We were robbed this morning.

[Ferrets are Cool]

And not metaphorically. Someone broke into our home this morning at 4:45am and quickly stole almost $1000 and several items including the bicycle that I had bought wifey for Christmas.
The good news is that no one got hurt. Wifey and I were awakened by our heroine doggo Zoey. At that point, the intruder exited our home.
The reason I bring this up is as a cautionary tale. We have been living here in this home for 33 years with no issues, in a good neighborhood and great neighbors. Yet, here we are. I was not prepared for a break in.
If you can, do everything you can to secure your home and those you love.
That is all.

[onecaliberal]

1. Thank goodness you're all okay.

I’m so sorry this has happened to you.

[denbot]

2. .

[CentralMass]

3. We were broken into in MA back in the 90's. The took every

Bit of expensive jewelry, electronic and things like perfume and colognes and left all the cheap stuff.

[Warpy]

79. I wals almost relieved when a junkie broke in and stole all the bling my mother left me

although her engagement ring with 3 diamonds, one from my grandmother, one my great grandmother, and my mother's, was pretty special. I'd never have worn it and I have no one to leave it to, so I've tried to be as philosophical as possible while wishing him a dirty bag of drugs leaving to endocarditis and the end of his dual careers as burglar and junkie. Hey, I'm human.

Other times have been easier, My electronics were cheap enough for easy replacement and I laughed when they took broken stuff left out for repair. The stuff that really matters, some antique furniture and my weaving and spinning stuff, was apparently too weird to steal.

Funny, I lived in some of the most wretched parts of Boston, had guns pulled on me twice and met guys trying to jimmy the lock on the front door with a sledgehammer in my hand and murder in my eye (they left, fast) but nothing ever got stolen and I was unpredictable enough not to get shot.

I've been hit twice here and the main thing I've regretted was the loss of my back door, it's barricaded to the point that nobody is going to get through it. If they want to break in, they'll have to put on a show for the neighbors out front or chop a hole in the roof.

Burglary makes you feel icky, some stranger has been in your home, pawing through your stuff. It does take a while to get over.

[CentralMass]

80. Yes that feeling that someone was in your place, touching your things does not go away easily.

[FakeNoose]

4. Oh my that's horrible!

I've been living in a city neighborhood for over 25 years. I'm a single woman living alone, so there's always a chance it could happen to me. I do have a dog and he would definitely put up a fight for me if I were endangered. I believe my doggo would discourage anyone from breaking in, but I don't really know.

I hope the cops are able to catch the person. I hope you get the bicycle back. I'm glad everyone is safe.

[PlanetBev]

5. So glad you're ok

Yeah, you hate when these losers grab the shit you worked so hard to acquire, but thank goodness you and the wife are fine.

[Demovictory9]

6. Sorry to hear that

[Duncanpup]

7. Glad you both are safe.

[brush]

8. Security alarm systems, with their loud, shrieking noise...

when doors or window seals are broken, work pretty good. Had one for years and it's just $31.75 a month.

They install the equipment. There are also the self-installed camera systems.

[madinmaryland]

23. Odd thing... we moved into our house and within three days a couple of men showed up

With a package of security stuff to install. They tried to talk us into it with a bunch of BS and we (actually) me to them to get the fuck off of our property. They apparently go to the courthouse to see who has bought a house and target them.

A security company getting scammed by con men! Anyone who comes to our doors is told to leave.

[brush]

29. You were wise to tell them to take a hike.

Best to do research and find the best company. I've never had a problem and thirty-one bucks and change is cheap for equipment you don't even pay for.

[Demovictory9]

57. another tactic is returning to the same house in a few weeks after insurance replaces items

to steal the new TV, etc.

[oldsoftie]

84. And riding around after Christmas to see what boxes are by the road!

[Ferrets are Cool]

28. What service are you using?

Thanks

[brush]

30. Protection 1.

[usaf-vet]

87. We use PerMAR. Couldn't be happier. The service guy was just here to change all the sensor batteries

If you live in the midwest (their) primary service area. Give them a call.

Oh, by the way, their response time is "blisteringly" fast to receive a phone call alerting us of trouble. No answer, the police are dispatched.

