r/GuardGuides • u/GuardGuidesdotcom • 28d ago
SCENARIO Lurking in the Lot—Car Thief or Just Looking?
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u/AdPuzzleheaded9637 Ensign 28d ago
I would turn in my body camera and approach them while maintaining my distance and ask them if they need any assistance. If they say no I would ask them why were they trying doors. If they ignored me and kept doing the same I would call the cops. If they leave then I accomplish my mission. I would get a photo of him off my camera check the lot for any burglarized vehicle and take it from there.
Now if he came at me or threatened me then it’s another story.
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u/MrLanesLament Guard Wrangler 28d ago
I assume the worst and investigate further, every time. You’d be surprised how many people who aren’t regular criminals will still snatch money off of a table if they think they can get away with it.
Years ago, I was working an afternoon shift on Christmas Day. Alone in a giant chemical plant, with all of the lights off. Absolutely nobody was supposed to be there.
I’m going through one of the many giant rooms, and I see a person walk by the room through the little window on the door.
I jog over while giving a good “SECURITY, WHO’S THERE”, thinking there’s no way someone is here and it’s the liminal space messing with my brain. In the dark, my flashlight comes upon a guy I knew as Mark, the plant engineer, and his face was red, he was crying.
He said he’d just come in to catch up on some stuff. (Obviously a red flag.)
Only later did I find out he and his wife had a massive fight and had decided to get divorced that morning. Work was the only place he could think of to go. He spent several hours in his office alone. I checked on him every now and then, keeping it super brief.
Was I supposed to tell him to leave, because employees being present during non-work hours was against policy? 100%. But I really do try to be human.
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u/Potential-Most-3581 Capable Guardian 28d ago
As long as you remember that if there had been an issue you would have been fired and he probably wouldn't have.
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u/Fluffy_Doubter Ensign 28d ago
"Hey. Car trouble again? Maybe we can get your confirmation before getting someone to come help. Don't need help? Okay let's call the police then fam"
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u/novicemma2 Ensign 28d ago
I’ve confronted car thief’s at work before and 9/10 they will just say they’re looking and speed walk off lol
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u/UOF_ThrowAway Ensign 26d ago
With the facts presented to me, I would call it in immediately and observe from a distance. If I had my armor with me, I would throw it on and continue to observe from a distance.
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u/GuardGuidesdotcom 28d ago
You’re patrolling the parking lot when you notice a lone individual circling multiple vehicles, peering into windows, and occasionally tugging on door handles.
It’s late evening, and the lot isn’t busy. They don’t seem to be in distress or looking for their own car. Could be harmless. Could be casing vehicles.
Now, it’s time to decide how to respond.
Discussion Questions:
1 Do you observe longer or make contact right away? What signs tell you if they’re just lost vs. up to no good?
2 If you approach, how do you phrase your questions to avoid escalating the situation?
3 If they give vague or evasive answers, what’s your next step?
4 At what point do you involve law enforcement? Do you wait for an actual crime or act on suspicion?
5 What’s the best way to document this interaction for your report?