Odd !!!

[kikkthecat]

Strange thing happened yesterday. Therese asked me to pick her up from the library and on my way down I spotted in my mirror a very nice pale blue E Class coupe with a private plate. I had the top down and it pulled alongside at Odsal roundabout and the 3 aisan guys in the coupe started chatting. "Nice car" that sort of thing. I complemented them on the look of their car and we took different exits from the roundabout.
When I picked up Therese she said she would like to look round Huddersfield market about 15 miles away. Complete surprise as we haven't been for 3 years but no problem, so having driven to Huddersfield I parked at the bus station multi story. Being a little fussy I parked on the top floor well away from everyone else and went to get a ticket.
As I was walking back to the car what came round the corner and parked next to me.... The same pale blue E220 with the same 3 people in it. Of course they were looking at my empty car and I cant say if they were surprised or not when I went to put the ticket on the car but I can say for certain I was.
So I called Therese over and told her we were leaving. I went to Halifax and parked up at a cafe where I could watch the car but saw nothing untoward.

It may be just a coincidence, but I first saw this car about a mile and a half from home, I then went into Bradford city centre and then to Huddersfield town centre and dont recall seeing it again during the journey. To find it parking next to me within minutes of me stopping unsettled me just a bit.

What do you think ? Coincidence or was I being paranoid ?


*edit* Having just read Thmsshaun's post maybe not so paranoid after all

 

[Alfie]

Strange thing happened yesterday. Therese asked me to pick her up from the library and on my way down I spotted in my mirror a very nice pale blue E Class coupe with a private plate. I had the top down and it pulled alongside at Odsal roundabout and the 3 aisan guys in the coupe started chatting. "Nice car" that sort of thing. I complemented them on the look of their car and we took different exits from the roundabout.
When I picked up Therese she said she would like to look round Huddersfield market about 15 miles away. Complete surprise as we haven't been for 3 years but no problem, so having driven to Huddersfield I parked at the bus station multi story. Being a little fussy I parked on the top floor well away from everyone else and went to get a ticket.
As I was walking back to the car what came round the corner and parked next to me.... The same pale blue E220 with the same 3 people in it. Of course they were looking at my empty car and I cant say if they were surprised or not when I went to put the ticket on the car but I can say for certain I was.
So I called Therese over and told her we were leaving. I went to Halifax and parked up at a cafe where I could watch the car but saw nothing untoward.

It may be just a coincidence, but I first saw this car about a mile and a half from home, I then went into Bradford city centre and then to Huddersfield town centre and dont recall seeing it again during the journey. To find it parking next to me within minutes of me stopping unsettled me just a bit.

What do you think ? Coincidence or was I being paranoid ?


*edit* Having just read Thmsshaun's post maybe not so paranoid after all

What are the distances involved between these points of 'observation'?

 

[Brian WH]

Better to be safe than sorry Ray. Instinct has saved me many a time from various things.

 

[PJH]

Would you have noticed 3 people in a Fiesta ?
See if it happens again tomorrow, assuming your car doesn't disappear tonight.

 

[Will]

I think you were right to be safe instead of sorry. A W124 cabriolet could be an easy/popular target for thieves, but it was probably coincidence in all honesty.

Perhaps I am sad but I regularly notice certain cars (frequently Mercedes!) whilst driving around, and then see them at another part of my journey.

After the second time, did you manage to get the registration details just in case

Hope all is fine,

Will

 

[High-Lo]

Better to be safe than sorry Ray. Once went out to the West End with my cousin in his Golf and parked around St James Square. We saw another Golf just double parked a short distance away with a few young lads inside. We were only gone for about an hour but when we came back the front bumper and grille had been removed as well as interior trim parts like the passenger sunvisor, door (lock) pins, etc. Obviously knew exactly what they were after.

Would have loved to have caught them in the act

Steve

 

[Sp!ke]

You are right to be suspicious... the chances of ending up at the same car park are slim bearing in mind you took different exits off the roundabout... the chances of them 'accidentally' going the extra distance in the multi story car park are far far slimmer. I recon you did the right thing by swiftly moving on.

Always best to err on the side of caution I recon.

Just to give you an idea how far people will go to get a particular vehicle, A mate had a particularly exotic Buel stolen and it turned out the theives had rented a flat overlooking his house and had been watching his movements for a whole week before picking the right moment to move in and take it.

 

[peterchurch]

That was a close call

Its a shame that you cant trust fellow owners these days isn't it

 

[BearFace]

About six months ago, a friend of mine was driving home from Bradford to Huddersfield in his new VW Golf GT Tdi when he became aware of a Vectra containing a group of Asian guys (no predjudice here, but they were Asian) following him and driving quite aggressively.

He tried to ignore what he thought was paranoia, but after taking a few unusual detours, it became clear that these guys were following him. This was confirmed soon after when he rejoined the M62 and they pulled alongside him, gesturing him to pull over. Of course he didn't, and when these guys realised he wasn't playing ball, their agressiveness increased to idiocy and recklessness - swerving across him and trying to cut him up at speed. At this point he called the police on his mobile and they asked him to follow a specific route, assuring him that they'd meet up with the chase in minutes.

The police car appeared within five minutes and simply stayed at a distance behind for about two miles. When the chasing Vectra clocked their presence they bolted off at the same junction my mate was about to exit. The police driver gave chase and my friend went home. He was later told that the driver of the car had been cautioned for his driving, but that no other charges could be brought without solid evidence. The police did tell my mate however, that the Asian guys were undoubtedly trying to steal his Golf and that the practice of carjacking in the Bradford area was a big problem.

In short, you were absolutely right to be paranoid. In future, the very last place you should park is in a multi-storey. Street parking or a prominent, busy car-park are the best places to leave a nice motor. Just my thoughts

 

[GrahamC230K]

Sounds like a wise move Ray. No harm even if they were harmless.

I did chuckle at a scenario that came to mind though....

Ray has serial computer problems and misses numerous posts about a GTG, which happens to be near where he's visiting that day.

Imagine Ray's paranoia increasing, he begins to sweat as this is the umpteenth Mercedes that has driven past him at various junctions, each time the occupants looking in at him and his car, giving an admiring nod!!

LOL. Sorry. Made me laugh!

 

[Flash]

Best to take precautions... I would have done the same thing. Follow ur instincts at the time. Usual tactics used by the gang is to shunt the car from behind in a light collison in order to get the driver of the targeted car to get out (usually driver leaves key behind in ignition and they then make off or force u to hand over the key...)

What was their reaction when u spotted them at the multi story park - like Spike said the chances of them being their by coincidence aftee taking another turning and ending up right next to ur car in a multi storey car park are slim...