the drive thru. I don't wanna slow down the people behind me from paying, but only in the two window thing. Before the window I have my space.
A man and his wife were waiting in a double lane fast food drive thru. He had always wanted to be a policeman and thru his many contact's got his concealed carry permit early. They both have one now. Thru his being super observant he immediately notice two men walking by his car and going to the one behind him. When they could not get the woman behind to unlock her doors they turned and were coming toward the mans car and when he saw their guns he pulled his and as the crumb got to back window they were running so this went fast. The man leaned side ways and started firing. He emptied his gun and hollered clip and his wife three him one so he immediately reloaded. The crumbs started running and grandson went to car behind to console woman who was almost hysterical because of their guns and trying to get in her car. All lanes just sat till police came and told what had happened. The really strange part was there was never a word about it in any sort of media. They all received letters for help from the victims fund and read the short police log mention in the paper. When major corporations dont want bad press they dont get it. I always leave a large space but now I make sure I can really leave.
I have a much simpler story. I used to live in an apartment complex with gated parking area, where the entrance gate and the exit gate are on the other side of the building. I came home really late one night (2am I think), got through the entrance gate, and as I slowly moved forward watching for the gate to close in my rear view mirror, someone walked in. I obviously didn't like that, but there isn't much I can do about people sneaking in before the gate closes. My parking spot was on the other side of the building, closer to the exit gate, so I drove around to that side, but instead of parking, I drove to the exit gate and waited in front of it. It's a long way from the entrance gate to the exit gate, and there's no reason for anyone to walk from the entrance gate side to the exit gate side. Sure enough, the person (or was it persons? it was decades ago) walked all the way to the exit gate side. I drove up closer to the exit gate to open it and drove out. I parked the car at friend's place and walked home that night. I'm just about certain that they were after my car.
I ALWAYS go with my instincts. Being a single petite female I am always watching my back wherever I go. I like what you said about keeping distance between your car and the one in front of you when stopped in traffic. I am going to start doing that when I find myself in traffic. Thanks for posting this Rick.
I see stuff going down all the time. I can only imagine what I don't see, it doesn't take any extra energy to check six and do a senses rotation now and then, added to some tactics like you talked about. Good video. - Mike
You did the absolute right thing. When our kids were toddlers, around 10am there was a loud knock at front door. I had just come inside with our daughter but out of habit, always lock the door. We had a lanai garden area to our front door that we had just put a mirror against the retaining it reflected all the gorgeous plants. Wasn't there a week when this happened. I go to the door, we have a huge living room window the drapes were drawn which normally I kept open till evening. I looked out the little window at the door to see a very attractive well dressed black man maybe in his late 20's or so. He smiled showed me a card in the little door window, and said, ma'am, while I am in this area, your neighbor mentioned you might like to purchase - inaudible- as he stepped back away from the door to allow and encourage me to open the door. I hesitated and something caught my eye, in that mirror, I could see another well dressed black man was standing flat against the house next to the door, he held a large doctors like bag. I yelled to the young man, let me get my husband (who wasn't home) as I grabbed our daughter, ran to back door to let our rotty back in house, put our daughter in our room with child lock on door, and grabbed our loaded 300 savage. I called my brother who was a sergeant with metro dade. He sent cops out that moment. These 2 would be criminals were gone, no where to be found. About 2 weeks goes by and bam, on the news in Pembroke Pines a neighboring city, there was the attractive young man and his accomplishes arrested for home invasion robberies! I literally got sick to my stomach when I saw what they'd been doing. So grateful I didn't open the door, got my dog, my husbands rifle, threw my daughter in our room and put child lock on all in seconds and called police. As I tell everyone, always listen to your gut. I believe that's the Lord speaking to us. People call the Lord by many names, I had this gut instinct, intuition, something told me, I had a feeling, luck, I just knew, something inside, I felt, I had an impression, We get in trouble when we don't listen.
you were absolutely right in being vigilant. people like to call smart people dumb. ive been a private investigator and state licensed bail bondsman/fugitive recovery agent for many years now. i am not a cop...but do many police like things making arrests ect...seeing what i see and myself and others who have been attacked....you cannot be too careful. especially w smart phones... people will park their car and stare at a phone for many minutes without looking up...its like being a sitting duck. pay attentiom to your surroundings people. we live in a society w a bad economy and people will kill for a small amount of money...or sadly just for fun. thank you for your videos and stay safe
+michiganprotection I am about to do a video on bounty hunters, hopefully I won't piss you off too bad, I used to help you guys since you could do things I could not as a cop, but some bail agents are a little out of control.
+Think Like A Cop - The Rest Of The Story agreed some give a bad name to the professionals. i hope you let them know there are good ones who do not break the law :) thanks brother
Think Like A Cop - The Rest Of The Story perhaps those guys wanted to steal your truck and worse than that too know what I mean my brother is a retired cop your incident with those guys in the firewood I would have had the department check them out they were probably Bad Dudes they might have been running a meth lab up in the hills or something I think they were trying to set you up
If they don't know the address it's probably not their land, that's a clue. I bet that wood was stolen at the very least. There may of not even been any wood.
