Ever been robbed?

[OrionGirl]

Came home from camping on Sunday to discover we'd been robbed. They didn't get much--some guns, kinves, hunting equipment, stereo speakers, a CD player, cash, a bit of liquor, and a bag of marshmallows. No serious damage to the house, one tank had something dumped in it that made it cloudy, but no deaths. Cats are okay, and we're getting everything cleaned up. Filed the police report and insurance claim, and modified the windows to at least make it more difficult for someone to come through them.

Most of the guns and knives were gifts, and high-sentimental value items.

So how do you get over the hate? Because I really do hate the kids that did this. We know it was kids--they were seen jumping my fence by a neighbor, and since they only took the guns we had ammo for, and a pathetically small amount of liquor. I'm normally not hateful--and I don't like the feeling. It just makes me so angry that these little punks would come in and take my stuff--things from my family--things my Dad gave me before he died. And to think of them in my house! I've cleaned everything, just trying to make it feel like my house again. What works? What gets rid of the feeling? I keep reminding myself--it's just stuff. No one was injured, the pets are all okay. Those are the things to be thankful for. But it was still my stuff--things I've worked hard to get, or things that were given to me. And I can't get over it. Just typing this, a lump forms in my throat, and I want to see the delinquents suffer. Suffer for making me feel like I'm not safe in my own house. Suffer for making me cry. Suffer for taking away the few things of my Dad's that I still have left.

[Dangerdoll]

OMG OG, I'm so so sorry.... unfortunately, I can't reccomend anything to take the pain or hate away in a flash but just know that my thoughts are with you....I know how it is to go through this and it really does change you..... not good news, I know but as time goes on.... the feeling will lesson, you know that.... but you will not forget, again you know that.... My fingers willl be crossed for those kids to be found and justice to be served upon them.

[Timmain42]

Sorry 'bout the kids... these days, not even children have any respect. And I should know, we live 1/2 block from a Jr. High.

On that note, we made sure that our house was wired for security-all the outside doors are alarmed, and a passive body-heat/motion sensor in the living room. You might consider the same.

And next time, make the lil' buggers pay for it. Without legal notice, you can modify your fence ON THE INSIDE to have spikes or defensive wire near the top, where someone would have to grab to jump the fence. Does it work? It stops the first two invaders... and usually, that's all it takes. It makes them easier to find via DNA as well, not to mention a suspicious hospital report.

I know it sucks now, but you'll remember the pain less and less as time goes by. No one like to be violated like that, but if you take precautions against it hapeneing again, YOU'LL have the upper hand next time someone tries to get in. (In my state, I can shoot them once they get inside... happens all the time here.)

And oh, invest in a gun safe. $700 at Oshmans. Everything valuable goes in there, including paperwork.

[OrionGirl]

Yes, we are getting a gun safe--had a cabinet, but we knew it was a joke that wouldn't stop anyone from getting in. Fortunately, all our paperwork is secure, and nothing was taken or gone through. We've contacted the credit agencies to be safe, though. This happened in the middle of the day--we have motion detectors all around the outside of the house.

I'm already planning on modifying the fence to prevent 'easy access' that way. Annoyed about the need, don't want something unnatractive or a threat to my dogs, so it's going to require a bit of work.

Unfortunately, living in a small town, DNA work is only done for serious crimes like a homicide--we do have saliva samples from a soda they drank (and spilled, and tracked all over the house, from my fridge). For a robbery, the state won't pay for the lab work. Annoying!

[skippy2]

Same thing happened to me. They stole a nice stereo, tv and my wedding ring. The ring hurt the worst of course. I am a widow and that was definately irreplaceable. Too add salt to the wounds they also slashed my waterbed. Wated damage everywhere.
This was yrs ago so I can promise you the feelings you are experiencing will go away.

[Timmain42]

Unfortunately, living in a small town, DNA work is only done for serious crimes like a homicide--
Well, I meant more along the lines that if they tried to climb the fence again, they'd be leaving large quantites of blood from their injured hands. Once the first couple of kids fall away from the fence screaming that they're bleeding, it usually deters the others from trying it.

