Georgetown/Tues Oct 5/1:05 pm Officer Thaimin Saewong reports: "When I arrived at the Shell gas station at 600 South Michigan Street, I contacted the victim at the air/water machine on the east side of the station. He said he was fine and was not injured. He had stopped at the gas station to fill his tires with air. He said the unknown suspect came up to him and offered to help him fill his tires. The victim told the suspect that he didn't need any assistance, but the suspect was very insistent on helping. He ultimately let the suspect fill a tire.

"The suspect then asked the victim for some money as payment for his assistance. The victim said he didn't want to give the suspect any money, but thought he'd be nice. He pulled out his wallet and looked for a couple of dollar bills. He said while he had his wallet out, the suspect grabbed the wallet and pulled it toward him. He and the suspect then struggled for control of the wallet. The victim said he ultimately gave up trying to fight the suspect and told the suspect to go ahead and take the money but not the wallet or anything else. The suspect then took all the money (about $25) and fled northbound on a bicycle."

We have all been in the victim's position: minding our own business, enjoying some chore or task, when a stranger, someone out of the blue, offers us help. Clearly we do not need it, clearly we are not in distress or struggling in any way, clearly the helper is a beggar or up to no good. The exasperating situation presents two choices: You go tough and tell the stranger to fuck off or you let the stranger help and, once he is done, give him what he is certainly going to ask for—some money. The victim in this report made the wrong choice. Never be nice to a stranger who offers help you do not need.