Great advice. I try to drill that same type of awareness with my family. Kids seem to have a tendency to trust everyone because it's the right thing to do...oh boy
I been stoping far enough to see tires of the car in front of me for many years. Few weeks ago my buddy was riding with me, kept telling me to pull up closer, so i explained to him why i do that (pretty much just what u said, to have escape, not to get boxed in and stuff) he looked at me like i had 2 heads, and said he never thought about it. Another reason if u get rearended at the light, u dont want to hit the car infront.
A most excellent clip Rick! I've been like you since I was 14, always watching! Started driving at 15 and have driven defensively always. _EVERYONE_ should be this way! _OR,,,_ they can be a victim.
LOL. I stop to where I can see the tire touching the ground as well. I learned it in a defensive driving course once. The companies reason behind it was if rear ended they wouldn't have to pay for the vehicle ahead if damaged. But yeah I've used that distance to change lanes at a red light.
i use craigs list to buy all kind of stuff but sometimes you get the strange ones who just don't sit right. a guy wanted me to go to an abandoned building to meet him and i told him hell no. i always keep my S&W 9mm with me and an extra clip.
dude that sounds like a straight set up to me especially with the second car seems they were obviously together i would have split out of their as well
Yeah man, spidey sense goes off, get outta there. With some of my history I've talked about, I've been in dangerous situations, and I know to never ignore the spidey sense.
Great vid as always! Like you say, there's no way to know for sure what that guy planned, maybe he really was just a clueless dumbass whose friend was gonna help you load the firewood... but I believe and agree with your situational awareness, that these guys were shady and were planning something bad for you. Glad you're still around, Rick!
Damn I paid 85 for a face cord seasoned delivered in central NY and it burns great! Also I paid 120 for someone to cart 7.5 face cord up 1 1/2 stories on my deck! Wood is expensive in TX!
Perceptions change after training . Im really surprised you went along with them as long as you did. Your not paranoid your trained to observe and be safe . Protect yourself and others.
Very creepy that car rolled up behind you. Glad you got out of there. Who knows what they were up to thats the point& dont want to find out! Good video keep up the good work :)
Hurry make a new video about the man who just got shot by the two sherrif. I love to here your insight on things sir. You're very insightful thanks for your time and effort in making these video's it's always good to here your expertise and perspective on things. Greatly preciate appreciated.
The idea that this dude had an accomplice waiting and pull in behind you is all I needed to hear. Combined with the other strange behaviors - avoidance (no address given) and vagueness about everything else.... I think they were setting you up. Normal people don't act that way and have a surprise "co-worker" tag along.
+JD Glock I wonder what would have been waiting for him at the end of the trip. A whole lot of 'not good' I expect. It could have gone from suspicious to very bad real quick.
So many people would of just kept of following asking to be a victim. I'm a in home care giver in a bad area of northern ca. (Seems like anywhere Bart goes turns into a high crime area.) My co workers have been giving me shit for locking the doors and windows at night. Calling me paranoid. They were telling me how they don't worry about anything. They say "if it happens it happens." "If it's your time it's your time" All these bullshit arguments. So I asked if they know about the crime in the area. "I've never seen this town on Fox News" Lmao so I turned on the police scanner and at that moment they were investigating a guy flashing kids. And chasing a stolen car by low jack So I then show then the crime stats for the year before. They were shocked but they said it changes nothing. Why do people just wait for bad to happen, instead of taking precautions to avoid trouble. I just don't get ca liberals.
Well Rick, I'm pretty new to your channels and this video came up even though it's three years old. I agree with your analysis and I'm glad you decided to bale on following those yokels. I'll be on the road before long myself and I'll be a little paranoid or I like to call it being a skeptical thinker. It's saved me a lot of problems by anticipating what could happen. Have you ever thought about giving classes to women, but then that would probably make you tear your hair out, LOL. Anyway, you have such good advise on so many subjects.. Thanks for this video.
Great advice, when stopped I always make sure, I can see the full back tire, on the road, my vehicle is the best weapon, to get out of any ambush, to many predator's out their, be peaceful, but never let your guard down, like collector's in the intel world, pay attention to your surroundings, your survival depends on it..
+Carl Amos NO I figure he has a ad listed with a phone number and if he is up to no good he will be easy to find since the phone number worked several times, you can't hide with a phone too easy unless it is prepaid, but I don't like wasting cops time on something not for sure or prove-able. In all honesty it could have been legit and the second guy could have been their to help load the wood? seems odd to me, but may have been nothing.
Say hey Rick, you are nor paranoid, you are in condition yellow. I am always checking out people. As a civilian I have had the pleasure of being shot at, yes it sucks but it trained me to always be aware. My wife and family think I am some what paranoid...but I am still here. Love your videos. You are my #1 you tube channel. BTW, when will you open up a tough love gun range?, I am tired of driving 3 and a half hours to east Texas. Dog Bugler
you didn't waste anyone's time Rick you absolutely did the right thing. if your hair was tingling that's a sign! get out of there hi to horsies and mokie and rabbit too.
l337pwnage Haha I guess that'd be a sufficient reason to have one. My uncle has a pony tail and he looks and is absolutely crazy, but in a good way. Like you would want him on your side lol.
The mistake was even agreeing to leave with them from the gas station. No legitimate person would not tell you where they are leading you.. and with the second truck..just spells trouble.
