Vacationing Mom, Daughter Beaten, Robbed In Orlando

[SorcererMickey]

The purpouse of posting this is not to scare you guys, but to make you aware that you need to take care and always be alert, even when on vacation.

Many people tend to relax while here in Orlando, but as with any large city, there are individuals that will take advantage of certain situations and commit bad acts, such as the case of this lady and her daughter.


Vacationing Mom, Daughter Beaten, Robbed In Orlando

Men Steal Money, Passports

POSTED: 7:48 am EST February 2, 2006
UPDATED: 9:07 am EST February 2, 2006

Authorities in Orange County, Fla., are searching for two men who beat and robbed an Australian mother and daughter vacationing in the area, according to Local 6 News.

Investigators said the women were walking at a Best Western on the tourist-filled International Drive at about 1:30 a.m. when they were attacked by two men.

The robbers took the women's passports and all of their money, police told Local 6 News.

The women were transported to Sand Lake Hospital after the robbery, and they will miss a Disney Cruise they booked for Friday. The pair are expected to recover from the attack.

Police said two security guards were working at the Best Western at the time of the attack but the culprits were able to escape.

Officers are searching for a silver or white Ford Taurus in connection with the incident.

Source: http://www.local6.com/news/6675078/detail.html

[foreverducky]

Oh my, that's horrible! I do hope that they catch those men. Unfortunately, reality does me that the chances are slim.

[Slowhand]

How on Earth anyone walks around anywhere with their passports and loads of money [cash] with them, especially at that time of the morning is beyond my comprehension ! :blush:

[PaulaK]

I have to say I would not choose to walk anywhere on International Drive when it's dark anyway. I was quite shocked by the whole area when we drove down it in December.

[triciacarole]

This is very sad news. I will be surprised if the culprits are not caught, I know the police there are hot on this especially since the problems of the 1980s DM was a victim of crime at that time and the police were fantastic. They caught the robbers who were jailed.

[DizneyBlonde]

This is the sort of thing i don't need to hear.

I am planning on staying at the Best Western Movieland on my on with 2 kids next year and i will be nervous enough as it is.

Not that i will be wandering around at 1.30am with my passport and lots of cash......

[triciacarole]

DizneyBlonde, I reckon if you are sensible you will be OK

[DizneyBlonde]

DizneyBlonde, I reckon if you are sensible you will be OK

That's the problem!!!!!!

There i said it before anyone else had chance:p

[Isafari]

Oh dear.....that has made me stop and think......although DH is always with me.....we often walk along I.Drive and feel totally safe!

[foreverducky]

I don't even walk in my town at 1:30 in the morning with loads of cash....if only I had loads of cash.:blush:

[Watchinherskip]

Terribly sorry to hear the news. I guess vacation insurance would take care of this or am I mistaken? I hope they were not hurt badly.

[triciacarole]

Insurance will cover a limited amount of cash, won't cover the shock or upset though

[SorcererMickey]

The point again, always be careful, be watchful, use common sense and be safe :thumbs:

[Johnie]

1. Get travellers cheques or use a credit card. Carry limited amounts of cash.

2. BE AWARE of your surroundings at all times. Always pay attention to your gut instinct. It will never lie to you. If you go to get on an elevator and your gut says "no way!" then don't get on. Don't care if you offend someone.

3. Leave fancy jewelry at home. No need to have it on vacation and attract attention to yourself.

4. If you must be out late at night, go with lots of people. There are indeed safety in numbers.

5. When you are inside your hotel or villa, read the safety warnings on the door and take heed. They are there for a reason.

There is a huge crime problem in the US and since Orlando is the #1 vacation destination in the world, it is rife with thieves and the like.

[BevW]

It's always better to be safe than sorry.
I feel so bad for those women though.

[Johnie]

Me too.

