Got burgled!

[Captain Jack]

This morning, I found my garage door wide open with its contents thrown around. Had a quick look around but didn't see much missing except the old car audio amp and some crappy speakers...

All the tools seem to be in place and so are all the dishes stacked against a wall.

This is all as a result of me leaving my garage door unlocked (idiot) but I didn't think we'd get burgled in such a low-crime area where we live.

A$$holes....

 

[sonnetpete]

Sorry to hear this CJ. I suppose it could have been a lot worse. It all seems a bit alien to me, as I neither have a garage or lock my car when I'm at home. Hope it doesn't spoil your Xmas.

 

[Captain Jack]

Thanks Pete. I never locked the garage - it's too much hassle. Will definitely keep it locked now as this is an opportunistic burglary rather than a pre-meditated one.

What's worry is that I sometimes genuinely forget to lock my car...

 

[zorbua]

Sorry to hear about that CJ. It's always worrying when you know that somebody 'had you in his sight', in a manner of speaking. Best thing is to lock up now.

 

[PaulR]

Sympathies also CJ. Although it's been some time since I was targeted I do lock the car regularly - it's so easy nowadays with the remote fob.

 

[Channel Hopper]

In my experience the first time is usually opportunist, and to 'case the joint'. Now the tealeaf will know what is inside and what van/lorry to bring next time.

If you can, move anything that could be sold easily for cash indoors.

 

[TJExcalibur]

I live in a quiet area and have cctv. A few weeks back a neighbour asked me if I had anything on my cctv recorder as he had stuff taken from his unlocked car up the drive. I looked at the night before and some hoodie was going from drive to drive either side of me trying car doors . Unable to see his face so Mr plod wasn't that interested.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I live in a quiet area and have cctv. A few weeks back a neighbour asked me if I had anything on my cctv recorder as he had stuff taken from his unlocked car up the drive. I looked at the night before and some hoodie was going from drive to drive either side of me trying car doors . Unable to see his face so Mr plod wasn't that interested.

You need one of these

http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812/11/flame.thrower.car/

 

[Lazarus]

Quelle fromage, C-J.

Maybe they were after (non-existent) Bicycles?

 

[Vipersan]

You need one of these

http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9812/11/flame.thrower.car/

..and I was just going to advise a cattle fence pulse genny wired to the garage door ..
..I think CHs idea is soooo much better.

 

[Captain Jack]

I think I will certainly bring some tools inside - most of the other stuff is junk. Satellite dishes, motors, bed mattress, table/chairs etc. My dad puts a bar against the garage door from inside, so it's impossible to open it from the outside.

 

[timo_w2s]

Sorry to hear that CJ. We've had quite a few car break-ins over the past month or so locally and this is usually a quiet area too (small village in Buckinghamshire).

 

[smoggy07]

I can only echo what has been said above, thankfully the scum-bag stopped at the garage and never went for the house

I'd keep watch over the next few nights in case they come back thinking the garage is still open, remember its not illegal to use reasonable force to perform a citizens arrest or to eject someone from your property so you can silly him as long as you stop when he hits the deck ;) or don't go to overboard

TBH they where probably looking for brand new bikes/Christmas presents thinking that if you bought them you'd have put them in the garage for safe keeping or a chancer looking for power tools

 

[2cvbloke]

That sucks that you got burgled, it's a bit barn door, but it may be worth setting up a camera or two inside and outside the vicinity of your garage and hook them up to a cheap computer that can record when it spots movement, camera systems like those are putting more and more people behind bars, so they're a worthwhile investment...

And sod people who complain about *their* privacy being invaded, if you've nothing to hide, then cameras are not a problem...

 

[Piltdownpaul]

I think I will certainly bring some tools inside - most of the other stuff is junk. Satellite dishes, motors, bed mattress, table/chairs etc. My dad puts a bar against the garage door from inside, so it's impossible to open it from the outside.

Yep-Ive done that too. They got into mine some years ago because i didnt lock it. Like you they didnt take much except for some beers in the drinks fridge we keep in there.

 

[wod]

Quelle fromage, C-J.

Maybe they were after (non-existent) Bicycles?

Could be if they know any kids live around there.

It's a hassle but I keep my bikes in house to be sure I'm going to see it again.

Hopefully as nothing of interest was in the garage to nick they won't come back but just be careful if they do.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Like you they didnt take much except for some beers in the drinks fridge we keep in there.

That could be one of the worst travesties, Belgian beers for example would be worth a good lamping if you catch them in the act.

 

[Captain Jack]

Had a forensic guy come out yesterday and he managed to lift off some fingerprints (mine, probably) off a CD changer that I knew was touched by the scallies. An hour later, had the police around as well to take details etc. They basically said not to hold out hope for the items to be returned but said they were probably looking for Christmas pressies.

Also, they said that if they do catch them, they would be more likely to get a custodial sentence because the garage is part of the house as opposed to a separate building/shed, so it's classed as a house burglary.

 

[Lazarus]

Reasonable response, there.

I'll see if I can unearth my Portable Gallows.

 

[Vipersan]

Bring back the Stocks & Pillory...
It's most entertaining I hear..

Unless beer WAS stolen ..?
That being the case I agree with Gordon