bad news - home burglary

[CJB]

Well... sigh.

Was over at the GF's house last nite, and the place got robbed with me and her and her boarder all at home - while we slept.

Brazen balls! She fell asleep on the couch in the family room, and thats where the unwanted visitors entered - though the garage, and into the family room.

Took her phone, her bag with all her crap in it, then proceeded to the office (past where she was sound asleep) and took my phone, my EOS 5dMkII with 24-105L lens, and my Rebel XTi with 20mm lens, and my Olympus Stylus and her Olympus Stylus. And they grabbed my chainsaw, and DeWalt cordless drill (but not the charger?) in the garage. Grand haul of over $6000 worth of stuff.

----> Ladies ladies ladies <-----

What compels some wimmen folks to carry so much crap in one place. License, registration, all insurance papers, check book, social security card, realestate license, business license, all her valuable papers... jeeze. Hello LifeLock!

Me... I hadda change a few passwords, in case of problems, but I think they will be negligible for risk. More precautionary in case they really dug deep on the phone (which I'm sure someone will... assuming they figure out the access code.

HINT - ALWAYS protect that smart phone with a code. That way, they'll have to "clear" the phone to reset it from scratch to use it. Or, there is some chance that they wont quickly crack the PIN and you'll have a short time to cover yer butt.

Now the sadder part - I was sleepin' with my Kahr PM45 loaded, in the front bedroom as this happened. No idea there was a problem till 6am when she woke me up. Bastards

[mightymouse]

Holy smokes! Brazen thieves.
This happened to our neighbors, walked right past the BF, huge guy, asleep on the couch. Went to the garage and stole the car. Cops found the guys hanging out in a park. Owners never even new it was stolen.
I could see this happening to me, but thankfully have a cranky fearless 90+lb lab and a equally snippy little 55 lb back up border/lab, both with better hearing than me.
Hope you get your lives back together.

[Bill K]

What a sad post. I'm glad none of you good guys got physically hurt but, having been robbed myself and our apartment once when I was a kid, I know how you can feel violated. It sucks.

[MikeyKahr]

Sad news...

I am so sorry to hear the news, CJB. That is just crazy!

[Longitude Zero]

Protecting the smart phone with a code and location app is great advice. Getting an alarm system is also helpful in preventing unawakened completion of the crime.

[Snidely Whiplash]

Very sorry to hear about this. That's just scary - with GF asleep on sofa!

[ptoemmes]

Sorry to hear this as well. Consider a dog - or more - if that is practical. We have two GSDs and I can assure you - and the BGs - they will wake up and create quite the ruckus. In fact, I may not even need to use my P45.

Pete

[gm412]

Our house was broken into about 6mo ago. We were not home. Lost 18000+ in guns of which the insurance paid 2000. Check your policies. Now we have an alarm system. Everyone should get one. And a good dog too.

The bad the guns my dad gave me are gone forever. The good I bought a whole new collection which includes 2 kahrs. PM9 and p380.

[OldLincoln]

Years ago we lived in a subdivision with everything crammed close. A neighbor was broken into and cleaned out. They loaded up his car then just opened the garage door and drove out like the owned the place. The whole family including the big old fat "guard dog" was sound asleep the whole time. I hate the little yappy dogs but think they are likely a better alarm dog than a fat old hunting dog that snores. We are alarmed and nobody will sleep through that. We have been passed over for 35 years in this house so I guess we are lucky.

[O'Dell]

Really sorry to hear about it. As most of the 'ole timers' here know, I've had my share of the same problem - two burglaries and fifteen guns lost and one situation where they triggered the alarm and were caught red handed after breaking a window. My house is considerably hardened since the first two with a state of the art wireless alarm, motion activated floodlights, and a 1000 pound gun safe. Plus, I've added kick-proof outside doors. Also, from what I've heard from the police, everyone involved in the three incidents is now in jail or deported. Of the fifteen guns stolen, I got two back.

[LorenzoB]

Big bummer! I'm glad you are all ok! That could have turned out much worse than it did, if the BG's were intent on something other than stuff.

I always felt I would wake up if someone broke in, but now I am second guessing that. I better do some research on alarms.

[OldLincoln]

Ah, also reminds me that in some cases, the sob's like to come back for more, right O'Dell?

[MO_Soldier]

This is whay I have always feared, as I am a heavy sleeper.
I'm sorry to hear of you're misfortune.
Does anyone have tips on what to do if you can't install an alarm and aren't aloud to have a dog?

[muggsy]

This is whay I have always feared, as I am a heavy sleeper.
I'm sorry to hear of you're misfortune.
Does anyone have tips on what to do if you can't install an alarm and aren't aloud to have a dog?

If you can't install an alarm or have a dog you move. There are alarms that don't have to be permanently installed. A stack of tin cans behind each door is better than nothing. A motion sensor connected to the lights is another option.

[OldLincoln]

You probably CAN install an alarm but don't know it. Harbor Freight sell a nice $15 IR detector with a receiver that even on low is very loud.

You set it on anything that is the direction of where they may cross. and put the receiver where it will wake you. Know it doesn't care if you are friend or foe if you walk into the beam it will sound. The low/high & off/on switch is on the receiver so you can just turn it off when you don;t need it. It's sold as a driveway alarm and the receiver can be up to 100' from the detector.

I installed ours in a covert position on the front porch and the receiver is in my office. If anybody comes on the porch I hear the alarm before they get to the door. My hope is the BG's pause on the porch before entry, hear the alarm sounding and go away. If they bust down the door they'll sure as hell hear the burglar alarm. But by then I should have my Mossy pointing their way. I did it not only for BG's, but because I cannot hear the doorbell anymore.