Someone broke into my house today.

[Toddzilla]

I got home at the usual time and as I walk in something isn't quite right. Some of the items on the end table at the front door are on the floor. I figure the cats knocked stuff around, but when I go into the kitchen, cabinets are open and some boxes of stuff have been moved. I grabbed a big skillet from the pantry and I checked out the rest of the house. A brick had been thrown through a downstairs window - glass is everywhere.

A quick survey of the house doesn't look too bad - the only think I can see that was stolen was our new digital camera. Even the presents under the tree were left there. My computer, stereo, Inno, laptop, and other valuables seem to be untouched.

Our neighbors across the street were broken into, too.

Arrgh.

[Greyroofoo]

I fully advocate the death penalty for situations like these.

[Subby]

That sucks, man

Living out where we do makes it easy to get lulled into a false sense of security, but stuff like this can happen any time.

Hope you catch the prick.

[MizzouRah]

The thing that really sucks is you're always wondering what else is missing. Hope they catch the bastards.

I have a LOUD American Eskimo dog that would be glad to meet a burgler.

[DaddyTorgo]

the only thing stolen was your digital camera? sounds like the perp got spooked by something and toook off. or else it was some kids out for a quick thrill...no pro would leave all that other stuff. especially if you've watched that "To Catch a Thief" show. You know it doesn't take them long to totally clean you out.

Sounds like you got off lucky.

[EagleFan]

That really sucks. I hope that you only lost items that can be replaced and I really hope that they catch the dirtbag(s) and drag them through town before putting them through a slow and painful death (there is no room in a society for people like that).

[st.cronin]

I hope you get a chance to go Todd Bertuzzi on the guy.

[Logan]

There are two sets of people that I really would like the death penalty for:

Burglars and people who spit their gum out on the sidewalk.

[GoldenEagle]

Was the digital camera in an obvious spot?

My German Shepard is ready to say hello to anyone coming into my backyard.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

Was the digital camera in an obvious spot?

I think they actually stumbled upon it by accident. The camera was in my daughter's diaper bag, which they emptied on the kitchen table. It probably fell out and they were stoked. The rest of the house was looked-through, but not ransacked. Drawers were opened, but nothing was tossed on the floor. All the places my wife hides her jewelry they looked, but didn't take it. She must have lousy taste. The dumped out my 1000 piece poker chipset, which sucks because I can't clean it up until the police "process the scene" and there is just something wrong with poker chips strewn all about. As I type this, I remember my digital camcorder, which cost over a grand, and it is sitting in the carrying case right next to my computer table untouched. The "swear jar" on the coffee table was cleaned out, though, of at least 13 or 14 bucks. That rule is suspended temorarily - we get a pass on cursing tonight.

BTW, look for a Canon PowerShot S3 on eBay in the next few days being sold from somewhere in VA MD or DC. If it is not new, without a box, and has a 1GB memory card, it's ours

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

I think they actually stumbled upon it by accident. The camera was in my daughter's diaper bag, which they emptied on the kitchen table. It probably fell out and they were all stoked.

BTW, look for a Canon PowerShot S3 on eBay in the next few days being sold from somewhere in VA MD or DC. If it is not new, without a box, and has a 1GB memory card, it's ours

Sorry to hear about this, Toddzilla.

They left your computer and electronics items alone but sifted through your daughter's diaper bag?

Thieves should be tortured, then shot.

[CamEdwards]

Just for the record... it wasn't me. Sorry to hear about this Todd. Not sure about it being kids though... school's still in session around here. If it helps though I'll ask my 15 year old if he's hearing anything at school from kids bragging about something like this.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

My German Shepard is ready to say hello to anyone coming into my backyard.

Damn straight.

My Rottie and Shepherd pretty much ensure that no petty thief will ever fuck with my house.

They probably wouldn't actually attack someone though. They look and sound scary, but they're actually big wusses, especially Annie (the Rottie).

