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    I got attacked and pepper sprayed by strangers
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    I got attacked and pepper sprayed by strangers


    Hey all, this happened yesterday and still has me shaken. I have a question at the end.

    I was walking to the train station in Bülach at half past midnight when in Dammstrasse 3 guys around 20yo walked up to me asking for a smoke. They suddenly flanked me and the guy in front pepper sprayed me. I ran away as fast as I could but they didnt chase me fast enough it seems.

    I got back to my friend’s place and cleaned it all off. My glasses probably helped avoid a worse reaction.

    My question is what do I do now?

    • I likely injured my legs as I have had injuries in my hamstrings in the past and they’re hurting a lot now. I should probably show this to a doctor today to confirm (so that possible complications are covered by insurance, I think…?)

    • Should I go file an Anzeige gegen Unbekannt? Like, I know they’re not gonna look for them, but does it have any advantage in doing this? Maybe also for above reason with insurance in case of medical complications with my legs?

    All in all, I’m thankful they didn’t beat me up or rob me. It was likely just for the ""prank"" of doing that. I’m still very shaken though and could kick myself for not trusting my gut and just avoiding that street.

    Any advice or words of support are welcome right now.

    UPDATE: Several comments in the thread are reporting the exact same thing, also in Bülach. They’ve been at it, it seems. According to the comments, they absolutely DO want to hurt and rob people, so I was simply capable and quick enough.

    Before I forget it, here are some details:

    • main guy had light/fair hair, possibly blond. I vaguely remember an undercut or broccoli hair

    • side guy was taller, potentially with Balkan roots judging from the facial features I remember. Brown hair and light blue outfit.

    • main guy was positioned in the light of a street lamp, the others stood at a distance from him. Main guy then walked away from the light but kept looking out towards me.

    • clothes were generally casual / hood-like

    • there were two sprays. The first was from further away, the second was close but mostly missed me because I was already turning to flee

    • with the adrenaline and thanks to having glasses, I actually was able to see for a good 5 minutes afterwards. On my first looking back while running, I saw them chase me. On subsequent looks, after having screamed bloody murder, they had turned back

    • As soon as my friend found me (coming out to meet me on the way) he phoned the Notruf (police). Answer was that if they are not around us, and us not being in immediate danger, there is nothing they can do. Advised us to make Strafanzeige and that was it. This was around 00:37, so around 6 minutes after the incident. Mind you that the Kantonspolizei station is 450m away, so just a 3 minute car ride (at normal speed) per Google Maps.

    https://old.reddit.com/r/Switzerland/comments/1dgeiq4/i_got_attacked_and_pepper_sprayed_by_strangers/

    Posted by Smogshaik

    View 40 Comments

    40 Comments

    2. Unusual_Strategy_965 on

      >Should I go file an Anzeige gegen Unbekannt?

      Why not? It takes 15 minutes to go to the police and make the report. It enters the statistics, it might lead to added patrols, more security etc. And if the guys get caught, that’s the only way they get punished. Since you got hurt, you may be eligible for Schadenersatz, possibly even Genugtuung if you got severely injured (hospitalized).

    3. RunAndHeal on

      A piece of advice. Next time something similar happens, show them your wrist and say no time sorry. Don’t stop! I’m sure no one will die if you don’t help them.

    5. Sorry_I_am_late on

      I’m so sorry this happened to you, that sounds awful. Feeling safe in Switzerland is one of the things I value most about living here and it makes me sad that you experienced this. Sending you a hug.

    8. Entremeada on

      >Should I go file an Anzeige gegen Unbekannt?

      Definitely! Chances are high they did the same thing and other bs to other people. If they’ll get catched this will add up.

    9. Jeck_Doespaddel on

      First, Switzerland is not safe anymore at night. Simply too many idiots roaming the streets. Secondly, go to the police and file but also be aware that they will very likely never catch those guys. Pursuing a lawsuit will be a non-starter also keeping in mind that cantonal police has other things on their bucket list Friday night such as DUI testing, supervising traffic at large and – very resource consuming – hauling DUI offenders back and forth to hospitals for testing.

