In what has been a fitting end to an otherwise busy and bad week, I arrived home last night after going in early and staying late at the office to find that my house had been broken into. The box that I had planned to trash that had contained my new PC was gone, and that immediately tipped me off that something was amiss.
I immediately went back to my office in the rear of the house, and I discovered that my rear door was unlocked. I looked at my desk to find my new PC, external hard drive, flat planel monitor, my camera bag and camera, wireless keyboard, mouse, and USB hub were gone. I then surveyed the rest of the house.
I noticed that the two coats I had on my stairway banister were gone–a big yellow Columbia parka and my trusty REI fleece. I also noticed they took a priceless meerschaum pipe my grandfather got in Turkey while he was in the Navy. I went upstairs to find that both of my closets had been disturbed but had nothing taken from them. The contents of my dresser were rifled through, but the only things taken there were a gold Seiko watch I had received for high school graduation and my day-to-day Fossil watch. They left my college ring untouched.
I called 311, and I went to the basement to see how the thief or thieves got in. There is a crawlspace under the rear of my house, and the kicked in an access panel to gain access to the basement. I had not locked the basement door, but that would not have been too great a deterrent. The bigger issue was I had not enabled my alarm. Once they were in, they had free reign.
They did not take anything else. No DVDs, no CDs, not even my DVD player. They concentrated their efforts on the back of the house primarily. Fortunately, I am a guy who does not have a lot of bling, so I think I disappointed them on that front.
The officer came by and took my report, and the Crime Lab followed to take any possible fingerprints. I don’t expect much success on that front, but you never can tell. I also discovered that my neighbor across the street had his home broken into and had a bunch of construction tools taken from his basement. Apparently, I was not the only victim.
Today, I will be taking care of my alarm problem and repairing how they gained access. Much longer term, I need to figure out how to make it such that the crawlspace is not so easily accessed. There is a bright side to this, though: no one was hurt, and the damage is missing material possessions.
What really bugs the shit out of me, though, is the fact that they thieves took coats. You stole my coat, you drug-abusing asshole. If I even see some random person wearing a bright yellow and black Columbia parka, I am going to jump out of my car and throw them a beat-down. The other annoying part, though, is that I had not had my damn new PC for a week, and I had spent most of Sunday getting everything done on it and configuring it the way I like it. It then gets taken by some drug fiend looking for some quick cash for his next score who has no fucking clue what it does let alone how to use it.
I will admit I screwed up here. I did not have my alarm ready, and that would have scared the idiots away. At the same time, I also did not completely hide what was available. Consider it an expensive lesson learned. Still, though, after getting things done, this happens. It could not have happened at a worse time, as my positive cash flow of late has been squeezed a bit (more on that later, but anyone need some part-time work done by a network administrator?).
As those of us in information security like to say, I obviously have some holes in my firewall. I am off to address those holes and make sure it does not happen again. I am not soured on city living, though. At the end of the day, I am a bit more angry at myself for making this too easy for some the filthy paws of some drug-addled malcontent.
{ 47 } Comments
JJT: I’m SO sorry to hear about this - especially so shortly into your tenure as a city homeowner!! Your attitude is solid, but I think a home invasion like this does far more to your own sense of violation, than anything that losing material items could prevent. The anger must be enormous. Thank goodness for insurance. Your grandfather’s pipe and the sentimentality of the college watch are the only irreplaceable items. Be thankful for that. And mourn them.
JJT: I’m SO sorry to hear about this - especially so shortly into your tenure as a city homeowner!! Your attitude is solid, but I think a home invasion like this does far more to your own sense of violation, than anything that losing material items could prevent. The anger must be enormous. Thank goodness for insurance. Your grandfather’s pipe and the sentimentality of the college watch are the only irreplaceable items. Be thankful for that. And mourn them.
That so totally sucks. Sorry.
That so totally sucks. Sorry.
Dude that blows. You seem a lot calmer in this post than I would be.
Dude that blows. You seem a lot calmer in this post than I would be.
Broadsheet: You know, the thing that angers me the most is merely the fact of what they stole. Sure, there is a brief sense of violation, but once I lock the crawlspace access there goes the one undetected method of entry to my home.
