Larry Linder

Hello, my name is Margie and I am posting for my husband. He has ridden the Santa Ana bike trail from Anaheim to Newport on a weekly basis for the last 3 years. Last Thursday evening, Feb 2, 2010, he was attacked by 3 gang bangers on the trail. They hid in the bushes and ambushed him. The first 2 tried to push him down unsuccessfully and the third one waited 50 feet ahead of the other two and swung a mountain bike against him in an attempt to knock him off his bike. Fortunately he was able to get away with only some cuts and bruises. After he got away, he stopped to call 911. The 3 men were apprehended but because it was so dark, he was unable to identify either of them. It was no doubt one of the scariest moments of his life. I am posting to communicate to others that there are some parts of the trail that are inhabited by gang members. This is probably not news to some riders. But if this post saves a life then it is worth the effort. I also am posting to find other riders who might want to ride on this trail with my husband. I have created this post for him at his request since he is busy working at the moment. He will be the one following the thread. I sincerely hope that anyone interested will respond. Thank you and let's all take care of each other on these bike trails.

10 Wheels

The proper place to Post this would be in Regional Southern Cal Forum

With No ID on the perps how, can anyone help?

Nachoman

Didn't you see Charles Bronson in Death Wish?

AndreyT

"Last Thursday evening" was Feb 2, 2012

Bill Kapaun

Glad I don't have a wife named Larry!

prathmann

Larry and Margie might want to check out the thread in the S. Calif. forum:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...on-1-30-7-15pm

It discusses two other attacks, on 1/30 and 2/4, both on the Santa Ana trail and both also involving three male attackers.

krustyone

PM me if you don't get any local replies!

Dudelsack 

Thanks for that valuable, and informative, addition

bobn

Ruger LCP. Small, light and compact.

bluegoatwoods

C'mon folks, can't you have a little sympathy? This lady's husband was attacked. That's upsetting stuff. The last thing she needs is one-liners. Even if they were actually funny, this is not the right time.

To Larry and Margie,
You can certainly try to team up with other bicyclists to ride in pairs and gather information about these garbage-heads that can be turned over to the police. The real world is such, though, that you're likely to have only limited success. If any.

After that you'll have to make a choice; do you surrender to the barbarians or not? i.e.; quit riding or quit riding that particular path. Personally, I'd be very reluctant to surrender. That won't help society one bit.

If you choose to keep right on going, then I'd advise you to determine yourself to spill the blood of anyone who attacks. I'm not talking about death or serious injury, but I'm talking about something to force more serious interest on the part of law enforcement.

Is fighting back against a mugger/attacker dangerous? Maybe, but they've already placed you in danger and no doubt feel that they can do it again anytime they want. You hardly have anything to lose and you just might score a win.

Though there's little we can do for you, we're on your side and hope all goes well.

10 Wheels

The perps can also team up and now get two nice bikes for their effort.

Hendricks97

This kind of thing has got me thinking about getting a belt holder for my Ulock so I can have something heavy and handy just in case

Looigi

Shoot somebody with a short barrel 380 like that and you're liable to piss them off. A little more firepower, perhaps a S&W 340PD +P, would be more persuasive.

bobn

A little to bulky for the spandex crowd.

SlimRider

For those cowards, a small starter pistol would work! They'd all scatter, just from the noise!

SlimRider

The police need to do a sting-op on this trail near the target area!

Whiteknight

You might want to rethink that comment. The incident on the Thun Trail on Wed. Jan. 25, 2012 discussed on this board involved the use of a short-barreled .380. The dead attacker took one in the chest and that one did the job. The wounded attacker took a single .380 round through the chin, passing through his throat and lodged in his shoulder. From what I was told his larynx was destroyed and may never be able to talk as a result. My source could not tell me if they were hollow points and what type. My source (on the scene) told me there was a lot of blood around the site and not from the intended victim on the bike.

bigbadwullf

The reason for a gun. Blow the bastards away and leave. Take your country back.

Leebo

Helmet cam.

VELOGLOCK

This is exactly the reason I purchased my LCP , just put it on the scale , gun, mag , 7 rnds of gold dot plus holster 13.5 ozs.

And everyone should know, you shoot till the threat is incapacitated , BTDT.

Garfield Cat

Police will only do what they are told and they have their priorities. What's needed is public pressure, public outcry to the City council meetings. Politicians yield to public pressure, unless one is in an autocratic state.

SlimRider

Well maybe after these thugs kill somebody, we can then encourage the police to act.

Garfield Cat

I tried looking up Orange County Bicycle Coalition and there is such an organization. But I don't know if they really exercise their political will.

Velo Dog

Yeah, because this could ONLY happen in Southern California. No reason for the rest of us to be cautious.

MightyLegnano

There's only one solution to that problem. Make a task force from bikers and ride the path regularly holding sticks, guns, globs, metal rods whatever. It'd help to have some nasty looking dogs as well



This dog possess some serious power, even alone can afflict devestating injuries to multiple opponents. I'm not suggesting to have this dog as a weapon to injury those people, but to scare them off. There's nothing as scary as having a beast with bone breaking jaws looking at you.