VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Virginia Beach woman is recovering after a man followed her out of a store, and attacked her on her doorstep on Monday.
The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) shared on social media the suspect allegedly followed the woman through the store and into the parking lot.
There, police said he made “lewd comments” to the woman. The woman continued to her home near Town Center, unaware the man was still following her from a nearby grocery store in his white sedan.
That’s when police say the suspect assaulted the woman at her front door.
The incident outlined by police can happen anywhere at any time. Even somewhere as routine as the grocery store or at your own home.
This is why a retired police chief is sharing advice on some of the best ways to look out for yourself.
"Being prepared and expecting the unexpected is extremely important," said Kenny Miller, retired Petersburg Police Chief and former officer with the VBPD.
Miller has spent 40 years in law enforcement, and he said changing up your travel patterns and staying aware of your surroundings are critical in your day-to-day life. It's advice he gives to his own daughters.
"Staying alert, being vigilant. I’m not talking about being hyper-vigilant, I mean having a sense of what’s going on around you," he said.
This assault is just the latest in a string of troubling incidents happening near Town Center in Virginia Beach.
In October, a man shot at a police officer while allegedly shoplifting from Kohl’s. Another man was stabbed inside the Fresh Market two days later.
In November, a man was shot around dinnertime in the Wendy's parking lot on South Independence Boulevard and Bonney Road near Town Center.
Miller says in cases like that, the advice to stay alert still rings true, so you're not caught in the crossfire.
He also encourages keeping your wallet or cash out of sight, putting your phone down and keeping a confident posture to deter predators. Miller emphasizes this advice goes for men and women.
"People are looking for that weak, or that easy target," he said.
People hear these reminders as they head out to do their holiday shopping in November and December, but Miller said you need to be alert year-round.
"During the holiday season, particularly the Christmas season, we're all in this hypersensitive, hyper-security state. But after Christmas, we relax and we reduce that posture. I would say to you, that posture should be maintained 365 days a year."
Miller also said to not be afraid to alert store management if you feel unsafe and need an escort to your car.
Once in the car, he says if you think you’re being followed, don’t drive straight home. Instead, you can always pull into a police precinct and ask for help or just call 911.
"Your safety is truly your own responsibility. Sad to say, but realistic," Miller said.
As for self-defense training or carrying pepper spray, Miller said that's only as effective as much you practice with it.
Virginia Beach Police have not said how the woman who was assaulted is doing.
They're asking people to be on the lookout for a four-door Buick sedan with a sunroof, tinted windows and Virginia tags. The last four characters on that plate are possibly 7663.
