Strategies and Tactics for Surviving Carjacking

[Kleanbore]

We all know that carjacking has become very prevalent in the last few years.

Many people here first think about how to use a firearm in the event of a carjacking. We see a number of Youtube videos showing victims fighting off carjackers with their guns. Those, of course, show defenses that were successful. They don't all end that way.

I wonder how many people have engaged in FoF exercises involving carjacking scenarios, and what they have learned.

Massad Ayoob related an exercise at the National Tactical Shooting Invitational. The scenario involved a man going to his car, in which a a perp was well concealed in the back seat. As I recall, one participant survived the encounter. He suspected that the man was in the car and took care of things without getting in. If anyone remembers this better, shoot.

The following link goes to an excellent piece on the subject. I recommend watching it at least twice, and sharing and discussing it with family members.



Defensive firearms are not mentioned at all. First, the number of potential victims who carry all the time and who are well trained for such scenarios is very small indeed--probably less than one in forty.. Second, trying to bring a firearm to bear is very often not a good idea at all.

When might going for the gun be indicated? Well, if the perp has made it into the car with you, you have not bailed out, and he tells you to drive, things are unlikely to end well. The risk of resisting with a weapon may be worth taking. Do it covertly, with a weapon and arm that are not on his side of you.

Better to jump out and run first, if you can.

 

[OFFGRID]

drive an old beat up ford f150. no worries

 

[Coyote3855]

1. Situational awareness.
2. Lock your stupid doors, first thing.
3. Don't linger in transitional spaces.
4. Vehicles are probably covered by insurance. Funerals may not be.

 

[Coyote3855]

drive an old beat up ford f150. no worries

That is no guarantee. Ford F150s are one of the most stolen vehicles.

 

[Blue Jays]

The very fastest man in the entire world, Usain Bolt, has a maximum speed of 27 mph.
With that in mind, endeavor to keep your vehicle moving. Even 15 mph will do the trick.

Observe a green traffic signal WAY far ahead that you'll never successfully make? Start slowing your car now, keep the wheels rolling, and the light should turn green by the time you reach it.

Do you see dangerous shady behavior occurring around you? Run a red light, make an illegal turn, drive across a median, do whatever you need to do to drive away from the situation. Consider it a blessing if a police officer witnesses it and pulls you over…that at least helps with the acute danger situation.

 

[Atavar]

Firearms are terrible tools for in car defense. Just try drawing and aiming at the back seat some time.
I drive rideshare and my in car tool of choice is a razor sharp 6" Bowie.

I drive rideshare and when fellow drivers tell me how safe they are because of their magic pistol (that they keep in the center console) I suggest the following exercise.
Get two squirt guns and a buddy to role play the bad guy.
The driver can’t touch his squirt gun until he sees bad guys squirt gun or hears a threat.
Have your buddy sit in the back seat and at a random time pull out his squirt gun and carjack.
See who gets wet.

Bear in mind that anywhere except Florida the drivers gun must be well concealed because if the drivers legal handgun gets reported by a passenger the driver gets fired permanently.
I don’t want to be in a closed car if a gun is fired. I don’t want to lose what’s left of my hearing. I’m sure anything .38 or larger would lead to everyone’s ears bleeding.

I carry in a left draw shoulder holster when driving for threats from outside the car.

what I do has nothing to do with what anyone else should do. I am sharing, not advising.

If there was a driver self defense course I would pay good money to take it.

 

[westernrover]

drive an old beat up ford f150. no worries

People car jack for several reasons.

• One is to obtain vehicles for parts.
• Another is to obtain vehicles for vin-swaps.
• A third would be to obtain a vehicle for the impending commission of another crime.
• A fourth would be to obtain a get-a-way vehicle following another crime.
• A fifth would be for a joy-ride.
• Yet another reason might be to kidnap/rape/murder the vehicle occupant.

A beat up car is less likely to be selected for parts. Common models like F150's are in high demand because the parts are in high demand -- there are a lot of similar vehicles needing donor parts. Highly customized vehicles are often passed over because the parts aren't compatible and the customizations are too conspicuous for vin swaps, but desireable luxury vehicles can be targeted for export overseas. The least likely to be targeted would be the equivalent of Pee-Wee Herman's bike -- a rare and unusual vehicle that nobody wants or needs parts from.