Well, gee, I am way more paranoid than Rick. The first weird hinky phone call would have put me off permanently. How about talking about what motivates people to ignore those hair on the back of the neck warnings and keep doing what their internal radar is telling them get out, get out now. Thanks :-)
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Sounds like a setup to me. You made the right choice!
From your information it sounds like they were trying to get you to use up your fuel so you couldn't escape when they put their plan into action. You did good.
Watched this video and even I notice when it seems like someone isn’t copacetic, or someone seems like they are following me so you’re not paranoid you are listening to your instinctively sensitive situational meter and your sense is saying this is out of the usual and not how I would conduct a “ sale “ ! from k to 12 school tries to knock instinct out and listen to them but survival is primal and it’s usually not wrong, I probably would have turned around long before you since I am female- actually I wouldn’t have gone for obvious reasons but you did good, you never know when desperate people will do something for stupid reasons, expect nothing be prepared for anything ! Money isn’t everything 🙏🏻
I don't have any close neighbors and always keep an eye any vehicle that seems out of place near my property- aka - any vehicle I don't know. The main ones I watch are the dudes who slow down and creep down the road. I have to look to see if it's the guy on his booze route, driving around drinking two hours every day after work, or if it's a poacher, tweakers, thief, idiot, high school kids goofing off, etc. Jotted a lot of tag numbers, and even followed a few who were shooting off the road. I always leave a note with the tag numbers, vehicle description, and date in my console. A little paranoia is a good thing.
I have a family member, he's retired Marine, but DEA in another state over. Anyway, in order to keep the dealer, growers from thinking it was a police chopper over head they ride along with the military. Why, because around here and the state he is we have a lot of Military training with different choppers, no one pays attention to the Military training and they have been able to get a good many big timers. And no, you did right turning back and your trust thing I'm sorry I have the same issue enough my youngest son that's 32 saying you are to untrusting,not everyone is a conspiracy theorist or bad. No, not everyone is BUT working some of the jobs I've had being careful, eyes always searching and it doesn't just go away. Use to tick the kids off when they brought a new buddy around because in 5 minutes I'm calling them aside from that person saying son he's bad news and you best stay away from them. One of the boys in a few days or couple of weeks would come to me saying I hate to admit it mom but you were right, now the other son would just suddenly stop going around the person but no way he was ever going to say, mom you were right, he'd just never talk or mention them again. Had one boy you knew in 15 seconds Not. The overly, sickly nicey-nice, yeah you can bet they are either up to something or trying to hide something. Oh mom he's a preacher's son,hahaha my uncle was a pastor but cousins was brats when we were really young. Well where does he preach? He doesn't anymore. Well why son? Congregation ask him to step down, now around this part of the south, Baptist preacher's aren't just ask to step down saying oh your health is getting bad. Nope, no,don't happen. Sure enough this way over sick-sick nicey-nice was a pretty big dealer. Had a local friend that was DEA, kinda had him snoop, I know parents today don't have any right to check out, ask questions, just need to let em run wild. Not. I'm going to be nosy sorry, now if I didn't love my kids I wouldn't care who,what, when they do, go. I'm not a liberal political correct person. The guy had been in trouble, not big on paper but found out cops was actually watching him. I explained guilt by association very well to my kids. My friend had a talk with the other guy told him he'd be good to stay away from my house, my kids or he'd be on his ever move and we'll leave it there. I'm glad you listened to your gut instinct, I've always found if you didn't it didn't go to well. So I don't care, yes I was what is called a over protective mother, I learned very early as a toddler baby people do horrible things so hell no I don't trust I look people in the eyes, I go by that gut instinct.
I think you should always trust those little hairs on the back of your neck. I was buying a product from this Lady and Her husband delivered it. I needed to write a check, and so I invited him in to wait while I wrote it out. Thankfully I had my dog inside, he was a German shepherd. This Man made me uncomfortable, he kept looking around and complementing me on my looks. Just as I was about to hand him the check, my dog jumped up and began circling me. He eyed my dog took the check and left. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up too. You just never know!
Rick, just for shits 'n giggles (forget about the likelihood of it ever happening). Knowing what you know now about this guy, what would you do if next week your driving down the same area of town (where you two met) and you stop to get gas (Okay, lets try and keep it real. In your case, it would be 64oz's of coffee or tea), and you notice Shit for Brains (yeah, that's his real God given name) is doing what appears to be the same thing. Only this time, his customer/maybe victim appears to be a kid in his mid 20's with his girlfriend driving. They drive off (just like you did) following Shit for Brains. Oh yeah, one more thing (more drama). As the kids pull out to follow, you notice they have a bumper sticker "I Love Horses". Whatcha gonna do/not do???? Inquiring minds want to know!! Well, at least I do. :)
+TroySR71 if I saw it go down and then I might go over and tell the person what I experience and warn them to be careful and let them decide if they go or not go.
That was VERY fishy. You made the smart choice. You are alive. You don't owe anybody an apology or an explanation.
This video definitely did not waste your time. Very important points made in that video.
So important that they may save one of your viewer's life some day. Probably one of your most important videos.
I am a prosecutor in a large southern city. Routinely I get cases that began as listings on Craig's List. Be especially careful when you use that method of doing business. At the very least, it is full of people selling items they have stolen. Thanks for the video.
