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]

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.

[TheTman]

I'm sad to hear of you and your lady's misfortune. I don't have anything to add to what's been said, so you have my sympathies. I hope they catch the guy(s) that did it. I've been the victim of robberies before, and I know how violated you feel.

[nmkahrshooter]

I keep doors locked, outside lights on, have a dog and the place has an alarm. Hope that is enough.

[Sage]

There's a possibility that those guys are going to catch some lead one of these days.

[GROTMAN]

Also sorry to hear what happened but glad it was only "stuff " taken and not anything worse. Also gotta say +1 on the dog. My yorkie will always let us know if somethings going on.

[downtownv]

glad everyone only lost property.... someone knew something.

[les strat]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I have not had my home broken into, but have had my vehicle broken into 3x where I used to live, and it happened right outside my bedroom window. It makes you feel unsafe in the one place you should.

I do 2nd the getting an inside dog... any dog that will bark, but the bigger and louder the better. My dobe would scare any intruders to death, I guarantee you that. My bet is they would say, "Next house please." She resides in my house all the time when we are not home and at night.

[QuercusMax]

Wow. I didn't know that kind of thing could even happen.

I have always lived in remote areas where there really aren't any BG's around, except maybe the occasional coyote. Maybe that is why I have had such a hard time understanding the need for home defense, and even the need to carry.

I know that most people like to live where it is warm all the time, but that also seems to increase the population of insects - and BG's.

Sorry, but I could not live where that kind of stuff happens with regularity. There are vast areas of our country where it does not. We all make our choices.

[JFootin]

Wow. I didn't know that kind of thing could even happen.

I have always lived in remote areas where there really aren't any BG's around, except maybe the occasional coyote. Maybe that is why I have had such a hard time understanding the need for home defense, and even the need to carry.

I know that most people like to live where it is warm all the time, but that also seems to increase the population of insects - and BG's.

Sorry, but I could not live where that kind of stuff happens with regularity. There are vast areas of our country where it does not. We all make our choices.

+1! I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Where I live, people still don't lock their doors and they leave the key in their car or truck. Now, my home town, Asheville, is the big metro city for this area and it has become a crime riddled place. But just 30 or less miles north of there where I live, life is very much as it was a generation or two ago.

[losg]

I'm sorry that happened, and I'm glad it wasn't worse. I worry about not being able to wake up, but my dog almost attacked me when I came home from work today, because I woke him up. I had to close the door right back, and have my aunt calm him down. I bet he would scare off a bg. And I agree about small towns, when I'm up in West Virginia people leave their keys in their trucks and don't lock doors. It's a different world in cities. But, if everyone moved to the country it would be the city.

[LorenzoB]

QuercusMax, I live in a rural area on 6.5 acres (probably not as rural as you), but I still feel pretty safe (much safer than the city), but stuff can still happen... and if it does, it can take police longer to respond (especially with all the budget cuts), so home defense is a wise precaution no matter where you live.

[AJBert]

For those that think living in the country is "safe", look up what happened to a fella and his wife that went by the name of String Bean on the show, "Hee Haw". That might change your mind.

[LorenzoB]

That's crazy about String Bean and his wife! Yea, sometimes there are some unscrupulous people out in the country too who will turn BG and do stupid things just for a small amount of money or stuff (usually driven by supporting a drug habit). I feel safer where we live just because the BG density is lower than in the city, but I am still prepared to protect my family IF something were to happen. And that is really the best argument for home and self defense no matter where you live... Being prepared so you don't become some rural town shocking news story like String Bean.

[Jeremiah/Az]

My old house was burglarized after my wife left for town, thankfully, & I was @ work. They stole all of my guns that were in the house. We did not have a neighbor within 5 miles of us!

[knkali]

Sorry to hear about this. Glad everyone is OK. Could have been a lot different for the POS that robbed you. He was very lucky.

I have an alarm. Please think about getting one too. Thay are very inexpensive now and will alert you should it happen again.

[CJB]

Still pickin' up the pieces.

The ol' lady is mostly caught up. She needs to replace her drivers license and registration, real estate license and bank stuff.

BTW - LifeLock is SUPER good to deal with. She was on the phone about an hour with them. She could not pay them - no credit cards. They were able to verify everything she told them - scarey intimate stuff they ought not know really - and based on that gave her coverage, with deferred payment for two weeks so she could get her bank stuff re-established.

Me... out damn near $5000 in gear. Sucks. I think she's covered for $2000 in her insurance, I'm gonna see if the rest can be covered on my own.

[bonjorno2]

i haven't read all the posts except yours... Sorry to hear it where abouts in florida?

[Alfonse]

Glad everyone is ok, other than the stuff part. This is one reason I can't imagine sleeping with a weapon, like a shotgun, sitting by the bed.

I want to make sure I can get to whatever I have for protection before an intruder. It needs to be hidden, yet available to me. The last thing I want it to be dealing with some intruder armed with one of my own weapons.

It is my issue with having a shotgun around for home protection. They're pretty hard (though not impossible) to conceal in a room where I might be sleeping compared to a pistol.

[O'Dell]

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

Different people involved in each case. However, there's still some question whether the same person may have masterminded the second two incidents, but was not there physically. At any rate, everyone now knows that the house is a tough nut to crack, and no one is going to walk out with the safe, and that's where the guns are. The police are also actively patrolling and the gatehouse is manned.

