Robbed at knife point

allieisme · #1 17th December 2005, 07:40 PM

About 10 years ago, I was working at a outlet store in Washington St, and me and a co-worker were getting ready to lock the doors and close the store up and a man with a motorcycle helmet came in and pulled a knife out on me, and demanded everything out of the register. I thought it was a joke at first, so I asked him if he wanted our rolled change as well.. I know not a very smart move on my part.
After he got all the cash out of the registers he made us crouch down and followed us to the backroom while still holding the knife to us.
We got into the back of the store, and he was standing right in front of our safe, lucky for us, he didnt see it. He then proceeded to try and tie us up, with the only thing I can describe it as, is those plastic things that police use to tie someone up when they are not cooperating with them.
He couldnt figure out how to do this, so he made us try and tie up each other..Doesnt appear that he was very smart.
He told us not to leave the backroom for 10 minutes, I was so deathly afraid that he was still in the store waiting to see if we were going to wait the 10 minutes, but lucky he sped off.
We were un-harmed and I am so thankful for that, but it has left a damaging effect on me still today. I am afraid to go out at night by myelf I hardly ever go out, unless I absolutely have too.
I'm afraid of being kidnapped and or something terrible will happen to me. I have such bad anxiety's.
The man was never caught, and as far as I know the police were not able to generate any leads on this guy.

Evee · #2 17th December 2005, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by allieisme

About 10 years ago, I was working at a outlet store in Washington St, and me and a co-worker were getting ready to lock the doors and close the store up and a man with a motorcycle helmet came in and pulled a knife out on me, and demanded everything out of the register. I thought it was a joke at first, so I asked him if he wanted our rolled change as well.. I know not a very smart move on my part.
After he got all the cash out of the registers he made us crouch down and followed us to the backroom while still holding the knife to us.
We got into the back of the store, and he was standing right in front of our safe, lucky for us, he didnt see it. He then proceeded to try and tie us up, with the only thing I can describe it as, is those plastic things that police use to tie someone up when they are not cooperating with them.
He couldnt figure out how to do this, so he made us try and tie up each other..Doesnt appear that he was very smart.
He told us not to leave the backroom for 10 minutes, I was so deathly afraid that he was still in the store waiting to see if we were going to wait the 10 minutes, but lucky he sped off.
We were un-harmed and I am so thankful for that, but it has left a damaging effect on me still today. I am afraid to go out at night by myelf I hardly ever go out, unless I absolutely have too.
I'm afraid of being kidnapped and or something terrible will happen to me. I have such bad anxiety's.
The man was never caught, and as far as I know the police were not able to generate any leads on this guy.

It does have a lasting effect I was robbed at a convenience store close to 20 years ago and I never forgot his words or looks.
He said a pack of marlboro
they were behind me, When I turned back around he had a gun in my face.
I was so scared I jammed the cash register.
He said you better open it up do you want to get shot?
I just prayed and it opened.
He took the money and led me to the freezer he made me stay in the freezer and told me not to come out for 10 minutes also.
I was like you afraid he might still be in the store... I was freezing.
I still recall as if it was yesterday.
You are too young to have to live like that it makes me sick how someone like this can change our lives forever.
I will pray God gives you peace.

allieisme · #3 18th December 2005, 02:25 PM

That is a horrifying experience in itself as well. Did they ever catch the guy?
I think for the most part I am scared to death, not because I think he will come after me, nor know where I live now, but its the fact that he was wearing a motorcycle helmet to cover his face, and that he was never caught.

ing for you too

BrEnDiNo99 · #4 18th December 2005, 03:01 PM

bless you

Evee · #5 18th December 2005, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by allieisme

That is a horrifying experience in itself as well. Did they ever catch the guy?
I think for the most part I am scared to death, not because I think he will come after me, nor know where I live now, but its the fact that he was wearing a motorcycle helmet to cover his face, and that he was never caught.
ing for you too

No they never did catch him this was on halloween night but he wore no mask.
In the town I am from they never catch hard criminals.
Been a few murders this year and they have no catches yet.
I now live in a small town in another state but plan on going back in the early summer.
My family is there.
Small towns has its share of crime also.

TheMilkman · #6 18th December 2005, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Evee

No they never did catch him this was on halloween night but he wore no mask.
In the town I am from they never catch hard criminals.
Been a few murders this year and they have no catches yet.
I now live in a small town in another state but plan on going back in the early summer.
My family is there.
Small towns has its share of crime also.

