It was a normal day in the office at the Bureau of Navy Medicine and Surgery, working late then going to workout. Today I decided to go for a bike ride down Hains Point, and I was feeling on top of the world. Coming home at ten o’clock was not too terribly late, and I had to make two trips from the car to the house.
As soon as I closed the door I again noticed the man was now directly in front of my house. He appeared to be in decent shape and carried himself fairly well, which I even questioned. He looked like someone that could have been my colleague in the Navy. In fact he resembled my drill instructor in boot camp marching smartly in front of me.
In my Hope VI neighborhood in Henson Ridge located in the heart of Congress Heights people do not usually greet each other even on a sunny afternoon in the spring.
For some reason that night, it maybe because the Nationals just played in a brand new ballpark just ten minutes away. I had just completed a killer workout. So in some ways I felt comfortable. I had been waiting patiently for a several years for the Nationals to call SE their home.
“Hello, how are you doing”, I said. I saw his eyes open in shock and I could see the whites in his eyes as they popped open. He seemed shocked as if saying hi to him was such a alien thing to do.
Personally I was taken back by how forthcoming and friendly I acted. Perhaps I was still riding high from my killer workout or feeling good about the new Nationals stadium.
Then I turned around and proceeded to the back of my house to retrieve my bicycle. I had not even taken one step back before I heard a bellowing voice. I turned around to see the barrel of his gun pointed straight at my face. Then he told me to get down
I hated that feeling, even worse than the barrel of his gun against the back of my head.
“Where’s the money at,” he repeated.
“It’s in my car.”
He looked back at my driveway expecting to see a vehicle. He did not know that I had parked on the grass next to my neighbor’s car. I didn’t feel the urge to share.
“You lie. There’s no car parked back there. Now where’s the money at.”
“It’s in my house.”
“Go get it.”
I got up, the barrel of his gun now against my back.
“Raise your arms.”
“My arms raised.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw another man walking directly
across the street.
I saw him turn his face ever so slightly and then he continued walking as if none of this was a big deal.
Then I went inside with the robber behind me his gun still pressed hard against my back.
Outside, there was a witness who was of no help. Inside, whatever transpired was just between me and the robber.
“Let me have all that.”
“Run upstairs.”
“I’ll run, but with my briefcase, only.” I turned and for the first time got a good look at the robber.
I grabbed the bag and ran up to my room. Locked the door and called 911 on my cell phone.
Then I quietly ran down. The front door was partially closed. Did the robber run away or was he still lurking inside the house.
“What does he look like?” the dispatcher asked.
** Lesson Learned: After speaking with investigators and several people in the community, I realized that what I did, although gutsy, was the right thing to do. I knew that there was no one inside my house, and since I did not have any money on me, my intuition told me that this thief wanted some quick cash before he would let me go. I also, once inside the house, informed the thief that I was in the Navy, which I believe alarmed him. Once he took the money, he gave me an opportunity to allow him to escape by ordering me to run upstairs while he proceeded to exit the house. The next day, I immediately changed the locks to my house as well as the locks to my car.
Note: It is still ok to say "Hi" to strangers who walk by your house, even at night. Obviously, use your discretion, and listen to your intuition.