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This could happen to anyone...
Not only did it happen to me, but there were others who were also robbed and injured by the same people, commiting the same crime.
These are crazy intense times and everyone is suffering one way or another.
Unfortunately, people are getting desperate. For some, the only way they feel they can survive is to hurt and take from others.
With everything that has happened with COVID, my work as a freelancer in LA came to a complete hault when the city shut down.
So, in order to make ends met, I decided to finally sell my beloved moblie media production set up. I decided to sell a brand new iPad Pro 12.9 1TB, along with accessories, and I listed it on all the selling apps-- Offer Up, Letgo and FaceBook Market Place. My hope was that it would go to another creative who would make good use of it.
Well that didn't end up happening at all.
It was a "switch and bait" scheme of two guys who, even before my incident, had apparently taken advantaged of others. Even today, July 19, 2020, a young college girl was with her whole family right under the bright SoCal sun when they became victims.
I wasn't going to publically say anything about what happened to me because, to be completly honest, I was super depressed and embarrassed about it. No one wants to be vulnerable after getting robbed and injured with nothing to show for it except bruises and wounds.
But then I realized that if I didn't speak up, what happened to me could happen to someone else too...
Upon meeting with the person whom I thought was a friendly female buyer, "she" turned out to be two men planning a quick way to distract me so they could snatch and go. I was alone. I was outnumbered.
The warning signals were all there but it was too late. Next thing I knew, one of them took off running with the iPad and the other slammed a large metal gate in my face.
Of course, the gate would be locked from the outside...
Then, my adrenalline rushed in and on instinct, I single-handedly hopped the over the six-foot gate and chased after them, sprinting through an endless maze of apartment buildings.
At this point, I'm running on fumes and furious because here I am trying NOT to prejudge these two guys. I just wanted to sell a useful tool to pay some bills... SMH
They ran through the complex and slammed another gate in front of me, but I was determined to catch up to them. That's when I saw the getway car. Was I in a movie?
I finally made it to the vehicle, reached up to the front door, and opened it. I never thought once about what might happen next.
They must of freaked out because the driver hit the gas pedal at full speed. And there I am, holding onto the door handle for dear life, flying through the air like superman.
My grip started to loosen, down to the tips of my fingers. All the rock climbing in the world couldn't have made me strong enough to hold on. I was no match for the speeding hunk of metal. I had no choice. It was time to let go...
You know when they say time slows down? Well it did. And when I finally realized what had happened, I had slammed so incredibly hard onto the pavement that my entire left side was injured. Crushed. My skin became gravel. My tears and blood became oil stains on asphalt. Thankfully, their back tires missed me as they sped away, leaving for me road kill.
Feeling defeated, angry, and frustrated, I ignored the instense brutal pain and the blood gushing out from my left hand and down my face.
Just like that it was over.
My left knee, left hip, left hand, and left side of my face are pretty banged up, busted, and bruised.
I walk with a limp, but I can still hold a smile from time to time. They may have messed up my left side, but I'm determined to end up on the right side.
-------
The whole complete iPad package I was selling was for $1500.
I'm humbly asking for help to recover from the loss item and for the medical supplies (bandages) as I take the next few months to heal.
Other ways that can help:
- If you know of anyone or any local small businesses who may need digtal media such as photos, videos and/or social media branding, please send them my way --> www.josstm.com
-------
And lastly, stay safe out there. Don't sell items to strangers alone and listen to your intuition. If you have a bad feeling, just walk away.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I appreciate you.
Not only did it happen to me, but there were others who were also robbed and injured by the same people, commiting the same crime.
These are crazy intense times and everyone is suffering one way or another.
Unfortunately, people are getting desperate. For some, the only way they feel they can survive is to hurt and take from others.
With everything that has happened with COVID, my work as a freelancer in LA came to a complete hault when the city shut down.
So, in order to make ends met, I decided to finally sell my beloved moblie media production set up. I decided to sell a brand new iPad Pro 12.9 1TB, along with accessories, and I listed it on all the selling apps-- Offer Up, Letgo and FaceBook Market Place. My hope was that it would go to another creative who would make good use of it.
Well that didn't end up happening at all.
It was a "switch and bait" scheme of two guys who, even before my incident, had apparently taken advantaged of others. Even today, July 19, 2020, a young college girl was with her whole family right under the bright SoCal sun when they became victims.
I wasn't going to publically say anything about what happened to me because, to be completly honest, I was super depressed and embarrassed about it. No one wants to be vulnerable after getting robbed and injured with nothing to show for it except bruises and wounds.
But then I realized that if I didn't speak up, what happened to me could happen to someone else too...
Upon meeting with the person whom I thought was a friendly female buyer, "she" turned out to be two men planning a quick way to distract me so they could snatch and go. I was alone. I was outnumbered.
The warning signals were all there but it was too late. Next thing I knew, one of them took off running with the iPad and the other slammed a large metal gate in my face.
Of course, the gate would be locked from the outside...
Then, my adrenalline rushed in and on instinct, I single-handedly hopped the over the six-foot gate and chased after them, sprinting through an endless maze of apartment buildings.
At this point, I'm running on fumes and furious because here I am trying NOT to prejudge these two guys. I just wanted to sell a useful tool to pay some bills... SMH
They ran through the complex and slammed another gate in front of me, but I was determined to catch up to them. That's when I saw the getway car. Was I in a movie?
I finally made it to the vehicle, reached up to the front door, and opened it. I never thought once about what might happen next.
They must of freaked out because the driver hit the gas pedal at full speed. And there I am, holding onto the door handle for dear life, flying through the air like superman.
My grip started to loosen, down to the tips of my fingers. All the rock climbing in the world couldn't have made me strong enough to hold on. I was no match for the speeding hunk of metal. I had no choice. It was time to let go...
You know when they say time slows down? Well it did. And when I finally realized what had happened, I had slammed so incredibly hard onto the pavement that my entire left side was injured. Crushed. My skin became gravel. My tears and blood became oil stains on asphalt. Thankfully, their back tires missed me as they sped away, leaving for me road kill.
Feeling defeated, angry, and frustrated, I ignored the instense brutal pain and the blood gushing out from my left hand and down my face.
Just like that it was over.
My left knee, left hip, left hand, and left side of my face are pretty banged up, busted, and bruised.
I walk with a limp, but I can still hold a smile from time to time. They may have messed up my left side, but I'm determined to end up on the right side.
-------
The whole complete iPad package I was selling was for $1500.
I'm humbly asking for help to recover from the loss item and for the medical supplies (bandages) as I take the next few months to heal.
Other ways that can help:
- If you know of anyone or any local small businesses who may need digtal media such as photos, videos and/or social media branding, please send them my way --> www.josstm.com
-------
And lastly, stay safe out there. Don't sell items to strangers alone and listen to your intuition. If you have a bad feeling, just walk away.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I appreciate you.