[timkelmom]

I know many of you like to drive your own cars. I want to extend a warning to you. If you like to stop to shop, dine, or gas up, please be extremely careful if you are near the intersection of I-4 and 27.

Some people who came in to town to work on the same event that we are working on have been robbed. They have been staying or shopping in that area.

One guy was going to walk into the McDonalds. As he approached the door, he pulled out his wallet to check his cash. A guy came over to him by the door and grabbed his hand with the wallet in it. When the guy began to struggle for his wallet, the criminal pulled out a gun and held it to his forehead.

The guy had training of some sort and was able to get the gun away from the criminal, but dropped his wallet in the process and the criminal grabbed the gun and wallet and ran. He got away. This was at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

The second incident happened to one of the guys staying at a hotel near-by. His rental car window was smashed and his GPS, cell phone, and Sirius radio were stolen from the car. That was some time in the early a.m.

The police told him that if you even look like a tourist you are a target and they have had many such crimes lately.

So, please be extra careful if you decide to stop. We all think WDW is magical, and it is, once you get through the gates.

I have to admit, as we are staying in the area and have made several trips to the Wal*Mart on 27, I have seen some shady characters hanging out there. Not shopping, just hanging out in the parking lot and in front of the store.

So just try to be aware and stay safe.