[John Luttrel]

Was out in the boonies today checking oil wells when I ran across an old GMC pickup with two guys in it; they looked very much out of place, especially around my well sites. I've been running this route for 4 years and pretty much know every oil field truck and land owner truck that should be out there and had never seen it before.

I decided to get the plate number off of it just in case I came up missing some equipment tomorrow. As I got close enough to get the number they slam on the brakes and put it in reverse; I also stop and put mine in reverse as I get their plate number. I could see they were looking at me in the mirror, so there was no chance they didn't see me when they then nail the gas and come at my truck, so I too nail mine and back away from them. At this time I unholstered my weapon and had it resting on the center arm rest out of sight, just in case they jumped out with a weapon.

When they saw I wasn't going to stay around to chat, they stopped and started forward again. Well, I knew that they were on a dead end road with the only way out being to get by me, so I called 911 and got the sheriff department to come meet me and check them out. I've had a lot of equipment stolen in the past few months and these guys were up to no good.

Luckily I wasn't too far out and it only took about 45 minutes for the deputies to get there. When they got there, we drove back to where they were cornered and confronted them. Come to find out they had a lot of oil field equipment in the bed of the truck, but none of it was mine. The old truck had expired tags and no inspection sticker and when they ran the driver's ID he had a felony warrant for theft of property and was hauled off in cuffs. The other had no ID and got hauled in until they can verify who he is.

Neither one of these guys was the guy, I had a run in with a few months ago stealing my compressor batteries, but at least one more thief is off the streets. It's worth mentioning that the LEO's both knew me and know I conceal carry; it never came up as to weather I was carrying or not. I very glad things didn't escalate to the point of needing to use my weapon, but I sure felt better having it with me.

 

[CowboyColby]

Glad you caught them and everything went smoothly.

 

[Patti]

Wow, that happened to you twice in 3 months!

I was out in the middle of nowhere this morning, checking oil wells in the rain, when I got a little surprise. It had rained here all last night, so the roads were very bad and I was having trouble getting up this road to one of my wells, but I noticed a set of very fresh tracks of someone that had gone in ahead of me. It being Deer season here, I just figured it was a hunter who had decided not to let the weather keep him home today.

As I got almost to the location, I saw a guy run from where my gas compressor is located and jump into a mini van; it was still dark, but he had ran in front of his head lights. By this time, I had two thoughts going through my head; one was, how did he get that mini van in here and the other was, I hope he's not dumping a body.

The guy was blocked in by my truck as there is only one way in and out of the location and the road is very narrow; not to mention slick with deep mud. I had come to a stop to consider my options at this point, as there was no way to back down the road as muddy as it was and I was doubtful that there was enough room for us to pass each other. I knew one thing for sure, I really didn't like the idea of getting near his van for fear of getting shot.

About then, guy decided to make the decision for me and was going to get by me at all costs. I had to make the decision as the weather I was going to drive and try to minimize my exposure to this guy or draw my weapon and deal with a possible confrontation with him; the road was too bad to even consider doing both. I chose to drive like hell and try to avoid a shoot out with this guy, if at all possible. So I hammered down my work truck and slid by him in the ditch, missing his side mirror by inches and staring him directly in the eyeballs as we passed window to window.

The guy was no doubt your typical crack head and was up to no good, so after we passed each other, I got his tag number off his rear plates. As I pulled onto the location, I called the County Sheriffs department and gave them a good description of the vehicle as well as the driver. I then checked the location and found no body laying around or anything missing, but I figured I had pulled up on him before he had a chance to steal anything.

At this point, I considered the very real possibility that the guy had slid off the road and had me blocked in; so I was real careful coming back out in case the guy was stuck, but he had managed to get it back out to the main road.

I went ahead and pulled into my next well location and found that he had been there and stolen $400 worth of batteries, from the compressor on that location. So I contacted the sheriffs department again, to let them know that the guy had in fact stolen equipment from me. They informed me that they had not found the guy yet, but were still watching for him.

Later, when I finally got back to civilization, a deputy met with me to fill out an incident report. When we shook hands, I gave him my drivers license along with my Concealed Handgun License as I introduced myself. The deputy glanced at my CHL and handed it back to me; never asked where the weapon was or or even mention it during the whole encounter. I was very pleased with the professionalism of the deputy and I'm confident they will get the guy, as when they ran the plate number I gave them, it came back as valid, on a mini van that fit the description of the one I saw.

This is one of those situations I fear the most while working out in the boonies by my self; at least it didn't turn into a situation that I felt my life was threatened. I sure would of hated shooting somebody over $400 worth of batteries; but had the guy threatened my life, this story would of had a much worse ending.
__________________
John Luttrell

http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbull...iscussions/88003-scary-encounter-morning.html

 

[farronwolf]

At this time I unholstered my weapon and had it resting on the center arm rest out of sight, just in case they jumped out with a weapon.

What would you have done had the weapon flew off the console in all the vehicle wrangling, say between the passengers seat and door, or under the seat or pedals?

