What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Nearly a Home Invasion (1 Viewer)

Chadstroma

Chadstroma

Footballguy
My BIL had a scary experience Sat. He lives in an upper middle class low crime suburb Northwest of Chicago.

On Sat, his little daughter was taking a nap and his wife was washing dishes. Then someone starts to knock on the door and ring the doorbell. At first, they kind of ignored them expecting them to go away but they kept at it. Finally, a bit upset because his daughter was napping- he went to the door to tell them he wasn't interested and leave. Basically as he has the door open and the guy say that they were looking for "______" (forgot the name) he hears his wife ask "who are these people in the backyard?"- luckily he immediately figured out what was happening (a bit shockingly to me as this BIL is not the sharpest tool in the shed) slammed the door and locked it and then rushed to the back of the house in time to see one of the guys having already opened the rear sliding door and pushing the blinds out of the way to come in. He yelled at them and I guess it was enough to spoke them (he is unsure of what he said beyond telling his wife to call the cops). So, they took off.

Cops were on scene within a couple of minutes. Searched the neighborhood but did not find anyone.

 
Home invasion is probably the only practical time I could envision myself shooting rounds of ammunition into another human being.

 
eoMMan said:
He needs a pitbull. 
Click to expand...
This is one reason why I have grown to love our new dog. She is a little-ish Jack Russell/Beagle and she has a big bark. She barks and runs to the door when ever someone comes close. I figure even if she is caged (not far from the front door) her bark is enough to cause an intruder to rethink things.

 
Mr. Ected said:
This is one reason why I have grown to love our new dog. She is a little-ish Jack Russell/Beagle and she has a big bark. She barks and runs to the door when ever someone comes close. I figure even if she is caged (not far from the front door) her bark is enough to cause an intruder to rethink things.
Click to expand...
Same with my Jack.  People have to think twice when hearing her bark - it's pretty vicious sounding.

 
RBM said:
Saturday afternoon? What an odd time for something like that. Scary.
Click to expand...
Yup. Middle of the day and what is even crazier is that he is on a corner lot. Now, it isn't a busy street or anything but still- if I was going to do something like that, not a house I would pick.

 
Most home burglaries happen in the daytime. The old TV, sneak in while its dark, is a not accurate. Sure it happens, but in reality, they don't want to deal with the homeowners being home. 

 
Cjw_55106 said:
Most home burglaries happen in the daytime. The old TV, sneak in while its dark, is a not accurate. Sure it happens, but in reality, they don't want to deal with the homeowners being home. 
Click to expand...
Yup - This. 

We had a few in our area last year.  MO was the same - Struck via garage doors.  They'd pry the garage door open, then enter via the door between the house and the garage, which was often unlocked.  They'd take their time and get all the stuff they wanted, load it into the garage, then either steal one of the homeowner's cars WITH their stuff, or they'd load the stuff up from the garage.  Struck mid-day while people were at work.

 
Cjw_55106 said:
Most home burglaries happen in the daytime. The old TV, sneak in while its dark, is a not accurate. Sure it happens, but in reality, they don't want to deal with the homeowners being home. 
Click to expand...
While that's generally true, this was a Saturday afternoon. Unless they've been casing the house and had reason to believe they were usually gone on Saturday afternoon, that's a very odd time to do something like this. 

Hopefully your BIL rethinks his home defense strategy a bit and has a plan for this going forward. We have hidden but accessible weapons in either "wing" of the house as there's no way to predict where you'll be if something like this happens to you. Takes 5 mins to talk through a plan with the family... small investment of time to ensure their safety if this ever happens again. 

In before the "It'll never happen to me" crowd... 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
[icon] said:
While that's generally true, this was a Saturday afternoon. Unless they've been casing the house and had reason to believe they were usually gone on Saturday afternoon, that's a very odd time to do something like this. 

Hopefully your BIL rethinks his home defense strategy a bit and has a plan for this going forward. We have hidden but accessible weapons in either "wing" of the house as there's no way to predict where you'll be if something like this happens to you. Takes 5 mins to talk through a plan with the family... small investment of time to ensure their safety if this ever happens again. 

