[rick505]

Well, started off bad at work (I do computer support work) and had to stick around a little late.  Came home through the garage as I always do and go out the front door to see if anything was left like UPS, mail packages, flyers from anyone looking for work, etc.  Hey, what's this, door unlocked.  Dang, I must be getting old and forgotten to lock it last time.  Not like me but then again.....  Turned around, Oh CRAP!!  I see my TV gone from the stand.  Nothing fancy but a 37" older LCD flat panel.  I happened to look around,...nope nothing else I see gone.  The DVD and PVR sitting right below on the stand untouched.  I saw the bedroom closet light on so looked in there.  Camcorder and digital camera untouched.  Even had my motorcycle jackets and helmet still on the hook inside the door,  I did notice the dresser drawers opened and the door and drawer on the night stands had been opened.  Computer in  the bedroom (one i'm using right now) and second one in the front bedroom/office both still there. 

I decided to take a moment and look around and saw nothing else touched.  To gather my thoughts, I went outside to toss a bag of kitchen trash and when I went around the house I saw the screen had been removed and a spare bedroom window slid open.  Hey thanks for leaving it open int eh winter when you were done!!  OK, just my sick humor I guess.  I check in that room when I went back inside as I rarely ever go in as it's used for storage and is crammed full of stuff.  They even had to crawl over two old computers stored there.

Then I wondered, had I not latched the windows???  Not sure....I then decided to walk around inside and make sure everything WAS latched...noticed both living room slider windows were not latched.  HMMMM, had the thieves unlatched them anticipating a return visit to clean me out??  I quickly locked them and called in to work to take tomorrow off.  Since I live alone, if they return I want to be ready.

I wonder if they were looking for guns or quick cash and grabbed the TV on the way out the door??  To bring this around to Motorcycles, I did check the garage and my '08 is sitting on her center stand still plugged in to her trickle charger happily as when I left her on Monday.

So, a little freaked out but more angry at myself for apparently leaving a freakin' window unlocked.  I walked around outside and can see some footprints where apparently they walked around. 

Oh well, thanks for letting me vent a bit.

Lock up and be happy.

Rick

[Rick O'Shea]

Sorry to hear that Rick505, makes me want to retreat even further back into the N.C.mountains. We're so remote now even the Presbyterians are handling snakes.

[r80rt]

It's a sickening feeling isn't it? The little bastard that robbed my house will be out of prison in 14 years, I smile every time I think about it.

[ScooterBob]

Man - There ain't NOTHIN' worse than a thief! I'd have taken the day off, left the windows unlatched and sat in a dark corner with the .45 Colt and three full mags on my lap ... bastages! You have my sympathy - I'm certainly glad that you didn't get jacked any worse.

[REpozer]

Rick, I hate it all!

[The Garbone]

That sucks, at least they only got the TV.

Last summer we had a rash of this happening around town.  I had a flip house that I am trying to sell robbed.. They climbed in through an open kitchen window that is about 5 feet off the ground.  Must has been pretty athletic to boost up through,  The house was empty so they only got away with a small block sander I had used to refinish the floors, hardly worth the effort.  They caught the kids doing  the break ins and all has been quiet since.  

I have 2 dogs that bark a lot..  I think that helps..

[ace.cafe]

My sympathies, Rick.

I've been robbed several times.

Now I keep a 140 pound male Rottweiler downstairs, and a fully loaded 8-round semi-auto Benelli 12-gauge shotgun with a tactical light on it, next to my bed.

I wouldn't give any burglars good odds on the next attempt.


Rottweiler shown below, wearing his 30" collar.
He's always hungry, and he doesn't like other people invading his house.

[Cabo Cruz]

A crying shame, Br. Rick... it could've been worse... glad you're alright... keep your powder dry!

[scoTTy]

man, that sucks.. only had that happen once ......while I was building my house..  they used my sledge hammer to beat out the patio doors.. I kinda knew who did it , but couldn't prove it.. they stole my baseball car collection from the 50's and my 35 mm camera... I really felt , well U know.. violated

[1Blackwolf1]

  My ex-wife and I had that happen years ago.  Little hoodlum, delinquents made off with about everything worth value.  But didn't touch the gun cabinet, was locked but could have been smashed open with a little effort (wooden).  But maybe they knew if you stole guns in a robbery it was a federal crime so stayed clear.

  The local yocal deputies (B. Fife comes to mind) hadn't a clue although there was an evidence trail a mile long and wide to follow. 

  Insurance paid the loss..but you never quite get the feeling you are secure in your own home agian.  Will.

[rick505]

Thanks everyone.  I really appreciate your comments.  I've had a chance to look around and I swear absolutely nothing was touched other than the TV.  I did see where the dresser drawers and night stand had been opened but I keep no valuables, cash or guns there.  I'm home today after finding the Living room windows unlocked.  Still makes me think they may attempt a second round.  If I see a big moving truck or U-Haul back in to the driveway then I'll know..........

Thanks again for all the responses.  Reminds me I'm not alone.

Rick

[single]

Hey,Rick.Major attention getter,one likes to think home is sacred.But only to homeowner,unfortunately.May the perp die screaming and spewing blood with his mother watching.

[Bullet.wagon]

In my state it is legal to shoot to kill when an intruder enters or is found in your premises unlawfully.Would I? Well....?

[PaulF]

I was 2nd ammendment-neutral until 6 months after purchasing my home when I was hit. I'm very pro now. House is now alarmed, with exterior motions all around, two dogs and a piece always within easy reach.

The little fu**-hole that hit me was, at the time, (1994), an HIV-positive heroin addict who hit a number of people in the community. So hopefully, he's dead and worm food by now.

[birdmove]

  I'm 56 years old now, but on my 22nd birthday at about 11:00 pm I had a looney smash his way into my rented house. By that time I'd been shooting and handloading ammo for years since my Dad trained me how to do both safely and well. I grabbed my .357 Magnum Dan Wesson revolver and held the dude until the police came. They knew this scoflaw by name and hauled his butt away.

    Never want to come that close to killing somebody again, but, on the other hand, noone is going to smash his way into my house while I'm home and not regret it.

   jon