Jogger confronted by gun-toting man

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

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By MARSHA DORGAN
Register Staff Writer

3 p.m.A Napa jogger was confronted by a gun-toting man just after midnight Monday.

The jogger was in the 100 block of DeWitt Avenue when a Hispanic man approached him and demanded money, police said.

The jogger told the would-be robber he had no money, at which time the man pulled a black handgun and threatened to kill the jogger, police said.

He also told the jogger to get inside his car, which is described as a silver late 1980s or early 1990s Chrysler.

The jogger was able to run away as the man chased him for a short distance.

The jogger jumped over several fences into a backyard, where the homeowner called police for the jogger.

The man is described as Hispanic, about 20 years old, with a dark mustache, wearing a white tank top. He has a tattoo along his left arm.

Anyone with information is asked to call Napa police at 257-9223.

50 comment(s)

crusherfan wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:19 PM:

" note to self: don't jog after midnight.... "

crusherfan wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:20 PM:

" note to self: when jogging after midnight,dont stop to talk to strangers "

steph wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:42 PM:

" Awesome workout!

No, but seriously, that's pretty scary stuff. Glad the jogger got away. "

my name here wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:46 PM:

" Hispanic? 20 years old? Dark mustache, white tank top, tattoo. OMG! That's my neighbor!!! "

comment wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:47 PM:

" Two stupid people in this one. You don't jog at midnight and you don't rob a jogger. They aren't going to be carrying money. "

y2kcbr wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:00 PM:

" @ Comment
You took the words right out of my mouth. BUY A RUNNING MACHINE (or buy the one my wife 'had' to have for xmas....it's been in the garage since Jan. 10th. "

crusherfan wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:04 PM:

" Is it possible the jogger got caught snooping around in someones back yard and made the whole thing up?

Suspect::Hey,give me your money
Jogger:I dont have my wallet,no pockets in my running shorts Suspect:Oh,..uh...get in my car.
Jogger:No,and starts hopping fences??
Something is missing "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:22 PM:

" Assuming the story is true as reported (ahem), something stinks... Either that, or thoe two can be identified as 'Dumb' and 'Dumber'.....

Running from a mugger with a gun...??? That jogger must think he's faster than a speeding bullet. Maybe he recently saw the Batman movie.... "

GetReal! wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:22 PM:

" "No, I wasn't checking out your wife or your daughters," explained the pie hawker. "I was chased into your back yard by a Mexican trying to rob me at gunpoint."
Well come on in and I'll call the cops," responds gullible homeowner, "hey, why are you looking in my daughters room, you said you had to go to the bathroom!"

Just filling in the gaps for crusherfan. "

bob wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:27 PM:

" "note to self: carry gun when jogging even the odds" "

clonapa wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:40 PM:

" Jogging after midnight...it shouldnt matter what time it was!! Im not saying this is or isnt the case, but alot of people that work in the restraunt industry usually dont get off work till 12-1am and I personally know a lot of people who do jog and work out at that time...is it safe? No, but its still no excuse! "

jb123 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:47 PM:

" or perhaps the jogger has the right to jog after midnight without being assaulted??? crusherfan! Must be nice to know everthing... "

crusherfan wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Hey JB123,
If it sounds legit to you,then so be it.
I could be wrong,I was only commenting on how it sounds in the story.Maybe the jogger did have pockets. "

napablogger wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:21 PM:

" carry a gun, we need to make it easier for law abiding citizens to conceal carry. Once word got out that a lot of joggers carry at night, all the problems will stop.

Females should definitely be carrying. "

realist2 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:22 PM:

" EXACTLY why I bought a treadmil!! "

missmarvelous wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:21 PM:

" What? No one has asked if the "perp" was from Vallejo or outside of Napa? Everyone knows that the citizens of Napa are as "pure as the driven snow..." Sorry to be so snide, but the constant negative Vallejo, American Canyon and "black" comments have been too much! "

Bauhausfan wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:28 PM:

" Napablogger - carry a gun, we need to make it easier for law abiding citizens to conceal carry. Once word got out that a lot of joggers carry at night, all the problems will stop.

Females should definitely be carrying. "

You remind me of the man who wrote into the Chronicle a couple of weeks ago to say that every home should have a gun and that all children should be taught in elementary school how to use a gun. "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:37 PM:

" Every home should have a weapon, and children in those homes should be taught the safe use of those weapons.