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

Just for the record... it wasn't me. Sorry to hear about this Todd. Not sure about it being kids though... school's still in session around here. If it helps though I'll ask my 15 year old if he's hearing anything at school from kids bragging about something like this.

Keep an eye out, man. According to the officers, this isn't an isolated incident. We've checked in with our friends over on New England Woods and they haven't heard of any break-ins over there.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Damn straight.

My Rottie and Shepherd pretty much ensure that no petty thief will ever fuck with my house.

They probably wouldn't actually attack someone though. They look and sound scary, but they're actually big wusses, especially Annie (the Rottie).

I'm hoping my cat Spunky jumped out and scratched them on the thigh.

[Karlifornia]

Thieves should be killed? Jesus, some of you fuckers are out there!

I think getting a beat down would suffice.

Anyway, the best way to catch the thieves would be to sit in a rocking chair with a shotgun. As you rock back and forth, mutter to yourself "They may have won the battle, but the war is far from over" Do this for 40 years or until death-whichever comes first. Nobody will ever mess with you again.

[Buccaneer]

I am sorry to hear that. The feeling of being violated is a frightning feeling.

[Antmeister]

Timing of this is really bad, but I am glad to hear that no one was home when it was happening and that they didn't pillage the entire house. As Buccaneer mentioned, I hate that violated feeling.

Car was broken into once in Los Angeles and someone tried it again when we lived in Phoenix only to strip the lock right off. It gives me that pissed off, don't know who to trust feeling. However I can only imagine it is worse if it is a home.

[cthomer5000]

On the bright side it sounds like you got off extremely light given what they could have taken. Worst thieves ever.

[King of New York]

Definitely a terrible feeling when you know some creep has been walking around your house and going through your things.

Still, if your house is going to be broken into, it's better that the perpetrator be some half-*ssed clown, instead of some serious psycho looking to do worse than rob you.

Hope that this doesn't ruin Xmas for you.

[Poli]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

The thing that really sucks is you're always wondering what else is missing. Hope they catch the bastards.

I have a LOUD American Eskimo dog that would be glad to meet a burgler.

I see you Eskimo dog and raise you my pug, Snuggles.

Snuggles will bark at anyone she even thinks might be around...or if I hint that someone might be around.

Of course, when anyone walks in the door she's more than happy to lick them...so it's not very effective.

[jeff061]

Kind of odd, ransacking the house and only taking one item.

Someone broke into my car last week. First time that happened to me. They took my broken stereo, broken subwoofer, and cleared out all the change in my cup holder(maybe 2 bucks in nickels and pennies). Could have torn up my roof getting in (jeep with soft top) but were kind enough to unzip the windows and lay them down inside my car.

So basically they removed a bunch of garbage that I have been to lazy to do myself. I feel guilty for not tipping.

I did have my birth certificate and SSN card due to a couple trips to the DMV, a checkbook and expired debit in the glove compartment. They dumped it out but left it all on the floor. Not sure what they were looking for, cash maybe?

[stevew]

Make sure you keep good watch on your credit reports/accounts. Sometimes the robberies can seem minor at first, but then you realize your Visa is maxed out, or you have new lines of credit opened that you never authorized.

Horrible feeling though, Todd, at least your family is safe.

[Toddzilla]

They basically moved aside my Inno and my checkbook to get at a stack of quarters I was saving for the soda machine at work. Brainiacs, these guys.

I'd like to put them on goddamned treadmill with a jet engine up their ass to see if they could take off.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Worst thieves ever.

Quoted for truth.

[Shkspr]

The bastards are probably Robinson High school students.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by ardent enthusiast

I see you Eskimo dog and raise you my pug, Snuggles.

Snuggles will bark at anyone she even thinks might be around...or if I hint that someone might be around.

Of course, when anyone walks in the door she's more than happy to lick them...so it's not very effective.

[RedKingGold]

I'm sorry to hear about it Toddzilla, but fortunately it seems like you got a way kind of light and the most important thing is that no one in your family or pets were harmed.