[Ferrets are Cool]

88. Thank you for the recommendation

[usaf-vet]

92. Thirty-five a month always seem like a great expenditure. The wife and I can't go out for a nice..

...meal for thirty-five dollars.

Sorry for your loss. Sadly, with the way the country is going, I think matters will get worse.

Being secure in one's home is important for a happy life.

[Pobeka]

9. Sorry to hear that. One simple thing, is get "sqealers" for sliding doors and other doors.

They are really inexpensive, just use a coin-battery and go off when the door is opened. You can put them on windows too. There is no delay, and they are LOUD.

We use them in combination with a full time security system. We are certain one deterred an intruder from entering after smashing a window when we weren't home overnight a few years back.

[Ferrets are Cool]

27. I did a search for these and could find nothing.

Can you elaborate on what they are called? Thanks

[Pobeka]

44. This'll get you started. Ours are similar to these:

https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Security-Window-Wireless-Burglar/dp/B0727QX9SC/ref=sr_1_21?keywords=loud%2Bdoor%2Balarm&qid=1650926540&sr=8-21&th=1

[Ferrets are Cool]

51. Perfect!!! Thank you so much.

[Pobeka]

56. You're welcome. FWIW I also have a beefy pepper spray by my bedside too.

https://www.thehomesecuritysuperstore.com/collections/safety-flip-top/products/mace-triple-action-police-pepper-spray-18g

I don't want a gun, but I'm totally fine with pepper spray.

[DENVERPOPS]

64. I recommend to the single and divorced women

in my neighborhood to keep their car key FOB by their bed. If they hear something suspicious, just push the panic alarm button on the FOB and the loud sound of the car alarm will totally freak them out. They guys in my neighborhood know that if a car alarm goes off, that it might be one of these women activating it due to an intruder, and to come running......

Works great!

[niyad]

66. Thank you for that great advice.

[Ferrets are Cool]

71. That seems to be a great idea

[Pobeka]

77. Excellent idea! nt

[uponit7771]

59. thx !!

[Boomerproud]

10. So sorry this happened to you.

I was assaulted at a gas station and my car and purse were stolen. The car was found 30 days later but too late, I already bought a new one. I had bad dreams for a month.

[Ferrets are Cool]

20. I think my wife is going to have a problem sleeping for awhile.

Thank you for your kind words.

[niyad]

67. Chamomile or catmint tea or brandy about half an hour before going to bed

might help a bit.

[Stuart G]

11. Glad you & wife are OK

[newdayneeded]

12. Man,

So sorry to hear that!

[rockfordfile]

13. Time to start increasing punishment

[Wingus Dingus]

14. That sucks. How did they get in?

[Ferrets are Cool]

21. TBH, I did not have the back door as secure as I should have.

I was lackadaisical. I will NOT make that mistake again.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

15. Sucks that people

Are so fucked up and greed and criminals runs rampant.

I am glad you weren't hurt.

Been thinking of putting a ring security set up on my door. Apparently my apartments allow it.

Who knows how crazy shit will get.

[Bev54]

16. That is so scary

It is one thing to have a break-in with nobody home, which we had years ago, that left me feeling unsafe but to actually be in the home knowing someone broke in and anything could have happened, is incredibly alarming. I hope you are coping well and put in some alarm systems.

[electric_blue68]

17. Woah, that's nasty! Thank goodness you're both safe!

I hope you get the bike back.

When I was somewhere between 11-13 yes old our family apt was robbed while we were out for the day.

Papers etc strewned over parents bedroom. What sense of violation.
Don't know how much cash was lost. Our (gifts from our grandmother) ?late 1800's Silver Dollars were stolen, too.

Again, so sorry this happened to you!

[Ferrets are Cool]

22. Thank you for your kind words.

Yes, the violation is real.

[electric_blue68]

25. Yes and YW

[hlthe2b]

18. I'm sorry. I was robbed mnay years ago while living on a cul-de-sac. I knew when I saw my little dog

AND cat sitting forlornly at the front door (the cat was inside only and I'd never have let my dog out by herself).

Looking back they didn't get much of value, but it does stay with you. And, thankfully did not hurt my precious pets.

I'm glad you are safe.

