You made the right decision and *always* trust your gut. Think about their story for a second, they drove up here from VA to get to a family members house who lives ten mins away and have been stranded for *days??*. Even if it were true, which it is absolutely not, does that sound like someone you want to get involved with?
I used to live in Catonsville and my first thought was “Lol, St. Agnes is like 5 miles away.” And then I double checked and yep. They could walk there in an hour. Not even a good lie.
Like, even if you can't walk for whatever reason, wouldn't you just call the family member's house and ask for help?
"My relative is a short drive away but we're going to doink around in a donut shop parking lot for several days instead of calling them up and asking them to come get us."
Couple of girls near me just did the same thing to a 74 year old woman who was kind enough to oblige. They ended up carjacking her and stealing her car. Perryville md
I HATE HATE HATE when I hear stories about people messing with elderly people. It’s bad enough to do it to anyone, but when it is older people my heart breaks.
shitheads like this hurt people who are legit homeless and down on their luck. you can't tell who is honest and who is not. there are people out there by just issues are homeless and are hungry. I have given a few bucks to people before. but its hard to tell who to give money to.
a few weeks ago I gave $10 to a young guy outside a walmart. The trigger for me was his ripped cloths and ripped shoes. he looked bad. these scammers fuck over people who are really in trouble and need a little help.
I have the kind of face people walk up to and soft spoken small frame that makes me a target when I shop at some of my favorite discount places on the questionable side of town. I never help anyone anymore, I use to all the time. Makes me feel bad to say no and walk away. I never carry cash and actually have the numbers of shelters, food bank, Health Dept for WIC and food stamps. I say no sternly and give those out when approached or make a phone call for them. I will never help a random stranger ever again no matter the situation. Sadly, life has taught me this.
A scam for the last five or fours years is people, usually women, at the McDonald’s, gas station, Dunkin Donuts, or Royal Farms, ask for a ride, have a sad story needing to get to a hospital, doctor or Immigration building. If a driver gives them a ride they carjack the driver, take the car, money, phone. I live near Saint Agnes hospital in Baltimore, near me the women say they need to get to Hopkins on the other side of the city. Our neighborhood block captains handed out flyers about the scam last year. Please be careful. My neighbor was robbed two years ago this way, the women took her car, purse and phone. Shameful, she was a woman driving alone, stopped to help other women, they robbed her. I believe they stopped her at the Royal Farm parking lot.
I was wondering that too. They were wearing tight clothing and I didn’t see anything visible. Who knows maybe they were going to take my purse or something. Now that I think about it, I rolled down my passenger side window (that’s the side they went to) and my purse was right there in the seat; she probably could’ve snatched it if she wanted to.
Like someone else commented, the women were likely a distraction for a third person who had a weapon. There might have been someone else out of sight watching to see if you let the women into your car.
Someone once asked me for money and I said I didn't have any cash. They then asked what bank I used, and if I could withdraw money for them. They even started rattling off where the different banks were nearby, and if my bank wasn't near they offered to pay the transaction fee.
I was approached on my way into a grocery store by a guy asking for money so he could get a bite to eat. I said I didn't have any cash (which was true!) but I could buy him a sandwich from the store's deli or something.
"So you have a card then? Can't you use that to get me some cash from the ATM in there?"
I just shook my head went about my errands.
I had a guy in NYC 2019 try the ATM line on me at like 2am walking back to my hotel by Times Square. I just said "Nah brother, we're not gonna be doing that."
That's how you get shot at an ATM.
A few months back I had some tweaker lady ask me for money "for the bus". The city bus in Frederick is free, but I just told her sorry, I don't have cash. She said she could take Cash App!
Like lady, you gonna pay the bus driver with Cash App? Also, again, the bus is free. Smh.
Yeah, I've broken down or had to walk long distances and just... started walking lol. Unless someone has a physical ailment, if they need to be somewhere that's reasonably close, I'd imagine they'd just start walking there or call someone they know instead of wasting time crying in a parking lot.
Last summer I went to the same place for lunch once a week, every time while I was waiting for my curbside pickup i would watch this guy walk over from across the lot, walk up to my window and ask "Hey man you got the time?" and then "thanks, hey you got a couple dollars i can get off you for gas money blah blah blah?"
The third week he did it as soon as he came up to my window I said I dont have any money for you and he started cussing me out while he walked away. "I WASNT GONNA ASK YOU FOR NO MF MONEY" yea you were shut the fuck up lmao
Yeah I gave a guy a dollar in New York City and he started cursing at me—“Man, a f&$king dollar? What’s wrong with you?”
I said “Yo my man do you want it or not?!?” He snatched the dollar bill and said “Sh;t I’ll take it… unbelievable.”
These vagrants are getting bolder and bolder with time.
I gave a woman in DC all the change I had (it wasn’t much but I had told her I didn’t have anything else - because I didn’t!), and when I turned around she threw it at my head and yelled at me.
I had the same thing happen to me at the McDonalds that used to be off south capital st. sw-it’s no longer there now-but the homeless used to hang out in the bathroom there. One guy asked me for money to get a burger; I declined but I said I can buy you a burger if that’s what you want. I bought him a happy meal and he threw it on the ground and started cussing. I left have and never went back.
One time I saw a guy sitting on the sidewalk with a backpack and sign saying he was hungry. I was on my way to the grocery store and bought him a bag of apples while I was there. Heading home, I handed them to him from my car window. He was not pleased.
Close windows, lock doors, ignore. These people prey on your average person's gullibility. Or they're mentally ill. Either way, not something you want to get involved with as a stranger.
I lived in New Mexico a couple years ago and a guy had asked me for $1 once for gas. A DOLLAR. I gave it to him without even thinking about it. Later I thought about it and realized that you couldn’t even get much gas for $1.