Paul: Yeah. I am actually quite angry about it.
CW: I got over most of my anger last night.
Broadsheet: You know, the thing that angers me the most is merely the fact of what they stole. Sure, there is a brief sense of violation, but once I lock the crawlspace access there goes the one undetected method of entry to my home.
Paul: Yeah. I am actually quite angry about it.
CW: I got over most of my anger last night.
The one quasi-redeeming quality about junkies is that they’re predictable. I have had two friends, who were robbed in Balto city, that got their stuff back by visiting local pawn shops.
The one quasi-redeeming quality about junkies is that they’re predictable. I have had two friends, who were robbed in Balto city, that got their stuff back by visiting local pawn shops.
Oh my God, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I know that parka, and believe me — if I see it walking down Washington Boulevard…someone’s getting a steaming hot latte in the face.
That just makes me SO MAD.
Oh my God, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I know that parka, and believe me — if I see it walking down Washington Boulevard…someone’s getting a steaming hot latte in the face.
That just makes me SO MAD.
Sorry to hear about that, dude. Maybe after Dixon fixes the trash thing, she’ll be able to move on to unimportant city problems, you know, like rampant crime…
Sorry to hear about that, dude. Maybe after Dixon fixes the trash thing, she’ll be able to move on to unimportant city problems, you know, like rampant crime…
Jason, jesus! That’s awful, I’m sorry. Let me know if you want to borrow my shotgun?
Jason, jesus! That’s awful, I’m sorry. Let me know if you want to borrow my shotgun?
we’re sorry to hear about it as well.
you’re taking this alot more calmly than i would in the same situation… i was pretty pissed when my truck got broken into in a botched gta.
at least they didn’t take your SPATULAS…
Jason, I’m really sorry this happened to you. It’s a complete violation on several levels. They probably took your stuff to a pawn shop close by. If you’d like, I can help you cover some ground and start calling pawn shops. Just let me know.
Oh…I put a heavy-duty chain and lock around my back gate, as did my neighbors. Believe it or not, something that simple has worked as a deterrent for us.
Jeez!!!!! This totally sucks, but I’m glad that you’re OK. I really hope you’re able to find your personal belongings in the local pawn shop.
we’re sorry to hear about it as well.
you’re taking this alot more calmly than i would in the same situation… i was pretty pissed when my truck got broken into in a botched gta.
at least they didn’t take your SPATULAS…
Jason, I’m really sorry this happened to you. It’s a complete violation on several levels. They probably took your stuff to a pawn shop close by. If you’d like, I can help you cover some ground and start calling pawn shops. Just let me know.
Oh…I put a heavy-duty chain and lock around my back gate, as did my neighbors. Believe it or not, something that simple has worked as a deterrent for us.
Jeez!!!!! This totally sucks, but I’m glad that you’re OK. I really hope you’re able to find your personal belongings in the local pawn shop.
Jeez!!!!! This totally sucks, but I’m glad that you’re OK. I really hope you’re able to find your personal belongings in the local pawn shop.
JJT, again honey, I’m sorry. Suck!
JJT, again honey, I’m sorry. Suck!
JJT, again honey, I’m sorry. Suck!
Boo-urns! That totally sucks - I hope you get some redemption on that.
Carol: I am just glad it was material items. It sucks, but hey it’s just things. At least no one was hurt.
Snay: A shotgun would be far too kind to the perpetrators. I would prefer a nice slow torture for them. I would willingly go Jack Bauer on their ass.
j$: I still have some bangin’ spatulas!
anger hangover: You know, I was thinking about the pawn shop angle, but I have no idea where they are in the ‘hood. Jingle me and maybe we can take a quick ride to them. As for the chain, that was already there. The bigger problem is securing that access panel to the crawlspace.
jennetic: We shall see about the pawn shop visits.
Junky: I am over that.
I was also going to suggest you could contact the folks at the Discovery Channel:
http://tinyurl.com/3nkwf
They have a show called “It Takes a Thief” where they have someone break into your place and tell you how to secure it.
