An Almost Attack

In Rachel Bell's article, entitled "Risky Attacks", she describes one of Ted's first potential victims, and how she got away. In November, 1974 Carol DaRonch, an 18 year old girl of Bundy's type, was alone in a bookstore when she was approached my a very handsome man. The man told her he had seen someone trying to break into her car in the parking lot and asked if she would accompany him to see if anything was stolen. Carol was under the impression that he was a security guard of some type by the way he acted like he was in controll. Carol led him to her car where she explained that nothing was stolen. Instead of letting it go, the man, who identified himself as Officer Roseland, insisted she come down to the police station with him and file a report. Carol was hesitant at first, then agreed to go. When she saw that the man was leaing her to a VW bug, she became nervous and asked him to show some form of ID. He quickly flashed a gold badge in her direction and kept walking. DaRonch chose to assume that he was as undercover cop and that was why he didn't drive a police car. When she willingly got into his car, he began to drive extrememly fast in the oppostie direction of the police station. Carol started screaming and threatening to jump out of the car. The man (Ted) quickly pulled over and tried to hold her down and hand cuff her. Carol wouldn't have it. She screamed louder and jumped out of the car. The man followed her out and pulled out a crow bar and began to beat her with it. Carol shrieked and began violently kicking him in the groin. Eventually she broke free and ran towards the road. She caught the attention of a couple driving by and jumped into their car as soon as they stopped. They drove her straight to the police station as she explained what had happened to her. Bell explains how "she was crying hysterically as she told them a man had tried to kill her." Once they got there the police informed her they did not know of an Officer Roseland in the area, and they didn't have much to go on. All they had was a description and a blood type (O+) which officials would later find out is Ted Bundy's blood type. Carol didn't get the satisfaction of seeing the man who tried to kill her being put in jail until many years later.

Out of all the stories I have read about Ted Bundy so far I think this one scared me the most. The way Ted makes women feel inferior to him and how he makes them think that he is someone of authority is so disturbing. He was so prepared in his attacks and thought of almost everything. For example in this attack he had a name, a fake badge, a story, and a distraction. Carol's main concern was of course the guy who supposibly broke into her car, not the guy trying to help her. I think it's a really good thing that Carol got her story out, because it can teach young girls things to look for when being approached by a stranger. I've always thought of rapist as old gross men, but everyone who knew Ted described him as an extremely attractive and well liked person. You'd think that someone like that could get plenty of women without having to rape them. Another lesson that I'm glad I won't have to learn the hard way, is even if someone has a badge, if they don't have a police car then there is absolutely no reason under any circumstances to get into a car with a man you don't know from Adam. Although Carol did fall for his ploy, she fought back and knew his weak spot. Every girl should be taught how to defend themselves; you never know what situation you may be in someday.


Bell, Rachael. "Risky Attacks". Crime Library. truTV, n.d. Web. 8 Apr 2010. http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/bundy/7.html.