Maybe I'm Captain Obvious here, but it sounds like the thieves were drug addicts or something and desperate to get some money/things that they could easily move to get money for a quick hit. That is why the coins were probably so attractive because the more stuff they stole, the harder it would be for them to move quickly. Also, it would enhance the chance of them getting caught (unfortunately, I don't see the cops killing themselves to find who stole a bucket of change and a used digital camera).

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

I'm sorry to hear about it Toddzilla, but fortunately it seems like you got a way kind of light and the most important thing is that no one in your family or pets were harmed.

Maybe I'm Captain Obvious here, but it sounds like the thieves were drug addicts or something and desperate to get some money/things that they could easily move to get money for a quick hit. That is why the coins were probably so attractive because the more stuff they stole, the harder it would be for them to move quickly. Also, it would enhance the chance of them getting caught (unfortunately, I don't see the cops killing themselves to find who stole a bucket of change and a used digital camera).

yeah. how's the meth problem down there in VA?

[kingnebwsu]

I've worked in retail for many years, and I've grown to hate shoplifters with all my being. If someone broke into my house, I'd probably seriously flip out and start carrying a gun. Thankfully I just started a new job at a place where the external thievery shouldn't be as bad.

Anyway, glad you didn't get royally screwed, but it is a pain in the ass. Glad everyone's okay. No matter where anyone lives, this could happen at any given time.

I'm all for killing anyone who is convicted of B&E or shoplifting.

"How come they only do crucifixion during sweeps?" --Homer Simpson

[KevinNU7]

Anyone in here who thinks their dogs will save the day need to watch It Takes a Theif and realize that in most cases their dogs won't do shit.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hate to hear about the break in, always a bad scene.

And at the risk of giving you one more thing to worry about, doublecheck on any spare keys & such that you keep stashed around the house (that is, if there's anything like that). Although these crooks sound like they're future Darwin Award nominees, no sense getting any even uglier surprises either.

[Toddzilla]

Update:

They brought a bloodhound out to check things out and he picked up a scent and followed it to a parking lot where it went away. I got to say "Release the houuuunds!" which was kind of cool. It seems the m.o. of our crime - break window, grab a bag, steal the money in plain sight, leave - matches some B&Es in Clifton (a hoity toity section of the county), so this guy is on the police radar and they're actively looking for him. The police even took the brick and the empty swear jar as evidence. I offered up my prints to disqualify myself as a subject but they said no. So after 5 hours, the ordeal is mostly over. I asked the cop what was taking so long since on CSI they usually wrap stuff up in an hour - he was not amused*. The broken window is covered with cardboard and duct tape and I'll be heading to the Home Depot for a big piece of plywood in the morning.

* kidding.

[KevinNU7]

So he was amused?

[Raiders Army]

I would use a butcher knife instead of a frying pan next time I'm searching my house for intruders. Maybe a taser or gun.

[Lorena]

Sorry to hear that, I hope they find those pieces of shit!!

BTW, it might be a good idea to put a fraud alert on your credit report; you never know.

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

All the places my wife hides her jewelry they looked, but didn't take it. She must have lousy taste.

ROFL

[DaddyTorgo]

VOTE TERPKRISTEN

she's the only one who hasn't been around all day, and we all know she likes her digital cameras.

[ISiddiqui]

Damn, sorry to hear that. Lucky for you that they decided only to take only a few things they could quickly grab and run.

[GoldenEagle]

Originally Posted by KevinNU7

Anyone in here who thinks their dogs will save the day need to watch It Takes a Theif and realize that in most cases their dogs won't do shit.

You are probably right. My dog is not trained to be a killer. But anyone who is going to jump the fence with a German Shepard growling at them is out of their mind. He is more for looks.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

VOTE TERPKRISTEN

VOTE BUCCANEER. He's been showing off his skills with a camera.. plus, he has the name of a damn pirate...

[Rizon]

Sounds like an inside job. Split personalities maybe?

