What’s the best security deterrent to keep a carjacker from stealing your ride these days? It seems to be a good old fashion manual transmission. Yes, that’s right. A stick shift.
We are not entirely serious that will prevent your car from being stolen as there is no scientific basis but that’s exactly what happened when 23-year old Ladell T. Cox got it in his head to carjack a man in Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
On July 8th, Cox approached a man as he was walking back to his car from making a payment at a local dealership. At gunpoint, Cox pulled a gun and demanded the key to the vehicle. The man complied but that’s when Cox’s problems began. As he hopped into the drivers seat, Cox was unable to move the car. He never learned how to operate a manual transmission.
At this point one would expect a thief to cut their losses and get out of dodge however, Cox is is not a master criminal. He handed the keys back to the man and demanded that he drive his own car to the destination Cox desired. During the transfer, the man drove his car away before Cox could get back into the car. Witnesses called the police at the on set of the carjacking and arrived in time to arrest Cox.
Sam Bendall is a native Southern Californian who eats, breaths, and simply loves all things with two wheels. He loves to tell good stories beyond the regular press release and is often on the hunt for one. On a personal level he enjoys staying fit, cooking, coffee, whiskey, photography, camping, and travel but not necessarily in that order. He also has a hard jones for Mexican food and is constantly on the search for the perfect slice of pizza.
At a statuesque 6 foot 5 inches, don’t fear his size as he is a gentle giant with a laid back attitude. If you see him around town, say hello and he will greet you with enthusiasm and a smile. His passion for life is nothing short of infectious. When he is not smashing away at his keyboard penning awesome motorcycle articles, Sam regularly works as a freelance photographer and runs a bespoke camera strap business for professional and enthusiast photographers.
Prior to transitioning over to journalism and starting his own business, Sam worked in public relations and marketing for The Pollack PR Marketing Group, Triumph Motorcycles America, and JMPR. He holds a BA in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge.
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