I completely agree with your assessment of the situation. He gave you zero reason to trust him on multiple opportunities. ESPECIALLY with a second car involved. Your thought process and decision making is the difference between going home that day and being buried in a shallow grave out in the middle of no where. I would love it if you did a video on counter surveillance. I would have liked to think my spidy sense would have went off, but I am not sure I would have detected the second vehicle.
Glad you are safe, keep up the great work!!! Love your channel!!!
I rather be paranoid and alive then dead because I ignored my bad feeling.
Good video, you drove a lot farther than I would have driven. I truly believe that if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
In NY a full cord aged wood (4x4xi8) goes for about $250, but we have by far more trees that I remember in TX, San Angelo AFB area LOL
I'm the same way. Worked "unarmed" Security in the projects. Basically was a curfew monitor. But still, to this day I still practice counter surveillance, and it drives my wife nuts! I still sit facing the door at restaurants, keep my eye on cars behind me, size up people in stores. If I'm in a gas station late at night and someone comes in, I look for a bulge. Well do alot more then that, but you get the point. I think everyone should know this practice. Came in handy many of times while traveling.
'Were they trying to set me up......?' ----------------probably.
If it (cheap wood) sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
No doubt in my mind, they were lucky that day. And it saved you a huge
headache.
I was thinking the same thing. It reminded me of the story about the two thugs that tried to rob this old guy with a cane, and it turned out that old guy was William Fairbairn, the guy that invented Defendu martial arts for the military.
I was accused of being paranoid when I worked at a Hotel. I got on people about propping open the side security doors for smoke breaks, etc. and leaving them open and unlocked. I would tell them about a true story where a man escaped a ward for the criminally insane and walked into a hotel just like the one we worked at through an open door that was supposed to be locked and walked into a room with a small boy and in an instant cut the boy’s throat open, killing him...
Might as well get rooms with outdoor entrances instead of indoor because the security is going to have human created flaws... due to laziness, neglect, etc. I would still recommend indoor entrances but we should treat them like outdoor entrances.
When we travel everyone we meet is some kind of a “transient” personage and should be treated accordingly.
Yep,people jack the price up when they know your really going to need it. It's not quite as expensive here but not too far apart. Lol,he's either stealing the wood from someone else or he's been robbed after letting them come to his place. Around here it would be the first, stealing it and selling it.
Love the video. My dad told me the same things. Always watch and have some sort of plan.
I accidentally scared some of the money delivery guys. My mom was inside buying and I was outside looking for a close parking spot, where, I can see her. I circled around a couple times and I know that they always keep track of cars, but I'm thinking I'll find a spot soon enough. I then noticed that every time I went by they would stare at me so I was like shit. I'm scaring them, but I couldn't find a spot and I went around a couple more times and the guy looked really nervous and he was rushing his partner a lot and they were jittering and I thought man I hope they don't call the cops on me, but they left. Right when they left I found a parking spot, but once I parked my mom came out.
Gift of Fear. Changed my entire attitude about life after reading that. Great video!!
All my life, since I was a kid when I eat in a restaurant I automatically choose the seat facing the door. My little (now big) brother thought it was because I was a girl, big-sister-bossy , and nosy. Turns out my little (big) brother was wrong on all 3 counts. I was just being aware instinctively of the situation. :)
My parents (Daddy especially) taught me to go by my gut instinct. If it feels wrong, bail and don't apologize. No telling how many people as they're being robbed or worse wish they'd gone by that little feeling and got out of Dodge. When I was a teenager, he told me if I ever found myself in a situation that didn't feel right to call him. No questions asked, he'd be there to pick me up. Never happened, but I knew he meant it.
Too bad you're not in my area, we're clearing some land (oldest son is preparing to leave the nest, waaaahhhh!!) and we'd help you cut and help load all the firewood you could ever want just to get it out of the way.
+HokeeDokeyHorses .HokeeDokeyHorses
Put it on craigslist, fire wood free to a good home, someone will come get it.
Ex brother-in-law is getting it. (Still like our brother, lol). Son is helping him cut, load, and unload it in exchange for a few hours with his back hoe. But, there's plenty to go around. If you were here, we'd set you up. :) (Love the "free to a good home" like with the firewood).
The whole time I'm thinking... these guys messed with a wrong guy... you and your AK-47 under the seat 😎
Better to be considered a bit paranoid than be blindsided like those news people were. Having even basic situational awareness puts us ahead of at least 95 percent of common folk. I know there probably aren't people actively trying to harm me, but there's no way I'm going to live as if danger will never find me.
+swiftjeff Or like the police officer in Houston.
My wife and I were coming home from somewhere, and I noticed the same car behind me for what seemed like statistically too many turns. I told her that I wouldn't go home, but instead go around the lake road near our house a few times, and if he was still there, to the next State Trooper Barracks. Turns out it *was* a fluke, and the dude did live nearby - he turned into his driveway shortly before I got to the aforementioned lake road.
They were settin' you up for robbery..you would've had to shoot 'em so...yeah,you did the right thing.GIT.Your cop/survival instincts saved you from an ugly situation.I have some of these same instincts from my military experiences,it has saved me more than once.
+Ted Cregger The unknowing call it paranoid... it is not paranoid if it is true..