[Ferrets are Cool]

24. We are soooooooooo happy that our babies were not harmed.

That, in hindsight, worries me more than me getting hurt.

[bronxiteforever]

19. So glad you are safe! That is horrible!

But Yay for the hero doggie!

[Ferrets are Cool]

26. Thank you ALL for your kind thoughts. DU is the BEST!!!

[7wo7rees]

31. So very sorry but so very grateful all you lost was bike. I know it is

heartbreaking and a violation.
We came home many years ago to front window blown out over weekend away. All electronics gone.
Many good wishes for you.
Take care.

[catbyte]

32. I lived in an on-campus apartment when I was a sophomore in college and my place

was robbed while my roommates and I were gone on spring break. It was awful to walk into a scene like that. I remember feeling so violated -- the creeps even went through my underwear drawer, ugh. The best thing I can say about it is that at least we weren't home at the time. We thought we knew who did it but there was never any proof and, being poor college students, no renter's insurance. I managed to fit that into my budget afterward.

I'm glad you're all okay and give your heroic Zoey an extra treat tonight -- she protected her people and her home. I'm sorry. It really sucks.

[womanofthehills]

63. Your mention of going thru your underwear drawer reminds me of my place being robbed

It was over 30 yrs ago. There were some sleezy people renting a house two doors down. A neighborhood kid watched them go in and out of my house many times at noon when I was at work. They took all my panties, all my daughter’s jeans, lots of clothes, food from the fridge and even shampoo from the shower along with tv’s etc.

Now I live out in the country and my dogs go crazy if they hear the UPS truck a quarter of a mile away.

[gademocrat7]

33. So sorry.

Glad you and your wife were not harmed.

[lastlib]

34. Keep records of things you buy.

Photos help. So do receipts. Be able to prove to insurance providers cost and dates of purchase in case of loss or theft. Record makes, models, serial numbers, and mark the items themselves if possible. As Mr. FerretsAreCool makes clear, stuff happens.

Sorry for your loss, Mr. Ferrets--the material stuff AND the peace of mind you had until now. It really sucks.

[SheltieLover]

35. So glad you, wife, and pupper are ok!

So sorry to hear this happend! It's terrible to be victimized, esp in you own home!

[Ferrets are Cool]

47. Thank you so much

[SheltieLover]

55. Yw!

Stay safe!

[Katcat]

36. OMG

That’s horrible! I’m glad they left when the good doggo woke you up!

[llashram]

37. robbed twice

feels like such a total violation. I commiserate and am glad you nor the heroine pet were not hurt.

[Ferrets are Cool]

48. Thank you

It does feel like you have been violated.

[suncat]

38. Even when you do not have expensive things it can happen.

My husband, our young daughter and I were camping in a state park, in the 1980's. We setup the picnic table for breakfast, and the people in the camp site next to us came over and robbed everything off our table, at gun point. It really scared us, but we were much younger then. At that time we believed parks were safe, and full of nature lovers like us...

[Joinfortmill]

39. Glad you're safe and sound.

[MissB]

40. I'm glad you're ok!

Sorry you had a loss and am glad it wasn’t worse.

Our garage door was left open all night. The garage is also our basement, with direct access to the house.

Nothing taken, thank goodness.

[FailureToCommunicate]

41. So glad you're okay! We've had multiple break-ins over my life...family house, college apt,

newlywed home. Just stuff taken, but one time with gross "calling cards" left behind...

The funniest, in a way, was when some guys broke into my father's garage where piles and piles of boxes filled with copies of his old church sermons and church committee papers where piled to the rafters. You could almost see the level of frustration build as they kept opening boxes and finding NOTHING of value. As they moved deeper into the garage, they started just emptying and throwing the contents helter skelter. It was a real mess, but I like to think the burglars learned some sort of less there. They certainly never returned.

[XanaDUer2]

42. Our Miami housed was ransacked

When my mom lived with me the year she died of cancer. Sold at a loss.

I have little sympathy for thieves unless it's food or meds they need

[Ferrets are Cool]

73. I think if he had had more time, our meds would have been gone too.

[nilram]

96. I keep my meds, car keys, and wallet in the room where I sleep.

But my main security device is that the place looks so shabby that no one would want to bother coming in. Anymore, though, I’m nervous about leaving the slider open when I’m working in my office at the other end of my (small) house.