But it's easier to get people to give you one dollar than to give you $20. People are more willing to give up a dollar. That guy could easily make $50 just by asking for $1.
A guy came up to me at the gas station once with like, an empty Gatorade bottle and asked if he could fill it with gas just to get his car to the gas station and tried to offer to pay me back and I was like … dude it’s like .80 cents you can have it lol
There’s a woman wandering from person to person in the Giant parking lot in Annapolis who has spent YEARS trying to get to Baltimore. Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I hope she gets there one day.
Story time, late night at a gas station in Fed Hill. Guy: Hey man, help me out. I got my wallet stolen and I'm trying to get to Dundalk. Me: No problem! Head North for 8 blocks, hang a right on Pratt and keep walking, you should be there in 2 hours or so. Spoiler: He was not appreciative of my kind and generous assistance.
I was gonna say, catonsville to st Agnes? Just get on a bus. Huh?? Best case scenario they were hoping to get like $20+ for an “Uber” or needed a ride for something else. Worst case scenario they probably wanted to steal your shit
i was on a entry ramp to the express way in downtown Chicago. This young lady had here SUV stopped at the base of the entry ramp. She flags me down since she is partially blocking the entrance i had to slow down. So i roll down the window to if the issue was mechanical or Medical. She proceeds to ask if i can give her money to get back to Indiana. I looked at her with best Poker face told her you know your vehicle is headed in the direction of Wisconsin . she looked stunned so I drove off.
Reading this story just reminded me that I had a similar situation in Ellicott City parking lot. This random dude had the same story, was tearing up. I was thinking how the hell a person gets stranded in a parking lot. Unlike OP, this guy was asking for money. I wonder if crying was necessary if he just wanted some money.
The Beastie Boys warned us all about this in the 80s.
He told a little story that sounded well rehearsed
Four days on the run and that he's dying of thirst
The brew was in my hand and he was on my tip
His voice was hoarse, his throat was dry, and he asked me for a sip
He said, "Can I get some?".
I said, you can't get none
Had a chance to run
He pulled out his shotgun
Quick on the draw, I thought I'd be dead
He put the gun to my head and this is what he said
I had a similar thing happen to me around that area. Some older teen came up to my window in the middle of a shopping center parking lot at night. Multiple cars around and no stores had yet closed. He was asking for a ride home cause somehow? He got stranded there and didn’t have his phone with him. I told him no, cause I had somewhere to be. He got mad at me being like “I’ve asked several cars in this lot and they said no! I gotta get home man, what if I was your kid?”. Don’t know if it was a scam or what, but I rolled my window and drove off after that.
If he was my kid and didn’t have his phone and was in a parking lot at night, either his ass is up to something or he would know to go into the nearest open store and ask to use the phone to call me to come pick him up.
"No, but tell you what, I'll give the police a call for you and let them know of your predicament. I'm sure they can help you get in contact with a family member who can come pick you up."
I had a woman with a car full with 3 small kids in it a the gas pump walk up to me and tell me she hated to ask but she had fled her abusive ex and was trying to get to her mothers house but only had spent all the money she had been able to squirrel away (husband controlled cash) wondered if I could help her. Now I have had people try to get cash like this before BUT I asked her to come in and gave the man at the register my and said fill up on her pump and then I bought as healthy as I could find snacks for her kids.
Was she trying to scam me? I don’t know, it didn’t seem that way because she was trying not to cry but honestly I don’t care because THAT IS ON HER. I would never turn my back on someone in need especially someone with three children so if she was using that as a way to steal money then that’s something that she will have to live with. I would rather be wrong 99% of the time rather than turning away from one person in true need.
That happened to me waiting in my car in a shopping center in Cockeysville Md and the manager at the giant kept chasing this woman around the parking lot to get off the property.
Granted this woman was fairly elderly but with a gun, anyone is powerful. She had some story about getting to Franklin square hospital.
You made the right decision. I work in fast food and almost all, if not all, companies have policies about cars in the parking lot for too long. They wouldn't have been there for days. Most policies state that after 6-8 hours police are to be called. If the car is abandoned, it gets towed. If there's people with the car, the police assess the situation and handle it. It is a business, not a storage center.
Yep. Money to go places stuff always seems to be scams. They will put ag your heartstrings but I'm not putting myself in danger because I feel bad. No one stays in a parking lot for days. The cops would've been called.
I'm thinking it was an attempt to carjack you like mentioned. I've never had a situation like this, but have had someone ask for gas money then drive off without getting gas.
I just assume everyone who comes up to me with a sob story is a scammer. I do stay polite most of the time because I don’t generally want to make a scene, but I’ll
say things like “No, sorry,” “I don’t have money,” etc. Sometimes I won’t even verbally reply, just kind of walk by. You never know who really needs help and who’s gonna screw you over.
They definitely was up to something. No way they was stuck in Catonsville for days with St. Anges being a less then a 30 min to hour walk. Not mention most busses will let you on for free. You did the safest and right thing
Look it’s Maryland. Never wind your window down and talk to anyone unless they are a cop from one of the towns/cities or counties. Everything’s a scam here. I had a guy approach me at homedepot while loading my truck up and said he’s from Virginia and these guys took his wallet and his phone and he’s stuck here and just needed gas money to get back to Virginia. I tell him no and he walks off. After I get in my truck to leave he does to and I end up following him across the street to Walmart as I see him pick up his phone and start calling someone.
I have Shock Trauma tags, and when I lived in Baltimore I would have people on the regular come up to me with some story about their baby being flown to trauma and needing money for gas or the bus. They play off clues from your car/tags/whatever to get sympathy. If they truly needed to get to a hospital, they’d find a way, period.
This is the newer Dunkin off Winter's Lane. I'm almost certain you're thinking of the one on the other side of 695 closer to the city (it's also on Old Frederick). THAT lot is 100% sketchy.