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone's not after you !! lol
You had good instincts Rick. I do counter-survelance when I drive/out and about. Better safe than sorry i.e dead.
I'm one of those "suckers born every minute:, yet, by the time you got to that long dirt road with sudden traffic, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. Really glad you pull out.
That truck has great suspension, the bed barely drops down.
I absolutely agree with your way of thinking. Ive been in similar situations. Some might think its being paranoid or whatever. I call it instinct. Thanks for the video.
to be honest i'd have been outta there halfway through your story. O.o
I am not a former cop, not former military, just brought up to watch my own 6, because no one else will. Have a armed and trained day 🇺🇸!
When the hair goes up......get paranoid!! Love the channel...! Plant some trees...just fill the gaps between the ones you have.
I feel like I've always been paranoid of others intentions. It does kindof make sense I have very little friends and my family questions it. They almost think it's insanity, but it's hard in this time to no stay cautious, vigilant, and aware.
+Alex Smithson Very smart way of behaving Alex. Being aware of your surroundings and having several plans to draw on in a situation is just common sense. Leaving oneself fully exposed and unaware is just asking to be a victim.
Yes sir you did right. As a former taxi drive in Pa and in Tn you learn to read people. Only thing I'd done differently is after 7 miles I'd stopped and never went any further. Being paranoid can be beneficial. I showed this to my wife and said see I'm not the only one. Thank You sir and keep up the good work
Always trust your instincts. Humans are the only animal that overrides their fear response. I'm always looking around, watching people and their hands and body language. I can't tell you how many times I've thought to myself; "He doesn't look right. I better watch him." I also taught my niece things like when you walk into a store or restaurant, Stop, look around, stay near the door. If you see ANYthing that makes you suspicious, exit.
I ride the bus allot. I look to see who's onboard when I first get on and I sit as far back as I can do that everyone is in my front field of view. I also watch the exits to see who's boarding or leaving.
Being aware of your surroundings is critical. One of my old Karate instructors once said; "By the time you have to go Hand to Hand with someone, its too late. Its better to avoid the whole fight in the first place.
Lt. Col. Hernandez also thought me a saying:Watch 5'-25,' stay alive.
A cord is 4•4•8!! Regardless of how long the logs are.
You should have become extremely suspicious as soon as you realized the dude had a ponytail! Can't trust them fools. Great story, and I like your shorts...lol
+Corvux IX why does everyone crack on my shorts..lol my buddy at the gun shop always says nice 80s shorts... damn youngsters
+Think Like A Cop - The Rest Of The Story A real man can pull off 80s shorts....provided they're coupled with crocs....couple those shorts with crocs AND socks and you're good to go. :)
lol, whatever..... he actually never saw my shorts unless he sneaked a peek when came up to my window..
There's really is no standard sized "cord", there are sometimes some standards but they change depending on your local.
I would trust your instincts anywhere, anytime Rick.
He'll give you a good deal wood ... Exchanged, for your life, chills are going up my spine....😢
It's definitely suspicious. I do the hood thing too, in fact most people here do, but I don't do it in the drive thru. I don't wanna slow down the people behind me from paying, but only in the two window thing. Before the window I have my space.
A man and his wife were waiting in a double lane fast food drive thru. He had always wanted to be a policeman and thru his many contact's got his concealed carry permit early. They both have one now. Thru his being super observant he immediately notice two men walking by his car and going to the one behind him. When they could not get the woman behind to unlock her doors they turned and were coming toward the mans car and when he saw their guns he pulled his and as the crumb got to back window they were running so this went fast. The man leaned side ways and started firing. He emptied his gun and hollered clip and his wife three him one so he immediately reloaded. The crumbs started running and grandson went to car behind to console woman who was almost hysterical because of their guns and trying to get in her car. All lanes just sat till police came and told what had happened. The really strange part was there was never a word about it in any sort of media. They all received letters for help from the victims fund and read the short police log mention in the paper. When major corporations dont want bad press they dont get it. I always leave a large space but now I make sure I can really leave.
I have a much simpler story.
I used to live in an apartment complex with gated parking area, where the entrance gate and the exit gate are on the other side of the building.
I came home really late one night (2am I think), got through the entrance gate, and as I slowly moved forward watching for the gate to close in my rear view mirror, someone walked in.
I obviously didn't like that, but there isn't much I can do about people sneaking in before the gate closes.
My parking spot was on the other side of the building, closer to the exit gate, so I drove around to that side, but instead of parking, I drove to the exit gate and waited in front of it.
It's a long way from the entrance gate to the exit gate, and there's no reason for anyone to walk from the entrance gate side to the exit gate side.
Sure enough, the person (or was it persons? it was decades ago) walked all the way to the exit gate side.
I drove up closer to the exit gate to open it and drove out. I parked the car at friend's place and walked home that night.
I'm just about certain that they were after my car.
Cord is 4x4x8 at2’ logs. There cutting shorter logs 16" & 18" for these fireplace inserts & smaller heaters in newer houses.
Yep! I believe you made the right decision...
Always go with your gut instinct!
I ALWAYS go with my instincts. Being a single petite female I am always watching my back wherever I go. I like what you said about keeping distance between your car and the one in front of you when stopped in traffic. I am going to start doing that when I find myself in traffic. Thanks for posting this Rick.