It also makes them easier to find, because hospitals keep track of that sort of thing, unusual injuries, etc. And if you live in a nice, white, retiree/bedroom community like we do, the cops are more than happy to listen and take evidence 'cause they don't have much else to do. I should tell you about the chemical bombing we had across the street sometime.. that was WILD.

Suffice it to say and evidenced by my attitudes towards defensive living, I am not a nice person. I used to be, when I lived in the country, but a decade living in large cities has hardened me. And I have no sympathies for people (kids or not) who think breaking into my property is going to solve their problems. Here in Texas, that's just asking to get shot.

[aquariumfishguy]

Thank God I am in a good area... with decent security fencing and all. However, I have lived in rougher areas when I lived in Virginia and robbery is always horrible. Best of luck to you!

[OrionGirl]

Thank God I am in a good area... with decent security fencing and all.

And if you think that makes you immune, you're lying to yourself. I don't live in a rough part of town. There are not any 'rough' parts of Cheyenne! The best security will only keep out the honest people. If they want in, they will find a way!

[RTR]

I'm unsure that I was a "nice person", just well-trained to keep it supressed. No more. I was perfectly willing to forego some of the things I prefer to spend money on to get cameras and recorders.

We had one fairly high-dollar theft of equipment during construction of this house (one of the contractor's crew, a supervisor in fact), caught in process of a second robbery at the site (plotted nicely by the contractor with our approval). Caught, charged, and convicted. The materials from the first theft were still at his house (just how dumb can you get?)

We had a second during move in. Classmate of my oldest son, caught trying to pawn/sell the loot (silver). Handled by the juvenile authorities, no longer in the school or the area afterward.

Multiple vandalism incidents. Recorded and handled privately, but to my satisfaction.

This is no longer the America of Mom and apple pie. Security provisions, defensiveness, and total mistrust of any stranger and many acquaintances is the current culture.

Near the end, and after the successful implementation, of one big project I did (locally) for a banking operation, we had a party in celebration - my crew and those we worked with most closely from the bank, including multiple bank officers and VPs. We lost: One Japanese print off the stairway wall (small), an antique Thai celedon plate/platter (not so small), the remote for the stereo system, and the "Clean/Dirty" magnet from the front of the dishwasher. We have not had a party in our home for other than long-term friends since, and are unlikely to ever do so again. The dollar loss was trivial even against the cost of the party. The loss of faith and confidence in others was permanent and definitely non-trivial.

A magnet? Taken by banking people? Surreal is an understatement.

[OrionGirl]

Surreal describes several points on this. I mean, a bag of marshmallows? Huh? They left one gun behind--no ammo in the house for it.

They spilt a can of soda on the kitchen floor--put it back on the counter, but left the pool of soda.

The screen they removed from the window was carefully placed in the garage.

A UPS delivery was unwrapped and placed in the garage (apparently they couldn't think of a use for a 36 inch scraper from Big Al's).

The suspects live 4 houses down from me. Now, they won't make eye contact and walk over to the other side of the street--won't walk right in front of my house. With good reason--I'm having a tough time convincing myself not to beat the crap out of them.

[Timmain42]

Surreal describes several points on this. I mean, a bag of marshmallows? Huh? Weed makes you do strange things. As evidence...


1) They spilt a can of soda on the kitchen floor--put it back on the counter, but left the pool of soda.

2) The screen they removed from the window was carefully placed in the garage.

3) A UPS delivery was unwrapped and placed in the garage

Haven't you had other kid-related issues lately? I seem to recall bad-a$$ kids down the block giving you problems in the recent past...

[OrionGirl]

No real problems--the younger kids tend to mess around the house and annoy me, but nothing that extreme. No damage (and no flowers taken!) this year--just dumb stuff. This is the first interaction I've had with this particular household, though my neighbors say they've had many problems with them, and know they broke into a vacant house a while back (but didn't turn them into the cops, why I do not know).