I do, and my kids are. My neighbor is pleased that I am armed, because his wife won't allow him to have a weapon in the house. He's in dreamland if he thinks I'm gonna run over there and start shooting if he gets into trouble. Then again, he has a years worth of food stored up, so if times get real tough.... (heh heh)

Just kidding..... Haaaaaaaaa......... "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:04 PM:

" Stun gun for joggers. "

bchiloquin wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:09 PM:

" NEVER JOG IN WESTWOOD,YOU WILL GET MUGGED "

napapeace wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:26 PM:

" 1) Of course he would run from a gunman who's demanding him to get in the car (probably to retrieve wallet/cash from home). Get in the car and your dead. Any cop would tell you to never get in the car.

2) I used to get off my restaurant job at 2:00 a.m. How about not blaming the victim?

3) Smart move to hop the fence for safety. For those who think the victim's to blame, I hope you never have to experience a gun at your head. An incident like that may change your perspective of what "dumb" really is. "

plepgeat wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:49 PM:

" I only jog while carrying a treadmill. My awesome strength and buffness ward off muggers. Also, my wife won't let me jog on the treadmill in the livingroom with my gun any more. "

barefoot wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:29 PM:

" Pretty good description, even for a daylight scenario. Seems to me like the victim knows who tried to rob him. "

steph wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:53 PM:

" Nice, plepgeat.

Very, very nice. You must have like some KILLER calf muscles. "

NAPACHICA wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:37 PM:

" To y2kcbr: please sell me your wife's treadmill because I would hate to have no other alternative then to jog at midnight! I do feel sorry for the victim and only he knows how it feels to be mugged but come jogging at midnight! "

funnyme wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:47 PM:

" bob,
I'd like to jog with you. It just kinda make sense! "

wowquebonita wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:19 PM:

" Ehhh...we live in America don't we? I don't blame the jogger for jogging so late/early. I myself am a night time person. People should do whatever they please with their own time as long as they don't perturb others i.e; loud music, outside noise, and talking loud.

Uhmm PEPER SPRAY it does wonders. "

Baraki wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:40 PM:

" Those whose wives jog when / where they shouldn't (or anyone for that matter) might check out Taser's C2 model. It'll shock you (the attacker I mean) onto your butt -- for 30 straight seconds. Cops carry one that shocks for 5 seconds max. 30 seconds is plenty of time to shock and run... Plus if you file a police report when you have to use it, the company will replace your taser cartridge for free. Definitely an alternative for those squeamish about carrying guns or for activities where it's impractical / illegal to carry. My wife works in an environment where she couldn't take a gun, but works late sometimes. I worry about her walking to her car, except when she has her hand on the taser! If you doubt the effectiveness, volunteer to get shocked sometime in a controlled environment (self defense seminar, gun show, etc.). No more doubts. "

NAPA66 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:56 PM:

" Maybe our jogger could enter the Olympics in dual running and broad jumping. No, I shouldn't make fun, it was a serious situation. "

pernodboi wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:19 PM:

" Dwayne - you scare me.

But....

We should all get together and mob jog. Plepgeat and Dwayne could be the armed gaurds - we could get them deputised and issue special badges. I of course would be in the catering cart mixing cocktails.

Seriously though - now I am freaking out - just went around to all the doors and windows to lock everything up.

You would have to be awfully desperate to mug a jogger. How much cash do joggers carry?

I just did a quick excersize - remove 'he' for the jogger in the story and substitute 'she'. Running would be the smart thing to do in that case. Just because the jogger was a he doesn't mean he should of just gone along with the atempted kidnapping. He felt he had to run - so he ran. His choice, and it was a good one for the situation. "

Dwayne wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:26 AM:

" pernodboi wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:19 PM:
" Dwayne - you scare me.

Good. Then you won't be burglarizing my home. (wink)

Criminals who know citizens are armed, is the best deturrent to crime. "

707jng wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:36 AM:

" plepgeat - your comment cracked me up!!! Thank you I so needed a laugh this morning! "

Skip M. wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:43 AM:

" An amred society is a polite society. "

Skip M. wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:45 AM:

" Good Lord, I really need SPELL CHECK! "

y2kcbr wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:50 AM:

" @ NAPACHICA
Funny thing, I showed wifey the article last night, and I was told to move the treadmill in the office. Now my office is crammed with this dang treadmill again. "

ValleyKitten wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:57 AM:

" I grew up in Westwood area.....I just can't believe what is has become...it is so sad...that my parents do not even feel safe in there own home...good thing they have two big guns, an alarm system, a security camera and do not jog. LOL "

izzy wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:06 PM:

" Guns ...Never leave home without one!

I carry mine everywhere...it's like your jack and spare tire, you may never need em, but man are they great to have when ya do!

I have a sign posted on my gate in front of the house..."BEWARE wife and kids armed and dangerous, trespassers will be shot!"