I see stuff going down all the time. I can only imagine what I don't see, it doesn't take any extra energy to check six and do a senses rotation now and then, added to some tactics like you talked about. Good video. - Mike
Loke you say, Totality of Circumstances, all those things together made it look/feel really fishy
You did the absolute right thing. When our kids were toddlers, around 10am there was a loud knock at front door. I had just come inside with our daughter but out of habit, always lock the door. We had a lanai garden area to our front door that we had just put a mirror against the retaining it reflected all the gorgeous plants. Wasn't there a week when this happened. I go to the door, we have a huge living room window the drapes were drawn which normally I kept open till evening. I looked out the little window at the door to see a very attractive well dressed black man maybe in his late 20's or so. He smiled showed me a card in the little door window, and said, ma'am, while I am in this area, your neighbor mentioned you might like to purchase - inaudible- as he stepped back away from the door to allow and encourage me to open the door. I hesitated and something caught my eye, in that mirror, I could see another well dressed black man was standing flat against the house next to the door, he held a large doctors like bag. I yelled to the young man, let me get my husband (who wasn't home) as I grabbed our daughter, ran to back door to let our rotty back in house, put our daughter in our room with child lock on door, and grabbed our loaded 300 savage. I called my brother who was a sergeant with metro dade. He sent cops out that moment. These 2 would be criminals were gone, no where to be found. About 2 weeks goes by and bam, on the news in Pembroke Pines a neighboring city, there was the attractive young man and his accomplishes arrested for home invasion robberies! I literally got sick to my stomach when I saw what they'd been doing. So grateful I didn't open the door, got my dog, my husbands rifle, threw my daughter in our room and put child lock on all in seconds and called police. As I tell everyone, always listen to your gut. I believe that's the Lord speaking to us. People call the Lord by many names, I had this gut instinct, intuition, something told me, I had a feeling, luck, I just knew, something inside, I felt, I had an impression, We get in trouble when we don't listen.
mamaknows --What a story! Way to listen to that ‘voice’! Makes me want to change my Westie for a bigger dog too.
I think you were right. I like the way you think!
you were absolutely right in being vigilant. people like to call smart people dumb. ive been a private investigator and state licensed bail bondsman/fugitive recovery agent for many years now. i am not a cop...but do many police like things making arrests ect...seeing what i see and myself and others who have been attacked....you cannot be too careful. especially w smart phones... people will park their car and stare at a phone for many minutes without looking up...its like being a sitting duck. pay attentiom to your surroundings people. we live in a society w a bad economy and people will kill for a small amount of money...or sadly just for fun.
thank you for your videos and stay safe
+michiganprotection
I am about to do a video on bounty hunters, hopefully I won't piss you off too bad, I used to help you guys since you could do things I could not as a cop, but some bail agents are a little out of control.
+Think Like A Cop - The Rest Of The Story agreed some give a bad name to the professionals. i hope you let them know there are good ones who do not break the law :) thanks brother
I consider paranoia to be a heightened form of awareness 🤣😂🤣
Good wood gone bad
+Eric Schassberger lol
Think Like A Cop - The Rest Of The Story perhaps those guys wanted to steal your truck and worse than that too know what I mean my brother is a retired cop your incident with those guys in the firewood I would have had the department check them out they were probably Bad Dudes they might have been running a meth lab up in the hills or something I think they were trying to set you up
If they don't know the address it's probably not their land, that's a clue. I bet that wood was stolen at the very least.
There may of not even been any wood.
Great advice. I try to drill that same type of awareness with my family. Kids seem to have a tendency to trust everyone because it's the right thing to do...oh boy
I been stoping far enough to see tires of the car in front of me for many years. Few weeks ago my buddy was riding with me, kept telling me to pull up closer, so i explained to him why i do that (pretty much just what u said, to have escape, not to get boxed in and stuff) he looked at me like i had 2 heads, and said he never thought about it. Another reason if u get rearended at the light, u dont want to hit the car infront.
That's the ticket Rick, my gut has never failed me. If you trust anything,trust your gut
A most excellent clip Rick! I've been like you since I was 14, always watching! Started driving at 15 and have driven defensively always. _EVERYONE_ should be this way! _OR,,,_ they can be a victim.
LOL. I stop to where I can see the tire touching the ground as well. I learned it in a defensive driving course once. The companies reason behind it was if rear ended they wouldn't have to pay for the vehicle ahead if damaged. But yeah I've used that distance to change lanes at a red light.
Love your videos men you are awesome always keeping it real 👍🏼
i use craigs list to buy all kind of stuff but sometimes you get the strange ones who just don't sit right. a guy wanted me to go to an abandoned building to meet him and i told him hell no. i always keep my S&W 9mm with me and an extra clip.
Love the Video brother, great points , keep up the awareness.
dude that sounds like a straight set up to me especially with the second car seems they were obviously together i would have split out of their as well
Yeah man, spidey sense goes off, get outta there. With some of my history I've talked about, I've been in dangerous situations, and I know to never ignore the spidey sense.
Great vid as always!
Like you say, there's no way to know for sure what that guy planned, maybe he really was just a clueless dumbass whose friend was gonna help you load the firewood... but I believe and agree with your situational awareness, that these guys were shady and were planning something bad for you.