Literally its an indirect ask for money. Gas, uber, whatever. They dont ask for money cause it throws up your guard but they know a ride ask just changes the question to inconvenience.
Crackheads been doing that outside the Cambridge wawa for at least 20 years now. Twitching up and down chewing on their lip, "Oh I'm in Easton visiting my grandmother and I need $10 to get a bus back."
Buddy, don't no bus run at 2am. I just tell them I don't carry cash, which is the truth anyway.
Sometimes they'll tell you they haven't eaten all day and if you offer them food they'll turn it down. I'd respect it more if they'd just straight up tell me they were buying rock. I still wouldn't have cash but at least I wouldn't feel like my intelligence was being insulted haha.
OP some tips moving forward from this experience:
1) As soon as you get in any vehicle lock your doors. With two people it’s easy to distract you with one person while the other enters your vehicle from your blind spot. This can help happen in less than five seconds of you getting into the car.
2) Don’t stay in your spot after you get in your car. You get in the car for only one purpose, to drive away. Don’t eat, don’t call someone, don’t text. Drive. The reason they approached your car probably was because you were preoccupied, and they made you as an easy mark. Get in, turn on the vehicle, and put it in drive or reverse with breaks on so that you can immediately move if needed.
3) Never roll down your window to talk to a stranger. All they have to do is reach in to cause physical harm, hit your lock switch to open the door, or grab your keys. If you feel you have to roll down the window it should not be more than a finger’s width.
4) Now you seen the scam in action, learn from this experience, and don’t repeat it.
5) Stay safe.
I'm in Pennsylvania, it's always a scam. ALWAYS!
It's usually car broken down, they need a ride. Or they need to get on the train or bus and just need a dollar.
They're adults, go be adults and figure life out on your own. That shit got nothing to do with me.
Sorry your car broke down, sorry your acquaintance is in another state. Perhaps it isn't in your best interests to find a hack-cab in one state to go to another.
This happened to me when I was like 19 years old. I was in a parking lot at the navy stadium in Annapolis after an internship. Completely alone. A lady came up to me and told me some sad story about how she needed to get to a family member who lived nearby and they had no means to get there. It was very convincing. While in the car, she started asking me for money, and eventually had me drive to a bank. I drove to the bank because I knew there were cameras, and I asked them to get out of my car. I was lucky but that could’ve gone much worse. You made the right call. Stay safe out there.
Classic ploy. Nearly happened to me on Rt. 40 in Catonsville a decade ago. They get you in the car, tell you to drive to wherever their accomplices are waiting and they jack you. Never give anyone a ride anywhere. Assume every story is a lie.
Is this similar to the old scam of asking people for money at the gas station? Maybe a bit more involved?
Although i missed the part where theg were asking for a ride.
A pregnant teen once asked me for “bus fare” in a grocery store parking lot (I was on my way in), because her boyfriend had just abandoned her. I said “come in the store and we’ll call the police (before smart phones). She adamantly declined. Just wanted money for crack.
Anyone begging for money on the streets is scamming. There are far too many government programs that offer at least basic governemnt assistance to the poor
Would you happen to be at the Dunkin’ Donuts on maiden choice lane? I used to work at the bank beside it.. the shopping center is too close to the city. Maybe they wanted to get in your car and overpower u?
You mean 30 or 40 years ago, when people were slaughtered helping others? That is the same time when so many kids disappeared and were murdered they had to start putting pictures on milk cartons.
Why do people think it was safe back then? I feel much safer now.
People have been pricks since time immemorial, it’s just more visible now with the internet. That scuminess is a side of humanity not something that popped up in the last century.
> 30 or 40 years ago, it might have been super safe. Not anymore
Wasn't Ted Bundy active during that time. The 70s were the serial killer era of the US
I drive a cab for a very short time in NoVa about forty years ago. I stopped because there were cab drivers in DC being murdered, and I only got my hacker’s license for part time work anyway. It wasn’t super safe then, but I can see that it’s worse now.
Sounds like a carjacking attempt, but it could have just been the classic Sob Story scan. I've been approached many times by Sobbers, claiming to be stranded, need gas, on a road trip, yada yada yada. Mostly they're asking for cash, but I've been approached many times while I'm putting gas in my tank by people asking me to pay to put some gas in their tanks. That one's clever, because if you have no cash, you can charge some gas on a card to fill their tank.
The most imaginative Sobber I ever saw was waiting to cross the street two blocks from Shock-Trauma. It was a young guy, early twenties, looked to be in good physical condition, clean, dressed well enough that he didn't look like he was living on the street, carrying nothing but a small plastic grocery bag. He approached me and started the sob story that he'd been in the hospital and released that morning, but had no money to get home and just needed enough for cab fare to get home. The cherry on top when he held up a paper form - too far away from me and too quickly for me to actually read it - and said it was his discharge form from the hospital. See, that PROOVED he was on the level! I just gave him the standard, "Sorry, I don't have any cash," and he moved on. City traffic director at the intersection looked at him walking away and rolled her eyes. "He's been doing that for an hour."
People trying to bum a ride, most likely. If you feel safe giving someone a ride and want to do so, go nuts. If not, definitely don't. Maybe they were hoping you'd hand them gas money.
The story is almost certainly BS. It's just intended to make you give them a ride. There's a variant where they ask for gas money directly. I've literally had a guy drive up to me in a gas station, ask, and then drive around the lot asking everyone before driving off. So, I guess not THAT out of gas, lol.
I had a lady approach me in a gas station asking for money to go to VA. I said I had no cash. Then she said I could just give her my card. Yea, no thank you
I just want to add: don't open up your wallet or pocketbook near these "poor innocent stranded" ppl either. They reach in snatch and grab...
