*The information provided on this website and in this article do not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.
What should you do when you get mugged? Many people will tell you to comply with the robber and do exactly what he says. But is it really that simple?
Does that mean you should just give up something deeply personal, like your wedding ring or the phone your parents had saved for months to afford? Some items we wear and carry in our bags have emotional weight and history, which makes it so difficult to just hand over.
And what if the mugger had other intentions other than taking your valuables? These are indeed tough scenarios, and the truth is there is no single answer that fits all situations.
Mugging can have different and sometimes unpredictable outcomes for victims because the offenders are simply opportunistic criminal that may perpetrate other crimes depending on the situation.
If getting mugged is something that has ever worried you, then you are in the right place. Read on to gain a clearer understanding of how the context of the situation, your gut instinct, and preparing in advance, can help you develop the best response possible.
What Is Mugging?
Mugging is classified as a personal offense that falls under “robbery” in US criminal law. As opposed to theft, where a thief might steal your car’s exhaust or expensive gaming rig without ever seeing their shadow, mugging involves aggressive confrontation between you and the offender, which makes for a deeply traumatic experience.
What makes mugging even more terrifying is that 70 percent of these offenders carry knives or guns, and they won’t think twice about using those weapons when they’re cornered or feeling desperate. While some victims can just walk away relatively unscathed with just a stolen wallet or phone, many others who try to confront or fight back can be seriously injured or even lose their life.
Why is mugging so rampant in cities and neighborhoods, even though it usually doesn’t bring in that much money?
Mugging is like a low-risk side hustle that you can pull off in a minute with barely any planning required. As long as you have a weapon and some guts to pair with your guilt-free conscience, then you’re good to go.
Because of how simple and quick it is, mugging becomes an easy way to feed a drug addiction or scrape together money when people are struggling to make ends meet. And compared to organized crimes, the legal consequences for mugging are often less severe and this encourages offenders to continue their mugging spree, especially in cities and areas that have permissive and forgiving laws.
Who Gets Mugged the Most?
So what do muggers look for? To understand the mind of a mugger, NBC journalists sat down with David Solano, a man who confessed to mugging over a hundred victims and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.
Solano explains that hardened robbers like him don’t discriminate when it comes to their victims, and that gender and age are irrelevant. Anyone walking alone is their favorite target, and in busy areas, they scan the crowd for people who look like they wouldn’t fight back.
In a crime prevention project, Telemundo also sent surveys to hundreds of convicted robbers across New York and New Jersey to learn how they choose their prey and how we can avoid ending up on their radar.
Almost half of those who participated in the survey admitted they’re drawn to people wearing flamboyant clothes and jewelry. On the flip side, Solano said they don’t bother with people wearing gym clothes because it’s unlikely you’re stuffing cash into your leggings or sweat shorts.
Where Are You Most Likely to Get Mugged?
Most muggings take place in empty streets, narrow alleyways, and quiet parking lots. While those are definitely common spots, Solano mentioned that places closer to home, like driveways, hallways, or stairwells leading to your apartment, can also make easy setups for an ambush.
And contrary to popular belief, muggings can also happen in broad daylight right in the middle of bustling areas like shopping districts and terminals. Muggers aren’t really concerned about surveillance cameras, according to Mayco Castro who’s another hardened robber sentenced to nine years in prison.
Should You Fight Back When Being Robbed?
Now, should you fight a mugger?
Before you can even begin to weigh your options, you need to take a hard, honest look at yourself and assess how far you are realistically willing to go to survive because defending yourself against a desperate and possibly armed thug almost always involves some degree of violence on your part.
Unless you are genuinely skilled at fighting and confident that you can disable your aggressor swiftly, the short practical answer for the untrained civilian is no, don't fight back. Police, self-defense experts, and even seasoned criminals like Solano have all warned against resisting because even minor resistance in a volatile situation can easily provoke your attacker.
Sure, you might get lucky and land a blow against the mugger, but don’t forget that people who are not conditioned to handle such chaos tend to freeze or go into shock almost immediately. And if that happens after you’ve provoked your attacker, he’ll become far more likely to use his weapon to retaliate and finish the job.
So, are you confident you could keep your composure through the screaming, the adrenaline surge, and the sight of blood if you claw at your attacker or land a powerful strike that may seriously injure him?
If your answers are mostly no, then it would be wise to just comply with the robber and hand over your valuables rather than gamble with a fight you aren’t prepared to win.
When Fighting Back Might Be Necessary
On the other hand, having solid self-defense training can make a huge difference because when you go through training, you not only learn how to dodge a strike or deliver a powerful counterattack, but you also master the art of staying calm under pressure.
Learning self-defense techniques and having this level of mental readiness is what you need to fight back against an aggressive mugger.
Take note: while some muggers may possess raw physical strength, most of them aren’t trained fighters.
That is why they are quite selective with their targets and gravitate toward people whom they assume are not prepared to fight back. To compensate for their lack of skills, these offenders rely heavily on intimidation, surprise, and hope that you’ll panic.
So as long as the mugger isn’t armed with a weapon and you have the training, then you may choose to fight back. And make sure to fight with all that you have! Be sure that you have your defense rings to add weight and impact to your punches. Target pressure points with a kubaton if you have one. The goal is not to prolong the confrontation but to disable your attacker as soon as possible, making sure he won’t be able to get up and chase you.
A well-aimed pepper gel spray can also buy you precious seconds to escape. Even Solano admitted he had to retreat whenever a woman caught him off guard with pepper gel. This explains why it pays to build your speed so that you will have quick reflexes and the endurance to keep running until you have reached a safe place.
Knowing What Extent You Can Defend Yourself
While you have every right to defend yourself, it’s equally important to understand how far that right goes so you won’t get carried away and face unnecessary consequences.
To put it simply, you may use lethal force if your life is in immediate and undeniable danger, such as when the mugger forces you into his vehicle or drags you down a secluded path. These actions raise the risk of sexual assault or kidnapping, and the law will therefore recognize your use of lethal force as a necessary means to escape.
But if your attacker turns tail, you must not pursue him or continue to inflict harm. The situation can quickly shift from self-defense to assault, and that could put you on the wrong side of the law.
As soon as the threat ends, your priority is to call the police, provide a detailed description of the mugger, and let the justice system do its job.
Final Words
Muggers will use aggressive body language and brandish weapons so that their panicking victims will comply immediately. While most offenders pulling this stunt are just amateurs looking for fast cash, their desperation makes them dangerous, and being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can make them even more volatile.
So if ever you find yourself in an unfortunate mugging situation in the future, it would be best to hand over your wallet, gadget, or jewelry and live to tell the story. Give them your bag if they want it! Don’t even think of negotiating with these kinds of people.
But if you’ve trained in self‑defense and you’ve got a pepper gel ready in your hand, you may have an advantage against a mugger who isn’t armed with a weapon. In that scenario, fighting back can be the right call.
Still, the most effective defense against mugging is avoidance. You'll want to practice situational awareness wherever you go, don’t advertise yourself as a lucrative target, travel smart, and equip yourself with self-defense weapons that you can access instantly.
Leave a comment