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On the messageboards of Brooklynian, there's a crazy account of foiling a mugger. Rhodamime, a self-described "large guy" who "people rarely fuck with me (knock on wood)," was at Eastern Parkway and Bedford on Sunday (yes, taking pictures for a blog) when he got jumped:
The guy got me in a headlock from behind, pressed a screwdriver against the back of my neck and repeatedly demanded "Lemme get that camera, motherfucker, lemme get that camera" as I kept walking, struggling a bit to push away from him and get out of the shadows and into the sunnier part of the sidewalk right across Bedford from that giant bustling carwash where someone was bound to see us, in case things got more serious.Ouchie. If you read on, you'll learn for Rhodamine managed to flee and call the police. And that the attacker was wanted to theft and assault. This might require an enterprising person to develop camera cases that make the camera look really ratty and not worth stealing.Instinct took over (hey, youre gonna need alot more than a screwdriver to get my Leica at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, asshole) and I immediately clutched the camera to my chest and dove forward to break the choke-hold while simultaneously kicking my feet backwards, hoping to land a square blow to his nuts.
I ended up catching my balance with my left foot but landing a fortuitously solid kick to his right knee, which I could feel snap backwards/sideways from the force.
It's great that Rhodamine was able to defend himself and that everything turned out well, but it's worth noting that the police recommend that you give up your belongings if you're mugged - especially if there's a weapon involved.
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gotta be a black guy.
Rhodamine was pretty lucky
About 13 years ago so was I: I was taking some pictures in Bed Sty in the vicinity of Fulton street and Franklin ave. An angry person approached me--possibly a drug dealer--asking me what the hell I'm doing taking pictures. His homie came over shortly afterwards asking what was going on. I told him I was taking some pics and in my frightened state, I offered to give up the camera. They simply wanted me to take out the film, which I did; they then walked away from me; Presumably there was a cop watching from a distance and they probably didn't want a confrontation as well.
I spent the rest of the day wondering how the hell I still ended up in one piece and alive for that matter.
Rule one in NYC: Don't take pictures in inner city neighborhoods.
This is where a 12" kitchen blade wold have come in handy; cutting the mugger's heart out.
I hate how "Lemme get" is actually an acceptable way for some people to start a sentence.
x-nyer: you make a lot of presumptions in your story. it could have been a cop who approached you. for some reason, cops don't like it when you take pictures of certain things. or it could have been the some property owner. or it could have been just some a-hole.
but back to rhodamime, good for him. i'll learn to do the lean forward and kick technique if someone ever strongarms me.
That's why muggers should use guns.
No worries about busted knees. Maybe busta cap.
"x-nyer: you make a lot of presumptions in your story. it could have been a cop who approached you."
without identifying himself? even if he's posing as a cop, etc etc.
ken:
Of course, I mean, because why would anybody think that a mugging on Eastery Parkway & Bedford was committed by a black man. I know!! That's such a stretch to think that, because, you know, that area is known for roving gangs of white & asian folks who like to use the word motherfucker.
ken
I grew up in those parts--from their thuggish demeanor, these two guys were definitely not cops or property owners. They were probably businessmen selling their "wares" in the street. For what its worth, the "gentlemen" were black and latin.
Mugger got the nerve to pick on a healthy dude in broad daylight. Definitely deserved it. What else is this jerk capable of doing to a female or the elderly.