    11. Ozarok_ on

      File a complaint at the police for sure. Most insurance require you to have done it, or they won’t pay.

      There should also be a hospital in your canton with a « unit for violence » where you can go and they will prepare a report with your injuries that can be used in the criminal procedure then (and with your insurance).

      I can’t say for sure from your message if what you went through is serious enough to be labeled as « common assault ». If that’s the case, you could seek help at « opferhilfe ».

    15. BNI_sp on

      I am sorry this happened to you.

      But why are you on reddit instead of at the police station? Go there!

    18. LitoBrooks on

      You have to file a complaint. Absolutely! As it is not just a theft, loss notice but bodily injury you cannot do it all online in the E police app. You may get a time slot in the app for an appointment at the police station and don’t have to lose 2 hours waiting. Do it!

    20. SkyNo234 on

      Definitely see a doctor! To check for lasting injuries and at the same time you have documentation.

    21. Feldi_ on

      Yeah, i moved out of Bülach because it is a fucking shithole… maybe reach out to newsletters as well

    22. hiKnowU on

      Happened to me in Germany, too. I would file an „Anzeige“, because of the probability they will do it again.

    23. SaltyIllustrador on

      the same thing happened to my brothers.. also in bülach around midnight wtf

    26. Status-Prompt8014 on

      This happened to a friend of mine in Kreis 3 two months ago. He wasn’t so lucky, first they ( 4 guys around 20yo pepper sprayed him first and then hurt him really bad. The dint steal anything from him. He went to the police, but the didn’t catch them. He saw them in a black BMW ( he thinks)

    28. danxi_banxi on

      What. My brother in law had the exact same thing happen to him in November, at the exact same place! Go to the police! 

    29. Soapbox_Ponch on

      They were trying to rob you dude, you just turned on the gas before they could compose themselves to insist upon the loot. Please file a report.

    30. dimsum69420 on

      not reporting it might help you avoid additional stress but I think it would be helpful for the police to at least when and where bad stuff happens.

    31. Nervous_Green4783 on

      Do should do the anzeige. Eventually those bastards will get caught because they will keep doing stupid shit like that.
      And then they will be charged for the assault against you as well.

    32. thiccachuwu on

      As a fellow Bülach resident I’m honestly freaked out right now. Please report them!

    34. wubbaalubbadubdubb on

      Same thing happened to me, minus the pepper spray today while leaving stolze open air. Can tou tell me via pm what have you gathered so far in terms of what should be done etc. Thanks!!

    35. Less_Willingness_640 on

      It was some culture sharing don’t worry. Just a taste of their local spices. What language were they talking ?

      Those retards will sooner or later be caught for such stupid behaviour.

    36. space_cowgirl11 on

      Oh my god. Simply unbelievable. My bf was assaulted in Basel by two drunk guys also.

    37. House_Part on

      Christ sake I live in bülach, like how stupid can they be. (There is a military base(Kaserne in town) Chances are you get a military person who is wearing civilian are kinda high and using pepper spraying someone just sucks.

    39. Lonely-Ad8922 on

      I grew up in Switzerland… had loads of unexpected situations like that…. Always had either spray or a chain with me… the only way they learn

    40. TortexMT on

      file two complaints:

      1) against the police officer who answered the phone, telling you they cant do anything. a crime happened, they 100% had someone at least in the perimeter. even if they arrived after 20min, thats still a chance to maybe find three guys with the provided description or identify potential camera footage for the next day. also taking your testimony asap increases the chances of you giving an accurate description. the police must be held accountable for not even trying doing their job because they fear some extra paper work.

      2) against these 3 guys.

      3) contact 20min, send them this post and point out that someone else also was attacked. they need content anyway and they often write these articles asking for details. point out the behavior of the police officer as well. this will increase pressure on both the police and also these three guys who are scared that this will become bigger and hopefully turn themselves in. maybe some parent is aware or a friend who these guys could be.

      you would be surprised how fucking stupid guys like them are, they will 100% brag about that night within their friends circle