Car-jacking is a violent crime that is unusual for typical auto thieves and auto parts thieves. The majority of thieves aren't willing to do violence. It isn't adviseable to count on a thief not being violent when confronted, but it should be understood that for someone demonstrating a will to do violence (all carjackers), the motivation has a high probability of going beyond property theft. Because of this, the victim of a carjacker has to consider the high probability that they have been caught up in a crime-spree or that they themselves rather than their car may be the target of their attacker. In any of these cases, the kind of vehicle you drive will have no bearing on you being selected for a target.

 

[aaaaa]

Worst is if you have a baby strapped into a car seat in the rear and you can't get the baby out.

I don't know, can we put high voltage or amperage into the door handles as the perp tries to open the door?

 

[theotherwaldo]

People car jack for several reasons.

• One is to obtain vehicles for parts.
• Another is to obtain vehicles for vin-swaps.
• A third would be to obtain a vehicle for the impending commission of another crime.
• A fourth would be to obtain a get-a-way vehicle following another crime.
• A fifth would be for a joy-ride.
• Yet another reason might be to kidnap/rape/murder the vehicle occupant.

A beat up car is less likely to be selected for parts. Common models like F150's are in high demand because the parts are in high demand -- there are a lot of similar vehicles needing donor parts. Highly customized vehicles are often passed over because the parts aren't compatible and the customizations are too conspicuous for vin swaps, but desireable luxury vehicles can be targeted for export overseas. The least likely to be targeted would be the equivalent of Pee-Wee Herman's bike -- a rare and unusual vehicle that nobody wants or needs parts from.

Car-jacking is a violent crime that is unusual for typical auto thieves and auto parts thieves. The majority of thieves aren't willing to do violence. It isn't adviseable to count on a thief not being violent when confronted, but it should be understood that for someone demonstrating a will to do violence (all carjackers), the motivation has a high probability of going beyond property theft. Because of this, the victim of a carjacker has to consider the high probability that they have been caught up in a crime-spree or that they themselves rather than their car may be the target of their attacker. In any of these cases, the kind of vehicle you drive will have no bearing on you being selected for a target.

-A sixth is to enable a criminal illegal (but I repeat myself) to evade capture between the border and a sanctuary city.
An innocuous, beat-up vehicle is ideal for this... .

 

[CDW4ME]

I drive a convertible; benefit of living in FL is the top is down most of the time, excepting rain. Tip to avoiding carjacking is don't drive convertible.
That said, getting this occupant out of the convertible may not go as planned.
If they do manage to remove occupant from convertible it would behoove them to be able to drive a stick shift. They may need to drive to a hospital.
And they are gonna need the fob thing from my pocket or the car will shut down fairly quick, key not detected.

 

[shafter]

The only way to win is to refuse to play. If an armed person makes it into the back seat while you are in the front you've already lost unless you get really lucky. If someone sits directly behind you in the back seat a gun isn't going to help you much and your only chance may be to bail out. This is why cops have mandatory policies to handcuff behind the back and do thorough searches.

Avoid bad parts of town as best you can.
Check your back seat before you get in.
Keep your doors locked at all times.
Roll windows up when forced to slow down or stop in suspicious areas
Avoid coming to a complete stop if possible. Time your approach to red lights and speed up and slow down accordingly.
Pay attention at gas stations and leave if someone in the area seems off.

The chances of someone actually getting into my vehicle if I'm following all of the above precautions is extremely small and it isn't something I really worry about. The biggest risk would be for Uber or Taxi drivers who drive strangers and have no way to restrain or check for weapons.

 

[FL-NC]

Unfortunately I can't share some of the tricks I know to mitigate this sort of thing. I will say that its a good idea to take the keys with you every time you exit a car for a number of reasons. And, I can make just about anyone not want to be a passenger when I am driving, if someone is foolish enough to want to steal my vehicle and make me drive. I have great faith in seatbelts and airbags.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Unfortunately I can't share some of the tricks I know to mitigate this sort of thing. I will say that its a good idea to take the keys with you every time you exit a car for a number of reasons. And, I can make just about anyone not want to be a passenger when I am driving, if someone is foolish enough to want to steal my vehicle and make me drive. I have great faith in seatbelts and airbags.