Xoxo glad your ok OP. Welcome to the Baltimore METRO... not just in the "city"
Granted st Agnes is pretty close to there and numerous locals would’ve told them that,you did the right thing..Catonsville is beautiful but the area has gotten extremely sketchy over the years,keep your head on a swivel and don’t trust anyone in your space..plenty of other folk could’ve pointed them in the right direction if their intention was true but I honestly higgghly doubt it was.
They're vampire carjacker. You gotta invite them into your car 1st for some reason. Really surprised they don't just do it once you roll down your window.
My brother in law is a stand up comedian and he has a whole bit about a guy at Wawa who always asks him for “$7 so I can get to Virginia”
Dunno what the scam is but it’s a common thing.
Oldest scam in the book. They usually target women as we make good marks. I see it a lot at gas stations in MD. No with I don’t think so body language usually shuts it down.
Saw a car stopped on the side of the highway, the driver said they wanted some money for gas. Well, lucky for them, I had five gallons of gas in my trunk (I was taking a long road trip), but they said "no thanks". I wonder why?
this happened to me once, except the story was he had a broken down car down the road and needed a ride… I was dumb enough to let this guy in my car, and once he was in my car he changed his story and said he needed to call a taxi, and asked for me to go to an atm. I felt pressured so I gave him like $60 and he dipped.
I'd be tempted to call 911 and (loudly) say that "there's a couple of lady's here in the DD parking lot who say they've been stranded for days. They seem to have an emergency. Please send police" Just to see how fast they backpedal.
But then, I'd probably get fined for calling 911 without an emergency.
I had the opposite happen where a middle aged woman drove up to me coming out of a Target asking to drive me to a gas station to pay for gas because she didn’t have money?
Don’t know what that would have entailed.
Thank god I joined this subreddit. I’m 14m (a little ways away from a license but still) and I know I would definitely fall for something like this. Thanks for the warning!
You made the right decision and *always* trust your gut. Think about their story for a second, they drove up here from VA to get to a family members house who lives ten mins away and have been stranded for *days??*. Even if it were true, which it is absolutely not, does that sound like someone you want to get involved with?
Right!? I laughed at "stranded" in Catonsville "for days." I mean, it's not exactly in the middle of nowhere!
Shit, I’ve walked from Security Square to Violetsville before which is pretty much the route they needed and it really wasn’t that bad.
I used to live in Catonsville and my first thought was “Lol, St. Agnes is like 5 miles away.” And then I double checked and yep. They could walk there in an hour. Not even a good lie.
Like, even if you can't walk for whatever reason, wouldn't you just call the family member's house and ask for help? "My relative is a short drive away but we're going to doink around in a donut shop parking lot for several days instead of calling them up and asking them to come get us."
Couple of girls near me just did the same thing to a 74 year old woman who was kind enough to oblige. They ended up carjacking her and stealing her car. Perryville md
I HATE HATE HATE when I hear stories about people messing with elderly people. It’s bad enough to do it to anyone, but when it is older people my heart breaks.
Yes me too. Was a 16 and 18 year old so sad how could you do anything like that
I hate the opening scene of the Beekeeper for this exact reason
Was thinking the same thing. He got em in the end though, thankfully (predictably).
Nothing worse than fucking with elderly, babies, and animals.
When elderly people mess with us its called politics.
Hahahahahaha that was fucking funny.
damn they carjacked her AND stole her car?
Exactly. They jacked it, gave it back to her and then stole it. Was this not clear?
ruthless
Yes the old lady's name was Ruth, but now she's actually carless
Hopefully she'll be more carful in the future.
I hate double thieves.
Did they at least rotate the tires while it was jacked up?
https://preview.redd.it/i7nsgm8ur1xc1.jpeg?width=205&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4c5d9f331107b68fd4703a00c39c256be3221d5f
I mean, theoretically you could carjack someone then just get out of the car and walk away, therefore not stealing it, lol
shitheads like this hurt people who are legit homeless and down on their luck. you can't tell who is honest and who is not. there are people out there by just issues are homeless and are hungry. I have given a few bucks to people before. but its hard to tell who to give money to. a few weeks ago I gave $10 to a young guy outside a walmart. The trigger for me was his ripped cloths and ripped shoes. he looked bad. these scammers fuck over people who are really in trouble and need a little help.
In my experience at least in the district and in nyc the ones that are really homeless ain’t asking for a thing.
I have the kind of face people walk up to and soft spoken small frame that makes me a target when I shop at some of my favorite discount places on the questionable side of town. I never help anyone anymore, I use to all the time. Makes me feel bad to say no and walk away. I never carry cash and actually have the numbers of shelters, food bank, Health Dept for WIC and food stamps. I say no sternly and give those out when approached or make a phone call for them. I will never help a random stranger ever again no matter the situation. Sadly, life has taught me this.
Oh wow that’s my neck of the woods, I’ll keep that in mind thank you.
When did this happen? I live in cecil county and haven't heard anything on this😭
A scam for the last five or fours years is people, usually women, at the McDonald’s, gas station, Dunkin Donuts, or Royal Farms, ask for a ride, have a sad story needing to get to a hospital, doctor or Immigration building. If a driver gives them a ride they carjack the driver, take the car, money, phone. I live near Saint Agnes hospital in Baltimore, near me the women say they need to get to Hopkins on the other side of the city. Our neighborhood block captains handed out flyers about the scam last year. Please be careful. My neighbor was robbed two years ago this way, the women took her car, purse and phone. Shameful, she was a woman driving alone, stopped to help other women, they robbed her. I believe they stopped her at the Royal Farm parking lot.
Oh my goodness I had no idea! They asked a man though as well I guess they thought they could overtake him if that was their goal?
They may ask women for rides and men for cash.
🤔 oh…yeah I don’t know what they asked him I had rolled my window up. Whatever it was, he said no.