Thye are too, I've trained them myself... "

izzy wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:10 PM:

" pernodboi wrote:
"You would have to be awfully desperate to mug a jogger. How much cash do joggers carry?"

The Zodiac Killer of the 70s killed a couple of joggers...cash wasn't the motive! "

raybo wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:43 PM:

" When I was young and working swing shift I used to jog after midnight all the time. I wouldn't even think of doing that today. We have given over our streets to the criminal element. That is a real shame. "

Just Concerned wrote on Jul 23, 2008 5:57 PM:

" I think this is the same jogger who had a mountain lion jump on his back last week! "

freebird707 wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:03 PM:

" Why no Police? Why no patrols?NOTHING. I can see DeWitt Ave. from my house. I watched last night for a squad car and reviewed the dvr for the past 24 hours and as usual no cops in here. This is the reason the crime is so rampant in Westwood and everyone was saying the same thing today at work. With no police presence of course this is going to happen. 10 years ago I saw Honey or Potter do their rounds everyday @ 4-4:30pm.
Yes ValleyKitten I grew up here too and is pathetic what has happened to Westwood. Along with your parents, I too have had to install an Alarm system that calls my cell phone so I am alerted, Video cameras, etc. Now I have to install more camera’s in the backyard as they are coming in here at night to check on my neighbors pot plants. They busted the plastic wheels off my lawn mower stepping on it to look over the fence and threw down the lock I had on my back gate, when I found it on the patio and locked the gate they busted out the redwood fence boards to get out because they were too lazy to jump back over the fence. Our home prices are going down and no one would want to live in here that had half a brain. My neighbor showed me how they used a glass cutter on a drill to cut through the window to pop the latch in broad daylight. Without any sort of Police protection what can we do but purchase firearms for our protection? I hear gunfire here everynight and I can assure you it does not come fromlaw-abiding citizens "

freebird707 wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:04 PM:

" To the rest of you that think the poor soul that was accosted in his neighborhood and should be in the Olympics, your jokes are in very poor taste. I hope one day you have to look down the barrel of a pistol and see your life flash in front of your eyes and then all the people on here can make fun of you too for running for your life. What happened here is not funny at all and should be dealt with swiftly & promptly to ensure it never happens again.

What has happened to Napa and my Country? That you feel this is some kind of joke? Disgusting. You all should be happy the guy had the brains to do what he did to escape harm. "

barefoot wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:40 PM:

" If you do fire a gun at night, it is very probable that the muzzle blast will blind you temporarily. Take that into consideration before pulling the trigger, just in case you miss. "

kdbk wrote on Jul 23, 2008 10:49 PM:

" Just another sick and disgusting example of how some of the "changes" in our community over recent decades have brought many other CHANGES, most of which are not good.

Napa takes one more step toward being like Vallejo. How sad.

People who want to be honest about it will agree that this sort of stuff very, very rarely used to happen in Napa 20, 25 years ago. But such incidents occur with alarming frequency these days. Just look at the facts, people. Changes in a community bring about a whole list of other changes along with them EVERY time.

Oh, sorry to bother you all with a little reality check. It's harsh, I know. "

izzy wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:17 AM:

" Freebird 707....I'm an older guy, but very adept with a handgun. I think I need to start walking after midnight.
I'm too old to run away, nor would I in most cases!

As for the police, they have a budget crisis due to fuel costs...it's all over the country! Where have some of ya been the last few months?
The police cannot protect you in about 95% of the violent crimes, you need to learn to protect yourselves...... "

NAPACHICA wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:24 PM:

" TO:y2kcbr, I'm serious you really need to sell me this treadmill of your that is now taking up space in your office. "

JimClark wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:50 AM:

" More bicyclists desere such treatment. "

Sandra wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:51 AM:

" Dwayne wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:22 PM:
"Running from a mugger with a gun...??? That jogger must think he's faster than a speeding bullet. Maybe he recently saw the Batman movie.... "

Dwayne are you advocating that he get into the car with the gun toting theif so he can be later murdered at the thief's leisure? Now that makes sense..... NEVER, NEVER let someone with a gun force you into a car....better to try and run, be a moving target and take your chances. You would probably survive a ghun shot while you are attempting to flee, than to be shot, and who knows what else, when you are being held captive. "

Kathy Concened wrote on Jul 26, 2008 4:49 PM:

" Are you kidding me? We are suppose to believe this? After midnight, a jogger, and the suspect thinks this person would have money on them? Oh, if that doesn't work please get in my car? What a great description in the dark. "

John Richards wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:08 PM:

" Due to the unevenness of Napa sidewalks, it is not wise to jog during the hours of darkness. I used to do it and took a nasty spill, losing skin off my elbows and knees. Never again! "

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