[Krusty]

I am glad that you are ok , it could have ended in many differend ways. Your stuff is replaceable. Any unwanted intruder will face my 2 Rhodesians 115lbs each, you can check in any time ( they don't bark) , but you,ll never leave! Get yourself a pooch or goose,something to alert you! Anyhow I 'am glad that you guys are ok.:cool:

[Planedude]

I have a Derringer handy and at the ready 24/7...

He is loud and proud and "Momma's little pistol"

All I need is a delay and distraction and the onery little guy will give it his all.

[muggsy]

Wow. I didn't know that kind of thing could even happen.

I have always lived in remote areas where there really aren't any BG's around, except maybe the occasional coyote. Maybe that is why I have had such a hard time understanding the need for home defense, and even the need to carry.

I know that most people like to live where it is warm all the time, but that also seems to increase the population of insects - and BG's.

Sorry, but I could not live where that kind of stuff happens with regularity. There are vast areas of our country where it does not. We all make our choices.

With the invention of the Interstate Highway most people are only minutes away from the ghetto.

[onalandline]

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

Dammit! What a pain in the arse. That Kahr should have been a few rounds lighter. :)

Glad nobody in the house got hurt.

Need a dog and/or alarm.

[joe d]

just glad everyone was unharmed and all are okay...Things can be replaced...I know it sucks ,but it could have been much worse..

[Mike_B]

Glad everyone is ok, other than the stuff part. This is one reason I can't imagine sleeping with a weapon, like a shotgun, sitting by the bed.

I want to make sure I can get to whatever I have for protection before an intruder. It needs to be hidden, yet available to me. The last thing I want it to be dealing with some intruder armed with one of my own weapons.

It is my issue with having a shotgun around for home protection. They're pretty hard (though not impossible) to conceal in a room where I might be sleeping compared to a pistol.


I've been planning on making a pistol "holder" or holster for my bed, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My plan was to make a wooden piece to slide between the mattress and boxspring. Then attach a box or holster somehow that would hold my Sig so it would be easy to get to. Shouldn't be all that difficult to do.

Now, your post has me thinking of doing the same for a tactical shotgun, like the Mossy Pursuader that is my next planned gun purchase. It could be something as simple as a horizontal box that the gun just sits in, easy to get to without even getting out of bed. Hmmm....Time to get to work!

[JFootin]

I've been planning on making a pistol "holder" or holster for my bed, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My plan was to make a wooden piece to slide between the mattress and boxspring. Then attach a box or holster somehow that would hold my Sig so it would be easy to get to. Shouldn't be all that difficult to do.

Now, your post has me thinking of doing the same for a tactical shotgun, like the Mossy Pursuader that is my next planned gun purchase. It could be something as simple as a horizontal box that the gun just sits in, easy to get to without even getting out of bed. Hmmm....Time to get to work!

You are such a sound sleeper, couldn't a BG get your gun while you're sleeping? IMO, the gun(s) should be concealed; easily accessible to you, but not visible to an intruder.

[Bawanna]

I've been planning on making a pistol "holder" or holster for my bed, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My plan was to make a wooden piece to slide between the mattress and boxspring. Then attach a box or holster somehow that would hold my Sig so it would be easy to get to. Shouldn't be all that difficult to do.

Now, your post has me thinking of doing the same for a tactical shotgun, like the Mossy Pursuader that is my next planned gun purchase. It could be something as simple as a horizontal box that the gun just sits in, easy to get to without even getting out of bed. Hmmm....Time to get to work!

Somebody here (sorry can't remember who you are) made one, seems like it was plexiglas or plastic. Shouldn't be difficult and you can put one of them girly man fringe dealy hymers around the bed that would be over the shotgun and pistol. I'd do both with maybe a LAWS too. Just pull up the girly man fringe and surprise, surprise, surprise, the bad guy loses again.

[Alfonse]

Shouldn't be difficult and you can put one of them girly man fringe dealy hymers around the bed that would be over the shotgun and pistol. I'd do both with maybe a LAWS too. Just pull up the girly man fringe and surprise, surprise, surprise, the bad guy loses again.

That is a much better approach than the shotgun laying against the wall in the corner, just tempting the BG to pick it up before you do.

I just keep a handgun handy and concealed. I have kids at home and wouldn't leave anything accessible. I would also feel like I had to lock a shotgun away when I left the house. I wouldn't want a BG armed with my own shotgun surprising me when I arrived home.

In a more dire societal situation, I would adjust my approach. I certainly have other firearm choices, but the tradeoff for keeping things secure and locked away when I leave makes a shotgun in the bedroom a poor tradeoff for me.

I suppose if I was really motivated, I could make some custom furniture with hidden compartments. But, for what I think I might face in the unlikely chance of needing something, my regular EDC concealed and in reach is just fine. But, that's just me.

[Planedude]

Bedside carry? Do you mean like you found right here??

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/BedsideBackup/tabid/99/List/0/ProductID/14/CategoryID/4/Level/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

And they are Kahr talk sponsors guys...:rolleyes:

[hardluk1]

To bad about the break in and items taken but maybe a the law will find them with threw the electronics. One fine little saftety item is a travel door alarm. Check out Planet Mace for a 10 dollar alarm.

[Paistemage]

Sorry about that.

I am a sound sleeper sometimes.

Hope everything comes out ok in the end.

[HDoc]

Well... sigh.

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.

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
Been there, it does suck.
Not to pour salt on an open wound, but how did they get in the garage to the house? Were the doors locked?

[muggsy]

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

http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?c=5&p=HO+22618&ct=e

[JFootin]

http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?c=5&p=HO+22618&ct=e

Great solution, Muggsy! It won't break the bank, either.