By Erica Thomas, managing editor
PINSON — Online dating offers a convenient way to meet new people and build relationships. Unfortunately, not every date ends in success. One Pinson man found that out the hard way.
Anthony McCurry, 22, said he had been using Tinder to “swipe left” or “swipe right” for several months. Up until Thursday, May 21, 2020, most of his experiences were positive. On that day, McCurry said he had a terrifying experience.
McCurry made plans to meet up with a woman in Trussville, after talking to her online for about a week. When he arrived in the Walmart parking lot, the girl he only knows by the name Madison, was in her vehicle. McCurry made his way to the vehicle and got inside. As he was sitting in the passenger’s seat, he said he noticed something wasn’t right. McCurry said he instantly got an uneasy feeling.
“I wasn’t scared but I knew I was going to have to find a way to get out of there,” said McCurry. “She told me she was a druggie,” said McCurry. “I don’t judge people who do drugs, but this is something I would like to know before I go on a date with someone.”
McCurry said the girl didn’t look like her photos and he could tell she was under the influence of a substance.
“She was high on something,” McCurry recalled. “So, I just told her I don’t need this in my life, let’s just cut this out.”
As he started to leave, McCurry said the woman began cursing at him and tried to lock the door. He said she told him she was tired of people leaving her and he said that’s when she got a knife out of the glovebox of her car. McCurry was able to get out of the car and into his own vehicle. As he drove, McCurry said the woman began following him. McCurry said he was eventually able to get away from the woman and he called police to file a report.
McCurry wanted to use his experience as a lesson for others.
“I wouldn’t want it to happen to anybody else,” McCurry added. “I would do a FaceTime or something to make sure they’re who they say they are.”
According to Pew Research Center, a majority of online daters that report being harassed are women. McCurry said his experience is proof that it can happen to anybody.
Experts recommend performing a background check on anyone before meeting them in person.
For now, McCurry said he will take a break from online dating.