Guy at the door says he's "looking for gas" with no gas can

[OffWhiteKnight]

A while back I went to pick a friend up for work, on the way there he mentioned that his wife was a little nervous about him leaving that night, because that afternoon while he was sleeping some guy had knocked on the door and told her was looking for gas, he had run out and his car was blocking their driveway. I'm not sure exactly what she told him, I know she didn't let him in or try to give him anything. But as he was leaving she noticed he didn't have anything to put gas in if he found it, and it struck her as odd that he knocked on their door, when their house was up on a hill and couldn't be seen from the road, instead of going to one of the houses that were right on the road. She went to a spot in the yard she could see the start of the driveway from and there was no car there. I told my friend I was surprised he was going to work that night because he kept saying he wished she had woken him up when she noticed the guy was "looking for gas" without a gas can and he told me he wasn't that worried.. the dogs were out and she had the sheriff's number and knew where his guns were. I still think I would have called off that night in his place, and I might have called the sheriff and reported the guy looking for gas without a gas can or car to put it in. What would you do in a situation like this?

[TacAir]

We often get oddballs showing up at the door, since we have posted the property, they are told to leave. No discussion, no 'what's your problem' - just leave, thanks.

If they look really off, we call the police to report a 'suspicious person' - by and large they are talking to the person within a few minutes.

So, in the this case - REPORT IT - with all the details possible. So it cuts into a donut break, it's your tax money, get something for it.

[lailr]

Lots of times in my area, guys will do this who are casing houses to rob.... have your buddy put his house on the Sheriffs Dept welfare check list

[Regular Guy]

Another good one for folks looking to rob are carpet cleaners. Gives them the ability to scope out every room. I'm not talking the Stanly Steamer guys, the guys working out of a '82 maroon Chevy Venture. Yeah, I called on a crew that knocked on my door. The sheriff found them with a bunch of stuff the homeowners didn't even know they took.
My strong rule of thumb, I don't open the door unless I know the person or I called to have someone come by. In my 'hood it's not allowed to go door to door selling things and there is a law against it.

[whisk.e.rebellion]

[lokifz1]

This is a classic way to case a home for a burglary. Please call the local Police Sheriff and report these guys after you tell them to beat feet. Car descriptions and tag numbers are great, just dont put yourself at risk to get them.

[mariposa]

I would call local law enforcement, report the guy as a suspicious person and ask for extra patrolling in the area. Being female, I'd also be concerned about the possibility of him wanting to carry out a sexual assault.

[Blacksmith]

This is one of those times of the year when bums transit from one part of the country to another. When we lived right off a highway we would get 3-4 visits in the mid spring and mid fall under similar circumstances. Not much you can do about it just be extra aware and don't make yourself a target.

[Zimmy]

This happened on our farm while I was home. It was ridiculous for someone wanting gas to have walked up to my house due to it's remoteness and off the normal roads folks travel.

I peeked out the window and saw a stranger so I opened the door with a rifle in hand. Not a super sexy black rifle, but a Henry Big Boy .44. I asked him aggressively what he wanted. Same BS: need gas, blah, blah. He had a junky little sedan with a bunch of stuff in it. I told him to put his DL on the porch and back up. When he moved back I got the DL and called a buddy with the sheriff's dept. I said I had Joe Bum, Dl # 13211872 and he was looking for free gas. He ran the guy's info and said he was clear on warrants and there hadn't been any burglaries sounding like this technique in the area.

Since he looked like he was clear, I gave him 5 gallons of gas and sent him on his way with a God Bless and Good Luck. He offered to bring me gas or cash when he was paid and I told him to just pass the blessing forward. "Besides", I told him, "if you come here when I am not here my menopausal wife will cheerfully shoot your ass dead. She's gotten so bad she's unemployable and stays here pissed off most of the time."

Actually, my sweet wife was home due to breast cancer (we won ), but I didn't want any percieved weakness in my AO.

About two weeks later there was a 20 dollar bill in the mailbox in an envelope labeled merely "Thanks"

[Heem]

This happened on our farm while I was home. It was ridiculous for someone wanting gas to have walked up to my house due to it's remoteness and off the normal roads folks travel.

