Walt F.J. Goodridge is....
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© 2010 Walt F.J. Goodridge. All Rights Reserved, but feel free to share with anyone!
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We now resume our
regularly scheduled adventure, already in progress..........
Jamaican in China!--Today, I thwarted a pickpocket
thwart: verb. to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose. (That part of my vocabulary comes from reading too many comic books growing up.)
Since I've been in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, I've seen two pickpocket attempts. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean there are more pickpockets here. The fact that I never saw any such activity in Beijing might simply mean that THESE guys here are just not that good at it! (i.e. easy to spot)
Both times I saw it, in fact, it was at the same bus stop, at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon as I was waiting for the #4 bus, to go back home.
So, it works like this.
The "perp" (short for perpetrator) will hang around at the bus stop as if he, too, is waiting for a bus. As the bus pulls in to pick up passengers, the crowd of people waiting will rush towards the door. The perp also rushes in with the crowd. Using the chaos, single-minded focus, and distraction of people pushing and shoving attempting to board the bus, the perp will swoop up behind his "mark," (victim) employ a "slash" or a "grab and run."
I think what I saw the first time was a bag slashing. Having watched where his mark places her purse, the perp will walk up, and use a blade to slash the bottom of the handbag and the purse will slide out. He rushed up, then did a quick "about face" and walked away hiding something under his shirt.
To the casual observer, it would appear that he rushed up to the door of the bus, like everybody else, then simply changed his mind and walked away. To those of us ex-New Yorkers who can spot suspicious behavior a mile away, we know something bad just happened.
I caught on to what he was doing just a split second AFTER he made the grab, so I didn't actually see it happen. I knew for a fact what he had done--a guilt confirmed by his abrupt departure from the scene, and the hiding of his hands--but I hadn't actually seen it. By the time another bystander alerted others boarding the bus that a pickpocket had just struck, he was gone.
I felt bad for the rest of the day. I should have done something. I should have chased him down, retreived the purse and brought it back to the victim. I thought about that for the rest of the day.
So, this time, I did something. Today, when I saw the same scenario about to play itself out again, I was ready.
While waiting for the bus at the same stop (I'm always now more vigilant at that specific stop since the first incident), I noticed a lurker. Different fellow, this time, but he was easy to spot.
Perhaps living in New York most of my life has given me a survivor's vigilance, "street smarts," as they say, or simply heightened paranoia.
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(There's an old joke that goes: I had to move to new York for health reasons. I'm extremely paranoid, and New York is the only place my fears are justified.) |
In any event, keeping a watchful eye means I always know who is around me at any given moment. I'm never lost in a moment such that I'm oblivious to who is in front of, behind, or to my side when I walk, when I play and when I drive.
So, the moment I arrived at the bus stop, out of ingrained habit, I scanned the scene to note who was there. And there HE was. He was just sort of drifting aimlessly back and forth, just waiting-- but not for a bus. People waiting for a bus have a different body language. So I kept conscious of where he was at all times.
Sure enough, as the bus approached. I saw him make his move. And this time, so did I. As he rushed up to the crowd of boarders, I, too, moved quickly towards HIM.
As he moved into the crowd seemingly to board the bus, I could see his eyes darting furtively among the unguarded bags and possessions looking for a mark. As he was just about to make his move I practically body-blocked him by forcing my way in-between him and a young lady who was boarding the bus, and whose bag he was reaching for. Everybody else had their backs to him as they, too, were boarding. I, however, was facing him, and like a basketball guard, preventing him from striking. He backed off. My own actions must have looked kind of strange to anyone looking. But I wasn't trying to hide what I was doing. I wanted him to know that I was being deliberate.
I kept my eyes glued to him. With my own laptop and sidebag firmly in my grip, I stared at him letting him know that I KNEW what he was doing. He back off some more, having given up on that attempt, but he lingered a bit more until a second bus appeared....I kept my eyes on him....he looked at me. Then slowly, he moved out of my field of vision--behind a tree---and soon disappeared.
I have a suspicion that there were others working with him on the scene as there were about 2 others who also disappeared as well, though that could have been coincidence as I wasn't tracking them.
A few people at the bus stop had quizzical looks on their faces as they had no idea what was going on.
His mark--the young lady whose bag he would have slashed or snatched--was none the wiser. She had already boarded the bus and was on her way home. She's probably (hopefully) at home counting her money after a day of shopping.
I, however, feel a little better knowing that THIS time I took action and that some young lady
somewhere in Xishuangbanna is at home with her purse still in her possession
thanks to my interference. I just can't stand idly by when such an obvious crime
is being committed.