In before the "It'll never happen to me" crowd... 
Click to expand...
Just make sure you move those "accessible" weapons when little kids visit your house (or crazy #####es).

 
Last edited by a moderator:
[icon] said:
While that's generally true, this was a Saturday afternoon. Unless they've been casing the house and had reason to believe they were usually gone on Saturday afternoon, that's a very odd time to do something like this. 

Hopefully your BIL rethinks his home defense strategy a bit and has a plan for this going forward. We have hidden but accessible weapons in either "wing" of the house as there's no way to predict where you'll be if something like this happens to you. Takes 5 mins to talk through a plan with the family... small investment of time to ensure their safety if this ever happens again. 

In before the "It'll never happen to me" crowd... 
Click to expand...
Rather than case the house, they simply knocked on the door. When no one answered, they thought it was empty. 

If someone answers, they ask for Bill. When they say Bill doesn't live here, they apologize and move on. 

 
Cjw_55106 said:
Rather than case the house, they simply knocked on the door. When no one answered, they thought it was empty. 

If someone answers, they ask for Bill. When they say Bill doesn't live here, they apologize and move on. 
Click to expand...
or maybe do something depending on who answered the door

 
I had an old friend move to Milwaukee in a not so great neighborhood, I went to visit him with my dog and just barged in ... to the wrong house.  I guess I was off a little on the house number.  I'm lucky I wasn't shot.  

 
[icon] said:
While that's generally true, this was a Saturday afternoon. Unless they've been casing the house and had reason to believe they were usually gone on Saturday afternoon, that's a very odd time to do something like this. 

Hopefully your BIL rethinks his home defense strategy a bit and has a plan for this going forward. We have hidden but accessible weapons in either "wing" of the house as there's no way to predict where you'll be if something like this happens to you. Takes 5 mins to talk through a plan with the family... small investment of time to ensure their safety if this ever happens again. 

In before the "It'll never happen to me" crowd... 
Click to expand...
He spent time with my other BIL talking about beefing up security on Sunday after a family get together that ended at the BIL's house that was invaded. Most of which has nothing to do with this scenario. Of the things he is changing that would have any influence on this is fixing the gate (I guess it was broken and easy to walk right through into the backyard) and locking his backdoor even while home. Also getting a security screen door.

For the other stuff, he has a Comcast security system but the cameras were in really bad spots and of no help in this situation. I am not sure if they are changing the spots on that, getting rid of it or just adding a new system (they went to Costco and got a camera system). And adding some motion detection lights for the sides and back.

There may have been other stuff but I wasn't involved in the discussion so I just picked up things here and there.

I suggested an actual dog beyond the hairball they have now and getting a biometric gun case/safe versus combo now (not sure if that would have made a difference as it all happened in seconds).

For me- puts a little more emphasis on me getting a few things that I have had on the backburner for a while- camera system (currently have ADT security system without cameras which I think the signs are more valuable than the actual system and really only worth anything when we are away from home), motion detector lights (bought one but just have not put it up, another in the back is already up but either broke or light is out- need to figure that out and put a new light in or get a new one plus buy another for the other side of the house), and handgun w.concealed carry permit. Was also thinking about changing the doorbell (which is original to the house and old) to the new one they have that is camera and app enabled.

 
Cjw_55106 said:
Rather than case the house, they simply knocked on the door. When no one answered, they thought it was empty. 

If someone answers, they ask for Bill. When they say Bill doesn't live here, they apologize and move on. 
Click to expand...
I think this basically what happened but they didn't answer so they started assuming they weren't home. They also park both vehicles in the garage so there are no other signs of someone potentially being home. I think the fact that they took off when he screamed at them means they were thinking that no one was home.

 
Walking Boot said:
Dogs are barely the deterrent people seem to think they are. A good crook knows how to get one to chase him into the bathroom, where he just closes the door on it. 

