At about 7pm tonight, I was on my way to Circuit City. For work I need to be in reliable contact so, against the desires of every bone in my body, I have to go buy a wireless phone. A block away from the store, my hate for phones, and the wireless variety in particular, became my last concern.
After I crossed a busy intersection in the full daylight of this summer evening, someone in a white car yelled something out at me, which I was surprised to hear as my headphones block a lot. The car whipped around the corner, stopped with a screech, and three men got out. One demanded “Five bones” from me. He rambled profanely, and his demeanor made his violent intent clear.
I didn’t play along. I started looking around for help. As they approached (the car stopped 10-15 feet away from me), I started yelling at the top of my lungs for help. The lead attacker took a swing at me, glancing off the back of my head. Another attacker grabbed at my brand new headphones; fortunately only cosmetic damage was done to them. They then fled as cars started to stop to assist me.
In my yelling I called out the license plate of the car, but in the heat of the moment, and after talking to the people who stopped to let them know I was fine, I forgot all but the first digit and one in the middle. But I remembered those two digits correctly, so hopefully it helps.
I continued on to Circuit City, concerned that they may have been after me again, or even targetting me for some reason. I wanted to get into someplace with people around, buy my phone, then call for a ride home. Well, I didn’t get the phone, because they wanted a truly exorbitant amount of money as a deposit. So I left, and started looking for a pay phone.
As I did that, I saw a police officer talking to three people, two men and a woman with a towel on her eye. I came up and asked the officer if this was about three guys in a white car hitting people, he said yes. By now this was almost an hour after the attack, roughly. He continued taking the other information, then took mine.
Just about a half hour I got back from positively identifying the attackers. It was great, the first guy of three was the one I didn’t see, so I said “I don’t recognize him.”
The second guy looked kinda like the lead guy who punched me, but I wasn’t sure. So I sat quietly in the squad car and looked as well as I could. Then he starts shouting profanities, and I was at that moment absolutely sure it was the man. I had no doubt. So I simply said “That’s the guy who punched me.” The fool jawed toward his own ruin.
The third guy I had no doubt on from the start. He had the same posture, same build, recognized the chubby face well enough because he got the closest to me actually that I could see (the lead man punched me in the back of the head), so I said “That’s the guy who tried to take my headphones and my iPod.”
Hopefully two clear and absolute statements will be the straw that puts them away. They are looking at “a number of felonies” according to the deputy who originally took my statement, then drove me over to identify them. Attacked a bunch of people, drove drunk, fled the police.
Not the best night I ever had, but justice will be done I hope.
Update: I nearly forgot an important detail, as I’m still hopped up on adrenaline. These guys were on a rampage, attacking numerous people. They punched that woman in the eye and made her bleed. They attacked a family with kids in the car. They threw a glass bottle at a car. They were drunk and vicious, and I’m very glad to help get them put away.
Good On You Neil
Caleb Howe Saturday, August 16th at 1:25AM EDT (link)For the presence of mind not to go along, and for the courage to point them out afterward. Well done.
Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
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If you walk alot..Get some Pepper spray
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 2:06AM EDT (link)Goes on your waistband…maybe not good against weapons…but you could have Emptied it on these dudes
Glad your ok
That adrenaline's better than Starbucks, aint it?
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 2:11AM EDT (link)n/p
Unfortunately
Jason Gillman Jr. Saturday, August 16th at 4:26AM EDT (link)It looks like you’re in California. Regardless of whether they are armed or not, there were three of them. This is the type of situation concealed weapons are completely called for.
Glad You're OK
rightwingscottie Saturday, August 16th at 5:01AM EDT (link)Just glad that you are ok. The world would be poorer without you
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake - Napoleon
The rest of the story
bk Saturday, August 16th at 5:38AM EDT (link)Somehow this needs to be blamed on Bush.
Seriously though, that’s scary!
Glad you are OK . . .
Pejman Yousefzadeh Saturday, August 16th at 6:33AM EDT (link)And nice work taking down the perps.
“At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid.” –Friedrich Nietzsche
So glad you are all right, Neil! Whatever would
janis Saturday, August 16th at 7:45AM EDT (link)we do without you around here? RedState needs to provide you with a great, big dog to guard you while you go shopping/running errands–3.0 can’t make it without you! Other than that, you’re one of the good guys.
Neil, you are my hero! Not giving in
Mike gamecock DeVine Saturday, August 16th at 8:00AM EDT (link)was awesome man. True courage and defiance. Like a Gamecock! A Brave! Not a Dodger!
smile
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Follow this case.