I live in a very small town too. It is fairly safe here and I'm worried at while walking around town at night. The majority of the crime here is the police busting non-violent drug users.

I hope that some day you will be able to overcome your fear from this event. Perhaps you should look into therapy? It has never helped me with any of my problems but it has apparently helped others.

Evee · #7 18th December 2005, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by TheMilkman

I live in a very small town too. It is fairly safe here and I'm worried at while walking around town at night. The majority of the crime here is the police busting non-violent drug users.

I hope that some day you will be able to overcome your fear from this event. Perhaps you should look into therapy? It has never helped me with any of my problems but it has apparently helped others.

Oh I am fine now but haven't forgotten .
allieisme is the poster that was robbed at knife point.
I am sorry if I distracted this thread with my experience.
Thanks Milkman.

NeedHelp11 · #8 18th December 2005, 04:38 PM

We were un-harmed and I am so thankful for that, but it has left a damaging effect on me still today. I am afraid to go out at night by myelf I hardly ever go out, unless I absolutely have too.
I'm afraid of being kidnapped and or something terrible will happen to me. I have such bad anxiety's.

Yes, its called Post-Traumatic Stress and it can be treated with mixed success. Im guessing you probably alrady know about it but im just saying in case you dont. Googling brings up lots of information.

-quoting-from ncptsd.va.gov
Most people who are exposed to a traumatic, stressful event experience some of the symptoms of PTSD in the days and weeks following exposure. Available data suggest that about 8% of men and 20% of women go on to develop PTSD, and roughly 30% of these individuals develop a chronic form that persists throughout their lifetimes.

-quoting-from bullyonline
The diagnostic criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are defined in DSM-IV as follows:

A. The person experiences a traumatic event in which both of the following were present:
1. the person experienced or witnessed or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others;
2. the person's response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror.

B. The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in any of the following ways:
1. recurrent and intrusive distressing recollections of the event, including images, thoughts or perceptions;
2. recurrent distressing dreams of the event;
...

C. Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and numbing of general responsiveness (not present before the trauma) as indicated by at least three of:
1. efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings or conversations associated with the trauma;
2. efforts to avoid activities, places or people that arouse recollections of this trauma;
...

D. Persistent symptoms of increased arousal (not present before the trauma) as indicated by at least two of the following:
1. difficulty falling or staying asleep;
2. irritability or outbursts of anger;
...

Kathleen111 · #9 18th December 2005, 05:08 PM

It's help me a lot to be here. More than I can say in words. This week I went out three times, made new friends, and had a wonderful birthday party last night.

I did not realize how lonely, depressed, isolated, and silent I had become. Just being around people here on the internet CF, made me realize that I need a life again. I need to have friends, social activities, enjoyment just like everyone else.

It's hard. It has not been easy to start over. I was in 9/11 so I lost everyone and everything I had, and almost my own life in the course of two hours. I just couldn't talk about it. It largely still is unspeakable horror to describe.

One of the threads discussing about us all meeting offline together inspired me to go out and meet the people in my own community. I went out on Tuesday just to have fun. Ok, I almost barfed a couple of times from nerves but there are good people in this world. They insisted I come back last night. I met with a lady who I have not seen since 9/11, we recognized each other immediately and we talked all night. It was overwhelming to have a friend. The best gift are good friends. Friends are the family we get to pick, so don't deprive yourself of it.

Yeah, we are both a pair of fruitcakes from the ordeal. We never really spoke when we worked in the same building. It was nice to have someone walk with me and we laughed along our way to the train station. Very nice and it's been a long time. I'm very glad I came here and do believe it was heaven sent, just like you are heaven sent.

((((((((((((((((((((allisme)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) We can get through this, we can get through anything, we can even face death together, as long as we are not alone.

Evee · #10 18th December 2005, 06:12 PM

Some of the experiences we go through may be unbelievable to most.
I sometimes wonder how can this all be and no older than I am.
Not that I am young but I feel about 200 years old because of all the experiences life has had for me.
I love it too cause in the long haul I have been a help to others.
I don't regret anything I have been through.
Many times someone will speak of an experience on internet like gay husbands abusive husbands poor choices bad investments not accepted by family members and I can say I understand.