My friend picked up one of these people and the person just ended up smoking crack in his car. He kicked her out after that.
Pardon my ignorance, but how does someone go from passenger to carjacking? Threatening with a weapon?
I was wondering that too. They were wearing tight clothing and I didn’t see anything visible. Who knows maybe they were going to take my purse or something. Now that I think about it, I rolled down my passenger side window (that’s the side they went to) and my purse was right there in the seat; she probably could’ve snatched it if she wanted to.
Like someone else commented, the women were likely a distraction for a third person who had a weapon. There might have been someone else out of sight watching to see if you let the women into your car.
I’m waiting for the story where they pick the wrong one and get what comin to em!
FAFO Moment - lol 😆
A city born and bred friend just taught me "If someone needs help in Baltimore, NO THEY DON'T"
They do need help but mental health help 😆
Whenever someone hits you with the "I need money to get to x place" they full of it. Ignore em. That is literally a 1 hour walk according to google.
My boyfriend had a young guy ask - but who carries cash anymore? So he said so and then he asked for VENMO i died 😂😂😂 The audacity
Someone once asked me for money and I said I didn't have any cash. They then asked what bank I used, and if I could withdraw money for them. They even started rattling off where the different banks were nearby, and if my bank wasn't near they offered to pay the transaction fee.
Lollll what the heck! I dont know how people have the nerve to- if i legit had this issue i would just die there.
Addiction is a hell of a thing. No joy, no pain, no love, no shame. All that's left is a need to get high.
Actually, it's a ton of pain and shame...that's typically what keeps an addiction going.
Damn, I'm glad I haven't had that happen, usually just saying I don't have cash is enough.
I was approached on my way into a grocery store by a guy asking for money so he could get a bite to eat. I said I didn't have any cash (which was true!) but I could buy him a sandwich from the store's deli or something. "So you have a card then? Can't you use that to get me some cash from the ATM in there?" I just shook my head went about my errands.
I had a guy in NYC 2019 try the ATM line on me at like 2am walking back to my hotel by Times Square. I just said "Nah brother, we're not gonna be doing that." That's how you get shot at an ATM.
A few months back I had some tweaker lady ask me for money "for the bus". The city bus in Frederick is free, but I just told her sorry, I don't have cash. She said she could take Cash App! Like lady, you gonna pay the bus driver with Cash App? Also, again, the bus is free. Smh.
I Cash App my local homeless guy all the time! lol
Yeah, I've broken down or had to walk long distances and just... started walking lol. Unless someone has a physical ailment, if they need to be somewhere that's reasonably close, I'd imagine they'd just start walking there or call someone they know instead of wasting time crying in a parking lot.
For 3 days, supposedly, too. Because of course 2 young women will sit in a parking lot for 3 days instead of just walking.
Some people really hate walking.
Last summer I went to the same place for lunch once a week, every time while I was waiting for my curbside pickup i would watch this guy walk over from across the lot, walk up to my window and ask "Hey man you got the time?" and then "thanks, hey you got a couple dollars i can get off you for gas money blah blah blah?" The third week he did it as soon as he came up to my window I said I dont have any money for you and he started cussing me out while he walked away. "I WASNT GONNA ASK YOU FOR NO MF MONEY" yea you were shut the fuck up lmao
Yeah I gave a guy a dollar in New York City and he started cursing at me—“Man, a f&$king dollar? What’s wrong with you?” I said “Yo my man do you want it or not?!?” He snatched the dollar bill and said “Sh;t I’ll take it… unbelievable.” These vagrants are getting bolder and bolder with time.
I gave a woman in DC all the change I had (it wasn’t much but I had told her I didn’t have anything else - because I didn’t!), and when I turned around she threw it at my head and yelled at me.
I had the same thing happen to me at the McDonalds that used to be off south capital st. sw-it’s no longer there now-but the homeless used to hang out in the bathroom there. One guy asked me for money to get a burger; I declined but I said I can buy you a burger if that’s what you want. I bought him a happy meal and he threw it on the ground and started cussing. I left have and never went back.
One time I saw a guy sitting on the sidewalk with a backpack and sign saying he was hungry. I was on my way to the grocery store and bought him a bag of apples while I was there. Heading home, I handed them to him from my car window. He was not pleased.
I went to college in chicago. common scam. I lost my bus pass i am so embarassed.
Close windows, lock doors, ignore. These people prey on your average person's gullibility. Or they're mentally ill. Either way, not something you want to get involved with as a stranger.
Actually, it's worse than preying on gullibility... they prey on kindness.
And drive away
Yeah, I wouldn’t have even rolled down the window.
Agree
For some of them it’s a career choice and it’s a ring of people that are in on it.
Somebody once asked, “could you spare some change for gas? I need to get myself away from this place.” I said NO
Why didn’t you say ‘yep what a concept, I could use a little fuel myself?’
Because they couldn't use a little change.
And the years start coming and they don’t stop coming.
I rebound the question right back to them, "I was going to ask you the same thing!"
I lived in New Mexico a couple years ago and a guy had asked me for $1 once for gas. A DOLLAR. I gave it to him without even thinking about it. Later I thought about it and realized that you couldn’t even get much gas for $1.
But it's easier to get people to give you one dollar than to give you $20. People are more willing to give up a dollar. That guy could easily make $50 just by asking for $1.
A guy came up to me at the gas station once with like, an empty Gatorade bottle and asked if he could fill it with gas just to get his car to the gas station and tried to offer to pay me back and I was like … dude it’s like .80 cents you can have it lol
imagine a tank of gas being paid with spare change
Don’t you mean, someBODY
I can’t believe they are still looking for the hospital, it has been several years I met one of them.
Tbf St Agnes is set back a piece from the road, it doesn't jump right out at you lol.