And that's for good home security dogs. Most yappers won't slow anyone down. 
Click to expand...
more of an alert than anything

 
Things your burglar won't tell you (or as I like to call it, great tips for aspiring burglars) :

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv/ ....com/)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU :

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs http://www.crimedoctor.com/ and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis , who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.

 
Well, thank goodness that I don't live in a upper middle class low crime suburb Northwest of Chicago . :oldunsure:

 
Cjw_55106 said:
Most home burglaries happen in the daytime. The old TV, sneak in while its dark, is a not accurate. Sure it happens, but in reality, they don't want to deal with the homeowners being home. 
Click to expand...
They don't want to deal with the homeowners being home...yet they knocked and rang the doorbell and only tried to enter after he answered?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Walking Boot said:
Dogs are barely the deterrent people seem to think they are. A good crook knows how to get one to chase him into the bathroom, where he just closes the door on it. 

And that's for good home security dogs. Most yappers won't slow anyone down. 
Click to expand...
I don't think my dog would be helpful if I wasn't home.

Downright know that he would be biting the crap out of someone whom threatened me or the rest of the family in my house though.

 
Walking Boot said:
The main thing to deter the typical burglar (someone looking to rob a house, not someone who has info or a beef with you particularly and wants to rob your house) is to simply not be the easiest looking target in the neighborhood.

If there's only one house on the street with one of those home-alarm signs on a post in the yard, no burglar is going to pick that house to rob among all the other easy targets. Putting those stickers on the windows is good, too.

If your house is the one with all the nice toys carelessly left around, it says "we have stuff and we're not careful with it". Lots of junk visible in the garage, same message. Stuff like that. Don't look like the easiest mark in the neighborhood.

Be careful with the trash, too. Leaving the cardboard box from the big-screen TV by the curb is an advertisement for what's inside. "We have expensive toys in here."

Take an impartial look as if you were the burglar once in a while and think about it. I know my house's weakest point is the backyard... there's an alley that runs behind my place, a car could pull up and someone could hop the gate and have pretty secluded access to my house, and with big french doors there's a good view of the inside. Now, I'm not going to compromise my enjoyment of my house, the great natural light and the view by putting curtains on the windows, but I do make sure there are visible security stickers on the rear doors and side windows, as well as the front. There's motion lights back there, and nothing nice left outside.
Click to expand...
We have ADT and the biggest thing I did was ask for a couple of extra signs. I put two in the back yard on either side (our backyard goes into an open area that if I was going to rob a house in my neighborhood, I would use rather than the street) and another in the front yard prominently displayed. Planning on canceling the ADT but will be keeping the signs.

The old lady we bought our house from already had a security screen door with a placard of "beware of dog" or "dog on duty" or something like that. Just left the sign up and the dog run in the back with my dog almost always home and a big 85 pounder who likes to tell people he is there if he hears something helps reinforce that.

Like I said earlier, I got some work to do on getting better lighting up but we normally keep our porch light on and I try to remember to get the driveway lights on- both of which are very bright. I need to get a new timer for the drive way lights though. So, though I have work to do, in comparison to most of neighbors our house is well lite.

 
Warrior said:
They don't want to deal with the homeowners being home...yet they knocked and rang the doorbell and only tried to enter after he answered?
Click to expand...
I think the guys in the back were already on their way because they didn't answer.... just timing.

 
Warrior said:
They don't want to deal with the homeowners being home...yet they knocked and rang the doorbell and only tried to enter after he answered?
Click to expand...
I wasn't there, but it sounds like he didn't answer right away and as he finally did, they were coming in the back at about the same time. Perhaps my theory is wrong here, but day time burglaries are not uncommon at all. 

 
Walking Boot said:
The main thing to deter the typical burglar (someone looking to rob a house, not someone who has info or a beef with you particularly and wants to rob your house) is to simply not be the easiest looking target in the neighborhood.

If there's only one house on the street with one of those home-alarm signs on a post in the yard, no burglar is going to pick that house to rob among all the other easy targets. Putting those stickers on the windows is good, too.