[Wendy]

Can I just point out that these victims were just that, victims.
I'm appalled that it is being insinuated by some that the fact they were carrying their passports and cash made this somehow their fault........
Chances are these robbers/muggers did not know what these poor people had with them.....the consequences may well have been worse if they had nothing to hand over to these people.......
These people were victims and did not invite this horrible incident by being foolish, this could have been anyone of us or our families and SM is rightly pointing out to be "on our guard".
No, I dont carry passports and large amounts of cash around whilst in Orlando- but I dont believe this makes me invincable and somehow superior to victims of such crimes.
DizneyBlonde, I reckon if you are sensible you will be OK Unfortunately, I know this comment is just to reassure Theresa; however, it implies, yet again that victims of such crimes are "not sensible". We are all potential victims and should take heed from SM's warnings that it could happen to any of us.
I hope not to offend anyone with these comments, but hearing the "It couldn't happen to me" mentality is pretty scary. :unsure:

[Johnie]

Wendy,
I think robbers do know that most people tend to carry large sums of money when they go on vacation. These women were victims. It is truly a scary way to start and end a vacation. But, I think that people do tend to get a bit lax about personal safety whilst on vacation. I have seen it written on these boards about not worrying about stuff b/c they are in Disney World. One would like to think that one could go to the Happiest Place on Earth and nothing bad would happen but that's not the world we live in.

I'm certainly not blaming the victims. I only posted my warnings so that all could be cognizant of the fact that danger is amongst us and we, especially women, need to be aware of our surroundings so we don't become a victim. I know that I personally am always aware of where I am and who is there as well. My husband can be in the same room and be completely oblivious to that fact. I can only attribute that to he's a man and doesn't live in the same world that I do. I am a woman and am always aware that there is someone out there possibly wanting to do me harm. I don't live a scared life but I am aware.

I apologize to anyone if they think my post was blaming the victims in any way b/c that is certainly not my intent.

[Wendy]

. But, I think that people do tend to get a bit lax about personal safety whilst on vacation. I have seen it written on these boards about not worrying about stuff b/c they are in Disney World. One would like to think that one could go to the Happiest Place on Earth and nothing bad would happen but that's not the world we live in.
I agree, Johnie and I think SM's post was a lttle nudge to remind us all to be on our guard.

My husband can be in the same room and be completely oblivious to that fact. I can only attribute that to he's a man and doesn't live in the same world that I do. I am a woman and am always aware that there is someone out there possibly wanting to do me harm. I don't live a scared life but I am aware.
I think it does come more natural for women to be on their guard just because of every day life - wherever that may be. Unfortuately these crimes can and do happen to even the most cautious of us.
My main point was that this can happen to any of us, perhaps less likely if we take precautions but not necessarily beyond possibility.:)

[BUTTERHEAD1]

Wendy I agree with your post they are victims and should not be blamed,I also agree that it didnt matter that they had a lot of cash on them they were going to get robbed anyway.The only advantage to carrying less money is if you get robbed you will lose less money. Although theses victims didnt invite this incident they could have used better judgment when it came to walking alone at 1:30 am. This could have happened to anyone and everyone should be on guard no matter where they are.People tend to let their guard down while on vacation and that can be a mistake.Using good judgment can help people avoid being victims(NOT ALWAYS).I am a detective here in NYC and have investigated over a thousand robberies,and a number of them were people on vacation.The bad guys know what a tourist looks like and they also know that the tourists are probably carrying alot of money.There are certain places here in NYC that are beautiful in the daytime but I wouldnt recommend walking around in these places at midnight.I'm sure the same applies to Orlando.

[Wendy]

There are certain places here in NYC that are beautiful in the daytime but I wouldnt recommend walking around in these places at midnight.I'm sure the same applies to Orlando.

I think you're right , Butterhead.
In recent years ( after the worst of the crime statistics of the 1980's) the travel industry in the UK has been at great pains to point out that crime in NY, Orlando & Miami has been greatly reduced ....unfortunately, I believe, to the point of diminishing the still potential hazards:I've noticed more emphasis by UK travel companies is placed on potential situations when using rental cars but not so much on general personal safety - perhaps because of the problems in the 1980's/early 90s its still a sensitive point.

[triciacarole]

Unfortunately, I know this comment is just to reassure Theresa; however, it implies, yet again that victims of such crimes are "not sensible".

Sorry Wendy, my comment did not mean to imply that these ladies were not sensible, I fully understand that they were victims, my mother was a victim of crime in Orlando in the early 90s (which I will not post here but you can pm me if you like) and she was sensible too. All I am saying is to be aware of everything going on around you and don't take any chances.

[PaulaK]

When they did have all the trouble in the 90's they made a big effort to make sure people saw positive press coverage of officers on horseback or mountain bikes. I presume those patrols are no longer done? They should be if they aren't because the section of I-Drive between wet'n'wild and up as far as the Wyndham Resort is awful IMO (I'm ready for the backlash :hehe: ). DH and I could not believe the state it's got in over a couple of years and how 'seedy'' it felt after dark. If I was to stay offsite, i'd choose the LBV area or at least make sure I stayed at the other end of I-Drive near the convention centre. :)

[DizneyBlonde]

Having stayed at the top end of I-Drive 3 times now i know what you mean Paula but we have always felt safe.