Boo-urns! That totally sucks - I hope you get some redemption on that.
Boo-urns! That totally sucks - I hope you get some redemption on that.
Carol: I am just glad it was material items. It sucks, but hey it’s just things. At least no one was hurt.
Snay: A shotgun would be far too kind to the perpetrators. I would prefer a nice slow torture for them. I would willingly go Jack Bauer on their ass.
j$: I still have some bangin’ spatulas!
anger hangover: You know, I was thinking about the pawn shop angle, but I have no idea where they are in the ‘hood. Jingle me and maybe we can take a quick ride to them. As for the chain, that was already there. The bigger problem is securing that access panel to the crawlspace.
jennetic: We shall see about the pawn shop visits.
Junky: I am over that.
Carol: I am just glad it was material items. It sucks, but hey it’s just things. At least no one was hurt.
Snay: A shotgun would be far too kind to the perpetrators. I would prefer a nice slow torture for them. I would willingly go Jack Bauer on their ass.
j$: I still have some bangin’ spatulas!
anger hangover: You know, I was thinking about the pawn shop angle, but I have no idea where they are in the ‘hood. Jingle me and maybe we can take a quick ride to them. As for the chain, that was already there. The bigger problem is securing that access panel to the crawlspace.
jennetic: We shall see about the pawn shop visits.
Junky: I am over that.
I was also going to suggest you could contact the folks at the Discovery Channel:
http://tinyurl.com/3nkwf
They have a show called “It Takes a Thief” where they have someone break into your place and tell you how to secure it.
I was also going to suggest you could contact the folks at the Discovery Channel:
http://tinyurl.com/3nkwf
They have a show called “It Takes a Thief” where they have someone break into your place and tell you how to secure it.
Damn son. Lemme know if you need some beer money. I should be able to help out with that.
Damn son. Lemme know if you need some beer money. I should be able to help out with that.
Damn son. Lemme know if you need some beer money. I should be able to help out with that.
My sympathies! The only thing there that was irreplacable was the pipe and its memories associated with your granddad.
My sympathies! The only thing there that was irreplacable was the pipe and its memories associated with your granddad.
My sympathies! The only thing there that was irreplacable was the pipe and its memories associated with your granddad.
I can relate (somewhat) to your situation as I live on Carroll. In late Feb., my roommate and I came home only to see the silhouette of a guy trying to jimmy his way into our back doors. How we enjoyed watching him jump out of his skin when he realized someone was in the house. His struggle to get over our privacy fence was classic as we chased him out of our backyard (some would say this is dumb, but we weren’t going to let him off easy). I’ll keep an eye out for the jacket…
I can relate (somewhat) to your situation as I live on Carroll. In late Feb., my roommate and I came home only to see the silhouette of a guy trying to jimmy his way into our back doors. How we enjoyed watching him jump out of his skin when he realized someone was in the house. His struggle to get over our privacy fence was classic as we chased him out of our backyard (some would say this is dumb, but we weren’t going to let him off easy). I’ll keep an eye out for the jacket…
I can relate (somewhat) to your situation as I live on Carroll. In late Feb., my roommate and I came home only to see the silhouette of a guy trying to jimmy his way into our back doors. How we enjoyed watching him jump out of his skin when he realized someone was in the house. His struggle to get over our privacy fence was classic as we chased him out of our backyard (some would say this is dumb, but we weren’t going to let him off easy). I’ll keep an eye out for the jacket…
Maven: Fortunately, my grandfather is still alive. I am disappointed given how incredibly beautiful the pipe was.
Lori: Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled. This is one of those things you deal with in the city. I know it’s getting better around here, but sometimes it gets a tiny bit frustrating.
Maven: Fortunately, my grandfather is still alive. I am disappointed given how incredibly beautiful the pipe was.
Lori: Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled. This is one of those things you deal with in the city. I know it’s getting better around here, but sometimes it gets a tiny bit frustrating.
Maven: Fortunately, my grandfather is still alive. I am disappointed given how incredibly beautiful the pipe was.
Lori: Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled. This is one of those things you deal with in the city. I know it’s getting better around here, but sometimes it gets a tiny bit frustrating.
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