Thread: Man.... That sucks

When I lived in Baltimore, anything that wasn't nailed down was a target - anything that could be sold for dope. I had a guy try and sell me a dead Christmas tree - the same one I had thrown out 30 minutes prior. If you had plants outside, you had to bolt them to the deck through the drain hole or chain them down somehow. If you went grocery shopping, you had to leave your cart with your purchased groceries in the vestible of the store (with the store security guard), go get your vehicle, and then load your stuff. Once you got home, you had to "tag team" taking the stuff inside, making sure that the vehicle was not unattended at any time.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Seriously? Who steals plants? Even if they're nice plants, I still can't see that.

We were broken into a long time ago and had all our stuff taken. It's screwed up to see the neighbors with your stuff, lemme tell ya.

Looks like my razor collection is safe! they must have missed it in the one drawer they didn't go through... because they went through everything else, we just found out that they stole all of the baby clothes out of my nine month old son's dresser (we already have that covered though).

Just thought I'd address a few points

Originally Posted by WireBeard

Keep after the police - squeaky wheel gets the grease!:

Oh, we are

C.2 - if you did not have a lot of high dollar items - they may have done it to get back at you (weird thief logic "How dare you not have expensive things I can hock! I'll show you!") or :

No, I had some good stuff... I won't go into too much detail, but it was a big hit.

C.3 - they were someone you knew (any enemies or someone with a gridge who is also a shady character?)
No enemies:

F - who notified your FIL? When? Do you know that person? If so, do you trust that person? Sometimes accomplices will go to the authorities to allay suspicion. :

My in-Laws were actually going to check up on the place and found it trashed and ransacked. My FIL called me while my MIL called the cops

G - did anyone notice a truck, van? If not, your stuff could be in a neighboring apartment....unless they just piled everything on the sofa and carried it down the street. I had some potted plants taken of a deck in Baltimore - they weighed from 100 - 250 lbs. The neighbors did it (no other way to get into the fenced back yard other than to climb over and heave them over to the next yard.:

Nobody noticed anything... but there are tire marks in the grass behind the apartment, if you knew the place you'd also know that there is no way anyone could have done that without raising suspicion... we are going after some leads there.

Excellent news about the razors! The same maxim applies of you did have high-end, high $$$ stuff and you have the serial numbers.

Their taking the baby's clothes...tacky, tacky....but could be another lead, in that they would know they are costly. Also, as you think that a truck/van would not got unnoticed, more canvassing of neighbors may produce results. People often don't remember things until asked in context.

How did they get in?

Next steps:

Do you rent? If so, insist that the landlord (who could still be a suspect) strengthen the security...or do it yourself.

Door hinges, lock strikeplates, and door jambs should be secured to the structure with steel screws at least 3" long.

Deadbolts - Go with weight - if the lock set would not give you a concussion if throw at your head, don't buy it. The bolt should go at least 1" into the jamb, if not more, and rest in a strike plate on top of a heavy brass/steel plate, then in a synthetic "sleeve"...these 3 pieces all sandwich on each other and are mounted in the receiving hole for the bolt. They provide additional resistance against impact. You may also want to go with double-key - no knob or lever - just a keyhole on both sides. If they break in a window, they can only take out what will fit through the window, as they need a key to open the door (unless they make a lot of noise).

Windows - depends on the type. Picture windows - not much you can do except bars (then you feel like you are in Sing Sing)....but to get in they would have to break the glass. Double-hung - you can get window lockas or bars the block the window from being opened.

Portable alarm - these things hang over door knob (detects motions, such as kicking) or can be easily attached to a door, with a cord that attaches to the jamb. When you come home, it beeps like a regular house alarm until you turn a key or enter a code. No notification of the authorities, but it can scare away opportunistic thieves.

Documentation - serial numbers are good. For any high-value items, take photos - front, back and a close up of the serial number. Give a copy to your insurance company (where you have purchased renter's insurance) and a copy to your in law's. Keep a copy in a 3rd location.

Is there a tenant's association? Neighborhood watch and crime stoppers does go along way to preventing crime - criminals don't like witnesses (ask John Gotti!).