I peeked out the window and saw a stranger so I opened the door with a rifle in hand. Not a super sexy black rifle, but a Henry Big Boy .44. I asked him aggressively what he wanted. Same BS: need gas, blah, blah. He had a junky little sedan with a bunch of stuff in it. I told him to put his DL on the porch and back up. When he moved back I got the DL and called a buddy with the sheriff's dept. I said I had Joe Bum, Dl # 13211872 and he was looking for free gas. He ran the guy's info and said he was clear on warrants and there hadn't been any burglaries sounding like this technique in the area.

Since he looked like he was clear, I gave him 5 gallons of gas and sent him on his way with a God Bless and Good Luck. He offered to bring me gas or cash when he was paid and I told him to just pass the blessing forward. "Besides", I told him, "if you come here when I am not here my menopausal wife will cheerfully shoot your ass dead. She's gotten so bad she's unemployable and stays here pissed off most of the time."

Actually, my sweet wife was home due to breast cancer (we won ), but I didn't want any percieved weakness in my AO.

About two weeks later there was a 20 dollar bill in the mailbox in an envelope labeled merely "Thanks"

Good to hear your wife is doing well.

While working at an unoccupied property back a lane in the woods, my car got stuck in the mud and I couldn't get it out. I had to walk about a mile to the nearest farm for help. The farmer was great, he got his tractor & chains and 30 minutes later I was back on the road (I gave him some money). That was 35 years ago, before things got dangerous with strangers showing up at the door. Be careful with the lone young woman knocking on your door, they can be used to lower your guard while dangerous scumbags are hiding close by out of sight. This has been a good home invasion technique that has gotten people killed.

On the rare occasion that our door bell rings, I answer it with my .45 in hand hidden behind a half opened door if I don't recognize who's on the porch. And another thing - no one comes in the house.

[Okelly]

I live by a national park, and I can say thats happened to me several times over the years. apparently your average american no longer carries Jumper cables or Gas cans believing they have magical batteries and vehicles that will always have just enough juice or fuel to get them home.

usually my shotgun is behind the door and my pistol in my hand out of sight when I open the door, if they are playing a scam, and are brave enough to get past my Dog, I will have plenty of time to shoot them as the dog drags them around on the porch. LOL.

[RickOShea]

I'm not saying the guy wasn't shady......But how many people that do run out of gas have a "gas can" in their vehicle? Probably not very many.

And that's probably why most gas stations (atleast in my AO) sell gas cans.

[PackLemming]

Tell the guy directions to the nearest gas station, try to get the mans name, try to identify the car he is travelling in and any companions in the car but ALWAYS keep the foot at the base of the door ready to slam it when speaking through the gap you strategically maintained as if you were wearing a towel fresh from the shower.

After the guy buggers off make a note of plates, clothing, accent, race, hair style, facial hair, age and TIME that you met the man at your doorstep.

[wolverine_173]

Just answer the door with a gun in your hand and make sure they see you have one and they probably wont try to rob you

[Zen Chameleon]

I'm not saying the guy wasn't shady......But how many people that do run out of gas have a "gas can" in their vehicle? Probably not very many.

And that's probably why most gas stations (atleast in my AO) sell gas cans.

^^^This really is a good point

Notifying the law is always a good thing (just in case). I have helped just as many folks as I've turned away, that's sometimes situational but the older I get the more likely I've avoided helping strangers. I hate that on a moral level but you have to protect yourself and yours first and for most.

[RickOShea]

Just answer the door with a gun in your hand and make sure they see you have one and they probably wont try to rob you

Or, instead of just throwing away the literature that the "nicely dressed folks" leave wedged in the door jamb......Swing that door wide open, hand them a pamphlet, and in an exuberant voice ask, "Brother, have you heard the good news ???"

[PackLemming]

Well hate all you like, at least you have a free press that will publish their material.

[RickOShea]

Well hate all you like, at least you have a free press that will publish their material.

No hate, none at all....just an option. The one that usually comes to my door flew AH-1s in 'Nam and his son, IIRC, is currently a helo instructor at Mother Rucker, so we usually end up talking about "fling-wings".