[cue time-worn audio clip from old Hollywood western:]
"Don't worry, ladies. There's a new sheriff in town!"
Next time, I'll take pictures of the perp and post it on my blog. (I don't expect that any Xishuangbanna residents or their purses will be saved as a result, but perhaps in some way, it might help someone, somewhere.)
Notes & Commentary:
From what I've seen, the pickpockets are targeting "locals."
It's true I haven't seen many foreigners here--and two crimes does not a valid survey make--but something tells me that a pickpocket who makes his living finding marks, would feel more comfortable and be more familiar with the moves and rhythm of the local population. I'm sure a careless tourist could fall victim, too, but knowing how to gauge a potential victim, knowing who is vulnerable, knowing the schedules and movements of his victims is something that is developed from watching the local population, not the tourists.
I'm just speculating but, I suspect that HIS unfamiliarity with the ways of foreigners would make ME, for instance, less of a potential target. I could be wrong. Why take the chance that the dark foreigner with the bag of cashews might just be a Jamaican who could outrun him and grab his stuff back? I'm just speculating.
[cue Superman opening sequence sample:]
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane!
It's...It's.... Jamaican Man!
Yes, today I thwarted a pickpocket.
Life.
end of this episode;
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Your Comments
Feel free to email me your comments,
suggestions and feedback freely and uncensored. If necessary, I'll
request your permission before posting them here.
*****
Hi Walt, [Regarding Today I thwarted a Pickpocket]
Good story! and GOOD action!
However, I'm not surprised to read this story as it is a common practice by thieves: steal in crowd when people are rushing for something. Next time, you can call police (number: 110) station saying there is pocketpick in bus station XXX or just shout out "Thief" ( Xiao Tou!) If I'm on side to spot this, I often scream in extravagant way to arouse people's attention and interrupt thief's "pace" of intention.
Generally thieves don't steal from foreigners because they don't want to bring themselves too much trouble by contaminating image of China, but exceptions happen, so be cautious.
Beijing is quite safe at this point, but still some bus thieves are active in bus stations out of downtown. I'm not afraid of that because I always keep my wallet in a safe place, or hold my bag in front of me when I feel too crowded.
China is a huge forest you can find any kinds of birds, incl. evil ones! haha! Good trip!--Susan in Beijing
*****
I want to say I am proud of you! But who am I, to make such a statement?
Thanks for sharing. And thanks for taking on the role. Once again, you serve as an inspiration to others................
--ruth
*****
Wow! A very kind, compassionate, and selfless deed. --Sasha
*****
COOL!!!!!!! --Norman
*****
thank u for helping the innocent woman --Massoud
*****
Funny. I just got off a bus here in Shenyang with the Chinglish sign: Defense care pick sincerely. I think, it meant to say, be careful of pickpockets.
Harbin, Heilongjiang late February this year, as I was walking with other pedestrians on the famed Moscow street when a young lady looking like she was barely 14 sidled up to a matronly lady in front of me and quickly flipped the top of her shoulder bag, almost unnoticeably pulling out her wallet, but I screamed at her as a reflex response. She did not run away; she just stared at me and smiled, then segued to the left and blended with the oncoming walking traffic headed the other direction. By then, the matronly lady became alert of what just transpired and after securing her bag, wanted to run after the wallet picking waif. Of course, she was gone.
Desperate people take desperate measures. Pickpocketing, like the trade of pleasure in Saipan, is just another entrepreneurial enterprise; illegal but no worse than their respectable cousins, first, where one legitimately but surreptitiously schemes after my assets, or the second, when we trade our soul for activities we hardly would otherwise tolerate without the pay. Take your pick. Obama is said to have hung out with street urchins in Indonesia. I probably would do the same were I younger.
Anyway, make sure your perpetuators have a way of escaping when you do anymore thwarting, unless you have police assistance in sight.
Take care. --Jaime
*****
Wow! That was fantastic. Your statement that the dark foreigner with the bag of cashews might just be a Jamaican who could outrun him and grab his stuff back reminded me of an incident in New York when my friend Joyce's daughter-in-law was robbed. The guy didn’t have a chance. She ran after him as if she was competing in the 100yd. dash, tackled him, and got back her stuff. Have a great day. --Aunt Nye
*****
Wow! Wow!, Wow!
Now that is what I call adventure! I love it! I couldn’t stop reading it! I am so looking forward to your book!
Seriously, this was an awesome read. When you were at the bus stop the second time around I actually picture you in all white and black Chinese slippers, your hands behind your back, your head up high, nothing moving but your eyes...LOL [cue the Under-Dog opening] THERE’S NO NEED TO FEAR “The Jamaican Crime Fighter is HERE”!
