My house got broken into last night!

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Yep - it finally happened to me. While I was away, it appears that some young punks ripped the high screen window and crawled through last night.

The crazy thing is, they only took my entire DVD collection (except Raiders of the Lost Ark which was in my computer - ha!). It looks like they sifted through a lot of the drawers, cabinets, and the such but everything else is in place. I'm wondering if they heard me pull up in my car unexpectedly and had to get out sooner than they thought(?) Even my Tag Heuer watch was in sight on a table but was not lifted. Lucky me.

Anyways, I've already called the cops and they're coming over tonight to file a report but I know they'll be able to do jack s**t at this point. I'm also going to call the used dvd stores and give them a heads up (they'll probably do nothing as well). Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Is there anything further that can be done?

Eric 951 · 09-28-2005, 04:17 AM

Damn, Johnny sorry to hear that. Glad all you lost were some DVDs.

Actually I was the thief--retribution for a "custom paintjob" that my 951 suffered at the PVGP

Oh, yeah--they showed me the pics..

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Yeah, Eric. This sucks. Pittsburgh's finest really dragged their feet to even speak to me this morning. Nice.

Knew it was a matter of time before you would see the custom "flame" job on the 951. Thought about leaving it on and playing dumb as to who did it. Knew that might make you a little upset though

johnco · 09-28-2005, 04:25 AM

my house has been broken into 10-11 times in the last 30 years. anywhere from a few dolllars in change to $6000 worth of stereo equipment taken. will the police do anything?... from my experience, not really, unless you give them the address and phone number of who did it . and then only if they get a confession or find stolen items. I quit buying things for people to steal.

ErVikingo · 09-28-2005, 04:54 AM

For the value of the claim I think that most certainly they'll not achieve a lot. You need the police report to file an insurance claim though.

Get some window locks.... Best of lucks!

legion · 09-28-2005, 04:59 AM

They were probably looking for items that were easy to pawn but not easily individually recognizable.

Jeff Higgins · 09-28-2005, 05:28 AM

Here is a little trick my son gleaned from reading Malcom X's book. Leave the bathroom light on when you are gone. This former pillar of society noted that in his younger days, when he was out roaming with his crew,they passed on any house with the bathroom light on. How many people get up in the middle of the night to hit the john? Most of these brave young men don't want to hit a house where anyone is home, much less awake. Kind of too late for you, but something to keep in mind. Sorry to hear about this.

targa911S · 09-28-2005, 05:39 AM

Jesus you PGh guys are scaring me now. I'm planning on moving up into Lawrence county in the spring. Yes, I'm bringing ALL my guns from Florida.

Taz's Master · 09-28-2005, 05:44 AM

Look at getting a dog. When I lived in East Liberty, people would cross the street rather than walk past my wife while she walked our rottweiler. The rottie was an 85lb well-behaved low-maintenance female. Everyone in the neighborhood saw her and knew she was there, and gave her (and us by extension) no trouble. I bet a bark or growl at the window would have diminished the thief's interest in your dvd's.

Joeaksa · 09-28-2005, 06:31 AM

How about getting an alarm??? A motion sensor in the main rooms that triggers an siren does wonders! I found one brand new on Ebay, wireless and easy to set up.

Been there and done that, got the alarm after that and good curtains and 2 or 3 lights on a timer. No problems since and I travel for a living.

JoeA

Jims5543 · 09-28-2005, 06:51 AM

Normally, when I was more internets active I would post up a fake fore sale add selling your stuff on this forum. But since I dont really "e-know" you it would be in poor taste.

Dog, light on in house when gone and simple alarms do wonders.

My buddies dad (dectective) used to leave the TV or stereo on too when they were out. It was difficult as a freind to tell if they were home or not.

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Yeah, this honestly has been a long time coming and is a BIG wake up call on the lax security I have at the house. I cannot tell you just how angry this makes me. I called the local used DVD stores and faxed them my entire collection from memory. When asking them if they ever get calls like mine, the stores owners all said "all the time". We'll see what happens.

Regardless, I'd trade in the returned stolen goods for just five minutes in my basement with the the people who did this - with a crowbar. Its very fortunate for them that they were not caught while I was home..........................

David · David's Garage

Get a dog! We got broken into at our last house. They gathered up all the electronics by a window and then I guess they went into the kitchen. Bad mistake! Our Doberman and Chow were usually pretty tame but by the looks of the piece of T-shirt on the window, they left in a hurry.

I like the bathroom light idea.

The cops may want to dust for prints. I wouldn't let them unless they actually see a good one. I don't think they usually find any and they make a big mess.

Eric 951 · 09-28-2005, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Panzer909
Yeah, this honestly has been a long time coming and is a BIG wake up call on the lax security I have at the house. I cannot tell you just how angry this makes me. I called the local used DVD stores and faxed them my entire collection from memory. When asking them if they ever get calls like mine, the stores owners all said "all the time". We'll see what happens.

Regardless, I'd trade in the returned stolen goods for just five minutes in my basement with the the people who did this - with a crowbar. Its very fortunate for them that they were not caught while I was home..........................

You should have called River Rescue, then when Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica showed up, you could have told them "Jimmy's the best cop"

TSNAPCRACKLEPOP · TSNAPCRACKLEPOP's Garage

i have a sign on the front door that says "DAYTIME SLEEPER, DO NOT KNOCK. I WILL NOT ANSWER!! CALL 123-456-7890 AND LEAVE A MESSAGE AND I WILL GET BACK TO YOU. THANKS, ERKEL

pwd72s · 09-28-2005, 10:00 AM

I have a sign in front & stickers on the windows: Protected by professional security alarm. Oh, and it is...the annual fee well worth the peace of mind. Pretty trick...a combo of various triggers, cutting power and/or phone lines won't disarm it, neither will jumping, since the system reads voltage changes, the list goes on. It was expensive, but worth it to us...The funny thing is the sign alone seems to have worked...no burglary attempts, though the area had a rash of them until the punks were caught.

RickM · RickM's Garage

You may want to check you local Craigslist or Ebay listing for hte entire collection.

I've heard that simple "Protected by XXXXX" security signs work very well on their own. In fact, the thief guy from the recent show where they rob your house to expose vunerabilities said the same. He just passes by houses with the sign.

flyenby · 09-28-2005, 03:45 PM

The only way you will get attention from the cops, is if there were guns taken as they know that they are on the streets, and may be used against them.......

pwd72s · 09-28-2005, 04:42 PM

flenby, that reminds me of a funny...It's well known that Portland, Oregon makes little or no effort to recover stolen cars. About all they do is take a report over the phone, for insurance reasons. Once, not too many years ago, a "major story" broke! Dutifully reported by all the airheads on the nightly local liberal views TV shows...a car was stolen from an "explosives expert"...one of those guys who blows up buildings for a living. Pics of the car flashed on the screen, license plate number, the whole bit. You see, the explosives expert thought there might be a few pounds of plastic explosives in the trunk. Man, the Portland cops got in high gear! This guy's new car was recovered in less than 12 hours. Once the car was recovered, the explosives expert "remembered" that he'd placed the explosives elsewhere....this also dutifully reported by the airheads, they seriously explaining how fortunate we all were...

CRH911S · 09-28-2005, 06:01 PM

I use ADT, motion sensors through out the house, and monitored by the local police department (24-7). Also, another neat feature is the alarm sends my cell phone a message. Cost for this peace of mind: initially, 1000.00 and then 26.99/mo. Also, inform your home owners insurance co. and let them know your home is monitored and they should reduce your home owners insurance premium.