[gnahc79]

Sorry to hear about the robbery.



The suspects live 4 houses down from me. Now, they won't make eye contact and walk over to the other side of the street--won't walk right in front of my house. With good reason--I'm having a tough time convincing myself not to beat the crap out of them.

Wait, so have the kids been arrested for the robbery?

My car was broken into (along with a string of 6 others) at my old apt complex. We moved out promptly after getting no assurances of better security from management. It was a PITA to replace the sunroof that got smashed in :(.

Btw, never leave your car keys hanging by the door. Keep em in a drawer or something.

[OrionGirl]

No, so far as I can tell, they haven't even been picked up for questioning. Yes, my faith in the 'system' is taking a beating right now.

[becky_e]

These suspects, are they the official suspects and the police haven't picked them up? Teens with stolen guns in 2004, and the police haven't grabbed them?!?

I hope they get brought to justice. Sometimes all it takes to straighten out a stupid teen is jail time. Fortunately, since you live in a small town and you think you know who did it, your chances of getting your sentimental items back are better than average.

[aquariumfishguy]

And if you think that makes you immune, you're lying to yourself. I don't live in a rough part of town. There are not any 'rough' parts of Cheyenne! The best security will only keep out the honest people. If they want in, they will find a way!

I'm not sure how to take much of your post, but I'll address your comments/concerns anyway. :confused:

I do not think I am immune, but like others here have said... this isn't the time to leave doors unlocked, or any opening for crooks for that matter. I remember back when I was a kid, we used to leave the front door unlocked, as well as the basement windows. If you did that these days, you'd just be asking for it - you'd also be called stupid. Anyway - the point is, nobody is immune, but we can take precautions. Certainly a modern security fence as well as live cameras cannot hurt... especially for how cheap these things are becoming.

BTW - I also never said there were rough parts to Cheyenne... I was talking about where I lived. Good luck to you. ;)

[NikkO]

Sorry to hear what happened. I know what if feels to be robbed. Some guys robbed my brothers car a year ago- a Alpine CVA(TV), a couple of MB quartz and 2 Pioneer subs. The cops said that they would fingerprint the car a few days later...never came. Whats kinda funny is that they didnt know what to get- the tv was only worth a hundred bucks or so since is pretty old... same with the speakers, and the sound processor he had in there was worth a grand...shows what they know. Hope you can get justice ASAP.

[125gJoe]

OrionGirl, sorry to hear about this..

There's an old saying - "every dog has his day.." I believe that to be true, with time.

As mentioned, "Mom and apple pie days are over.." I will agree with that.

I caught a someone trying to break into the neighbors homes (yes, several homes as it turns out), some years back. Without absolute proof, the "suspect" made up a story about being chased by thugs. And, of course, in a jury trial, I was made by the defense lawyer to look like one of the bad guys. I just held the guy, after he crawled out of the pool he ran into, by the shirt collar until deputies arrived, a couple neighbors helped to make sure he wouldn't run again. Without more uneeded details, I wonder what I'd do next time.... I think loitering charges were even dropped against this creep.... :mad2

I love the surveillance camera(s) idea! I think I could do a pretty nice job hiding a few cams...

OrionGirl, I hope you get over the hate. I do understand it....

At least no fish will be harmed by these delinquents (now or in the future..) -- not knowing what UPS delivered to you!!

Edit..
---------
Your question, "ever been robbed?"
Yes. Someone tried to "separate" me from my wallet. I didn't work. I gave him some > :mad2

[125gJoe]

http://www.bestplaces.net/html/crime_compare.asp


:D :D

[Max]