Glad you're still around, Rick!
always be aware. that was a set up man for sure.
You're lucky that little road trip didn't get you hurt. You should have BAILED a lot sooner than you did.
Damn I paid 85 for a face cord seasoned delivered in central NY and it burns great! Also I paid 120 for someone to cart 7.5 face cord up 1 1/2 stories on my deck! Wood is expensive in TX!
that was obviously a set up and a half.
always have someone with you with craigslist deals
Glock 21 and glock 19
Perceptions change after training . Im really surprised you went along with them as long as you did. Your not paranoid your trained to observe and be safe . Protect yourself and others.
Very creepy that car rolled up behind you. Glad you got out of there. Who knows what they were up to thats the point& dont want to find out! Good video keep up the good work :)
Hurry make a new video about the man who just got shot by the two sherrif. I love to here your insight on things sir. You're very insightful thanks for your time and effort in making these video's it's always good to here your expertise and perspective on things. Greatly preciate appreciated.
Good sense of danger, Sometimes pay more for safety is the right choice
The idea that this dude had an accomplice waiting and pull in behind you is all I needed to hear. Combined with the other strange behaviors - avoidance (no address given) and vagueness about everything else.... I think they were setting you up. Normal people don't act that way and have a surprise "co-worker" tag along.
+JD Glock I wonder what would have been waiting for him at the end of the trip. A whole lot of 'not good' I expect.
It could have gone from suspicious to very bad real quick.
So many people would of just kept of following asking to be a victim.
I'm a in home care giver in a bad area of northern ca. (Seems like anywhere Bart goes turns into a high crime area.) My co workers have been giving me shit for locking the doors and windows at night.
Calling me paranoid.
They were telling me how they don't worry about anything. They say "if it happens it happens." "If it's your time it's your time"
All these bullshit arguments.
So I asked if they know about the crime in the area. "I've never seen this town on Fox News"
Lmao so I turned on the police scanner and at that moment they were investigating a guy flashing kids. And chasing a stolen car by low jack
So I then show then the crime stats for the year before. They were shocked but they said it changes nothing.
Why do people just wait for bad to happen, instead of taking precautions to avoid trouble.
I just don't get ca liberals.
Good move.....you coulda wound-up like that narc DEA agent Hank Schrader on Breaking Bad.
Stay alert stay alive, situational awareness keeps me and mine safe. I don't consider it paranoid but most people do.
scary stuff. And those county roads drive me nuts, they all look the same after a while.
Well Rick, I'm pretty new to your channels and this video came up even though it's three years old. I agree with your analysis and I'm glad you decided to bale on following those yokels. I'll be on the road before long myself and I'll be a little paranoid or I like to call it being a skeptical thinker. It's saved me a lot of problems by anticipating what could happen. Have you ever thought about giving classes to women, but then that would probably make you tear your hair out, LOL. Anyway, you have such good advise on so many subjects.. Thanks for this video.
Great advice, when stopped I always make sure, I can see the full back tire, on the road, my vehicle is the best weapon, to get out of any ambush, to many predator's out their, be peaceful, but never let your guard down, like collector's in the intel world, pay attention to your surroundings, your survival depends on it..
After going through all that, did you give that information to a brother LEO?
+Carl Amos NO I figure he has a ad listed with a phone number and if he is up to no good he will be easy to find since the phone number worked several times, you can't hide with a phone too easy unless it is prepaid, but I don't like wasting cops time on something not for sure or prove-able. In all honesty it could have been legit and the second guy could have been their to help load the wood? seems odd to me, but may have been nothing.
That was definitely sketchy as hell. I would have bailed too. Smart move
Thanks for the vid. I appreciate you taking the time to post it.
YOU'RE on the ball... LOVE "ok corral" reference... :)
Say hey Rick, you are nor paranoid, you are in condition yellow. I am always checking out people. As a civilian I have had the pleasure of being shot at, yes it sucks but it trained me to always be aware.
My wife and family think I am some what paranoid...but I am still here.
Love your videos. You are my #1 you tube channel.
BTW, when will you open up a tough love gun range?, I am tired of driving 3 and a half hours to east Texas.
Dog Bugler
Sketchy O'meter is through the roof.
Hey that was very smart! To many red flags.
you didn't waste anyone's time Rick you absolutely did the right thing. if your hair was tingling that's a sign! get out of there hi to horsies and mokie and rabbit too.
Definite setup. My wife likes it that I don't trust anybody. I'm a PI so I may be tainted though lol.
I agree with you. Never believe any asshole that tries to make you accountable for others people and their actions.
Well Rick you always follow your gut .. it will keep you safe more times than anything else ...
Coulda been the next craigslist killer.
Lmao, I can't trust guys with pony tails either
l337pwnage Haha I guess that'd be a sufficient reason to have one. My uncle has a pony tail and he looks and is absolutely crazy, but in a good way. Like you would want him on your side lol.
CamoNammo I have a ponytail, Im just an average teen. Lol. Nothing to worry about.
You weren't being paranoid ... enough.
