I got mugged

Thanks everyone, again. I appreciate you guys hearing me out. So I just decided today that I will not follow up on charges. I am going to call the police department tomorrow and ask them not to pursue this case. I really didn't like the whole incident and I don't want to relive it through the case, court, facing the defendant, defense lawyers, etc. I also plan on living in this area for another school year, and I dont want to potentially irk his family and/or a gang he may possibly be affiliated with. The possible time he would be facing would be 20 years so I am sure that isn't a time period any family and friends would like.

I'm not telling you what to do. but... i would definitely press charges. they could have the attitude that you are now their bitch, since you left them off the hook

I'm not telling you what to do. but... i would definitely press charges. they could have the attitude that you are now their bitch, since you left them off the hook

I understand too, and I personally want them to go to jail. But you must also understand the demographics of Charlottesville. Everyone thinks it's a really good place, but it is right next to the city and there are high levels of poverty in this area. Gangs and drugs are a pretty big problem downtown in the bad parts. The detective told me these kind of muggings happen to students more than 10 times a month. Image all the ones that are not reported.

The area I live in is almost all students, but go about 8-10 blocks towards downtown, it looks almost like SE. All very small houses lined up next to each other, people walking around aimlessly, gangs, etc. Normally these groups do not intermingle but apparently quite a bit of them swing by this area to take advantage of drunk students. Just last year someone was robbed by gunpoint in broad daylight in the "Corner" area by my house. There was a serial rapist who recently was arrested, and they are always attempts of people trying to rape female students(not other male students, but Charlottesville residents).

So I guess the whole point is this isn't like Northern Virginia or anything. The area can be very unsafe if you are not smart. I also plan to attend this school for another year, and I want to live around here(because it is close to frats, bars, food places, campus, etc).

I dont want to involve myself in a long and drawnout legal process. I dont have time for that in general. Also emotionally this sucked for me. I am trying to move on and focus on other things that are important to me, such as education. I dont want to also be dealing with a potential gang member who could send his people after me, if he gets locked up for 20 years. I am pretty sure if he was about to rob me, he does not associate with good people.

This guy does not have any of my personal information. Not even my name. As I was getting hit I opened my wallet and threw out all the cash I had. Then I made a run for it back home, to call the cops. He didnt get my credit card, ID, etc. He doesnt know where I live, just that I am probably a student in this area.

I am sure they now think that they can rob other people in this town, but I dont think that directly effects me. The chances of me running into those people are very slim, plus I doubt I will be alone like that in a garage again.

I just don't want to put my self though anymore emotional stress and physical danger.

I don't know man, I would definitely file charges. Irk his family? Come on, the guy is a criminal and he should be accountable for his actions. You not filing changers will only result in him doing something similar in the future. As for him being affiliated with a gang, I doubt it and if he is so what? You can't live your life in fear and you certainly shouldn't make decisions like this out of fear.

I don't know man, I would definitely file charges. Irk his family? Come on, the guy is a criminal and he should be accountable for his actions. You not filing changers will only result in him doing something similar in the future. As for him being affiliated with a gang, I doubt it and if he is so what? You can't live your life in fear and you certainly shouldn't make decisions like this out of fear.

It isn't about fear, its a combination of things. I just dont want to go through the entire legal process, and have that to worry about when I have much more important things going on.

I guess it seems to be an irrational fear for you guys but I am a college student away from home, in a city that is not too safe. All you guys are much older can afford things such as a security system, frequent taxi rides home when drunk etc. I am a broke college student and I have to walk through these areas.

I dont know, I guess I should speak to some kind of free legal service in this area to get more of an idea of what I should do.

hooskins, I feel for you, I really do but you should give it a couple days to let the super-emotions coursing through your veins settle down before you jump the gun and drop the charges. Give it a solid week and think about it at that time.

I do need to add that Charlottesville may have its share of the criminal elements but I doubt it would crack the top 250 worst crime cities.

Glad your alright hoo. Press charges, you CAN'T let skum like this walk around free, next time it could some little elderly lady. With far worse results!

Yeah fellas, this isnt a joke. Last night around 130am by a parking garage. I was punched multiple times in the head/face, and I just threw all the cash I had and ran.

I am safe and fine, just bruises and stuff. Only real issue is that this happened right by my house(on campus) and that is scary as hell. I reported everything to the police, but I highly doubt they are gonna catch this guy. I guess just a reminder to all the people out there in college, or any age to be safe and always walk with multiple people late at night. Especially when drunk.

I just thank God I am alive to post this message here. At one point when I was being robbed I was fearful for my life.

Damn man, that sucks.
It really needs to be known that people should travel in packs.
Back when I lived in Boston, my brother, my best friend, his friend and myself were all walking home from the bar, and nothing happened...but we found out the next day the guy that left the bar like 3 minutes after we did was stabbed by some guy behind the bushes. He was likely sitting there and waiting for someone to attack, since there was 4 of us, he didn't mess with us, but the one person got stabbed. Ever since then, I learned my lesson to always be with someone else if at all possible.
Sorry to hear about you event, hopefully you can get over it.

It isn't about fear, its a combination of things. I just dont want to go through the entire legal process, and have that to worry about when I have much more important things going on.

He's not part of a gang, if he was he would have been around his friends.
It's your choice, no one can tell you what to do. But I will say this, you are likely not his first victim. So what if the first victim had a shot at pressing charges and didn't? Had he pressed charges, that might not have happened to you. So how will you feel if next time this guy selects a victim, he selects your g-friend...or someone you know and love? How will you feel then when you will know you didn't do all you could to stop this guy?
Even if you don't do it for you, do it for his next victim, cause I guarantee there will be another victim if you don't do anything.