Gov't van following me a few days ago...

Alright, I was a little worried to post this, but I'm going to anyway. I leave my apartment for work at 5:15 AM and arrive at my workplace at 5:30. When I opened the exit door at my apartment building, (it is in an urban area) there was a 15 passenger Ford Econoline, occupied by 2, at the stop sign at the 3 way intersection beside my apartment building. I have my car parked one block away in a garage, so I had to walk over to get it, all the while the van is sitting at the stop sign, the driver smoking a cigarette, as I can see the flame. I try to think nothing of it as I get in my car and depart the garage, and sure enough as I'm pulling out of the garage they begin to follow me. They tailed me about two car lengths back, and once I got one block away from my work they got in the other lane, sped up beside me, and then took off, allowing me to see they had Federal GSA tags. I was too afraid to look at the occupants. I just wanted to let everyone know, they are out to intimidate, not harm (as of now) and apparently I overstepped my bounds.

yep, they were very disrespectful, no one drives like that.....ATS is now your witnesses

reply to post by Aquarist


If you were under investigation for something i'm not sure they would make it so...known.. you know?

I think they were just a couple pricks with badges to be honest. Bored, using you for practice?

But posting it on ATS is only going to get you more attention from them, especially if you randomly pop up in one of their databases for even mentioning them.

Originally posted by Aquarist
Alright, I was a little worried to post this, but I'm going to anyway. I leave my apartment for work at 5:15 AM and arrive at my workplace at 5:30. When I opened the exit door at my apartment building, (it is in an urban area) there was a 15 passenger Ford Econoline, occupied by 2, at the stop sign at the 3 way intersection beside my apartment building. I have my car parked one block away in a garage, so I had to walk over to get it, all the while the van is sitting at the stop sign, the driver smoking a cigarette, as I can see the flame. I try to think nothing of it as I get in my car and depart the garage, and sure enough as I'm pulling out of the garage they begin to follow me. They tailed me about two car lengths back, and once I got one block away from my work they got in the other lane, sped up beside me, and then took off, allowing me to see they had Federal GSA tags. I was too afraid to look at the occupants. I just wanted to let everyone know, they are out to intimidate, not harm (as of now) and apparently I overstepped my bounds.

Why do yo think they did this, I see nothing in your post history to inflame them?

I would think that of the "THTB" needed something from you or they wanted to silence you...you would not be posting this.

Originally posted by yourmaker
reply to post by Aquarist

 

If you were under investigation for something i'm not sure they would make it so...known.. you know?

I think they were just a couple pricks with badges to be honest. Bored, using you for practice?

But posting it on ATS is only going to get you more attention from them, especially if you randomly pop up in one of their databases for even mentioning them.

Did the OP mention badges? Must of missed that part.

He did say the van driven had "federal GSA" plates...which is queastionable at best. Federal plates sure, but how does he/she know they have anything to do with the GSA.


The GSA (governmental Supply agency) has nothing to do with following anybody by the way. Unless maybee you stole a few cases of "for government use only" ball point pens from them.

Originally posted by Yeats

I don't know what I could have done to make them angry, upset, or whatever, but I don't know, maybe I have read something that I shouldn't have read. That's the only thing I can think.

Originally posted by yourmaker
If you were under investigation for something i'm not sure they would make it so...known.. you know?

I think they were just a couple pricks with badges to be honest. Bored, using you for practice?

But posting it on ATS is only going to get you more attention from them, especially if you randomly pop up in one of their databases for even mentioning them.

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe it wasn't an investigation but just intimidation, e.g. "look who's boss". Or they could've been using me for practice, I'm young, only 17. Perhaps they wanted to see how a teenager would react to them.

Yeah hopefully I won't disappear.

Originally posted by Aquarist

Originally posted by Yeats

I don't know what I could have done to make them angry, upset, or whatever, but I don't know, maybe I have read something that I shouldn't have read. That's the only thing I can think.

Originally posted by yourmaker
If you were under investigation for something i'm not sure they would make it so...known.. you know?

I think they were just a couple pricks with badges to be honest. Bored, using you for practice?

But posting it on ATS is only going to get you more attention from them, especially if you randomly pop up in one of their databases for even mentioning them.

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe it wasn't an investigation but just intimidation, e.g. "look who's boss". Or they could've been using me for practice, I'm young, only 17. Perhaps they wanted to see how a teenager would react to them.

Yeah hopefully I won't disappear.