Mark Kilmer Saturday, August 16th at 8:06AM EDT (link)It will be good for you to know just how they are punished. These are the kind of people society deigns to remove from itself.
Good for you Neil!
David Hinz Saturday, August 16th at 8:09AM EDT (link)that’ll teach those punks not to mess with a RedStater!
The Minority Report — The HinzSight Report — TMRB.tv — MFOB “Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It’s resentment of another man’s achievement.”
Neil: Our Pajamas Media tough guy
Mike gamecock DeVine Saturday, August 16th at 8:16AM EDT (link)Gangsters should be praying you wait another 5 years to leave the basement!
smile
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Neil was in his pajamas?
David Hinz Saturday, August 16th at 8:22AM EDT (link)Well, no wonder he made himself a target
The Minority Report — The HinzSight Report — TMRB.tv — MFOB “Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It’s resentment of another man’s achievement.”
Great job Neil most people would have been
JadedByPolitics Saturday, August 16th at 8:26AM EDT (link)terrified to silence which of course is a bigger issue for us as a nation….your fearlessness in standing up for yourself and your fellow citizens goes a long way in helping you to sleep at night when the adrenaline wears off…..congrats!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
McDonald's is better than Starbucks
blooch Saturday, August 16th at 8:31AM EDT (link)if your throwing it at them.
Pepper spray and a thermos, Neil.
I love it when the good guys win.
“I have to admit that Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a smart man. He was, in many ways, a psychologist.”–drealoth
Glad you're OK. Good actions & reactions.
mbecker908 Saturday, August 16th at 9:25AM EDT (link)You’re lucky they weren’t armed. And too bad you live in CA ’cause in Phoenix they would likely be picking wounded/dead attackers off the pavement.
Well if they were illegal aliens... :-) (nt)
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 9:34AM EDT (link)Want to run for conservatives? Give.
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Thanks all for your kind words
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 9:35AM EDT (link)And dang it, I don’t see anything about this in the Press-Enterprise online. I may need to get the print paper and see if it’s there.
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Good job Neil
itrytobenice Saturday, August 16th at 9:56AM EDT (link)I hope they lock them up and throw away the key.
Now get back to rolling code.
The problem with America is stupidity. I’m not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don’t we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?
Good job, Neil
Wayne Saturday, August 16th at 9:57AM EDT (link)Now, don’t get discouraged if/when the defense attorneys get about 10 continuances and postponements, while you spend hours sitting around, waiting to go to court. Hopefully, it won’t happen that way, but don’t be surprised if it does. And, again, good for you and the other citizens who refused to be victims.
“Hell, these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal, and took Iwo Jima, Baghdad ain’t s–t”. Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, USMC, Deputy CG, First MEF
What county ?
SteveLA Saturday, August 16th at 10:02AM EDT (link)Neil,
What county are you in?
For those of us up in LA County, fat chance of these guys getting hooked up by ICE if they are illegals, San Bernardino, different story.
Glad to hear you are OK!
______________________________________
Competency over ideological purity
Riverside County
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 10:04AM EDT (link)Though judging by the accent, I doubt the lead attacker was an illegal. Maybe the guy who swiped at my headphones, because I never heard him talk. So I was basically kidding with the Bush crack
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If true, call Bill O'Reilly ASAP
streetwise Saturday, August 16th at 10:07AM EDT (link)You will be on prime time cable and Erick will be green with envy.
Glad you’re OK.
And now the elders must chide the young’uns. You really shouldn’t be walking around constantly plugged into earphones. It detracts from situation awareness. This is the New Yorker in me speaking.
Silent meditation on the glory of The One, however, is always acceptable.
So what did you learn young Padawan learner?
SteveLA Saturday, August 16th at 10:13AM EDT (link)Neil
So what did you learn from this bad experience?
My takeaways
1) Bad people are everywhere
2) Cruising around electrified with ‘Tunes can lead to lack of situation awareness
3) Yelling for help may not produce much help.
4) Running like a bat out of H*ll when confronted by drunken fools is not a bad thing.
5) Cell phones are not evil.
But once you get one, program in your local police department direct dial number, 911 is a joke on a cell phone.
By the way, I have CHP direct dial, and all three Sheriff departments direct dial numbers in the area I live programed my cell phone.
While you at it, program in a phone number called ICE on your phone. In Case of Emergency is your home phone, or the phone of someone that should be contacted in case you are hurt and the police need to get in touch with your emergency contact.
