This morning I got a surprising call from a friend that serves as a scary reminder for Texans this holiday season. With all of the holiday travel that is going to be going on, you need always to be aware of your surroundings. A worst-case scenario can happen almost anywhere before you even realize it's happening.

Be Aware Of What's Happening Around You While You Travel

My friend had this close encounter at a gas station in the middle of the morning. He was sitting in the driver's seat with his door open while checking a text message. Suddenly, he found himself in a pretty precarious position.

Photo by David von Diemar on Unsplash
Photo by David von Diemar on Unsplash
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A man positioned himself between my friend and the door and asked for money. My friend said he didn't have anything to give the man, which didn't sit well with the individual. He asked my friend again for money.

My friend explained, again, that he didn't have any extra cash. The man became more aggressive in his tone and grabbed my friend by the wrist.

Don't Let Your Guard Down This Holiday Season While Traveling

Unfortunately for this man, he picked the wrong guy to be that aggressive with. My buddy, without thinking about it, reared back and clocked the guy with a strong right cross. When I got the phone call, my friend was on his way to the hospital to get some shots and get his hand checked out.

It's a scary reminder that you need to always be aware and don't let your guard down, even around the holidays. While the season is all about love, joy, peace, and giving, it is also a time when scammers and criminals will be working overtime to separate you from your hard-earned cash. Sometimes, by any means necessary.

Take care of yourself and be safe this season.

Texas Crime Statistics By City

Check to see how crime compares in your city versus elsewhere.

Gallery Credit: Toni Gee, Townsquare Media

Amarillo On 'America's Most Wanted'

I was surprised to find out recently that we also have a bit of a history with the show America's Most Wanted.

Digging through old news articles, I found several separate occasions where Amarillo and America's Most Wanted crossed paths. It makes me wonder if there are some that I've missed.

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark

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