Dad taught me to drive.
He used to run booze with the Allison boys.
I learned from a master... .

 

[Simple Shooter]

Do you see dangerous shady behavior occurring around you? Run a red light, make an illegal turn, drive across a median, do whatever you need to do to drive away from the situation. Consider it a blessing if a police officer witnesses it and pulls you over…that at least helps with the acute danger situation.

This is good advise and something I taught in crime avoidance programs I used to run for traveling nurses and other business groups. In such a situation, you want the attention of law enforcement and will have an opportunity to explain your actions.

Someone who just wants your car wants you out of the vehicle. But the criminal who tells you to drive wants something more (you) and this is a situation that will not end well. If you believe the assailant intends you harm, consider crashing your vehicle. This takes away the manner of transportation and may give you a chance to escape.

 

[lightman]

1. Situational awareness.
2. Lock your stupid doors, first thing.
3. Don't linger in transitional spaces.
4. Vehicles are probably covered by insurance. Funerals may not be.

I use a combination of these but the main thing is Situational awareness --- When I'm walking to the car or about to exit the car I'm looking around. As soon as I get it the car I lock it. I also glance in the back seat before entering the car. I lock the car everytime I exit it. I try to time stop lights so as to not get stopped. This can be tough to do in the city with traffic. I also usually have a handgun under hand and a headknocker close by.

 

[AlexanderA]

Drive a manual-shift vehicle. That reduces the chances of the carjacker being able to drive it. It's surprising how many people don't know how to drive a stick shift.

 

[Kleanbore]

Drive a manual-shift vehicle. That reduces the chances of the carjacker being able to drive it. It's surprising how many people don't know how to drive a stick shift.

Might that increase the likelihood that you will have to go along?

 

[Speedo66]

A few years ago we had a woman in the area get carjacked. A team had blocked a small road, said their car was broke down when she asked what was going on. At that point they stuck a knife in her face and a bad guy had her drive him to her bank and attempt to withdraw cash from the ATM.

She did, but he still wanted her to stay with him, at that point she exited the car and started screaming and he took off.

The idiots tried the exact same thing a few days later, same spot, this time they were apprehended by the local police. No genius there.

The previous victim was smart to try and run and make a lot of noise. Who knows what else they had in mind for her...

 

[Coyote3855]

Might that increase the likelihood that you will have to go along?

Or the jackers shoot you out of frustration?

 

[theotherwaldo]

Just because you lock your car doors and keep your windows up doesn't make you safer if you're dealing with a pro.
Car burglars have developed gloves that have a built-in window breaker spike in the palm or back.
All that they have to do is slap a side window and they are in... .

 

[Coyote3855]

Just because you lock your car doors and keep your windows up doesn't make you safer if you're dealing with a pro.
Car burglars have developed gloves that have a built-in window breaker spike in the palm or back.
All that they have to do is slap a side window and they are in... .

Haven't heard of that but it gives me an extra second to draw my firearm.

 

[Kleanbore]

Haven't heard of that but it gives me an extra second to draw my firearm.

What does?

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Is there anyone else that feels that video just shows what we all already know?

Basic precautions and keep your head on a swivel type things?

Beyond that you do you and I'll do me.

 

[Matthew Temkin]

You would be surprised how many walk around oblivious to their surroundings.
Or fall victim to the, “it can’t happen to me” syndrome.

 

[crestoncowboy]

. The risk of resisting with a weapon may be worth taking. Do it covertly, with a weapon and arm that are not on his side of you.

Better to jump out and run first, if you can.

I know of only one case around here where the car jacker got in the back seat. He was foolish and reach around over the seat to choke the owner with some type of rope or chain (don't recall what it was) and he was shot through the seat with a 38.


Most of my vehicles are old trucks with no back seat, motorcycle, cars with no back seat, or cars with a back seat that is so small no criminal could even think of hiding in the back seat.....I struggled to fit my 10 year old 75 lb girl in my cars back seats. I also have a 2 door wrangler that never has doors or a top. All but my 2021 f150 are manual shift too.

Pretty much the only chance that a jacker has is gaining entry via outside my vehicle. Or he could wait till I go in a store and just use the key in the switch.