Robbery

[Jenni O]

We were robbed of our life savings at the Love's Truck Stop in Lordsburg, NM on 2/14/22. A group of 4 or 5 were "passing out lottery winnings to fellow travelers." One of this group followed my husband into our motor home and entered uninvited. When the lockbox to our hidden safe was removed, the intruder grabbed it and fled. He and his companions disappeared, presumably onto I-10. Police were called, interviews with us and another victim and witnesses were done. However, chances of recovering our property are slim. We were parked in the Semi parking area. There were no surveillance cameras or security patrol. Please be aware that RVers can fall victim to these situations.

 

[Rich W.]

These two items dont make sense to me:

1. One of this group followed my husband into our motor home and entered uninvited.

2. When the lockbox to our hidden safe was removed, the intruder grabbed it and fled.

Obviously more to the story but I cant understand how this was allowed to occur.

 

[GypsyR]

Lost me too. Why was your husband getting into your lock box? I don't have a lockbox or a hidden safe. Is this a common RV thing that everyone knows about except me? Even common street thugs?

 

[RandyB]

Deleted

 

[rv4travlin]

I'm glad my RV doesn't have a lock box, much less with my life savings in it.

 

[Rich W.]

and 3:

“.....robbed of our life savings....”

Does anyone else carry their ”life savings” in their RV? Obviously a relative term, and I know some folks don’t like banks, but it still doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Neal]

Folks, I don't know if the story is true or not. Give the benefit of the doubt, if you don't have anything constructive to add to this thread or any for that matter, silence is the better option.

 

[Rich W.]

Folks, I don't know if the story is true or not. Give the benefit of the doubt, if you don't have anything constructive to add to this thread or any for that matter, silence is the better option.

I agree and I’m hoping for some clarification and want to understand how this could have happened. I see some shifty characters occasionally at fuel stops, but I don’t leave myself open to any issues or unwanted interactions with them. This story is full of warning signs and suspicious activity prior to the event occurring, and I have trouble understanding how it was allowed to escalate to this level.

Im also reminded of the couple who was murdered near Corpus Christi (Kleberg Beach) in 2019 after apparently letting their guard down with someone they encountered there while camping (boondocking on the beach). Ive never heard exactly how that situation developed but I did read that the suspect finally pled guilty to murder (and other charges) to avoid the death penalty.

 

[GypsyR]

It seems like it started out that the poster was being scammed into something with "lottery winnings" when one of the scammers saw the opportunity to forget the scam and just go straight to robbery. I think.
A month ago I would have said I couldn't imagine people normally pulling out their "life savings" at a fuel stop, here lately, well......

 

[Jenni O]

These two items dont make sense to me:

1. One of this group followed my husband into our motor home and entered uninvited.

2. When the lockbox to our hidden safe was removed, the intruder grabbed it and fled.

Obviously more to the story but I cant understand how this was allowed to occur.

We are not sure how this happened! There was a group offering "money for fuel". We made the bad decision to see what was going on. Apparently when my husband entered the motor home he did not close the door. We were tired from a long day driving and were not thinking clearly. These people were professional conmen and they got us .

 

[Rich W.]

Well at least you weren’t hurt (or worse) in the exchange. I’ve been at that Love’s and it isnt in a bad area or any different than any other truck stop, but anything along the freeway serves all kinds, including criminals. I used to be more friendly and engaging but these days I keep to myself, do my own thing and move on, and always with a heightened sense of (situational) awareness. Sad state of affairs but thats the way it is.

 

[Neal]

I've been approached at gas stations (not truck stops) about 3 times now. Make sure you lock your door and always think safety!

 

[Rich W.]

I've been approached at gas stations (not truck stops) about 3 times now. Make sure you lock your door and always think safety!

I have seen some of this too (I guess most of us have) and I walk right by them, into the store, and ask the staff if they are aware of whats going on outside. They always seem appreocative, say they will call law enforcement, and usually the person(s) are gone when I come back out. They seem to have a pretty good sense for what’s going on around them.

I also dont leave the coach unlocked, even when just fueling, because I usually fuel up on the drivers side and cant see the door from where Im standing. Its easy enough to just get in the habit and then you have less to worry about.

I had about 10 years in law enforcement during my fire career, have had a lot of training, have the means to protect myself and all that, but the best protection is prevention and the last thing I want to do is engage in an altercation.

 

[Rsbpaolakansas]

You are wise. My Class C catalytic converter was stolen and replaced with an undersized cheap replacement. I had an alarm wired into my rig so i can sleep at night now. Thank goodness i had insurance, which paid more than $3k to repair it many miles from where i bought the RV. I was out $1k for motel and other expenses. It took me weeks before i could get someone to even look at it. They told me it would take three months to get to it. Fortunately i stumbled into a customer relations person.who helped me. Your post could help many people.

 

[Scooterfan]

hmmm...never thought about locking up when refueling. But it does take awhile and I am on the drivers side...I'll have to rethink that. About the catalytic converters...anyone source a cover (cage or deterrent device) for Newmar gassers ?

 

[murphysranch]

For years and years, Women are told to lock the car when fueling. Why? Cus our purse is in the front passenger seat. Easy grab....

 

[Rich W.]

For years and years, Women are told to lock the car when fueling. Why? Cus our purse is in the front passenger seat. Easy grab....

hmmm...never thought about locking up when refueling. But it does take awhile and I am on the drivers side...I'll have to rethink that. About the catalytic converters...anyone source a cover (cage or deterrent device) for Newmar gassers ?

I hadnt either until an incident a couple years ago. Nothing came of it, but Im pretty sure my intervention prevented an issue. Since then I’ve seen enough unacceptable behavior during fuel stops, and read about enough incidents invloving RV’ers and those inclined towards criminal behavior, to conclude that prevention, including avoiding the creation of an attractive nuisance, is the most positive and proactive thing you can do to avoid loss or an altercation.