Former Thief Shares Advice On How to Avoid Getting Mugged
October 30, 2018

David Solano is now behind bars. But before that, he spent years robbing others. Now, the former thief is giving tips on how to avoid getting mugged.
With the use of social media and built-in video capabilities on our phones, people are becoming more aware of the number of muggings that are occurring throughout the country. The hope would be that the uptick in reports would encourage others to be more vigilant while out and about.
RELATED: Safety Tips All Kids Need To Know
But what should we be looking for exactly? “Dark alleyways” are no longer the location of choice. Now the muggings are happening in broad daylight!
TODAY Show correspondent Jeff Rossen takes us into a correctional facility to hear from a veteran thief, David Solano. He’s admitted to mugging over 100 people and is now serving a 25+ year sentence. David now hopes to help others learn how to avoid being a victim and shares his knowledge on what to look for and how to stay safe.
“This is my way of repenting, you know?" David explains. "My way of giving back to society. My way of telling everybody, ‘I’m sorry’. Who knows, I might save a life and that would be a great thing.”

Former Thief's Tips To Avoid Getting Mugged
Solano shares that an easy target is a distracted one. Something as simple as stopping to share the time or give directions can leave you at risk. Instead, give the information while continuing to walk or while maintaining a distance from the inquirer. He goes on to share that the common targets are those who are alone and seem vulnerable, often the elderly.
“It’s insane. It’s crazy because um, while you’re in under the influence and you’re in that life, you have no remorse. You have no feelings,” David shares.
David also shared a few surprises. He said he often had targeted MEN because the women, while more vulnerable, were often more willing to make noise. One would-be victim was carrying a whistle which David noted was a great deterrent. He goes on to share that the best method of protection was a small can of Mace (personal defense pepper spray).
RELATED: Warning After Thieves Target Purses At Grocery Stores
But this is only good if you remember:
“You need to have that Mace in your hand, not in your purse. The Mace is not going to deter me while it’s in your purse, it’s gonna deter me while it’s in your hand, while you’re spraying at me.”
NEVER physically fight a mugger. David shares that fighting back could result in making the mugger angry which could escalate the situation. Unless you have training in defensive fighting, it’s too dangerous.
“Give it up, It can be replaced, you’re more valuable than anything.”
Where Most Muggers Strike
But where do most muggers strike? This might come as a surprise, but David shared that your DRIVEWAY is the place you are most vulnerable. Make sure to check your surroundings before getting out of your car to enter your house. In the city, the most risk comes while standing on the subway platform where you might be distracted, looking at your phone or standing off by yourself. Instead, find a crowd of people near the center of the platform to stand near. Being in a crowd makes you much less of a target.
It’s unfortunate to need to think about these situations but we are so grateful to David for sharing his tips. We hope that you will share these with your friends and family. Remember to be aware, stay in crowds, and make noise if you feel threatened.
WATCH: Tips On How You Can Avoid Getting Mugged
h/t: Godtube.com
Featured Image Credit: Thinkstock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Muggers Targeted A 77-Year-Old Granny And Regretted It Immediately
Today's Devotional
A Valentine’s Day Prayer to Cultivate a Tender Heart toward God - Your Daily Prayer - February 14
Here are four ways to help cultivate a tender heart towards God this Valentine's Day.
Today's Devotional
A Valentine’s Day Prayer to Cultivate a Tender Heart toward God - Your Daily Prayer - February 14
Here are four ways to help cultivate a tender heart towards God this Valentine's Day.
Past Stories
- 98-Year-Old Great-Grandmother Has a Special Connection to Her Great-Granddaughter
- Mom Receives a Heartwarming Message From Best Friend After Son is Diagnosed With Autism
- Retired Army Medic Pays For Stranger's Breakfast and Leaves a Heartfelt Note
- Golden Retriever Saved by Lifeboat Crew After Running Into the Ocean After a Scare
- 10-Year-Old Boy is in Recovery After Being Struck by Plane Debris While Protecting Little Sister
- Car Accident on First Date Night Without Kids in a Year, Reminds Couple That God is in Control
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
- New Jersey High School Basketball Star Keeps Playing Through Cancer Diagnosis
- Dad Whose Daughter Died After Transplant Gives Kidney to Another Little Girl
- Musician is Reunited With Letterman Jacket, 30 Years After Ordering It Back in High School
- Twin Brothers Both Pop the Question Just Days Apart, Without Planning to Do So
- Girl Scout Saves Her Dad's Life Just 11 Days After Learning CPR
- This 100 Year Old Kentucky Centenarian Works At Home Depot, Offering Great Tips For a Long Life
- Woman Married 82 Years Has a Very Special Disney-Themed 100th Birthday Party
- Man Discovers 46 Year Old Christmas Present in the Wall of His Childhood Home
- 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Police Officers Wallet
- Her Cat Was Missing For 7 Years, But She Finally Came Back Home
- Delta Held a Plane So a Daughter Could Have One Last Goodbye With Her Dying Mother
- Even Through Dementia One Special Phrase Kept a Grandmother Connected to Her Husband
- Mom, Dad, and 6-Year-Old Daughter Are Heroes After Rescuing Woman From Overturned Car
- Couple Receive the Biggest Surprise Blessing After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
- Old English Sheepdog Who Appears to Have Special Powers, Receives an Award
- 49 Years Later Daughter is Reunited With Birth Mother and Other Family After Taking DNA Test
- 22 Family Members Surprise Grandparents With a Fun Family Sleepover
- Scared Doodle Rescued From Thin Frozen New Jersey Lake With Help From Neighbors Drone
- Woman Caught in a Riptide is Saved by Fisherman's Hook
- Couple Finds Lost Ring In a Snowy Wonderland During Engagement Photo Shoot
- Jimmy Carter, 39th President, Passes Away at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Service
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley Talks About Getting Her Voice Back After Losing It Two Years Ago
- 90-Year-Old From Oklahoma Is Rewarded For Going Out of His Way to Help Others
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
Top Music Videos

Riley Clemmons Riley Clemmons 'Jesus Cries' Official Music Video

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Captivates with Heartfelt 'My Jesus' Live Performance

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - It Is Well

toby mac TobyMac’ ‘God Did It’ Official Lyric Video

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.