I think you need to stop partaking in substances which "may cause paranoia". Just my opinion....

Just brake, let them pass and follow them.

reply to post by Aquarist

I hate when that happens.

Revealing themselves to you like that (as plain as day) is one tactic any enforcement agency will use when they are trying to deliver a message. They would like you to know that you have come to their attention and they are delivering this warning to stop what ever it is you are doing that caught their eye. They will let it go, if you respond accordingly. Don't take that lightly. You have been warned. No big deal, yet.

You said yourself maybe you overstepped your bounds... you would know best.

reply to post by Aquarist


That's where your cell comes in. Next time you see the van whip out your cell. Record the licence plate and the occupants. And send the video to a few friends and or post it on here so we can see it. And if they ask what you're doing just say "I've always wanted a van like this. I'm trying to find one just like this for deliveries. How much did you pay for it? " ha ha. So they wont' think your a trouble maker. ;-p Maybe invest in some pepper spray ha ha. But imagine how exciting it would be if they actually black bagged you? That would be awsome! Adventure tourism at its best. Almost like going to Total Recall, ha ha.



Oh and if they take you here's what they're gonna do to you, just so you know...



or this...

Originally posted by intrptr
reply to post by Aquarist

 

They will let it go, if you respond accordingly. Don't take that lightly. You have been warned. No big deal, yet.

Yes...I have slowed down going on conspiracy websites. Hopefully that's what they wanted. That's all I've ever done, I just think maybe there was something I saw that perhaps has since been removed, and I haven't notice d, and it wasn't for my eyes.
The sentences I left in your quote worry me a bit.

Originally posted by r2d246
reply to post by Aquarist

 

If this happens again I might just do that...If I don't freak out and run first.

reply to post by Aquarist

Yes...I have slowed down going on conspiracy websites. Hopefully that's what they wanted. That's all I've ever done, I just think maybe there was something I saw that perhaps has since been removed, and I haven't notice d, and it wasn't for my eyes.
The sentences I left in your quote worry me a bit.

Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. If all you are afraid of is that you troll on the internet, I wouldn't worry so much. That changes the scenario. They prolly were looking for somebody else. When you came out and they pulled up along side they realized it wasn't you and took off. No worries now.

Your opinion is not that dangerous man. If you see them again, then you can worry. But really, don't worry about seeing them and they left you alone. That is a good sign.

reply to post by Aquarist


If you know you are being followed..always pull over and get behind whoever and get there tag OK...The good ones usually dont follow to close..

Originally posted by Apollo7
reply to post by Aquarist

 

If you know you are being followed..always pull over and get behind whoever and get there tag OK...The good ones usually dont follow to close..

Maybe my trail was inexperienced? They followed pretty close, but not enough to make out distinctive features of the driver and passenger. Will do, and all of ATS shall know the tag number!


@ intrpr: That makes me feel better now. Hopefully they were looking for another target.

ETA: Those videos of waterboarding sure do look like fun!

How many people were in the van when it passed you? Still 2? I ask because armed forces recruiters use that type of vehicle a lot. Oftentimes new recruits are picked up early morning to be processed.

reply to post by 35Foxtrot


After their pass I looked and didn't see anyone in the back. And the route to my workplace is a weird one to say the least.

Dont lay off the conspiracy sites,do it more.Thats what id do anyway,like a red rag to a bull.

reply to post by Aquarist


Or, this van just happened to be going the same direction that you were going and when they sped off it was that they got to the place where their journey and yours no longer converged. Last night a white car followed me for six miles while I was driving home from work. When that white car got to the corner of Andrews Blvd, he made a left and I kept going straight. I guess he got what he wanted from me or he was never following me in the first place.

Originally posted by intrptr
reply to post by Aquarist

 

I hate when that happens.

Revealing themselves to you like that (as plain as day) is one tactic any enforcement agency will use when they are trying to deliver a message. They would like you to know that you have come to their attention and they are delivering this warning to stop what ever it is you are doing that caught their eye. They will let it go, if you respond accordingly. Don't take that lightly. You have been warned. No big deal, yet.

You said yourself maybe you overstepped your bounds... you would know best.

I guess you missed the post where this person says they are only 17 years old. Just what in the world could this kid have done in his short time here on earth that would warrent this? He's a kid with a vivid imagination that is all. You on the other hand are encouraging paranoia.

reply to post by intrptr


The word is probably not Prolly.