JcDevil wrote:

If you want to go outside while being separated from your neighbors enjoying the fresh air at an outdoor cafe, get a penthouse with a large terrace. If you can't afford one, stop whining.

artessan wrote:
Hi all,

Yes it has happened recently (10/31- 8:45 PM) on 4th between Manila and Erie:


It happened to me. I was taking a break from moving my things from one rented room to another (only 5 houses away from each other) and received an important text. I bypassed returning to my old room and walked down 4th. I turned around (still texting) and was headed back toward Manila when my arm and hand were hit hard by an attacker who came from behind.


There were two teens, one stayed a few feet back while the other one bent down to get my phone, which had flown a couple of feet out of my hand. As he stood back up I grabbed him by his quilted navy-blue vest at the arm hole. I was already shouting at him to give me my phone back. He hit me in the arm to make me let go, broke loose, and followed his friend, who had already started running, down 4th toward Erie.

They ran down Erie toward 5th with me in pursuit---screaming at the top of my lungs for someone to stop them. They ran by the convenience store at the corner of 5th and Erie and headed east up 5th to the daycare center. I chased them until I got to the corner of 5th and Manila, where a few good samaritans had joined the chase, but these kids were fast and seemed to already have their route thought out?disappeared into the corridor that leads to the daycare center, took a right and probably went out on Marin.

And, if any of the wonderful people who tried to help me read this: THANK YOU!

I was shaken, mildly bruised and in shock. because i have lived on Manila and walked in the area for over a year. I usually don't text while walking and recognize this vulnerable behavior as just that. However, I no longer feel safe and am constantly looking over my shoulder and am easily startled when I hear footsteps approaching from behind.

Since that night, I have spoken to eight women who I've seen walking after sunset with their phones out, and told them what happened so they would be forewarned.

I spent over an hour with the JC police that night, who actually detained two kids off the Light Rail at Liberty State Park stop, but I could not positively ID them.

To all. Just be careful. do not walk with phones out at night, or find an escort or walking buddy or use Manila, which, at this point I think is safer than Erie, better lit and a bit less deserted, usually.

rycor wrote:


[quote]

Did this hit the news, I noticed a fire engine and first responders in front of the realtors office on Erie that night.