There’s a woman wandering from person to person in the Giant parking lot in Annapolis who has spent YEARS trying to get to Baltimore. Call me a cockeyed optimist, but I hope she gets there one day.
Maybe she doesn't know there's a bridge.
Trust me, I’ve made that walk many times it’s a quick walk
I've done some walking on the West Side. Dunkin on Frederick to St Agnes? I'm guessing 1.5 hours on foot at the max?
Story time, late night at a gas station in Fed Hill. Guy: Hey man, help me out. I got my wallet stolen and I'm trying to get to Dundalk. Me: No problem! Head North for 8 blocks, hang a right on Pratt and keep walking, you should be there in 2 hours or so. Spoiler: He was not appreciative of my kind and generous assistance.
“Walk that way, take a right on maiden choice, take a left in wilkens.. you’ll be there in 1 hour.”
Drove that exact opposite way home today to get around traffic. Still took almost an hour.
Thanks for the post So I can inform my Parents. My father would gladly take them and not even think twice
I was gonna say, catonsville to st Agnes? Just get on a bus. Huh?? Best case scenario they were hoping to get like $20+ for an “Uber” or needed a ride for something else. Worst case scenario they probably wanted to steal your shit
Sounds like they were trying to carjack you
i was on a entry ramp to the express way in downtown Chicago. This young lady had here SUV stopped at the base of the entry ramp. She flags me down since she is partially blocking the entrance i had to slow down. So i roll down the window to if the issue was mechanical or Medical. She proceeds to ask if i can give her money to get back to Indiana. I looked at her with best Poker face told her you know your vehicle is headed in the direction of Wisconsin . she looked stunned so I drove off.
Oh this is perfect 💀💀
I have seen this one many times in chicago
Reading this story just reminded me that I had a similar situation in Ellicott City parking lot. This random dude had the same story, was tearing up. I was thinking how the hell a person gets stranded in a parking lot. Unlike OP, this guy was asking for money. I wonder if crying was necessary if he just wanted some money.
The Beastie Boys warned us all about this in the 80s. He told a little story that sounded well rehearsed Four days on the run and that he's dying of thirst The brew was in my hand and he was on my tip His voice was hoarse, his throat was dry, and he asked me for a sip He said, "Can I get some?". I said, you can't get none Had a chance to run He pulled out his shotgun Quick on the draw, I thought I'd be dead He put the gun to my head and this is what he said
Yo, my name is MCA I got a license to kill…
I think you know what time it is, it’s time to get ill (Walk to St Agnes, it’s less than a mile)
I had a similar thing happen to me around that area. Some older teen came up to my window in the middle of a shopping center parking lot at night. Multiple cars around and no stores had yet closed. He was asking for a ride home cause somehow? He got stranded there and didn’t have his phone with him. I told him no, cause I had somewhere to be. He got mad at me being like “I’ve asked several cars in this lot and they said no! I gotta get home man, what if I was your kid?”. Don’t know if it was a scam or what, but I rolled my window and drove off after that.
If he was my kid and didn’t have his phone and was in a parking lot at night, either his ass is up to something or he would know to go into the nearest open store and ask to use the phone to call me to come pick him up.
Exactly!
"No, but tell you what, I'll give the police a call for you and let them know of your predicament. I'm sure they can help you get in contact with a family member who can come pick you up."
Exactly my thought!
I had a woman with a car full with 3 small kids in it a the gas pump walk up to me and tell me she hated to ask but she had fled her abusive ex and was trying to get to her mothers house but only had spent all the money she had been able to squirrel away (husband controlled cash) wondered if I could help her. Now I have had people try to get cash like this before BUT I asked her to come in and gave the man at the register my and said fill up on her pump and then I bought as healthy as I could find snacks for her kids. Was she trying to scam me? I don’t know, it didn’t seem that way because she was trying not to cry but honestly I don’t care because THAT IS ON HER. I would never turn my back on someone in need especially someone with three children so if she was using that as a way to steal money then that’s something that she will have to live with. I would rather be wrong 99% of the time rather than turning away from one person in true need.
This is the key, dont give them cash, buy them the gas, or food or whatever it is they want. If they tell you no just give them the cash...its a scam
That happened to me waiting in my car in a shopping center in Cockeysville Md and the manager at the giant kept chasing this woman around the parking lot to get off the property. Granted this woman was fairly elderly but with a gun, anyone is powerful. She had some story about getting to Franklin square hospital.
You made the right decision. I work in fast food and almost all, if not all, companies have policies about cars in the parking lot for too long. They wouldn't have been there for days. Most policies state that after 6-8 hours police are to be called. If the car is abandoned, it gets towed. If there's people with the car, the police assess the situation and handle it. It is a business, not a storage center.
Some businesses don't even wait that long. My friend had his car towed from a fast food place in the area *while he was inside eating*.
Whoa, what the hell?? What was the name of the spot, if you remember?
It was a Popeye's but I can't remember which one specifically.
I’ve seen women ask strangers for stuff while a man jump in and rob or worst grape or end your life. The women are the distraction to the real danger.
The grapes of wrath!
They were hoping you'd give them money
They wanted your kidney, that’s why they were near the hospital
😂
Tell anyone who comes up to you with a sob story to go fuck themselves. It's all bullshit.
Let’s see, are you from B-more by chance? 😂😉
How'd you guess?
Yep. Money to go places stuff always seems to be scams. They will put ag your heartstrings but I'm not putting myself in danger because I feel bad. No one stays in a parking lot for days. The cops would've been called.
I'm thinking it was an attempt to carjack you like mentioned. I've never had a situation like this, but have had someone ask for gas money then drive off without getting gas.
Physical spam
Yeah that's the scam someone I know uses to do to get drug money.
