Criminals are always in search of new and innovative ways to pull off the perfect heist. Throughout history, we have seen hundreds of thousands of people become victims of robbery, assault, and carjacking. Now, they are using high beams on cars as a way to disarm someone and achieve their goal.
A woman from Rock Hill, South Carolina, is using social media to bring awareness about this method. The anonymous woman’s friend almost became a victim last month during an incident that took place at a Walmart parking lot.
Scared, the woman sped off. She was so shaken, she left the state to be with family. After the terrifying incident, a friend of the victim posted a warning about it on Facebook.
The victim asked not to be named. As the warning quickly went viral, some social media users began to claim it was just another hoax. But, after it drew the attention of the Rock Hill police, they began investigating, and they were soon issuing a warning of their own.
After their investigation, the Rock Hill police said they not only believe the story is true, it raises serious concerns for them. Now, they want the public to know that criminals are using high beams to blind and attack victims who are alone at night, especially women who are in a stationary car in a dark parking lot.
“Someone turned on their high beams and she looked up and she can’t really see anything,” the victim’s friend told NBC Charlotte’s Savannah Levin after asking the outlet to protect her identity for her own safety. “And, then, all of a sudden, she heard two men on both sides of her car, the passenger and the driver side,” the unnamed friend explained.
“As she was pulling away, they were still trying to get in her car. They were wearing hoodies and they had the hoodie part down past their eyes. Thankfully, she locked her doors. It was just too close to home, and I wanted people to be aware,” she added. “Who knows what would’ve happened if they had gotten her car and she didn’t lock the doors?”
According to Mark Bollinger, the Rock Hill Police Department’s public information officer, the victim decided not to call 911 at the time. But, her friend’s viral post eventually drew their attention, leading them to launch their initial investigation which led them to believe her story is legitimate.
Rock Hill Police are now working to gather surveillance video from the Walmart parking lot, and investigators are also attempting to determine the motivation of the men.
“It could’ve been someone trying to entice her to get out of the car,” Bollinger warned. “If you ever feel like you’re in an unsafe situation, don’t think you’re bothering us,” Bollinger pleaded with the public. “That’s what we’re here for, we’re here to help.”
Watch the video below for more details: