Security: Always be Aware of Your Surroundings (I was Robbed!)

It was around 11:20 p.m. on a Wednesday night. It was late, but there were items that I had to take care of at my carwash. I finished my checklist and decided to call it a night. I set the alarm in the equipment room, locked the door and then got into my truck.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Hey man, you got 50 cents for me to ride the bus?” a nervous voice asked.

“Sure,” I said.

I’m a nice guy and like to help others, so I rolled down the window and gave the man a $1 bill. The next thing I knew, another man came out of nowhere and lunged a semi-automatic pistol in my face.

“Give me your wallet!” he screamed.

I was in shock. “What?”

“Give me your [expletive] wallet!”

I reached for my wallet, and he screamed, “Get your hands in the air!”

I didn’t know what to say. The next thing I knew, the guy reached into the truck and ripped open the door. He grabbed me by the shoulder, pulled me out and jammed the gun into the back of my neck.

This nightmare continued for several more minutes. There was no time to be a superhero. My life was on the line. I was in such shock that I was not scared. I did everything that they demanded.

People say that your life flashes before your eyes in a situation like this. This was not true for me, although a series of events did take place in my head. First, I was overwhelmed with sadness that my children would have to grow up without their daddy. Second, I knew I had to cooperate with everything the robber demanded. He was very nervous and with the slightest twitch of his finger, my life could be over. Third, I prayed, “Lord, I need your help.”

Then, as fast as the attack came on, it ended. I was physically unharmed.

The robbers got away with my wallet and my cell phone. I immediately ran to the equipment room and dialed 911. The police were on the scene within two minutes. The robbers got away, but the whole event was captured by my video surveillance system.

My carwash is in a very safe neighborhood. I have never had issues like this before. The police said that I was just in the wrong place at the right time. This was a random act of violence.

After going through this nightmare, here are a few things I highly recommend:

First and foremost, always be aware of your surroundings. Secondly, if you do not have a camera system installed at your carwash, buy one and make sure the system is designed by a professional. Make sure every area of you carwash is covered.

In addition, make sure every square inch of your lot is well lit. If you have areas, such as landscaping or retention ponds, that do not require permanent lighting, then install floodlights with motion sensors to ensure a would-be robber has no dark areas to lurk.

Photocopy everything you keep in your wallet: credit cards, membership cards, driver’s license, etc. Copy both the front and back of these items and keep the document in a safe place. I had already copied my information because I travel on a weekly basis. If I ever lost my wallet, I wanted an easy way to call and cancel my credit cards. This proved to be a good idea because I canceled every one of my credit and ATM cards within an hour.

The robbers were actually trying to use one of my cards while I was on the phone canceling it. The police detective working on my case said the photocopy of my wallet contents was very helpful to him.

Another idea is to make a distinguishing mark in your wallet, such as a red dot with a permanent marker, that would go unnoticed by an untrained eye but could help you and the police identify it.

If you ever become a victim of a robbery, remain calm. Do not try to be a superhero. Your life is worth more than the personal contents in your wallet. If you are able, look for special features about the robber that will help identify him: a limp, a scar on his face, a certain tattoo, facial hair, particular smell, etc.

Also take note of height; weight; approximate age; hairstyle; style, color and brand of clothing and shoes.

If a weapon is involved, which hand is the robber holding it in?

Be aware of your surroundings and take preventive measures to help avert a violent attack. I hope you never have to experience anything like this. It is life changing. I am still dealing with the after effects of the incident.

The irony of the situation is I had no money in my wallet. When the robbers are apprehended, they could spend a minimum of 15 years in prison. Folks, I really need you to take me on that fishing trip now. Wash on!

Bobby Willis has been in the carwash industry for 13 years. He currently owns Cool Wave Carwashes in Virginia and is the investor market manager for Ryko Manufacturing Co. Bobby speaks often at regional and national trade shows on carwash marketing and site selection. He can be reached at bwillis@coolwavecarwash.com.