Just Had a Scary Experience!
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
September 1, 2008 8:33am CST
I was sat on the sofa watching TV when suddenly there were men running through the house!
It turns out that our next door neighbour's son was on the run from the police.
My partner was in the kitchen making me toast when there was a knock at the back door. It was the 19 year old son, asking to be let in because the police were after him. My partner didn't know what to do because he didn't know the guy and he could have gotten violent or anything. He came in and my partner tried to convince him to turn himself in. Meanwhile our neighbours had seen him jump over the fence into our garden and heard the banging on the door and they told the cops that they thought he might be trying to break in here.
The police came into our garden and to the door and asked my partner if he was inside. My partner didn't know what to do because the guy was in our house and I was in the living room (still oblivious that any of this was going on) and was really intimidated so he lied and told the police that he'd left half an hour before. They obviously realised he was fibbing because they barged in and chased the guy out and down the road. We heard later from another cop that they caught up with him.
There's mud all over our carpets and house and my partner is really shaken up. The police will be back later to talk to him. He's nervous that he's going to get in trouble for lying to them, but he really didn't know what to do. He didn't know the guy and he felt really vulnerable. He could have had a knife.
We're both a bit shaky and I wanted to vent!
5 people like this
26 responses
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
1 Sep 08
wowww... that is really a scary experience... i'm glad that nothing happened to you and your partner... i don't think i will open the door for him if i were in your position... there is no way at all i will let a stranger into my house as i didn't want to jeopardise my safety... he can keep on banging on my door... i'm sure the police will catch him eventually... it is better to have a broken door rather than get killed if i let him inside... take care and have a nice day...
3 people like this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
He only let him in because he knew he was our next door neighbour's son and he opened the door thinking the guy must have lost his keys and that's why he was there. It was only afterwards that he found out what was really going on!
He'll be SO much more cautious now though!
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Oh WOW!! What a scary situation. I think the police will understand why your partner did that. I'm sure they have seen things like that before. its better than someone in the house being hurt. Althouh if the cops had left and the guy had a knife. Think what he could have done. I dont judge or wont say, what I would of done because i was not in that situation so i dont know. Good luck and hopefully it will all work out for you. Give each other a hug.
3 people like this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
I hope so! Some people seem to know exactly what he should have done instead and he wishes he'd done things differently himself, but it's totally different when you're really in an unexpected situation. I think you just go on instinct. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Sep 08
hi phaedra that must have been really frightening
for both of you, but your partner really should have
told the police the boy was in your house. He became
an accessory by withholding information like that.I
hope the police realize he was just scared for your
sake and do not penalize him for it. good louck and
God bless.
2 people like this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
He and I would both agree to that now. He's been kicking himself ever since. I think he should have said out loud to the cops that he wasn't there so that the guy overheard him, but at the same time made hand and head signals to let them know he was in the next room. Then they could have sneaked up on him.
It's so easy to say what he should have done now though, it's different when you're put on the spot!
@soulkeeper (123)
• China
2 Sep 08
that's not you partner's fault. such case happenes, we have to try to protect ourselves/ if you partner said he is there in my house. maybe you will becaome his hostage and put youself in danger.
there are no right or wrong. thanks god, its over.
2 people like this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
You're right of course, but he only opened the door to him because he thought he must have lost his house keys and needed help. He had no clue that he was a fugitive!
@shana123 (2095)
• India
3 Sep 08
Just ask your partner to tell the truth when the cops come back to meet him.. tell him since he haven't known the guy just he was hidden in your home , when they came he just blabbered something put of fear and afraid whether he would be hit by the guy .. ask him to admit the truth if the cops investigate your partner and if the truth comes then surely your partner might also be in trouble even though he is not responsible and purely a stranger to that guy...
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
4 Sep 08
They still haven't come back! I wish we had closure, but I suppose no news is good news.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
3 Sep 08
Because of the situation your b/f probably won't get into trouble if he explains why he lied...afterall he was worried about your safety. He will probably just get warned. It's never a good idea to lie to the cops and had he got away your b/f could be in alot more trouble. Technically they could probably charge him with aiding and abetting a fugitive. I can imagine though that you were both surprised and shocked to find yourself in that position. I don't think I would have let him in but that's one of those spur of the moment decisions. I hope it works out for you.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
4 Sep 08
It's always easy for others to second guess or even to second guess yourself after it's happened...we all have moments of split second decisions. Don't let it get either of you down...what's done is done.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
4 Sep 08
I hope you're right! You never know what you'll do in these situations until you're faced with them I guess. I know he's been kicking himself ever since about all the things he wishes he'd done instead.
@msmell (1378)
• Australia
2 Sep 08
gee yeah this would have been so scary but lucky that you and your partner are ok and you weren't hurt by the 19yrs old, anyway i agree with the others if you tell the police what you have told us here things should be ok for your other half.
So good luck hope it all turns out alright for you guy's.
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
3 Sep 08
Life has some hard and scary lessons sometimes doesn't it? Thanks for your words and I hope you're right!
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
2 Sep 08
Good day... That is scary and really if I'm in your partner's shoes I might have done the same thing. It is an inconvenience that all of us wouldn't have wanted specially when dealing with the police and legal matters.
