"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin

herbie · Guru

Robbery at Rest Stop

Landfall · Guru

Onedodger wrote:
I dare say that you would be more likely to suffer a home invasion than this.

Not big on gambling for either.

Prevention is better than the experience.

Although with my luck lately, we'll probably get robbed in the caravan park.

Ken

-- Edited by Landfall on Thursday 28th of March 2013 04:54:53 PM

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Two men have been robbed at gunpoint after stopping to take a rest while travelling south from Brisbane last night.

About 10:40pm, Wednesday 27 March 2013, two men, aged 34 and 59, were driving a grey Ford Focus south from Brisbane when they decided to take a rest break in Port Macquarie.

They stopped on the side of the road on Hastings River Drive, about 50m west of the Fernbank Creek bridge.

While sitting in the car, a man armed with a handgun, approached the window and pointed the firearm at them making demands for money.

He stole two laptop computers, two tablet PCs, a digital camera and a backpack before fleeing in a dark blue or green Holden Commodore with two other people.

Police were contacted and attended the scene with the Ford undergoing forensic examination.

Officers also conducted patrols of the area including the Pacific Highway but were unable to locate the Holden or the armed man.

Detectives from the Mid North Coast Local Area Command are continuing their investigations into the robbery and are looking for the armed male.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 180cm tall with a thin build, light brown hair and a tattoo on the fingers of his left hand. At the time he was wearing a short-sleeved black shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Port Macquarie Detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

How awful for those guys - makes you wonder what our country is coming to doesn't it? Is that a populated area R&R? Houses or just open parkland?

Kiwi-as · Guru

One of our crickiters was attacked outside a tavern in Christchurch last night, and is fighting for his life, with fractured skull and broken bones. So it's even happening over in little old NZ.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Don't think it was a free camp herbie - just a place they stopped for a rest and a stretch of the legs - unluckily for them - and opportunistic crime by nasty people!!

Comebak-Wilson · Veteran Member

The Police are armed, the crooks are armed, while we; well I can tell you i'm not going cheap!

herbie · Guru

Comebak-Wilson wrote:
The Police are armed, the crooks are armed, while we; well I can tell you i'm not going cheap!

If this kind of thing happens to you and you are miles from any where or they take your phn buy the time someone comes along that you can get help from, the thugs could be in the the nest state . And really what hope has anyone got against three thieves in a situation like that.The first thing they would demand is your phn knowing that gives them time to get away, as you have no contact to inform anyone of what has happened.

Landfall · Guru

We are just in the throwss of planning our annual trip north.

Funny enough, last night I said to the wife, "I'm not happy about stopping in the rest stops this year, so I have planned the daily trips to coincide with some good caravan parks, for the night"

I'm now feeling a little better for the decision.

Ken

Onedodger · Guru

I dare say that you would be more likely to suffer a home invasion than this.

gordon_adl · Senior Member

I know of some people that keep a cheap spare prepaid phone hidden in the van in case something like that happens. They top it up once a year because apparently it expires from lack of use.

valnrob · Guru

Mongrels....

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I agree Landfall, when in doubt we have always chosen a caravan park over bush-camping. In Alice Springs for example, I think you'd be foolish not to. There were signs everywhere in the "G'day Mate" C/P warning to lock everything, so we did, and nothing was pinched.

GarrynLyn · Senior Member

I am in Port Macquarie. This area is not a normal rest stop, in fact I have never seen a vehicle stopped there before.

Duh · Guru

GarrynLyn wrote:
I am in Port Macquarie. This area is not a normal rest stop, in fact I have never seen a vehicle stopped there before.

Thanks Garry & Lynn, hope Mum is on the mend, nice spot to spend time where you are too, as well as home! aww

herbie · Guru

I don't think it make much difference if it is a designated rest stop or a stop over of any sort ,These type of people dont give a rats a... , if it is a easy target thats all that matters to them.Was Talking to a truckie today at work he drives all over the country to different mine sites he was telling me they even carry base ball bates in the cab with them now.

GaryKelly · Guru

Over the years, I've been whacked over the head with my own meat tenderizer, had a knife held to my throat, and raped. All on separate occasions. So I'm looking forward to being on the road where it's safer. As a cop once said to me, "if it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen." I can tell you one thing, staying home ain't the answer.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Agree with you GaryKelly - staying home isn't the answer, common sense is a big thing to have when choosing where and when to stop - if it don't feel right, move on!!

gordon_adl · Senior Member

My gosh, may you have peace the rest of your life.

GaryKelly wrote:
Over the years, I've been whacked over the head with my own meat tenderizer, had a knife held to my throat, and raped. All on separate occasions.

Duh · Guru

gordon_adl wrote:
My gosh, may you have peace the rest of your life.
GaryKelly wrote:
Over the years, I've been whacked over the head with my own meat tenderizer, had a knife held to my throat, and raped. All on separate occasions.
Amen !

vk6tnc · Guru

I just read the scrapbook on Gary Kelly's website, recommended reading for all. www.aussieodyssey.com

Please note, only one r in Gary !!!!

No wonder he is looking for peace and solitude as a GN. I hope he finds it.

