Another Fan Mugging
The RTD has this report of another mugging last night in the Fan. Sounds similar to this.
A man was robbed at gunpoint in an alley behind his Fan District home last night. The man told Richmond police he was getting out of his car behind his home in the 1600 block of West Grace Street when he was confronted by two suspects, one of whom had a gun. The suspects instructed him to put his wallet in a bag they were carrying, and when he complied, they ran. The victim, who was not injured, told police the robbery happened so fast that he was unable to get a good description of the suspects.
It seems like armed assaults are much higher than usual in the Fan. We haven’t had a Sector Community Newsletter from Lieutenant Capriglione since July 2009. Sector 313 should be communicating with us on their plan to reduce the assaults.
I know my plan — get a gun and a carry permit to deal with these thugs that are apparently now roaming the streets of the Fan at all hours and boldly mugging people on Grove Avenue at 10pm. If the police won’t act, I’ll protect myself.
@FanGuy – The VA Concealed Handgun Permit is fairly easy to get – you need to take a class and then fill out some paperwork. The class + the filing fee usually cost less than $150 together.
As someone who carries, I know that drawing/shooting is absolutely the last resort. The best plan is simply to avoid presenting yourself as a vulnerable target. That these muggings are occurring earlier is very troubling, and I’m worried that they may soon graduate to armed home invasions.
The following was distributed to the FDA email distribution list from City Council Rep. Charles Samuels:
“There have been several robberies in the Fan area in the past several weeks. I’ve met with police officials to review what we can do to reduce the number of such crimes.
I have requested the police add additional patrols, including bicycle police and also asked they place plain-clothes officers on the streets with the hopes of catching these criminals. Currently the police have leads and are working those leads. These events do not appear to be related to one another.
I am concerned about these events and have offered the police any assistance I can provide as your Councilman.
My thoughts go out to the victims. As always, please contact me if you have any issues or concerns.”