Honestly, I think it took too long for you to turn around and leave.
yeah I don't think you're paranoid my red flag would have went up at the gas station with no address
The mistake was even agreeing to leave with them from the gas station. No legitimate person would not tell you where they are leading you.. and with the second truck..just spells trouble.
This is a great piece of education, thank you for your time !
That is a lot of hard work. I know what a quard is now.
Well, gee, I am way more paranoid than Rick. The first weird hinky phone call would have put me off permanently. How about talking about what motivates people to ignore those hair on the back of the neck warnings and keep doing what their internal radar is telling them get out, get out now. Thanks :-)
Sounds like a setup to me. You made the right choice!
From your information it sounds like they were trying to get you to use up your fuel so you couldn't escape when they put their plan into action. You did good.
Watched this video and even I notice when it seems like someone isn’t copacetic, or someone seems like they are following me so you’re not paranoid you are listening to your instinctively sensitive situational meter and your sense is saying this is out of the usual and not how I would conduct a “ sale “ !
from k to 12 school tries to knock instinct out and listen to them but survival is primal and it’s usually not wrong, I probably would have turned around long before you since I am female- actually I wouldn’t have gone for obvious reasons but you did good, you never know when desperate people will do something for stupid reasons, expect nothing be prepared for anything !
Money isn’t everything 🙏🏻
trust your gut
I don't have any close neighbors and always keep an eye any vehicle that seems out of place near my property- aka - any vehicle I don't know. The main ones I watch are the dudes who slow down and creep down the road. I have to look to see if it's the guy on his booze route, driving around drinking two hours every day after work, or if it's a poacher, tweakers, thief, idiot, high school kids goofing off, etc. Jotted a lot of tag numbers, and even followed a few who were shooting off the road. I always leave a note with the tag numbers, vehicle description, and date in my console. A little paranoia is a good thing.
I have a family member, he's retired Marine, but DEA in another state over. Anyway, in order to keep the dealer, growers from thinking it was a police chopper over head they ride along with the military. Why, because around here and the state he is we have a lot of Military training with different choppers, no one pays attention to the Military training and they have been able to get a good many big timers. And no, you did right turning back and your trust thing I'm sorry I have the same issue enough my youngest son that's 32 saying you are to untrusting,not everyone is a conspiracy theorist or bad. No, not everyone is BUT working some of the jobs I've had being careful, eyes always searching and it doesn't just go away. Use to tick the kids off when they brought a new buddy around because in 5 minutes I'm calling them aside from that person saying son he's bad news and you best stay away from them. One of the boys in a few days or couple of weeks would come to me saying I hate to admit it mom but you were right, now the other son would just suddenly stop going around the person but no way he was ever going to say, mom you were right, he'd just never talk or mention them again. Had one boy you knew in 15 seconds Not. The overly, sickly nicey-nice, yeah you can bet they are either up to something or trying to hide something. Oh mom he's a preacher's son,hahaha my uncle was a pastor but cousins was brats when we were really young. Well where does he preach? He doesn't anymore. Well why son? Congregation ask him to step down, now around this part of the south, Baptist preacher's aren't just ask to step down saying oh your health is getting bad. Nope, no,don't happen. Sure enough this way over sick-sick nicey-nice was a pretty big dealer. Had a local friend that was DEA, kinda had him snoop, I know parents today don't have any right to check out, ask questions, just need to let em run wild. Not. I'm going to be nosy sorry, now if I didn't love my kids I wouldn't care who,what, when they do, go. I'm not a liberal political correct person. The guy had been in trouble, not big on paper but found out cops was actually watching him. I explained guilt by association very well to my kids. My friend had a talk with the other guy told him he'd be good to stay away from my house, my kids or he'd be on his ever move and we'll leave it there.
I'm glad you listened to your gut instinct, I've always found if you didn't it didn't go to well. So I don't care, yes I was what is called a over protective mother, I learned very early as a toddler baby people do horrible things so hell no I don't trust I look people in the eyes, I go by that gut instinct.
I think you should always trust those little hairs on the back of your neck. I was buying a product from this Lady and Her husband delivered it. I needed to write a check, and so I invited him in to wait while I wrote it out. Thankfully I had my dog inside, he was a German shepherd. This Man made me uncomfortable, he kept looking around and complementing me on my looks. Just as I was about to hand him the check, my dog jumped up and began circling me. He eyed my dog took the check and left. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up too. You just never know!
My gut is 99% right. I def wldnt have kept going. I always watch behind me.
Naw dude, setting you up. Turn back.
Rick, just for shits 'n giggles (forget about the likelihood of it ever happening).
Knowing what you know now about this guy, what would you do if next week your driving down the same area of town (where you two met) and you stop to get gas (Okay, lets try and keep it real. In your case, it would be 64oz's of coffee or tea), and you notice Shit for Brains (yeah, that's his real God given name) is doing what appears to be the same thing. Only this time, his customer/maybe victim appears to be a kid in his mid 20's with his girlfriend driving. They drive off (just like you did) following Shit for Brains. Oh yeah, one more thing (more drama). As the kids pull out to follow, you notice they have a bumper sticker "I Love Horses".
Whatcha gonna do/not do????
Inquiring minds want to know!! Well, at least I do.
:)
+TroySR71 if I saw it go down and then I might go over and tell the person what I experience and warn them to be careful and let them decide if they go or not go.