I'm very sorry O.G. :OT: I've never really had any special tangible items stolen from me. I did have several incidents where my younger brother ," he has a huge drug problem' took one of my check books and cleared out about $2000 from my checking account. He cried and attempted to blame his problem for his issues so our grandma bailed him out. Not quite 2 months later he did the same thing to the tune of 800 that time from me. He's also stolen my other grandma's jewelry ,checks ," he cleaned her out completely and she couldn't even afford food . The family ended up helping her out so not too many worries although she never did get her diner ring back. He lives with her to and knows her financial situation. He also has stolen from my Dad , Mom ," the day that she bought him a car", he took checks from grandma and deposited them in my dad's checking account.
I feel your pain. The pain will get duller over time but, I still have lost a lot of trust in my fellow man. Kind of strange but, the second time was worse for me than the first. After all this crap I sort of decided that I was an only child. Sorry for the bad form but, I still get emotional over this and it's the first time I've addressed it out side of my family. Really sorry if you need anything let me know.
Chris

[reefER-Man]

avoid the temptation for beating some @ss, that will more than likely get you in more trouble than their breaking and entry charges...If you have any witnesses that can positively "ID" the little @holes, then I encourage you to press formal charges. That will at least show you won't passively allow such an intrusion in the future...or do nothing and hope for the best...

I fully understand your feelings from the intrusion...don't think bad of yourself to feel the way you do...I'm angry and I don't even know you...

I just joined this forum today, and I am enjoying many of your posts for my personal fish research. I came accross this one by accident, and I was like this person is helping so many others...you deserve better...

Good luck to you and your family...

[greeneyedlady]

OG I am sorrry to hear that, and I know how you feel nobody has ever broken into a house of mine but they did break into a vehicle and try to steal a stereo and CB radio. I say try because my dad had mounted them in the truck for me and all they did was bust up the console trying to get to them. But I was angry every time I had to go someplace and look at the crack in the console.

When somebody does something like that you feel violated and raped, your home is the place where you take your clothes off and prop up your feet, where you can say anything you like and not have to worry what anybody will think. It is a horrible feeling.

My ex-inlaws had their house broken into back in the mid 80's the theives took everything, furniture, dishes, everything even the kids toys. They came home from a vacation to an empty house. They were lucky as somebody spotted one of the kids bikes two days after they got home and they were able to identify the bike for the police, the culprits were neighbors 2 doors down and everything was still in their house, how's that for stupidity. They got back 75% of their stuff and moved that next day to a different house and neighborhood. My ex sister in law said she could not sleep in that house ever again, she was having some wicked nightmares for months. And she refused to go on vacations for a couple of years.

[SimonWoodstock]

Not many things I hate worse that a thief. Best thing to do is forget about it. They are degenerates and will chances are, they always will be.

Maybe you will get lucky and they will be one of the few that get arrested.

[stephenray75]

I had my truck broke into and every thing inside stolen. It was in a packed parking lot with securtiy patrolling it during the busys time of day. yet no one say a **** thing. oh i was in the store for 6 minutes! Plus the local lost prevention guy in the store didnt even know that citys police departments #.
its been 2 yrs and im still pissed about it. I dont think the hurt ever goes away. I'm so parranoid. as far as house being robbed. I live in a neighbor hood that uses the shoot first ask later. Seriously! I my self have put a few pellets in some punk *** kids who where hiding in my yard since the cops busted up their party. God bless texas and its gun laws!!!

[Timmain42]

God bless texas and its gun laws!!!

Agreed. At least, the gun laws part, anyway.

[daveedka]

Og, I do know how you feel, and it sucks. I had a borrowed (grandpa's) car broken into when I was in college, Someone broke out the window and went into the trunk though the back seat. took my tackle boxes and 7 fishing rods from the trunk. At that time in my life, I couldn't even afford the deductable on my Granfathers car insurance, and my fishing gear was a primary source of income (tournements) I was not able to fully replace things for almost 10 years, and seemed to have lost my touch with Bass fishing in that time. I know the anger and hate you feel, and it will subside in time, but I'm not sure it will ever go away completely. I'm sitting here getting angry again. and this happened to me in 1990. Cameras are a good option, We use them on our home, and have had some vandalism issues (pretty minor stuff). With my presence and stature, I was able to convince the vandals (neighborhood kids) that my property wasn't a good place to play, and didn't have to go to their parents or the cops. But I never could have done it without the cameras. It is just stuff, but sentimentality should mean more to alot of people, and it hurts when those things are lost. hopefully if you have suspects, you'll be able to recover things. keep an eye on every pawn shop within 40 miles for a few weeks. It's amazing what you might find and trace. With guns it's a little sketchy, good (law abiding)pawn shops wouldn't buy a gun from a juvenile, the rest may not let you see all of their merchandise, but if you find anything it should be traceable to a seller. Make sure your local law enforcement is reminded of the mandatory federal sentencing on crimes involving guns. this may help boost their willingness to investigate.
Dave

