BLR
10-19-2012, 07:19 AM
Got done at the gym, and stopped off at Steak & Shake for a quick bite of oatmeal before heading to teach my one class this semester.
Sitting at the bar, oblivious to everything, working on my Blackberry. Since I was at the gym, I left my P35 sitting in the truck. I didn't bother putting it on before going into S&S. Now's a good time to add some more detail. I'm a good 2 miles outside the main attraction in the Fairborn area. It's 6:45AM. I'm eating my oatmeal when I pick up on a conversation and a bit of a flap at the register. Two Saudi (I found out they were Saudi shortly) guys were trying to pay w/ Saudi currency, and when that failed, they tried to pay with no less than six, yes six unactivated credit/bank cards. Now some observations on the two fellows - they looked dirty and ragged. They said they were Wright State students. They didn't look like my middle east students. Nor did they act similar. The stickers on the cards weren't even removed. Only ID they had that I could see was Saudi - the waitress made them leave their ID with her before going to get more money. So, they agree to both leave to get the $15 to cover the bill. I'm sitting there, Blackberry in hand reading emails. I call the waitress over and ask her if it might not be a bad idea to make a photo copy of the licenses. She agrees, and says she will. I go back to finishing reading emails....mind you this is with the 8 mega pixel Blackberry camera in my hand with the ID a whole 24 inches from me. So let me summarize this so far:
1. Couple Saudi's acting strange for students, w/ no US currency and more than a few unactivated credit cards
2. I'm w/o my P35 (gotta be honest here, if I had my whole firearm collection in front of me and knew I'd be walking into this, I'd have left the HP at home in favor of my CQB-E). This is a caliber choice. I get the 9 v 45 argument. I don't care. I'd have rather had my 45. Don't bother explaining how this is illogical.
3. I had a really good digital camera right there and didn't use it.
4. I panned off the responsibility of reporting this to the waitress - not proud of that. I have excuses, but none that really justify it. She was just concerned w/ not having to pick up the tab, I think.
5. I did, however get a license plate number (foreign!) and their ID numbers.
So right when I realize I've got a great opportunity to just take a quick pick of the ID, my two guys show back up w/ a sawbuck. Way too fast to have gone to an ATM. Meaning they did have cash in the car. They pay, then leave. Everyone is stirred up a bit, and I'm kicking myself for leaving my pistol in my car in a place I've carried literally dozens of times before because I was just way to lazy this AM. AND not having the presence of mind to just take a stupid picture. Not exactly my best effort.
So, the question for the experts: when do you call, say, the FBI and tell them the story? This had a funny feel to me, and I'm very used to dealing with foreign students. In other words, where's the line to cross to justify making a call? After all, the guys who flew planes into buildings were "just students" too. Should I call the Cincy field office?
Sitting at the bar, oblivious to everything, working on my Blackberry. Since I was at the gym, I left my P35 sitting in the truck. I didn't bother putting it on before going into S&S. Now's a good time to add some more detail. I'm a good 2 miles outside the main attraction in the Fairborn area. It's 6:45AM. I'm eating my oatmeal when I pick up on a conversation and a bit of a flap at the register. Two Saudi (I found out they were Saudi shortly) guys were trying to pay w/ Saudi currency, and when that failed, they tried to pay with no less than six, yes six unactivated credit/bank cards. Now some observations on the two fellows - they looked dirty and ragged. They said they were Wright State students. They didn't look like my middle east students. Nor did they act similar. The stickers on the cards weren't even removed. Only ID they had that I could see was Saudi - the waitress made them leave their ID with her before going to get more money. So, they agree to both leave to get the $15 to cover the bill. I'm sitting there, Blackberry in hand reading emails. I call the waitress over and ask her if it might not be a bad idea to make a photo copy of the licenses. She agrees, and says she will. I go back to finishing reading emails....mind you this is with the 8 mega pixel Blackberry camera in my hand with the ID a whole 24 inches from me. So let me summarize this so far:
1. Couple Saudi's acting strange for students, w/ no US currency and more than a few unactivated credit cards
2. I'm w/o my P35 (gotta be honest here, if I had my whole firearm collection in front of me and knew I'd be walking into this, I'd have left the HP at home in favor of my CQB-E). This is a caliber choice. I get the 9 v 45 argument. I don't care. I'd have rather had my 45. Don't bother explaining how this is illogical.
3. I had a really good digital camera right there and didn't use it.
4. I panned off the responsibility of reporting this to the waitress - not proud of that. I have excuses, but none that really justify it. She was just concerned w/ not having to pick up the tab, I think.
5. I did, however get a license plate number (foreign!) and their ID numbers.
So right when I realize I've got a great opportunity to just take a quick pick of the ID, my two guys show back up w/ a sawbuck. Way too fast to have gone to an ATM. Meaning they did have cash in the car. They pay, then leave. Everyone is stirred up a bit, and I'm kicking myself for leaving my pistol in my car in a place I've carried literally dozens of times before because I was just way to lazy this AM. AND not having the presence of mind to just take a stupid picture. Not exactly my best effort.
So, the question for the experts: when do you call, say, the FBI and tell them the story? This had a funny feel to me, and I'm very used to dealing with foreign students. In other words, where's the line to cross to justify making a call? After all, the guys who flew planes into buildings were "just students" too. Should I call the Cincy field office?