The chances of being victimized by a carjacker are slim but real. The Wayne State University Police Department has offered safety tips to ensure students remain informed and alert.

“Because cars are getting tougher to steal, it’s actually easier to obtain a car by robbing or threatening to rob someone,” WSUPD Lt. David Scott said. “It’s defined in the state of Michigan as forcible taking property of another person under the threat of violence. It’s now defined as ‘carjacking,’ but it falls under armed or unarmed robbery.”

Carjacking, however, might not always be as obvious as it seems.

The “bump-and-rob” technique consists of two assailants who rear-end a vehicle during regular traffic flow or at a stop. Unaware of the situation, the victim then exits his or her vehicle intending to exchange information while one assailant steals the car and the other drives away.

Police advise motorists involved in potential “bump” situations to look around and make sure that there are other cars nearby. If a situation looks dangerous, motorists should signal the other car to follow them to the nearest police station.

“You could be targeted for a carjacking because of the location you’re in, the type of vehicle you’re driving or whether or not you are perceived as being easy prey,” Scott said.

Retired Detroit police officer Moses Baldwin, 81, was carjacked and shot June 13 at a post office on Chene Street and Gratiot Avenue.

“I was leaving the post office, and as I got into my automobile, a gentlemen with a gun pointed at me said, ‘Give it up,’” Baldwin said. “I threw the keys on the floor, got up and backed away from the car. He demanded money, so I gave him what I had as I proceeded to back away from the car.”

After the gunman was 10 feet away, Baldwin pulled out his revolver.

“He said, ‘What are you reaching for?’” Baldwin said. “I said, ‘I’m reaching for this,’ and that’s when I began to fire at him.”

The suspect returned fire, striking Baldwin in the shoulder. He then drove off in Baldwin’s car.

“Be careful; life is precious,” Baldwin said. “If you aren’t trained for this matter, follow the orders of the person and hope they don’t do anything violent to you.”

WSU campus resident Rudyna Beydoun, a senior majoring in biology, avoids the possibility of being carjacked by not using her vehicle.

“I personally don’t drive because I feel there are other means of transportation such as buses, bikes and trains. Why not take advantage of that?” Beydoun said. “You save space, time, money and it’s better for the environment. I walk to campus; there are many alternatives to driving.”

Beydoun said she feels that the WSUPD does a great job in securing the surrounding area.

“If you’re within the boundary lines of campus, you’re going to be fine,” Beydoun said. “Wayne State’s one of the safest campuses. I think (carjacking) is a minimal threat.”