[AW2EOD]

I just recently bought a 2 story condo on the North side of Chicago. The neighborhood I lived in before was getting really bad. My car was broken into twice...the first time, they broke a $300 window to steal a $25 Pioneer tape deck. It was crazy...

The first thing I did when I bought my condo was to install security. Heat/motion detectors, window/door contacts and in my basement, I've even personally installed a pressure plate (under the carpet) that if armed and triggered will set off the alarm. I'm a gun collector as well, OrionGirl, with maybe $250,000 worth of firearms (all in gun safes)...many of which were passed down from my great grandfather, grandfather, and father, to me. All of this...and I actually live in the one of "safest neighborhoods in Chicago". It's just not worth it to take the chance anymore.

What's worse is I also live 2 1/2 blocks from a police station. I've called the police, numerous times to report things...(i.e. a gang of kids walking down the street, smashing windows and denting cars...a teenager, riding his motorcycle the wrong way up my one way street at 70mph, doing wheelies, etc.). You want to know how long it took the cops to respond 2 1/2 blocks?? They never showed up! Not once!

I told my girlfriend, who lives with me..."If someone ever breaks into our house, I'm going to shoot the son of a b!tch first, then call the cops. If we hear somone breaking in, and call the police...we'll be dead before they get here."

It's just scary what the world is coming to...it really is. The way that I've seen some of the kids in my neighborhood act...if I ever wouldve done some of the things they do, my dad wouldve beaten me to within an inch of my life. I mean, I'm not that old (only 24), but still. It's incredible.

[OrionGirl]

I think that's part of what shocks me the most about this--not only would I have never concerned breaking into someone's house, but my mom would have cheerfully turned me over to the cops had they come to her with an accusation like that. I don't comprehend how parents to day can deny that their child would ever do such a thing! It boggles the mind.

Nothing new--supposed to talk with the investigating officer today.

[125gJoe]

.. .... ... .. .. ...
God bless texas and its gun laws!!!
Yeah!
This breaks bad 'habits':
http://www.xtremecruisers.com/YaBBImages/avatars/GUN.gif

[geoffgarcia]

For a robbery, the state won't pay for the lab work. Annoying!even if they did, I can't imagine that any juviniles would have DNA on file to match it against, or fingerprints for that matter. Why didn't your neighbor call the police?


So how do you get over the hate?
I really do hate the kids that did this.

I'm normally not hateful--and I don't like the feeling.
What works?
What gets rid of the feeling?
I keep reminding myself--it's just stuff.
I can't get over it.

I want to see the delinquents suffer.
Suffer for making me feel like I'm not safe in my own house.
Suffer for making me cry.
Suffer for taking away the few things of my Dad's that I still have left.From your post it seems that it isn't so much a problem of invasion of space, or of any monetary loss, but that they took memories of your father.
Maybe go visit your fathers grave, you might get some inspiration on what to do from that? or maybe go see a religious person or a psychologist.

When I was in college I read a fantastic book called Love in Action by Thict Naht Hanh.
It is basically the story of a Vietnamese person who's life was destroyed by the US war there. How all his family and friends were killed and all his possessions destroyed and how he delt with the same feelings of anger and loathing (albeit on a greater scale most likely).
He happens to be a Budist, but its not really a religious book, rather a book on coping, how to shift paradigms to find meaning and purpose in the reason people do things.

[saltyc]

Orion girl, sorry to hear about your theft-you're not the only one!

