Some time late last night, our house was broken into. Nothing of huge value was stolen, but they nabbed my laptop, my brother's xBox 360, a customer's laptop, some video video games and controllers, and they tried to grab a set of Civic Si wheels I had sitting in a car in my back yard.
As much of a lock and security guy as I am, no manner of locks can prevent someone from further opening a partially open window.
I do find it kind of funny that they passed right over the good stuff they had to move to get to my dying laptop and my customer's laptop. I've been in contact with the customer, and they seem to be okay with it, especially since it wasn't worth repairing and I just hadn't managed to deliver the dead laptop back to them. I have a spare to replace that machine with as a good will gesture, but I'm still out my laptop and the data on its drive. I've notified all of my credit cards and banks to the theft, so I'm covered there.
Not much helps with the feeling that someone was in my house when they weren't supposed to be, taking stuff they shouldn't have been taking.
Criminals are getting "dumber" as their appetite for pawnable goods to feed their "drug" addiction grows.
In reply to Ranger50:
Indeed. I expect to find my stuff at a pawn shop by the weekend.
If you have ever wondered what the term "Impotent rage" means, you now know.
It's not my first rodeo, which is what sucks. This used to be the kind of neighborhood where you could leave your keys in your car, even just a few years ago. Now you can't leave anything alone without nailing it down and hiring an armed security guard.
I assume you weren't home. There has been a few around here with people home. Its surprising the nerve of people in a state where you can shoot through the door if someone is trying to break in. Good luck with the cleanup.
We were away at my cousin's house when the break in occurred. We're lucky that they seemed to only grab what could fit into a backpack.
Right now, the only thing I want is some rest. In the past 48 hours, I've had less than 3 hours of sleep.
Looks like they stole my SNES controllers I've had since I got my SNES back in 1992. They got some of my NES stuff, too. That pisses me off more than losing my data.
This type of stuff freaks me out. I'm waaay to attached to my stuff and would lose it beyond comprehension if something happened. The best locks in the world can't stop a brick through the window.
Agreed. I'm looking into security screens now.
The data and stuff with sentimental value sucks, but it at least sounds like they didn't damage or steal much that was expensive.
I live in a similarly declining neighborhood. We've had one attempted break-in, but luckily the door frame didn't quite give and the low-life moved on.
Arming yourself is highly recommended. The objects don't matter much, but if there is a pattern of burglaries in your area, it's good to be prepared to defend yourself in case you're home when it happens.
A word of warning. Sometimes they come back a second time to get stuff they see on the first trip but can't handle. A former co-worker had grown up in NJ. He moved to the sticks near Spartanburg. Both he and wife were at work one day and they got burgled. The thieves came back a few days later with a Uhaul and cleaned them out. He wasn't too thrilled with the friendly south.
I wouldn't be surprised if they come back for the good stuff they left behind. Change up your schedules and make it look like there is always someone at home.
Sorry to hear about your bad luck, hopefully some of your stuff will be recovered.
Go to the pawn shop across town and tell them what you lost. Same thing with the "Buy/Trade Video Games" store.
Then swing by the local after school center and tell them your situation. Tell them if any kids start bragging about a new computer to give you a call.
NRA sticker on said window.
"Partial open window" just makes it easier.
The window being open just showed them the obvious way in. My house is full of barely working casement (crank) windows. All you have to do is check each pane until you find one that is worn enough to let you in. I check to make sure the ones that are loose are sealed closed, but anyone with a screwdriver will still be able to get in.
I have a .22 rifle here. It's nowhere near the best weapon to have, but then again the best weapon is the one you're comfortable with. Shame it's my only firearm.
For the next few weeks, at least until I can get a camera or two installed and make the windows more secure, we won't leave the house unoccupied. It shouldn't be too difficult, since I can have one of my brothers to hang around.
Oh, I've been to every pawn shop that was open today. I'll swing by the one that was closed tomorrow.
For now, it's a waiting game. Chances are I'm out about $1000-$1200 worth of stuff. Bummer.
I'd use a blunt object before a .22. I hope you recover at least some of the losses though,
aussiesmg wrote:
Big dog and a small gun
Motion light s / big gun / radio on at all times/ have talk with all neighbors // sorry to hear
gamby
SuperDork
2/23/12 10:30 a.m.
Monitored alarm.
Stickers at points of entry advertising said monitored alarm.
MG Bryan wrote:
I'd use a blunt object before a .22. I hope you recover at least some of the losses though,
I prefer my .45, but I'll take a .22 over a blunt object. They will tear someone up.
