[Sammy68]

I dated a man for approx. 3 1/2 - 4 months. I started to feel suffocated in the relationship in part because I was not entirely ready to settle down with just one person, and most importantly he was not the one person that I wished to permanently settle with. He had really begun to suffocate me. He always wanted to come over, he started showing up at my residence unannounced, he even appeared at one of my children's football practices unannounced. I expressed to him that this was unacceptable behavior. I also explained to him that I no longer wanted to be involved in the relationship, that the relationship had run its course, and that we both needed to move forward.

About a week after I advised him that I no longer wished to be involved with him in any capacity, he showed up at my son's football practice. I first noticed what I believed to be his truck in the school parking lot. The truck began to follow me around the lot. I ducked behind a bldg. and when I heard the truck pull away, I began walking back to the field. I noticed the truck had parked close to where the band was practicing, and I thought perhaps it could have been a parent circling the lot, waiting for their child to finish band practice.

Approx. 15 min. later, this man came walking across the football field, stopped in front of all the parents (approx. 25 people sitting in lawnchairs), wearing a black t-shirt with a flaming cross, carrying a bible, and proceeded to go on a religious speel - God, Jesus, and the Devil - at the top of his lungs. Then he proceeded to ask me if he could speak to me, which I spoke to him right there on the spot. I asked him what made him decide to pull a stunt like that, I did not appreciate it, etc. He proceeded to tell me that the Holy Spirit instructed him to do this, and God punishes all sinners. I advised him to leave the field immediately, or I would call the police.

In the time I knew this man, I never was aware that he was religious. He was not going to church, and he did not speak to me about religion. Needless to say, this incident shook me up quite a bit.

I did call him right after practice, and I advised him if I were to ever see him around me or my children again that I would obtain a restraining order. The only response he had was, 'I'm fine"!

Two weeks later, I was outside of my apt. complex at 6:00am walking my two dogs. I noticed a truck that looked similar to his had pulled into the parking lot, drove around, apparently spotted me, and stopped to idle. Needless to say, I grabbed both dogs and ran into my bldg. I looked out my patio and saw the truck finally pull away. I cannot be absolutely for certain that this was his truck, as it was very dark and drizzily, but it sure looked like his truck. It made it more unsettling, because I have lived at this residence for nearly a year, and I walk my dogs nearly every morning at the same time, and I never see anyone pulling in/out of the parking lot. Let alone someone just driving into the lot, idling without pulling into a parking space, and entering the bldg.

I am not entirely sure what to do about this situation.
I live in the state of Ohio. I do not know what my rights are, or if there is anything that can be done to make this stop in the future. Especially if it was him sitting out in my parking lot, which my gut tells me very strongly that it was.

Any advice?

[excon]

Hello S:

It MIGHT have been him?? That isn't enough for a Restraining Order. Carry a camera with you. If you see him again, THAT should be enough for such an order. Unless, of course, you live in a real small town and can't avoid seeing someone. Then again, small towns don't have "buildings".

excon

[twinkiedooter]

He'll lose interest soon and move on. In the meantime don't react to him at all such as call him or speak to him. Keep your shades drawn, etc.

[ConfusedInAK]

I disagree twinkie...

Stalkers do not "lose interest soon"... I was stalked by my ex boyfriend (a violent alcoholic) and it took me moving to a different city, changing phone numbers and many other things to lose him... 2 years ago he found me through an ad (I was a Realtor) and started calling me again (the last message he left me freaked me out horribly... )... (This started 8-1/2 years ago)

Don't assume he will lose interest, for all we know this may progress to something far worse...

[this8384]

I agree with Ex: get a disposable camera and start taking pictures every time you see him hanging around. Once you have proof that he's following you, file for a restraining order and do not hesitate to report him if he violates it!