[pbmus]

43. So sorry this happened to your family...

Violations like this are devastating to your personal sense of safety and destructive to feelings of confidence in humanity. I know you are intellectually still processing this experience and will not let it happen again easily. Please stay safe and if you ever need to talk your experience out, you can reach me through my DU email.

[Meowmee]

45. Tg you are ok

How terrible and so frightening they did that when you were home 😿 Do you know how they got into the house?

We have only been robbed once in many years, when we were away on vacation, teenagers broke in but did not steal very much. We didn't have anything of great value then anyway. And still don’t but I would be worried about data and things like that etc. we don’t have an alarm system and I was thinking about that. I set up security cams 3 years ago to watch my outdoor cats.

Once my father’s car was broken into at a cineplex also years ago and I have been pickpocketed and purse snatched / robbed at least 4 x over the years. My father was robbed at a conference in Cile at a cafe, they stole his bag with money and maybe his passport too I think. Good thing your dog warned you and good thing she is ok.

I remember one of my professors telling me that her apartment had been broken into while she was asleep there. I don’t remember if her husband was home or what happened exactly. I guess they were there to burglarize but this was many years later I think and she was still visibly shaken when speaking about it. Those are the most dangerous robberies / breakins, people who will break in when someone is home. It’s not clear if they realize people are sleeping there or if they thought that no one was home.

We also had someone breaking in who was trying to get information. I did not wake up, my mother did and woke up my brother. She heard someone walking around downstairs. I’m not going to go into the details of why that person was there but the intention was not a robbery per say.

When my purse was snatched at a supermarket parking lot I chased the guy but could not catch him. My phone was in my purse and my id/ wallet etc. A restaurant let me call the police who said they would do nothing. I was worried for a while he would come to our house etc. my bf and I searched for my purse in near by garbages later. A couple witnessed where he ran towards so we hope he had maybe dumped after taking everything out. My father gave me that purse which he bought in Germany, fortunately I never carry very much of value with me. Then also there was the time when I was selling jewelry and a “customer” looking at a ring came back to look again, when I gave him the ring he ran with it.

Later I went and gave flyers to all of the local businesses in that shopping center and one of the people I spoke with at one store told me there had been a series of similar robberies which were being investigated.

[Ferrets are Cool]

49. Thank you so much.

Yes, I had become complacent after 33 years of living here and never having an incident. I will not let that happen again.

[Meowmee]

52. Yes def get cams and some type of system 😀

[secondwind]

46. I am so sorry this happened to you nice folks... makes me angry!

Am glad nothing happened to you and your wife......

[Ferrets are Cool]

50. Thank you very much.

[calimary]

53. Damn! Sorry to hear that, Ferrets are Cool.

At least YOU’RE safe!

[Ferrets are Cool]

74. Thank you very much...yes, we are thankful for our being safe and

that the babies were not harmed.

[cally]

54. I am so sorry this happened

I suspect the violation will last a long time but I am glad you were not hurt. Funny thing, I still occasionally have dreams about the one time my car was robbed and I lost suitcases full of clothes and jewelry. The loss stays with you even decades later.

[suncat]

58. Even when you do not have expensive things it can happen.

My husband, our young daughter and I were camping in a state park, in the 1980's. We setup the picnic table for breakfast, and the people in the camp site next to us came over and robbed everything off our table, at gun point. It really scared us, but we were much younger then. At that time we believed parks were safe, and full of nature lovers like us...

[ProfessorGAC]

60. Pretty Bold Thief

We were victims of a burglary, too. My parents' house when I was in college.
But, absolutely nobody was home. The whole family was at a fish fry. I ran it, and my 3 cousins (who grew up in our house) worked the kitchen or waiting tables. My mom, dad, & sister came to eat. So, all of us were there.
Somebody saw that we were all gone & hit the house.
My cousin went home to change clothes (we were going to a party) and either got there just after they left, or the bolted when they saw his car lights. We think it's the latter.
Nobody was in danger, thankfully, because we weren't there.
They got my little TV, stereo, about 50 albums & my childhood coin collection. My parents' bedroom TV was left on the patio. IIRC, my room got hit the hardest.
Insurance pretty much covered everything but the coins.
Glad your family came away unscathed, except for property.

