About a month ago I was in a public library and after I left and got to my car I realized someone managed to steal my phone. I have an iPad with internet, so I used it to locate my phone through the “find my phone” app which allows you to locate and also lock the phone and keep it on until the battery runs out.

I chased the thief for a long time and finally parked next to his car. Offered him some cash to get my phone back thinking it was the safest and fastest way to have the phone back. He instead slammed his car door open and attacked me. I quickly took my glasses off and the fistfight started. I hit him several times at which point he surrendered and handed me the phone back. I thought it was over, but as soon as I put my glasses back on, he tried to hit the glasses’ frame to cut my face, the glasses flew away and we started another fight. I won, picked up the glasses, jumped on my car and left.

Why did I chase? Because I am 42, living on my own, separated for about 1.5 years, full time student in CRNA school, not allowed to work while in the program as the program occupies 7 days a week and is absurdly demanding. I can’t afford to pay for another phone while still paying for the one that was stolen. I have no insurance on the phone. I thought chasing and offering money would be fairly safe.

He could have had a knife or a gun, he could have won the fight and kept hitting me once on the ground... So many things could have gone wrong. I only reported minor injuries, but I was lucky. I am pretty big (6’5”, 250lb) but in a fight it’s not always the biggest who wins.

What do you think? Comments and poll answers appreciated.