If your house is the one with all the nice toys carelessly left around, it says "we have stuff and we're not careful with it". Lots of junk visible in the garage, same message. Stuff like that. Don't look like the easiest mark in the neighborhood.

Be careful with the trash, too. Leaving the cardboard box from the big-screen TV by the curb is an advertisement for what's inside. "We have expensive toys in here."

Take an impartial look as if you were the burglar once in a while and think about it. I know my house's weakest point is the backyard... there's an alley that runs behind my place, a car could pull up and someone could hop the gate and have pretty secluded access to my house, and with big french doors there's a good view of the inside. Now, I'm not going to compromise my enjoyment of my house, the great natural light and the view by putting curtains on the windows, but I do make sure there are visible security stickers on the rear doors and side windows, as well as the front. There's motion lights back there, and nothing nice left outside.
Click to expand...
My mansion down south is right on the water. I'm worried someone in a boat could just pull up and pillage the thing.

 
My wife runs an in-home day care, and stuff like this scares the crap outta me.  We've got an alarm system, motion detectors etc. But she'll turn the alarm system off when she takes the kids in the backyard.  

 
Cjw_55106 said:
I wasn't there, but it sounds like he didn't answer right away and as he finally did, they were coming in the back at about the same time. Perhaps my theory is wrong here, but day time burglaries are not uncommon at all. 
Click to expand...
Not to downplay what happened in this case, but this stuff is pretty common in my neighborhood as well. Kids knock and either run or make a pre-text if someone answers. If no one answers, they walk around and try to break in. This is not what I typically consider a "home invasion" - although the term is vague, I always consider that a violent situation where the home occupants are threatened, held hostage or attacked in some way. The best defense to this type of burglary is having good neighbors and being good friends with everyone on your block. There's no question there is a racial element to it in my neighborhood. If there is a group of young black boys walking around knocking on doors, they'll have eyes on them and the police will be called for sure.

 
Chadstroma said:
He spent time with my other BIL talking about beefing up security on Sunday after a family get together that ended at the BIL's house that was invaded. Most of which has nothing to do with this scenario. Of the things he is changing that would have any influence on this is fixing the gate (I guess it was broken and easy to walk right through into the backyard) and locking his backdoor even while home. Also getting a security screen door.

For the other stuff, he has a Comcast security system but the cameras were in really bad spots and of no help in this situation. I am not sure if they are changing the spots on that, getting rid of it or just adding a new system (they went to Costco and got a camera system). And adding some motion detection lights for the sides and back.

There may have been other stuff but I wasn't involved in the discussion so I just picked up things here and there.

I suggested an actual dog beyond the hairball they have now and getting a biometric gun case/safe versus combo now (not sure if that would have made a difference as it all happened in seconds).

For me- puts a little more emphasis on me getting a few things that I have had on the backburner for a while- camera system (currently have ADT security system without cameras which I think the signs are more valuable than the actual system and really only worth anything when we are away from home), motion detector lights (bought one but just have not put it up, another in the back is already up but either broke or light is out- need to figure that out and put a new light in or get a new one plus buy another for the other side of the house), and handgun w.concealed carry permit. Was also thinking about changing the doorbell (which is original to the house and old) to the new one they have that is camera and app enabled.
Click to expand...
He has a camera system that doesn't provide good shots of his front or back door? 

 
most of the bad guys in my neighbrohood know me and probably just figure dude if we go in there to rob the old swcer we will probably end up having to listen to him and his bulleschizer and they just steer clear which i guess brass tacks is pretty depresing brohans take that to the bank

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Capella
My dad is dying and I don’t know how to handle it
2 3
Replies
138
Views
4K
Judge Smails
Judge Smails
Ministry of Pain
I have to meet face to face with a Headhunter that I met once a few years ago and things did not go well
Replies
27
Views
463
Zow
Zow
Dr_Zaius
  • Poll Poll
What's normal : How do you arrange your playing cards?
Replies
36
Views
805
Sand
Sand

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top