[Ferrets are Cool]

72. Yeah, pretty damn bold. My first thought, after I got calmed down, was

that people will do crazy things for drugs.

[Piasladic]

61. Horrible Feeling

My husband and I were robbed, and against my better judgment, we called the police. Worse than useless. They saw some dude carying a big (empty/our) fish tank... and he just thought, "That's odd..." They could have done some sort of investigation, but nope.

I used to think our place was safe from burglars because we're so damn poor and our house shows it, but I guess some people are even more desperate than we are.

We got a camera and those noise makers for the doors and windows. It makes me feel a bit safer, but like somone mentioned above, they frigging went through my underwear drawer!!! Such a violation.

My cat is a noisy beast, and even now when she knocks things over, I grab my bat and pretend to be brave.

[shrike3]

62. We were robbed, garage, several years ago. Bikes stolen.

They came back, weren't able to get in, smashed a window and took whatever they could grab. We boarded up the windows and waited for ADT to arrive. They wired us up, and that same night we heard a thump and the alarm went off. We haven't been bothered since.

[niyad]

65. So very glad that you and your wife and doggo are okay. How very frightening.

Please be very kind and gentle with yourselves. You may experience residual effects for some time. It is perfectly normal.

Many years ago, my home was burgled. Fortunately, I was not there, although my cats were. I was completely panicked until the police (who would not let me enter until they swept my place) assured me that they were safe. For a VERY long time after, I had to leave all the lights on whenever I left, and had to run a complete check every time I came home.

[Ferrets are Cool]

75. In one way, I am glad we were home, but it could have turned out so much worse.

There is such a feeling of being violated.
Thank you for your kind words.

[oasis]

68. I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune. That said, I pity the fool that

breaks into my home while I'm there.

[gldstwmn]

69. Thank goodness you and your wife are okay.

[usonian]

70. Sorry to hear this.

Hard to process. I was discussing home security with my brother some time ago and got pretty paranoid.

I'll share any great ideas after i read the thread. Saving it for offline.

WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

And don't forget, "good" neighborhoods often have desirable goods.

I had a catalytic converter removed while parked at a BART station. The pickup was in full view of the elevated platform.

Go figure.

[malaise]

76. Horrible

The sheer thought of being violated in my own space is frightening

[MontanaMama]

78. Such a violation.

I’m really sorry this happened to you and your wife. It’s a cautionary tale…I’ve lived in my little house in a good neighborhood for 27 years. The area is changing however and people are desperate. Thank you for the warning.

[DFW]

81. It happens here all the time, too

It has gotten much worse ever since Schengen opened the borders. Citizens of former socialist countries that already had organized crime syndicates (the only way to get around the restrictions on life there at the time) are having a field day in western Europe. Germany and Austria are prime targets, and even the normally tranquil Swiss are suddenly finding themselves with their hands full. Europe is so small that bands based in Poland, the Czech Republic and the former Yugoslavia can pick out their marks, bring in the specialists who do their jobs, hand off the loot to designated fences and/or chop shops, collect enough pay to live very well in their home countries for months, and be home by dinner the next day. The Germans had an expression about stolen cars: "heute gestohlen, morgen in Polen." Stolen today, in Poland tomorrow--although with their Ukrainian and Russian customers temporarily out of the picture, that particular branch is probably experiencing a small recession.

A few years ago, there was a particularly brutal break-in band from Serbia that was operating in Germany. They tried to wait until the house or apartment was empty, but if their information was faulty, they systematically killed everyone they found so there would be no witnesses. They botched one murder and left one witness alive, and that is how they were identified and caught. So many Romanians have been caught, they must have a special university there that teaches the art of theft in its various forms. There is one place or band that actually teaches its "students" to slice open back pockets and backpacks with razor blades, and when they can do it without the victim noticing, they are sent to the west. It usually minors that are caught, so all the Germans can do is send them home. Lebanese and Albanian clans operate here as well, but they generally prefer to victimize their own people here in Germany.