______________________________________
Competency over ideological purity
I had nowhere to run actually
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 10:16AM EDT (link)I had just crossed the busy street, though luckily the busy street did produce people who stopped to help, which I think is why the situation ended up as mild for me as it did.
I sure wish this were a more gun friendly state though, heh.
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A Big silver thermos...knock em out...then have a cup
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 10:19AM EDT (link)I have an aluminum baseball bat in the truck…so…if you ever hear a big ‘PING’
and there’s no college ball going on….you’ll know I’m going to Mcdonalds for coffee
Neil, I think you should go see the doctor...
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 10:34AM EDT (link)NO RICKROLL…promise
They disabled embedding for some reason..Must see
What, Neil? Are you the Dark Knight?
Rod_Patrick Saturday, August 16th at 10:52AM EDT (link)You made this diary instead of going first to the Doctor? Are you n*ts? YOUR SAFETY FIRST! You know we can wait for your story.
Speciallist is correct! See a doctor immediately, if you still haven’t! No harm in playing it 100% safe.
Pepper spray?
Nobama Saturday, August 16th at 10:55AM EDT (link)Ever tried using it?
Neil, get a gun. Then get a permit to carry it. Consider becoming a reserve police officer. You’ll work 10 10-hour shifts per year but you can carry concealed anywhere except for private venues like the Coliseum and the House of Blues.
The Romney Revolution has already begun. Only Mitt Romney can bring sanity back to Washington.
I'm fine, really
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 10:56AM EDT (link)Glancing blow to the head, and that’s it. No blood, no swelling this morning, no soreness, no spots that hurt to the touch, nothing.
Thanks though
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I'd hate to be his Nurse..n/pain
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 10:58AM EDT (link)n/p
Beware of late effects
SteveLA Saturday, August 16th at 11:04AM EDT (link)Neil
Be watchful for delayed effects.
Drooling
Desire to get on a airplane headed for Denver
Chanting “Yes we Can”
Sudden fondness for bad Hip Hop music
You too could turn into a Nobama Zombie from head trauma.
______________________________________
Competency over ideological purity
I'm not talkin MD..I'm talkin MA..Watch the Video
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 11:14AM EDT (link)n/rickroll
You got elected, I suppose. LOL! <nt>
Rod_Patrick Saturday, August 16th at 11:22AM EDT (link)My Doctor video joke is dying a slow and painful death
$peciallist Saturday, August 16th at 11:28AM EDT (link)nevermind
See a Dr. and a pshrink, Neil!
Achance Saturday, August 16th at 11:50AM EDT (link)I can see from here that you have soft tissue injuries to your neck and spine, have the initial symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, have developed a phobia for crossing streets and going to big box stores, thus substantially impairing a major life function. You also face a loss of consortium from the effects of this attack.
So, you’ve now won the lottery of American life! Sue everybody: the state, the county, the city, the engineering firm that laid out the street, the construction firms that built it, the company that painted the crosswalks and the one that installed the traffic signals, Circuit City for putting their store in such a dangerous place, even the punks that attacked you; if you get a judgement against them, you can take anything they might happen to get some day. They’ll all try to trot out various immunities, but you can find a judge who thinks it isn’t fair for governments to assert immunity and everybody knows that big companies get their money by stealing from the workers, so you can get before twelve morons with drivers’ licenses. Ka-Ching! And, you’re now qualified for employment accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for the rest of your natural life so you can work only when and how you want to and still get paid.
You’re a winner, Neil!
In Vino Veritas
Oh, I forgot, Neil;
Achance Saturday, August 16th at 11:55AM EDT (link)CA, like most liberal states, probably has a Violent Crimes Victims Compensation scheme of some sort. Get your app in ASAP. That should get you enough money to buy the new cell - at least.
In Vino Veritas
Your advice intrigues me and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 1:00PM EDT (link)Thanks, will check on what I can, heh.
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fortunately the attack
David Hinz Saturday, August 16th at 1:02PM EDT (link)was not against a vital organ.
The Minority Report — The HinzSight Report — TMRB.tv — MFOB “Miss Tagart, do you know the hallmark of the second-rater? It’s resentment of another man’s achievement.”
Who do you think he is, Art....
Jeff Emanuel Saturday, August 16th at 1:14PM EDT (link)…Matt Stoller?
JE
What a wuss!
Achance Saturday, August 16th at 1:48PM EDT (link)We’ve become a nation of sissies! It’s not much of a stretch to say that I and every boy I grew up with averaged two or three shiners like that a year from the time we were five or six to our mid/late teens.