We came back from the lake late Monday night (the 6th). Weren't home 15 mins, when my mom called to say her house had been broken into.
They got some jewelry, and my late father's watches (two of which were engraved!) some tools out of the garage, etc. Oh yes, and they took a 10 year old VCR!!
We had a few things they left behind to finger print (a half empty beer!) and a few things moved for the cops to print also, but who knows if they will find any of the stuff. They made a point of taking stuff that will easily pawn, etc.
Fortunately they didn't tear anything up-even unscrewed the vcr cables!
They must have been in the house for some time-went through every drawer (except for the one where mom keeps her stash of cash-go figure??)
She's got antiques and collectibles all over the place-could have been a disaster!
She's really distressed by it, since we lost Dad not quite 2 years ago, then she had a fairly big chunk of cash taken from her purse in broad daylight, and now this!
My personal idea is leaving for the weekend, sneaking back in & waiting with a gun...not necessarily to kill, I'd settle for a paintball in a tender spot, then call the cops! of course they might have a few broken bones by the time the cops got there...

[Timmain42]

I told my girlfriend, who lives with me..."If someone ever breaks into our house, I'm going to shoot the son of a b!tch first, then call the cops. If we hear somone breaking in, and call the police...we'll be dead before they get here."

As an aside, the best way to get cops at your place in case of break-in is to call 911 and tell them you're shot and killed an intruder.

Now, this CAN backfire, especially if your life is not in danger, but if you're REALLY scared, this works. It requires a strong and semi-calm delivery tho, like the fireworks are already over.

[geoffgarcia]

Tim, are you suggesting that cops respond quicker to shots fired than to a violent crime in progress? I find this extremely hard to believe

[Timmain42]

Tim, are you suggesting that cops respond quicker to shots fired than to a violent crime in progress? I find this extremely hard to believe

**** straight. Especially if you just admitted to killing someone in self defense? Oh yeah. Sad but true.

Two of my stepbrothers are cops. Even in small towns, police will respond quicker if lead is flying as opposed to "someone THINKS a burglar has broken in." No joke.

[OrionGirl]

Ta Da! Good news!

Friday afternoon, my boyfriend was standing out front, having a smoke and waiting for me to get home. One of the suspects seen jumping out of my backyard drives by, parks in front of the neighbors house. Gets out, and unloads a speaker! My boyfriend thinks, "Gee, that looks like one of the ones that was stolen!" I get home, we call the cops. They send over a deputy, who goes down and questions them. They insist it was just down in their basement, but the deputy brings it up, and we notice a splash of paint on it from when my boyfriend was painting an RC car body. Yep, it was ours. Deputy interviews the kid, who is on probatin, and he starts spilling his guts. Indentifies everyone who was involved, has addresses, etc. The cops interviewed the other kids, and started tracking some of our stuff down. Besides the speakers, they also located 2 of the guns--whoo-hoo! And, they are hoping to recover more. Didn't honestly expect to get anything back, so I'm really happy. And, of course, they have enough to send the kids to jail for a nice tour.

Is it mean of me to hope they have a cell mate named Bubba? :D

[Leopardess]

Not mean at all:D That is fantastic news. The stupidity of dropping off stolen speakers so close to where you stole them from is mind boggling. Good thing it works out well that way! I'm happy for you!

[OrionGirl]

:) The funny thing is--the guy drove by our house, and actually flipped my boyfriend off when he got out of the car, so he KNEW he was being watched. Just amazing. I guess the kids started out trying to lie about it, and the cops let them go on for a while, and then said "Okay, here's what we know....Care to start filling in the gaps with the truth?" and the kid just broke down, was almost crying.

I'm doing the happy dance, that's for sure. Even though we probably won't get most of our stuff back, I can at least be content that the kids will be punished. My faith in karma is restored. Om mani hum!

[Leopardess]

Oh my god. That's the icing on the cake. Apparently they thought you were okay with them stealing your stuff! Gee...how nice of you!:p

Gah. Hopefully they'll get some of what's comin' to 'em.