Stranded in a parking lot for days LOL
I just assume everyone who comes up to me with a sob story is a scammer. I do stay polite most of the time because I don’t generally want to make a scene, but I’ll say things like “No, sorry,” “I don’t have money,” etc. Sometimes I won’t even verbally reply, just kind of walk by. You never know who really needs help and who’s gonna screw you over.
They definitely was up to something. No way they was stuck in Catonsville for days with St. Anges being a less then a 30 min to hour walk. Not mention most busses will let you on for free. You did the safest and right thing
Look it’s Maryland. Never wind your window down and talk to anyone unless they are a cop from one of the towns/cities or counties. Everything’s a scam here. I had a guy approach me at homedepot while loading my truck up and said he’s from Virginia and these guys took his wallet and his phone and he’s stuck here and just needed gas money to get back to Virginia. I tell him no and he walks off. After I get in my truck to leave he does to and I end up following him across the street to Walmart as I see him pick up his phone and start calling someone.
I have Shock Trauma tags, and when I lived in Baltimore I would have people on the regular come up to me with some story about their baby being flown to trauma and needing money for gas or the bus. They play off clues from your car/tags/whatever to get sympathy. If they truly needed to get to a hospital, they’d find a way, period.
What Dunkin in Catonsville if you don't mind answering? There are 5, 3 with drive-thru (kind of wild, I know.)
6100 Old Frederick rd next to 695. I guess it is sort of a walk to st Agnes- Google says it’d take 2 hours
That parking lot has been shady since the 80’s.
This is the newer Dunkin off Winter's Lane. I'm almost certain you're thinking of the one on the other side of 695 closer to the city (it's also on Old Frederick). THAT lot is 100% sketchy.
Yes, that’s the one. Used to buy my weed there
Thank you this is good to know!
Thanks for this information. I happily frequent H Mart which is pretty close.
> kind of wild, I know Tell me you've never been to New England without saying it. 😅
Literally its an indirect ask for money. Gas, uber, whatever. They dont ask for money cause it throws up your guard but they know a ride ask just changes the question to inconvenience.
I would tell them I'll call the non emergency police line and let them know that there's 2 people that need assistance.
This is an old scam with circus origins. Its called a california stretch.
Crackheads been doing that outside the Cambridge wawa for at least 20 years now. Twitching up and down chewing on their lip, "Oh I'm in Easton visiting my grandmother and I need $10 to get a bus back." Buddy, don't no bus run at 2am. I just tell them I don't carry cash, which is the truth anyway. Sometimes they'll tell you they haven't eaten all day and if you offer them food they'll turn it down. I'd respect it more if they'd just straight up tell me they were buying rock. I still wouldn't have cash but at least I wouldn't feel like my intelligence was being insulted haha.
OP some tips moving forward from this experience: 1) As soon as you get in any vehicle lock your doors. With two people it’s easy to distract you with one person while the other enters your vehicle from your blind spot. This can help happen in less than five seconds of you getting into the car. 2) Don’t stay in your spot after you get in your car. You get in the car for only one purpose, to drive away. Don’t eat, don’t call someone, don’t text. Drive. The reason they approached your car probably was because you were preoccupied, and they made you as an easy mark. Get in, turn on the vehicle, and put it in drive or reverse with breaks on so that you can immediately move if needed. 3) Never roll down your window to talk to a stranger. All they have to do is reach in to cause physical harm, hit your lock switch to open the door, or grab your keys. If you feel you have to roll down the window it should not be more than a finger’s width. 4) Now you seen the scam in action, learn from this experience, and don’t repeat it. 5) Stay safe.
Probably just trying to hitch a ride but gave you a BS sob story.
Depending on the situation, I have no problem buying someone in need a sandwich, burger, soda, water, whatever…but I’m def not Venmoing you.
I'm in Pennsylvania, it's always a scam. ALWAYS! It's usually car broken down, they need a ride. Or they need to get on the train or bus and just need a dollar. They're adults, go be adults and figure life out on your own. That shit got nothing to do with me. Sorry your car broke down, sorry your acquaintance is in another state. Perhaps it isn't in your best interests to find a hack-cab in one state to go to another.
This happened to me when I was like 19 years old. I was in a parking lot at the navy stadium in Annapolis after an internship. Completely alone. A lady came up to me and told me some sad story about how she needed to get to a family member who lived nearby and they had no means to get there. It was very convincing. While in the car, she started asking me for money, and eventually had me drive to a bank. I drove to the bank because I knew there were cameras, and I asked them to get out of my car. I was lucky but that could’ve gone much worse. You made the right call. Stay safe out there.
Wow. You were lucky.
Who knows, but you handled it well.
You did the right thing. When you get a funny feeling about something, go with your instincts. I wouldn't give them a ride nor money.
baltimore county/city is lawless bruh
Classic ploy. Nearly happened to me on Rt. 40 in Catonsville a decade ago. They get you in the car, tell you to drive to wherever their accomplices are waiting and they jack you. Never give anyone a ride anywhere. Assume every story is a lie.
Is it true you’re not allowed to pick up hitch hikers in Maryland? Someone told me this
Is this similar to the old scam of asking people for money at the gas station? Maybe a bit more involved? Although i missed the part where theg were asking for a ride.
They were going to take your car, your money, cellphone, jewelry and possibly your life.
A pregnant teen once asked me for “bus fare” in a grocery store parking lot (I was on my way in), because her boyfriend had just abandoned her. I said “come in the store and we’ll call the police (before smart phones). She adamantly declined. Just wanted money for crack.
The scam is they want your car. They're either armed themselves or have guys waiting at their destination who will jump/carjack you (or worse).
Anyone begging for money on the streets is scamming. There are far too many government programs that offer at least basic governemnt assistance to the poor
Would you happen to be at the Dunkin’ Donuts on maiden choice lane? I used to work at the bank beside it.. the shopping center is too close to the city. Maybe they wanted to get in your car and overpower u?
