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Police say 'safety first' when it comes to robberies, carjackingsYORK, Pa., Sep 28, 2011 (York Daily Record - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Police advocate keeping a cool head and remaining vigilant to try to prevent becoming a victim of a carjacking or robbery, but say no amount of money, vehicle or any other item is worth dying over. There have been two carjackings in as many days in York -- one of which saw a man pistol-whipped -- and also another pistol-whipping during a robbery in Manchester Township this week. No arrests have been made in any of the crimes. Springettsbury Township Sgt. Dan Stump called carjacking "a crime of opportunity," in that the robber might decide what he wants to do, but then spot a victim, and pursue them. "They're just waiting for the person who gives them the best opportunity," he said. The key is to decrease the chances that you will be the victim, Stump said. When driving, it's best to keep doors locked and windows up, he said. Also, "know where you're going and be aware of your surroundings; have a designated route," he added. Many carjackings happen when someone is lost and stops somewhere to get their bearings, Stump said. In the event that a carjacking is imminent, blowing the vehicle's horn or pressing the alert button on the key fob are good ways to get attention, and might even scare off the would-be robber, said Northern York County Regional Police Lt. David Lash. "Anytime a car alarm goes off, the reaction is to look in that direction," Lash said. The more witnesses to a crime, the easier the investigation will be, he said. However, if a robbery is unavoidable, comply with the robber's demands, but make mental notes of what they are wearing, any unusual markings like tattoos, both marks or scars, and what direction they were last headed, Lash said. "In our situation, the victim did the best he could," he said. "He tried to get into his vehicle, it was blocked (by the robber). He complied with the demands and gave the robber what little he had. ... In the end, some cash is not worth your life." The victim gave police a description of the robber: a black male, 6-feet-1-inch tall, with a thin build, dark-colored jacket and a lighter gray material covering his face. "Remember, it's safety first for you and all of your occupants," Stump said. "All other property, including the car, is a distant second." The crimes --- A 43-year-old Mount Wolf man suffered a black eye and cuts after being pistol-whipped during a robbery Sunday outside of a bank in Manchester Township, according to Northern York County Regional Police. The man told police that at 6:22 a.m., he had just finished using the ATM outside of the Metro Bank in the first block of Arsenal Road, when he saw a man running towards him, police said. As the victim tried to close the door to his car, the man pulled out a handgun and demanded money, police said. The man struck the victim with the gun twice, taking a small amount of cash, police said. --- Leon Boozer, of York, told city police at 7 a.m. that while he was at the intersection of East King and South Pine streets, York, he was robbed of his 2001 Gold Buick Century, cash and his cellphone by five people, all armed with handguns. --- James Wilson told police he was pistol-whipped and carjacked in York on Monday night, according to a news release. Wilson said that at 10:05 p.m., an unknown person approached him while he was in the parking lot of the Turkey Hill Minit Market, 594 W. Market St., struck him in the head with a pistol and took his vehicle, police said. The vehicle was later found unoccupied, police said. To help Anyone with information about the pistol whipping and robbery in Manchester Township is asked to call police at 292-3647 or use the crime reporting tip line at www.nycrpd.org. Anyone with information about the carjackings in York is asked to call York City Police at 846-1234 or send an anonymous text to TIP411 (847411) by typing the word YORKTIPS, then leaving a message. [email protected]; 771-2033. ___ (c)2011 York Daily Record (York, Pa.) Visit York Daily Record (York, Pa.) at www.ydr.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |