Secrets To Avoid Getting Mugged: A Veteran Thief Reveals All | TODAY

TODAY national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen goes behind bars to interview David Solano, who’s serving 25 years to life for robbery and estimates he’s mugged more than 100 people. Now Solano reveals how to avoid becoming a victim of people like him.

About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.

Connect with TODAY Online!

Secrets To Avoid Getting Mugged: A Veteran Thief Reveals All | TODAY

[goodfellabeats]

I try to walk around with my hood on and hands in my pocket. Who's going to rob someone who looks like they are planning on robbing someone?

[yixnorb]

In Paris late at night in the Latin Quarter a person I did not know came up to me and attempted to start a conversation. He seemed unusually friendly to me. The first thing I thought of was that this was an attempt to take my attention away from my surroundings. But I had read about safety. I ignored him, turning around to see someone else coming up behind me. I left immediately. I don't care if this was rude. To this day I don't know if I escaped a possible bad situation or if the guy just wanted to talk. WAY too many red flags that night.

[Onlybadtakes]

wow really?? thats it for the "advice"?? This guy is a master thief, even behind bars he stole my time.

[RicoVonSpaceWolf]

I was being followed by muggers once ...I could tell they had targeted me and were following me waiting for the right opportunity. I started to ask people for money basically start begging for change even though I had plenty of money. When the would be attackers saw me begging for money they stopped following me.

[kiranabayaratna]

Always walk around pretending to be on the phone while speaking about guns in a deep russian accent

[darylsmith]

I had a guy ask me to stop once while I was in a sketchy area. Was pretty sure I was going to get mugged. I started twitching/spitting/talking to myself and acting insane and the guy just turned around lol

[Brooklyn_Powers]

You want to avoid being a victim: Situational Awareness.

[VirgilZandig]

Not proud to admit it, but the one time I was punched multiple times during an attempted robbery, I just screamed like a girl. High-pitch, total emasculation type pitch, but he ran.

[jaridkeen]

I hope no one robs me. I wouldnt want to lose my pocket lint

[php]

I was mugged once while aged 14. The first clue I should have payed attention to was a group of young adults loitering. They are not waiting for a friend they are waiting for prey.

[tracycampbell]

Intuition Intuition it doesn't feel right it probably ain't. I grew up in Baltimore and that saved me more than anything. Observe everything in your immediate

[Mars-]

I got mugged when i was around 10 years old by some 16-18 year olds stealing my money and hitting me, luckily not in the face. After the second time i knew the trd time will come too so i told my parents who called the police and they followed me on the days i whould expect them to be at a specific location. They all got arrested with drugs, weapons and one even fought back. I laughed so hard omg, sweet victory laugh.

[SoFlyKipFloatBy]

Mugger: "Excuse me sir, can you tell me what time is it?"

Me: "No problem. Let me check my I meant my clock!"

[Jacno]

i like to keep a fake wallet with a carefully placed moth inside it so when i pull it out and open it, a moth flies out of it like a cartoon

[denyagantenbein]

I have lived in the most dangerous cities and never been mugged because I am paranoid. People think paranoia is a bad quality, but it has saved me many, many, many times

[frloopr]

Just dont wear anything and people will leave you alone

[rafibomb]

Plot twist he tellin us wrong info so he can rob us when we dont expect it

[dsm]

As others have said, situational awareness is critical. One day I was about to park in an isolated area of a mall parking lot. I became suspicious of 2 guys sitting in their car and drove away. They sped away as I left. The next day there was a robbery in that lot. This experience bothers me over 20 years later.

[selinabina]

Hear that guys, scream like a girl. It could save your life.

[josephc]

If you think you're being followed, then there is a good chance you are. Don't hope for the best, plan for the worst.