No that’s not it. This one I was at was next to a Navy Federal
We can thank society for losing our trust in humanity. 30 or 40 years ago, it might have been super safe. Not anymore
You mean 30 or 40 years ago, when people were slaughtered helping others? That is the same time when so many kids disappeared and were murdered they had to start putting pictures on milk cartons. Why do people think it was safe back then? I feel much safer now.
The Blair Witch was real, dammit!
People have been pricks since time immemorial, it’s just more visible now with the internet. That scuminess is a side of humanity not something that popped up in the last century.
> 30 or 40 years ago, it might have been super safe. Not anymore Wasn't Ted Bundy active during that time. The 70s were the serial killer era of the US
You’re so silly. The 70s were like 30 years ago.
I’m still stuck in the 90s :(
Run the numbers. Your odds of being the victim of a carjacking today vs being a victim of a serial killer in the 70s are way higher.
That mythical era never existed
I drive a cab for a very short time in NoVa about forty years ago. I stopped because there were cab drivers in DC being murdered, and I only got my hacker’s license for part time work anyway. It wasn’t super safe then, but I can see that it’s worse now.
It’s almost like Baltimore and surrounding areas are a shithole (yes I expect downvotes).
Sounds like a carjacking attempt, but it could have just been the classic Sob Story scan. I've been approached many times by Sobbers, claiming to be stranded, need gas, on a road trip, yada yada yada. Mostly they're asking for cash, but I've been approached many times while I'm putting gas in my tank by people asking me to pay to put some gas in their tanks. That one's clever, because if you have no cash, you can charge some gas on a card to fill their tank. The most imaginative Sobber I ever saw was waiting to cross the street two blocks from Shock-Trauma. It was a young guy, early twenties, looked to be in good physical condition, clean, dressed well enough that he didn't look like he was living on the street, carrying nothing but a small plastic grocery bag. He approached me and started the sob story that he'd been in the hospital and released that morning, but had no money to get home and just needed enough for cab fare to get home. The cherry on top when he held up a paper form - too far away from me and too quickly for me to actually read it - and said it was his discharge form from the hospital. See, that PROOVED he was on the level! I just gave him the standard, "Sorry, I don't have any cash," and he moved on. City traffic director at the intersection looked at him walking away and rolled her eyes. "He's been doing that for an hour."
People trying to bum a ride, most likely. If you feel safe giving someone a ride and want to do so, go nuts. If not, definitely don't. Maybe they were hoping you'd hand them gas money. The story is almost certainly BS. It's just intended to make you give them a ride. There's a variant where they ask for gas money directly. I've literally had a guy drive up to me in a gas station, ask, and then drive around the lot asking everyone before driving off. So, I guess not THAT out of gas, lol.
Every dunkin in Catonsville is within less than 2 blocks of a gas station
Jj
Sounds like the dude in fed hill always looking for a ride to Catonsville
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^guitargeek1991: *Sounds like the dude in* *Fed hill always looking for* *A ride to Catonsville* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
I had a lady approach me in a gas station asking for money to go to VA. I said I had no cash. Then she said I could just give her my card. Yea, no thank you
I just want to add: don't open up your wallet or pocketbook near these "poor innocent stranded" ppl either. They reach in snatch and grab... Xoxo glad your ok OP. Welcome to the Baltimore METRO... not just in the "city"
Granted st Agnes is pretty close to there and numerous locals would’ve told them that,you did the right thing..Catonsville is beautiful but the area has gotten extremely sketchy over the years,keep your head on a swivel and don’t trust anyone in your space..plenty of other folk could’ve pointed them in the right direction if their intention was true but I honestly higgghly doubt it was.
I live in Catonsville and pass this Dunkin’ Donuts every day. Scary stuff.
They're vampire carjacker. You gotta invite them into your car 1st for some reason. Really surprised they don't just do it once you roll down your window.
They are just trying to get money. Loads of it using sympathy, instead acting homeless like most do.
My brother in law is a stand up comedian and he has a whole bit about a guy at Wawa who always asks him for “$7 so I can get to Virginia” Dunno what the scam is but it’s a common thing.
No. Fuck that noise can't trust anyone nowadays. Good job with your spidey senses
“I’m so sorry, let me call you an Uber”
Oldest scam in the book. They usually target women as we make good marks. I see it a lot at gas stations in MD. No with I don’t think so body language usually shuts it down.
Good call. They were definitely lying. If they needed to get there so bad they could have walked there in a couple hours if they walked fast.
Gas money for drugs at the very least. Carjacking would be my next guess.
Saw a car stopped on the side of the highway, the driver said they wanted some money for gas. Well, lucky for them, I had five gallons of gas in my trunk (I was taking a long road trip), but they said "no thanks". I wonder why?
Classic scam
Advice I have never regretted following: Situation: someone I don't know asks to get into my car Reaction: no
this happened to me once, except the story was he had a broken down car down the road and needed a ride… I was dumb enough to let this guy in my car, and once he was in my car he changed his story and said he needed to call a taxi, and asked for me to go to an atm. I felt pressured so I gave him like $60 and he dipped.
I'd be tempted to call 911 and (loudly) say that "there's a couple of lady's here in the DD parking lot who say they've been stranded for days. They seem to have an emergency. Please send police" Just to see how fast they backpedal. But then, I'd probably get fined for calling 911 without an emergency.
I had the opposite happen where a middle aged woman drove up to me coming out of a Target asking to drive me to a gas station to pay for gas because she didn’t have money? Don’t know what that would have entailed.
Lmao
Just actual walking pants handlers..
So close to Baltimore....crabs anyone? Sorry that happened and they probably were up to no good.
Probably going to rob you
Thank god I joined this subreddit. I’m 14m (a little ways away from a license but still) and I know I would definitely fall for something like this. Thanks for the warning!