Posted on 10/27/2025 4:31:19 PM PDT by know.your.why
Happened at the Bridge Street Towne Center Mall - Huntsville, Alabama. I had parked in the above ground parking garage. I was walking back towards my car (2020 Kia Optima) about 30 minutes after parking. Two young men standing outside of the garage. One was looking at his cell phone and then he addressed me: "Hi, Sir. Are you just getting off work?" I looked at him suspiciously and just said "no". When I got to my car, there was a junk car (missing on one cylinder) parked next to my drivers side and he started up his engine and drove off.
I know now that (highly suspect) the one kid asked me about getting off work to find if I'd be back there at the same time on a different day. And yes, they were all teenage-ish "Amish" males. I'm certain that the three were working as a team. Not only that, there were many suspicious looking Amish (male and female) out and about that mall that night. This alone was strange because most of the businesses close at 11pm. It was about 10:30 when I went back to my car. I bet that they all knew each other and someone spotted my Kia and made a cell call to the group that everyone knows as the "car-theft-crew".
Incidentally, these Amish kids that were hanging out as two or three here and there were all wearing matching pajama-looking pants. Must be a 'thing' for these kids these days.
I'm now looking at anti theft devices for my Kia. I'm also getting a police detective involved.
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So it was *not* stolen, as the title implies? I’m just looking for clarity about whether the vehicle was:
1) stolen
2) not stolen
I have a 2015 Santa Fe. It is one that can be stolen with a USB. Hyundai did the software mod that is supposed to stop that. I also have a Club. Hopefully they look for something easier to steal.
The author of this thread specifies that all the sketchy people were black.
I’m not making anything up “out of the blue.” It’s just a simple fact that they were African American teens, according to the person who shared this post.
I’m simply including the details that the author had provided, and then going on to ask if a “Theft” really happened, as the headline implies.
Pls see post #23
Thank you.
I appreciate your commitment to do better, newby.
The possible thieves may have chosen that level for a variety of reasons, fastest escape route, fewer if any security cams, etc. It’s a typical safety precaution to vary one’s usual places and times when walking, riding bikes or driving.
May have been the matching pajamas…brought flashbacks to the 1970’s movie Warriors.
All the gangs in that movie had their own dress code. Gotta watch out for the ones on roller skates.
About 56 years ago, my Dad had brought us (my Mom and my 2 brothers and I) along on a trip to a conference in State College, PA. It was summertime and the trip made for a nice vacation. Dad was driving a car from the University HE worked for, SIU, so there was a sticker on the rear with “SIU” and (I’m guessing) the campus’ fleet registration numbers on it. No University logo, tho’.
Anyway, Dad had dropped us off somewhere - I don’t recall, probably a park or something, and gone in to the conference that afternoon. When he came back out, there was an “Amish” youth sort of hanging around the car. My Dad guessed the kid was ~ 16 y’o. According to my Dad, he engaged the kid in some sort of small talk, then the kid asked Dad “What does “SIU” mean?
My Dad, never slow on the uptake, replied “Secret Intelligence Unit”. The kid’s eyes went wide and he sort of mumbled something to the effect that he (the kid) better get headed home. My Dad replied “That would be a good idea”.
The young man left quickly.
Today’s young potential car thieves are surely more sophisticated, but, the idea is still valid...
The state police captain who lives in my neighborhood tells me that the single most effective way for the average American to avoid becoming a crime victim is to stay away from shopping malls.
Should I lock myself inside my home and never go out as well?
I think the best way to not become a victim is to shoot the bastards.
No. Just don’t go to shopping malls. Do your shopping online or at local stores.
P.S. — The most common crimes at shopping malls are committed while the victim isn’t even present. These include car thefts, vandalism, and car break-ins.
Trade it for a car with a manual transmission. 😁
Youth: “Sir, are you just getting off work?”
Me: “No, Detective Peterson, 12th Precinct. I’m out here investigating a ring of car thieves.” (Reveal side arm subtly). “I heard they were aggressive. God, I hope so... four years on this **** job and I still haven’t got to shoot anyone. I feel like tonight’s my night. Well, have a nice night son.”
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