[COL Mustard]

82. Ferrets, I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm glad you and yours are okay but still it's a disconcerting occurrence. Be safe!

[spanone]

83. Scary stuff.

[The Jungle 1]

85. There are somewhat inexpensive things you can do.

Get a safe and bolt it to the floor. Most stuff in a house does not matter much. Put the things that matter in the safe.
Get cameras that ring your phone.
Even fake cameras are effective.
Get a gun with blanks. Pepper spray.
If you have a safe exit, then exit.

[piddyprints]

86. Wow. I'm glad you're safe!

We left our front door unlocked last night, which we never do. Something must have distracted us. But you can't see our house from the road and there is no other way in or out other than our 500-ft-long driveway that is surrounded by trees. We have dogs, cameras, and a security system, complete with window and yard signs. But I will be more vigilant about locking up, rather than assuming my husband already did it. Thank you for the reminder.

My parents had their house broken into when I was in high school. Nice neighborhood, nice houses, etc. They took my mom's opal ring that Dad had given her, my Love Story record album (hey, it was the 70s!), a smiley rug my boyfriend gave me, my sister's love letters from her boyfriend, and a few other small things. So not much, really. The culprits were other teenage girls who got mad at my sister for something. I can't remember how they got in. They bragged about it at school, but my parents never did call the cops over it. We gradually noticed other things missing and then chalked it up to the break-in because they were all things that teenage girls would want.

As a security system installer told me once: Locks and dogs and security systems keep out mischief makers. Professionals can get around those things, but they'll usually go to wealthier neighborhoods. Clearly, our break-in was by mischief makers.

I hope Zoey got an extra treat or bone or steak. And I hope you can get your wife's bike replaced.

[pandr32]

89. So scary that they broke in knowing you were home

It makes me shudder to think of the high chance of meeting up with an alerted you. What would they have done?

It will likely take a while to be able to relax at home. It must have been traumatic.

Tell Zoey "Good Girl!"

[Ferrets are Cool]

90. I want to thank everyone again for your wonderful outflowing of

thoughts for me and my wife. DU is such a wonderful place.

[BobTheSubgenius]

91. Yikes!!!

Breaking in while the owners are home is more than a little bold! I'm so glad there were just some "things" taken. Things can be replaced.

[Evolve Dammit]

93. Glad you're OK. Work with law to see if they can get leads. We had a break-in and they got him! And

give Zoey a steak (or a big Milky Bone). Take care

[Kaleva]

94. I live in a safe neighborhood but have spent several hundred on home security

First, I'd like to say I'm glad you and your wife were not harmed physically but the emotional distress you two are feeling is quite bad and I'm sad about that.

Exterior lighting around the home except the south side which is well lit by the street light. Upgraded exterior doors along with a reinforced door from the kitchen to the basement and a upgraded master bedroom door. By upgraded I mean the strike plates are heavy duty, the door knobs and deadbolts are grade 2 and the 1/2" screws for the strike plates and hinges have been replaced by 3 1/2" screws. These screws are long enough to bite into the 2X6 exterior rough in frame and 2X4 interior door frame and not just the flimsy door frame itself. I probably am the only person in the county that has a deadbolt on the master bedroom door. Video doorbells with motion detection (Ring) cover the front (west side) and back (east side) entrances.

Sometime in the near future, I'll be installing jamb shields, door shields, hinge shields and pry shields to the exterior doors and a jamb shield to the master bedroom door. I'll also install a video doorbell on the basement entrance which will cover the north side of the house.

[CTyankee]

95. My next door neighbor had a home invasion. Scary stuff. They took the keys to the car in the

driveway. After that my husband got our house wired for protection against invasion and their sign is on the front of the house. It wasn't cheap and I've already tripped the alarm by accident once. It wasn't easy to cancel the call.

It's worth it to both of us. We're old and feel vulnerable.

[Ferrets are Cool]

97. Yeah, we are doing everything in our power to feel safer...

Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me.

[CTyankee]

98. The guy who installed our alarm system said he thought our neighbor's invasion was an "inside" thing

where the thieves had actually been in the house before, perhaps as someone doing repair or painting or an acquaintance of one of their teenage kids. That could be, but it's a scary thought.