I would have left the gun holstered until I was sure I needed it.

Glad things turned out ok, and glad there are less thieves running around Texas.

 

[dsee11789]

Luckily I wasn't too far out and it only took about 45 minutes for the deputies to get there.

That's crazy.

 

[John Luttrel]

Wow, that happened to you twice in 3 months!




http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbull...iscussions/88003-scary-encounter-morning.html

Yep and I'm not the only guy it's happening to out here; it seems to be getting a lot worse with the economy being so bad.

 

[Xader]

I remember reading that first one. Lot of unscrupulous types these days... :tired:

 

[BradyM77]

Congrats! Im sure all your "neighbors" appreciate your help also!

 

[John Luttrel]

What would you have done had the weapon flew off the console in all the vehicle wrangling, say between the passengers seat and door, or under the seat or pedals?

I would have left the gun holstered until I was sure I needed it.

Glad things turned out ok, and glad there are less thieves running around Texas.

Oh no, the pistol was in my hand, resting on the center arm rest; I didn't want to be fighting a seat belt if I needed it.

 

[atctimmy]

That's crazy.

No, that's country.

 

[John Luttrel]

No, that's country.

That's right, when you need the police out here, your destiny is still in your hands for a good while; plan accordingly.

 

[goawayfarm]

Sounds like you should be carrying a rifle or shottie.......

 

[edr9x23super]

Great Work! Glad to hear things didn't escalate into real trouble for you. I used to work out in the OIl & Gas industry in Texas myself back in the late 70s and 80s and that experience is what convinced me to arm myself.

I cannot count the number of times we were drilling or working over wells and watched as many as 15 people at a time come walking up to our well site wanting food, water or money. My experience was mainly out in West Texas near the Mexican border, but similar in the fact that you are almost always miles from any civilization or help of any kind, so you have to be mindful of this and take steps to protect yourself. The incident that changed my outlook on all this was the night we were breaking the rig down to move when we heard a bunch of gunfire off in the distance with spotlights and vehicle noise mixed in; ordinarily we always blew this off as teenagers out spotlighting varmints so we kept working. About an hour later, this guy comes stumbling into our worksite covered in blood carrying a Hefty trash bag full of marijuana. He was very weak from blood loss and could speak no english, so we got on the radio telephone we had in the crew trailer, and got help on the way.

We found out the next day the guy died before they got him to a hospital, but what made me change my ways was the fact that for the hour and a half we waited for the border patrol and the county Sheriffs to arrive, we sat out there in the middle of nowhere wondering if the guys shooting this dude that just showed up were going to roll up on our worksite, and not one of us had any kind of firearm with which to defend ourselves. The deputies that showed told our tool pusher (Rig Boss, GOD) the next day that they went to the area where we told them we thought the gunfire came from and they only found one other dead guy and no weapons or drugs, which was common they said. One party or the others' friends showed up and scavenged the scene before the LEOs arrived.

So, from that day forward, I always traveled armed to those work sites, as did my compatriots. Yes, we had a bunch of other encounters with people but they were mostly illegals sneaking across the border......

 

[Thumper]

Something about your experience out in the boonies makes me want to carry a backup gun. :wink:

 

[OldVet]

45 minutes is not too far out in Texas terms! Glad all worked out for you.

 

[KimBobTex]

John, I remember your first post you mentioned, glad you're OK & none of your stuff taken (this time) ... might be time to beef up your vehicle arsenal if possible. Stay Safe!!

 

[nutz4utwo]

Yay! BG's got caught and no one was injured.

Textbook.

 

[RETSUPT99]

Glad that worked out well for you, unfortunately there are many more dirtbag waiting in line to steal your stuff.
You[re lucky that Texas allow individuals a little more leeway in protecting 'stuff'.:hand10:

 

[searcher 45]

Oil and gas wells are sometimes located in very remote areas here in Texas, therefore the 45 min. for the deputy Sheriff to arrive is not all that strange.

I read somewhere that we have seen a sharp rise in theft since the ecomony has gone down. Therefore oilfield location theft where much of the time no one is there is a very temping target.

John, it very well you are armed. As you know Texas law will allow you to carry a loaded shotgun or rifle in your truck, but will your company allow you to. If they will, I would up gun because you may very well need it for your personal protection.

 

[basher052]

Ive been in the O&G industry just about most of my life now (over 40 yrs is all you need know :embarassed and this happens all the time. While I was growing up in So. TX., my dad owned a wellhead company and I cant tell you how many trees we replaced during the late 70's and early 80's due to theft. Im sure it will get that bad now also.

As to working near the Mexican border, the Eagleford Shale is right on the border. Webb and Starr county are getting busy, and some of these wells are within sight of the Rio Grande river. Its getting very dangerous in the area. Most companies have a "no firearms" policy, but they dont check, or ask either.

Stay safe out there brother. Im glad to be in sales in Houston. Its not a bad place to be in the patch. :yup: :image035: