So today we decide to try out the Metro (subway) to get to our planned adventures. We’re heading out of the station, and as we turn the corner to get onto the escalator, a young local guy shoves his way around and past me and jams up right behind Peter, as if he’s in a hurry.
We’re walking up on the left side, past people who are standing on the right side, just like we do at home. I watch the guy in front of me, and at first I think he’s kinda pushing on Peter’s behind to move him along faster, but Peter wasn’t responding with anything like I would like a guy would respond with if someone was shoving him upwards on his butt, so I looked closer.
Suddenly, I realize that the guy is in the motion of unvelcroing the flap on Peter’s left-side shorts pocket, where his camera was, and reaching in. Peter’s not responding at all.
I start yelling at the guy, and grab him by the arm, just as we’re reaching the top of the escalator. “Get your hands out of his pocket,” I think I said, but I’m not sure.
The guy jumped a mile, and immediately started denying he was doing anything, but a lady who spoke English and who had been standing on the right side of the escalator had seen it all, and confirmed that she had seen the guy picking Peter’s pocket…or at least trying to.
For some reason, the guy didn’t run away or anything; he just stood there while I yelled at him, and Peter checked his pockets, and everyone else in our group crowded around, while the rest of the crowd flowed on past and out of the station.
Once Peter confirmed that nothing was missing, and Jeff and Joanna quickly checked their stuff (my bag was clipped shut and I could easily see it was still clipped shut), I let go of the guy’s arm, and he bolted.
Peter said he did actually feel something, and just thought that someone was pushing against him…which makes sense.
I was reflecting on it afterwards, reliving the moment and wondering why he didn’t take off right away. And then it hit me…I think I was holding his arm awfully hard, and then, very quickly, we had the other three surrounding him, too.
I guess being a bass player comes in handy sometimes?
What a close call…but again, all’s well that ends well, and we learned a valuable lesson.
ea/
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Scary – this has happened to us too, more than once, especially on or near public transportation. They are very slick!! Glad they didn’t get off with anything and that you are having a wonderful time. Cheer, Sue J.
Oh, Sue, I can only imagine how upsetting and problematic that would be! I’m sorry they “got” you. 🙁
We’ve been doing all kinds of things to try to lower their chance of success (purse/backpack that hooks shut and are supposedly slash-proof, splitting cards/money/ID into separate holders/locations, money belt, limited cards/cash on our person, watchful eye), but it’s clear that they know what they are doing! Hopefully they won’t succeed again with you and Bob, or this time with Jeff and me…
Fortunately, we can call it an adventure and not a disaster.
The trip is going great, and I’m a million words behind in my posts!
🙂
ea/