Besides if it wasn't for the top end of I-Drive we couldn't afford to go!!!!

[triciacarole]

I was there on my honeymoon in 89 and it was all over the news then and this continued into the early 90s when the incident happened to my Mum.

[tb2830]

When they did have all the trouble in the 90's they made a big effort to make sure people saw positive press coverage of officers on horseback or mountain bikes. I presume those patrols are no longer done? They should be if they aren't because the section of I-Drive between wet'n'wild and up as far as the Wyndham Resort is awful IMO (I'm ready for the backlash :hehe: ). DH and I could not believe the state it's got in over a couple of years and how 'seedy'' it felt after dark. If I was to stay offsite, i'd choose the LBV area or at least make sure I stayed at the other end of I-Drive near the convention centre. :)

im by wet n wild :( i think i should start to panic :eek: staying at the homewood suites on american way
tracy

[PaulaK]

I'd just make sure you take the advice of others here. Stay alert! I doubt you'd be walking round alone at that time of morning, though you should have the right to do so and feel safe!

A lot of people do tend to slip into 'vacation mode' and are lulled into a false sense of security. I have seen incidents on Disney property too, it can happen anywhere, but security have been there in seconds and I feel their presence is a big deterrent. Maybe patrols will be stepped up on I-Drive now.

I appreciate what you're saying Teresa, but IMO it has changed dramatically in the last 2 or 3 years and I would choose not to stay on that strip because of what I saw in December. We booked a fly-drive and arranged our own hotel up near the convention centre last time we stayed there and it was cheaper than anything in the brochures.

[orlando-sky]

im by wet n wild :( i think i should start to panic :eek: staying at the homewood suites on american way
tracy

Tracy I was in homewood suites in August, lovely area due to being located in quiet cresent with 3 other hotels.

Never had any issues there or around, but as with anywhere, I would rather pay the cab fee early in the morning/late night than wander around...

Great location though, you will abosultley love it there...promise... best hotel I have been at in Orlando.

[Johnie]

im by wet n wild :( i think i should start to panic :eek: staying at the homewood suites on american way
tracy


No need to panic. Just be aware of your surroundings. We stayed there last Aug and it's in a very nice section of I-Drive, not congested or crowded as the other parts are. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

[tb2830]

No need to panic. Just be aware of your surroundings. We stayed there last Aug and it's in a very nice section of I-Drive, not congested or crowded as the other parts are. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

thanks for that johnie :) i shall stop panicking now
tracy

[triciacarole]

Please don't panic Tracy and ruin your holiday, I am sure everything will be fine :hug:

[HavuDisney]

That is just awful, people can just be evil out there

[triciacarole]

Yes people can be evil everywhere, however fortunately there's more good than evil.

[bkadillac]

Dumb question.Why not stay on Disney property when at WDW?Good security,don't have to drive,shuttle's to other atttractions.Then again if you really like the Ponderosa or Shoney's.

[BUTTERHEAD1]

I almost always stay on Disney property but I understand why people choose to stay off site,you definitely get more for your money by staying off site. Plus it is cheaper to eat off property and people also like going to Universal,Wet n Wild as well as Sea World.

[JuniorMickey]

Dumb question.Why not stay on Disney property when at WDW?Good security,don't have to drive,shuttle's to other atttractions.Then again if you really like the Ponderosa or Shoney's.
sometimes there is no choice :shrug: I want to do a week in May. I can either do 3 days onsite or with the help of a friend, a week in a 2 BR condo for the same price. If it's a choice between offsite Disney or no Disney, offsite will win. Do I perfer to stay onsite? You betcha. Will I stay offsite in May and get to spend 8 nights as opposed to 3? You betcha.

[pluto]

It is normal to let your gaurd down on vacation it is the sense of relaxation and good spirits which mean you have more general trust. I have never felt safe at Old Town. Have seen one or two incidents that have made me wonder. As usual though it is fine in the main part where there is lots of people around (safety in numbers) but I must admit even though I still consider the DisneyWorld/Florisa holiday to be safer than most places in the world you have to still understand that it will attract thieves and nasty people due to the amount of money and "relaxed" people there are in the area