Big Gorilla · Guru

Having lived in the Philippines for many years where crime is rife and a life is worth nothing, I learnt not to argue or try to fight, just hand everything over. Now that doesn't mean you really hand everything over if you get attacked or held up in Australia. !! As I mentioned in the post below, an old Nokia sits in a cradle on the dashboard of my MH. My you beaut Samsung is hidden away. My old wallet is in plain sight. About $20.00 in it and an ATM card from my Pension Account. That account has about $20.00 in it as I transfer the funds out to another Bank account on receipt of the Pension. So if they want to take the wallet with $20.00 and an ATM card to access another $20.00, for which I'll gladly give the PIN, at least if I'm co-operative there is a chance I will not be hurt.

In the Philippines on a night out, wear no rings, watch, jewellery, money is carried in the shoes, in underwear, in specially made fob or coin pockets with a zip. Pickpockets usually go for side pockets where a lot of people put their cash and wallets that a lot of silly people put in their rear pocket of pants, shorts or Jeans. We'd carry a few Pesos (Phil. money) in a pocket that could be picked, this would allow a pickpocket to get a little money and run off. Better than having a gun poked in your face if he couldn't find any money to steal...I've had that experience once and it's not nice..

Fortunately for us GNs we strike little trouble on our travels, but with high youth unemployment in some parts of the country, especially rural areas, you just can't be too careful....

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Friday 29th of March 2013 01:58:11 PM

Big Gorilla · Guru

gordon_adl wrote:
I know of some people that keep a cheap spare prepaid phone hidden in the van in case something like that happens. They top it up once a year because apparently it expires from lack of use.

Good idea, I do the same. An old Nokia sitting in a cradle in full view of everyone. I've often thought about carrying a weapon, I know it's illegal but it could save your life. Biggest problem I can see with a weapon, if you have one, you must be prepared to use it, otherwise it could be used on you !!! And what about the law. Where do you stand legally shooting someone with an illegal weapon even though you are in a life threatening situation... I can understand why Americans fight legislation restricting their rights to own weapons...

GaryKelly · Guru

Thanks for the plug, Chris, and for your sentiment. It's funny when I look back at that roller coaster ride. It's almost as if it happened to someone else. Distancing myself from the more unpleasant aspects of my life helps me cope, I think.

As to carrying a firearm on the Big Lap, I asked a cop about that once and he said, "What if you shoot someone?" Yeah. What's the point of saving your own life if you're gonna spend it in jail? Hehe.

Duh · Guru

Some people just rely on a can of fly spray or their fire extinguisher (as well as face spraying, also usefull as a club).

I knew a bloke who kept a baton for his night job as a car park attendant, he tried to use it on a drunk troublemaker in the carpark who wrested it from him and used it to beat him senseless. We need to be aware that anything we use could also be used on us.

Unless our lives are threatened, best to let them take what they want, a lot safer that way, then report them asap.

A lot of us in the older age bracket don't have the strength we used to have or we have medical problems, and trying to deal with fit young blokes (or young women for that matter) isn't an option. And remember some of these mongrels don't have any respect or regard for others irrespective of age.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

a problem in reporting it to police is they come to see you fill in all the paperwork, sometimes they do catch the bugga's and off we all go to court, and the judge says to the offender, oh I sorry you have have a rough childhood now go back to your mummy and she will also do nothing about it, and all the crims know that is what will happen, the only way to stop this sort of thing is to triple the fines and sentanceses.

What we really need is a new set of judges Australia wide.

hako · Guru

Big Gorilla - if you leave your old mobile phone and old wallet in plain sight then I'd say you are inviting trouble. smile

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Big Gorilla wrote:
Having lived in the Philippines for many years where crime is rife and a life is worth nothing, I learnt not to argue or try to fight, just hand everything over. Now that doesn't mean you really hand everything over if you get attacked or held up in Australia. !! As I mentioned in the post below, an old Nokia sits in a cradle on the dashboard of my MH. My you beaut Samsung is hidden away. My old wallet is in plain sight. About $20.00 in it and an ATM card from my Pension Account. That account has about $20.00 in it as I transfer the funds out to another Bank account on receipt of the Pension. So if they want to take the wallet with $20.00 and an ATM card to access another $20.00, for which I'll gladly give the PIN, at least if I'm co-operative there is a chance I will not be hurt.
In the Philippines on a night out, wear no rings, watch, jewellery, money is carried in the shoes, in underwear, in specially made fob or coin pockets with a zip. Pickpockets usually go for side pockets where a lot of people put their cash and wallets that a lot of silly people put in their rear pocket of pants, shorts or Jeans. We'd carry a few Pesos (Phil. money) in a pocket that could be picked, this would allow a pickpocket to get a little money and run off. Better than having a gun poked in your face if he couldn't find any money to steal...I've had that experience once and it's not nice..
Fortunately for us GNs we strike little trouble on our travels, but with high youth unemployment in some parts of the country, especially rural areas, you just can't be too careful....

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Friday 29th of March 2013 01:58:11 PM

I can't afford $20 do you think they will accept $10 in my wallet and $10 in my CC?

Big Gorilla · Guru

To help you out Wombat, I could lend you $10.00, then you would have $20.00 !!! Would I get it back ? I'm only a poor old Pensioner !!

Old guy getting out of bed.gif

Hako, your statement is not worth commenting on..

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Big Gorilla wrote:
To help you out Wombat, I could lend you $10.00, then you would have $20.00 !!! Would I get it back ? I'm only a poor old Pensioner !!

Hako, your statement is not worth commenting on..

I could not borrow $10 but I could accept a donation then I would not have to give it back biggrin

When did you have that picture taken of you sitting on the bed? biggrin