There’s no physical play anymore, few of them play sports; they don’t know what pain and injuries are, so they and their mommies totally freak out at the slightest little scratch. I’ve got scars all over my body from cuts, scrapes, and scratches that at most got a bandaid and some mercurochrome or iodine that today would be freak out ER visits, stitches, and probably therapy for the mommy, unfortunately, probably for the dad as well; how could they have failed their baby so?
And the funny part is that these are the people who go around talking about killing Republicans.
In Vino Veritas
The solution is simple
bs Saturday, August 16th at 3:10PM EDT (link)“Go ahead…make my day”
“I know what you’re thinking - did he shoot five shots - or six?”
Decorum is fo’ suckas
Yeah, I type with my fingers, not my head (nt)
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 3:19PM EDT (link)Want to run for conservatives? Give.
There Is No Crisis
What are the concealed carry laws like in CA? -nt-
George Claghorn Saturday, August 16th at 3:42PM EDT (link)nt
“Victory comes, though we know not when. We must be happy warriors until the end.
For those of you who struggle with what goes on, who see retreat and capitulation, and who feel like not just your political opponents, but those who hold dear all those things you hold as blasphemous — be cheerful. Be happy. Victory is already yours.
You must just have the courage to not get discouraged and have the will to fight on.” – Erick Erickson at RightOnline
I'm sure they're horrible (nt)
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 3:53PM EDT (link)Want to run for conservatives? Give.
There Is No Crisis
I went to CA a few years ago
Achance Saturday, August 16th at 5:49PM EDT (link)on a pleasure trip that would involve a lot of driving around LA and SD. The sane person in me wanted to bring my pistol, but I figured I was actually more likely to run afoul of CA’s gun laws than to run afoul of a bad guy. So, I went to a gun shop in Anchorage that had bumper stickers that said, “An Armed Society is a Polite Society,” bought a bunch, and put them on my rental cars. No trouble!
In Vino Veritas
Maybe I need some NRA t-shirts (nt)
Neil Stevens Saturday, August 16th at 7:52PM EDT (link)Want to run for conservatives? Give.
There Is No Crisis
Scary Situation - Glad you're OK
Whitehorse Sunday, August 17th at 12:32AM EDT (link)Let me echo the thanks for id’ing the perps - too many people would have not wanted to do so.
I have been involved in self-defense & personal security for a while, teaching unarmed & improvised weapon security. The “Dirty Harry” .44 magnum is a definite deterrent, though more difficult to carry concealed. I’d recommend that everyone get some education on self-defense for such situations. Of course, I have to say, the best situation is the one avoided. Sometimes one cannot avoid these situations, & one needs to be prepared. One does not need to be a black belt, however one can learn techniques to halt such an attack.
Maybe people could better protect themselves ...
George Claghorn Sunday, August 17th at 9:29AM EDT (link)… if California legislature would stop sitting on its hands and let people carry guns.
It doesn’t work to tell criminals what they can’t do — if it did, they wouldn’t be criminals. We -have- proven that telling law-abiding citizens what they can do does work. Astonishing, right?
“Victory comes, though we know not when. We must be happy warriors until the end.
For those of you who struggle with what goes on, who see retreat and capitulation, and who feel like not just your political opponents, but those who hold dear all those things you hold as blasphemous — be cheerful. Be happy. Victory is already yours.
You must just have the courage to not get discouraged and have the will to fight on.” – Erick Erickson at RightOnline
Oh agreed
Neil Stevens Sunday, August 17th at 9:34AM EDT (link)But unfortunately the budget is the only state matter where the California Constitution rigs it so the Republican minority gets veto power, so it won’t happen soon.
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Agreed- self defense
MrMosis Sunday, August 17th at 11:10AM EDT (link)I read about these sorts of crimes in the news frequently. These bad people are seemingly everywhere! Does anyone else wonder who the heck are these people? I mean what do you do with your life…. what sorts of things are you into, when suddenly the bright idea to attack or steal from your fellow citizens occurs?
At any rate, I agree that the more armed peaceful citizens we have, the better. And the more of us that know some self-defense techniques, the better. Think what you will, but in this mind of mine the thought of Neil’s three attackers incurring some broken boneage is a pleasant one indeed. That’s in addition to felony convictions and prison time. (Or deportation if applicable)
Good quick-thinking Neil. Glad there is no physical harm done, and hopefully the other victims fared almost as well.
“I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Ipsum esse subsistens
Too bad you didn't have a gun...