Good thing though nothing bad had happened and both of you are ok.
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
4 Sep 08
Yep, we have to be grateful that nothing worse happened. It could have. It's so strange. We live in such a quiet area, it was the last thing either of us expected.
@iakulchen (615)
• Singapore
2 Sep 08
Chnaces are, your partner will be ok, unless the cops handling the case are especially mean, they'll understand.
1 person likes this
@GemmaR (8517)
•
2 Sep 08
Hiya that sounds really awful for you both! :( He shouldn't get into trouble for saying that though, all he needs to say to the police is that he lied to protect himself. Say that he felt as though he would get hurt by the man if he didn't lie to the police, and they should let him off for self defence. And if he has to go to court he should just say exactly the same thing, because it's true. Nobody can get into trouble for trying to protect themselves.
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
4 Sep 08
Thank you, that's very reassuring. Still no word, which I suppose is good, but I wish we had closure. I'm a worrier!
@raynor2353 (67)
• Singapore
2 Sep 08
A trully frightening experience/=. its a good thing you and your partner are unharmed
1 person likes this
@supercharged (36)
• Australia
2 Sep 08
What an experience. The door should've been shut in his face instead of allowed to enter your home. I mean he could've done anything inside the house once he was in there. Not a good scenario at all. Glad that all is well & neither of you to where harmed.
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
Thanks, I wish he hadn't gotten into the house too. My partner opened the door thinking the guy had just lost his house keys or something. He had no idea that he was a fugitive! His mother apologised to us about it all, but we just feel sorry for her. She's a lovely lady and it's sad that her son has turned out like this.
@ashar123 (2357)
• India
2 Sep 08
Your partner must have told the truth to the police because it will turn out all bad when they will come back to question your partner. All the residents must help the police in all ways.Its the duty of police to provide safety to us and its our duty to help them in possible ways we can.
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
He did want to help the police, but his main priority was keeping me safe and that's why he did what he did.
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
Thank you! It really helps to hear that, I'm glad it's not just him. I think his situation was understandable, especially since I'm disabled. I hope more people understand too.
@freefogging (356)
• United States
1 Sep 08
OMG. What a terrible thing to happen to your partner and you! That has to be scary. I hope your partner doesn't get in trouble but usually harboring a fugitive is definitly a very bad thing. The police don't take that lightly. I know you don't want to hear that,but I'n not going to lie to you hon. Good luck to you and your partner. Let us all know what happen's with the police ok?
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
1 Sep 08
We didn't hear back from the police so we rang them and were told that if he wasn't picked up at the time, then there was probably nothing to worry about. We still should be hearing from them over the next couple of days though apparently, just to explain what happened. I don't know if they'll give my partner a hard time or not. I hope they understand from his point of view.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
1 Sep 08
I'm so glad that the two of you were not harmed! It's bad enough that you were shaken up like you were. I honestly don't know what I'd do in a situation like that.
Your partner can tell the police that he thought he saw a knife was afraid that the boy would hurt you or him if he told them that he was still there and that's why he lied.
That actually might be what was going on in your partner's head at the time, even though he didn't consciously realize it. He told the police that the kid had left so that neither of you would get hurt. When we're startled like that, our survival instinct comes to the forefront and we can say or do things that we would ordinarily never think of doing.
The best thing you can do is to clean up from this episode so that you won't have any physical reminders of it. That will also help to clear your head and sort through what I imagine is racing around in there right now.
Then, do whatever you usually do to relax as much as possible. Bubblebath, Lamaze breathing, meditation, craftwork, whatever. Try to get it off your mind because the stress this has obviously caused you is not good for you, especially with your other health issues!
Again, I'm so very glad to hear that you weren't physically harmed during this episode! Please keep us informed as to updates!
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
Thank you lovely. You don't know what to do when these things happen. It's all very well to think what you wish you'd done, but it's a bit late now! 
Ben just wanted the guy out of our house.
I listened to a relaxation CD yesterday, but my mind was racing a bit too much to get into it. I had a bath too which was lovely (Lush's Vanilla Fountain).
We still haven't heard back from anyone, but I'll post if we do. I wish they would contact us just so we could have closure, you know?
xxxx
Ben just wanted the guy out of our house.
I listened to a relaxation CD yesterday, but my mind was racing a bit too much to get into it. I had a bath too which was lovely (Lush's Vanilla Fountain).
We still haven't heard back from anyone, but I'll post if we do. I wish they would contact us just so we could have closure, you know?
xxxx @natechia (50)
• South Africa
2 Sep 08
I'm pretty sure the cops will understand the situation.I live in south africa so I know about violence.I would take that suggestion of doing something a walk or going to someones house just for a cup of coffee.It will be alright the most important is that you two aren't hurt.Keep well and let us know what the cops said.
@Jul14nch0 (1414)
• Argentina
1 Sep 08
What a dangerous experience.. poor you, your partner and the carpet =S I wish you luck and lets hope he dosn't come back for revenge cuz u havnt hide him well =P
1 person likes this
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
2 Sep 08
I don't think so somehow!
He's in jail now and our doors are always locked!