"Underdog, Shoeshine Boy’s heroic alter-ego, appeared whenever love interest Sweet Polly Purebred was being victimized by villains. Underdog always speaks in rhymes, such as, “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!”
Underdog - March of the Monsters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSbQMsbxJ6g&NR=1 --Diamond
*****
That was a heroic act, Walt! Very well written as well.
Whenever we travel, the locals would come up to me and point at my handbag and would gesture me to hold it in a more deliberate fashion (closer to my body). I would always comply as I understand it is a friendly advice. Actually, I seldom have anything valuable in my handbag. All the important things are closer to my body and more difficult to reach place, such as the pants pocket near the calf. My theory is that it is difficult to bend down and reach. --Myrna
*****
Nice graphic for your Jamaicaman belt buckle for your Kung fu belt, I think you are going to need it. --Uel
*****
[My responses to Ken's comments:]
My thought on reading this were: 1. How come Walt did not take a picture of the perpetrators, or get some
other kind of evidence instead of putting his own life in jeopardy?
ANSWER: A friend studying law here in China commented that the US is governed by "the rule of law" or
something to that effect, whereas China is not. But, that's secondary to why I acted as I did. In my mind at the moment,
the saving of the young lady's purse required immediate action. I wasn't prepared to go to the authorities because of
the language barrier, and for another reason that you mention later. And, for that matter, I don't particularly "trust" "
authorities" (see history of NYPD, LAPD; hahahah) anywhere.
2. What, if the group ganged up on you?
ANSWER: Nothing except I "knew" they wouldn't. Can't tell you how I know.
There's no way for me to prove or explain this adequately, but sometimes you KNOW when you are in danger.
I felt LESS safe on fifth Avenue in Manhattan than I do in China. And, ANOTHER Chinese friend emailed me
HER comments and said: Generally thieves don't steal forengners because they don't want to bring them
too much trouble by contaminate image of China, but exceptions happen, so be cautious.
There's a culture of bringing shame to China in the eyes of the outside world, that keeps people in
line in certain respects. I encountered it among the Chinese girls on Saipan, and I see it here, too.
What is to prevent these perps from continuing in perpetuity without adequate evidence to have them locked up.
ANSWER: Nothing. They probably will, long after I'm gone!
It seems to me, the local authorities would be very interested, if it starts to affect the tourism industry. I suppose that presupposes, they care.
ANSWER: Yup. I can't (nor is it my purpose/mission to) make that my focus. Yunnan already has that reputation.
If the authorities wished or were able to do something, I'm sure they could have/would have.
I had been the mark of a pickpocket in a crowded market in Guatemala years ago; it was a small boy, who had both hands in my front left pocket,
trying to steal my wallet. Fortunately, I had the wallet in my front pocket and kept my hands on it in the jostling crowd. It had an
unsatisfactory ending, in that, I only pushed the kid away and did nothing else. I am sure he had adult handlers. In retrospect, I
should have dragged him over to the policeman I saw earlier. On the other hand, you never know: sometimes the police are in on it,
since they often make so little money.--Ken
ANSWER: ABSOLUTELY! That was my very first thought! I know very few people here. I also don't know the intricacies of the
relationships, the kickbacks, and who knows what else. What I DO know is that at just THAT moment, I could be effective at preventing
something from happening.
Big T'ings a Gwan!
As we say in Jamaica, "Big tings a gwan!" Translation: Big Things are Going on!
1. JAMAICANS.COM
Jamaican in China is now featured on the Jamaicans.com website along with
reviews and much more!
2.CHINATRAVEL.NET
Check out Aimee Groom's interview for ChinaTravel.net*, the sister site to Ctrip.com
(the largest online travel service provider in China), and my story,
"A Jamaican in China and Nomadpreneur Lives His Dream!" which has been featured
in their China Blogger Profile.
[*ChinaTravel.net is a travel resource providing up-to-date, quality content and
information on destinations, attractions, news and events for people traveling in,
or planning to travel to China.]
3.FACEBOOK
Now you can keep in touch via facebook, and easily share Jamaican in China
with your friends. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamaican-in-China/122083391185913
and "like me" to comment
Preview of Things to Come!
Episodes and ideas I'm working on, based on all your great conversations and feedback :
Jamaican Gold! (the Athletes' secret revealed)
Black Privilege in China
The Secret X-Rated Episode
Germ Theory and China (Yes, I said it!)
Dating the Waitress at Your Favorite Vegetarian Restaurant (and other bad decisions) from The Nomad's Relationship Guide
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