GordonTaylor Sunday, August 17th at 5:56PM EDT (link)‘nough said…
God bless you brother.
Tim_Schieferecke Sunday, August 17th at 6:06PM EDT (link)Those punks are cowards of the tallest order. In my years as a correction’s officer, I saw a bunch of their ilk come through. They’re big men together and sniveling little wimps by themselves. It was gratifying when I got to slam them on the floor and 4 point them to the crapper grate. I hope you didn’t get hurt too bad. Shake it off and keep going. Have a good one.
Tim Schieferecke
Good job Neil
gensec Sunday, August 17th at 7:38PM EDT (link)Glad to hear you’re ok, and congratulations for handling it all in a way that reduces the profitability of such criminal conduct.
against the desires of every bone in my body, I have to go buy a wireless phone
I share your sentiments 100% on cell phones. I despise the idea of being interruptible by the phone 24/7. I leave mine turned off most of the time, except when I need to be on call for work or otherwise expecting a call. Even turned off though, I have gotten into the habit of carrying it as a portable phone booth.
I'm just glad you're OK
kowalski Sunday, August 17th at 9:18PM EDT (link)After I was mugged at gunpoint in Baltimore it took at least 48 hours to really comprehend (or, in the lay vernacular of psychology, “process”) everything that happened. I’m really, really glad you were in a place where yelling at the top of your lungs and making a scene was something that actually worked.
In the fullness of time, I think you should consider the advice of some of the people in this thread and do something for yourself: acquire a license to carry and think about arming yourself with more than headphones. The people who did this to you today obviously didn’t know or care how precious and important your life is to you and to us — and they didn’t care about anyone else’s, either.
I’m really relieved that you’re OK and I hope you’ll take a few days and think about it once the adrenaline wears off.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
Oh, and....
kowalski Sunday, August 17th at 9:25PM EDT (link)Oh, one more thing:
Whatever song you were listening to on your iPod when this happened, I don’t care how much you like it or how important it was in your life up until this point:
DELETE THAT SONG.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
I don't even remember
Neil Stevens Sunday, August 17th at 9:52PM EDT (link)I was listening to a playlist of stuff from the Overclocked Remixes site, probably something from the Mega Man series.
The song though? Don’t remember at all. Basically the second that car started screeching to a stop, I pulled out the earbuds, leting the headphones rest on on my neck and shoulders, and the music was the furthest thing from my mind obviously.
As for the rest, yeah. I do wish I were in a state not so anti-gun ownership rights…
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As a nod to practicality,
Canthros Monday, August 18th at 10:38AM EDT (link)I favor one or the other of these. Makes it easier to change a tire if necessary, and, should I damage or break it somehow, Sears will replace it for free. I just can’t remember if mine is the 15- or the 18-inch model.
I’m late in noting it, but I’m glad you’re okay, Neil.
This too shall pass.
Hooray and Thank You, Neil.
Flagstaff Monday, August 18th at 1:19PM EDT (link)Chalk up another one for the good guys. Let’s hope it’s over for you before the year is out.
My wife is planning to get a carry permit. I think we’ll move from planning to action.
Pluto, the Ninth Planet - Forever!
A roll of pennies
Raven Monday, August 18th at 5:14PM EDT (link)makes a Great weight for a punch. And you can hide the thing in your hand so they never know you hit them with anything. And it’s completely overlooked as a weapon by the authorities if charges get pressed against you.
For a long time, that was the only cash I ever carried…
“Unlike cruel liberty that requires you to stand and take responsibility for your choices, kind tyranny requires only that you kneel and surrender your choices.”
Daaaang, Neil
E Pluribus Unum Monday, August 18th at 5:14PM EDT (link)Good on you for following through - the seriously criminal element is profoundly intimidating to most people.
And thank God you came out relatively unscathed. It could easily have gone very badly.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt Christmas shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
Self-Defense
Raven Monday, August 18th at 5:34PM EDT (link)The art of turning a popsicle stick into a deadly weapon…
“Unlike cruel liberty that requires you to stand and take responsibility for your choices, kind tyranny requires only that you kneel and surrender your choices.”
Neat idea
Neil Stevens Monday, August 18th at 7:53PM EDT (link)My fingers hurt just thinking about it through, heh.
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It really doesn't hurt that bad.
Raven Tuesday, August 19th at 2:22PM EDT (link)Try it out on a punching bag. See the effect of it.
“Unlike cruel liberty that requires you to stand and take responsibility for your choices, kind tyranny requires only that you kneel and surrender your choices.”