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by KevinNU7

Anyone in here who thinks their dogs will save the day need to watch It Takes a Theif and realize that in most cases their dogs won't do shit.

I have a 135 lb professionally trained guard dog who is a German Born Rottweiler.
I can say "check em" when someone walks in my yard and she will immediately get against them sniff them and growl...If they continue or I give "stop" she will....uhhhhSTOP them...


Oh yeah, she doesnt bark either...

Now I know some crook could just shoot her (which I would promptly kill him for), but the dumb one who broke into our home last November, didn't fair so well. The alarm activated and by the time the police arrived (13 minuets) the burglar need over 100 stitches, and had (according to the report) "multiple puncture wounds to his thigh and scrotum"...

I like my Dog...and I think she actually rehabilitated one criminal....

[RendeR]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

I like my Dog...and I think she actually rehabilitated one criminal....

Priceless.

[SportsDino]

There are some dumb crooks out there, I've had two big thefts at the store I've been working. Last one someone run off with two plasma tvs, with a store person right behind them nagging them the whole way. Worker took down the PERSONALIZED license plate on the truck and the cops chased it down to a network of dumb thugs who had been robbing the area. All because they couldn't outwit a little old lady in their getaway. Enough junk to put a bunch of em away for a few years.

[lordscarlet]

And people give me a hard time for living in the city. (Sorry, it was a mandatory comment)

[JeeberD]

Sorry to hear about this, Todd, but it sounds like you came out extremely lucky. Kinda like I was when my car was broken into at work last fall.

I pulled into work and noticed an older minivan moving around different parking spots, but didn't really think much about it. I went into work and checked in with my manager and realized that I had left my cell phone in my car (which wasn't unusual, I only wanted it since this was during the World Series and I wanted to keep an eye on my Astros) so I went out to my car to get it. I turned the corner into the parking lot and noticed that same old minivan was parked next to my driver side, and moments later they pulled out and left. I was kind of suspicious, but thought that I was overracting until I got to my car and noticed the glass all over the ground and the missing window.

Luckily, I came out RIGHT after they had broken the window, and they didn't have a chance to steal a single thing. My cell phone, my stereo (wth the face plate attached :o), my prescription sunglasses, my CD collection...all that could have been gone. So even if the Astros didn't win the WS, their being in it saved my belongings.

The funniest part of the whole experience was the officer who came out to help me. He was a tiny Asian dude, Officer Lee. But the voice coming out of him had a HUGE east Texas twang! I had never seen an Asian redneck before...

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

VOTE TERPKRISTEN

she's the only one who hasn't been around all day, and we all know she likes her digital cameras.

DAMN!!!! For the record, I did not break into Toddzilla's house, as I've had 2 houses broken into it and it always sucks. A few years ago my folks' house was broken into and while they didn't steal "big" items (laptops, steroes, DVD players, cameras), they did find some of my mom's jewelry and stole that. The jewelry they stole, unfortunately, was stuff passed down in the family, kind of irreplacable. My folks live up in Columbia, where like where Todd lives, it's easy to fall into a sense of security that isn't always real...

In College Park, my house was also broken into. Unfortunately there they took all my CD's (over 200 at the time), my minidisc player, portable weather radio, and 2 cameras. Needless to say, that break-in was one of the reasons I moved out of that area (I was technically living in Adelphi, in a not-so-nice neighborhood).

Really sorry to hear that you got broken into, Todd, but at least it sounds like they didn't get too much. Oddly I was just talking with some people yesterday about more crimes in this area (Ashburn), as they were complaining that idiot teens were going around slashing holiday decorations, cutting wires on the decorations, and such, and that the kids had been caught ON FILM and still didn't get in trouble (rich pricks) and did it again. My folks had somebody in their neighborhood come and pose the lit reindeer on the lawn in a fornication position. I've got to see if my dad can send me the picture, it was funny.

/tk

[Bee]

I believe terpkristin. There's no way she could have crawled through that window without breaking an ankle or something.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Bee

I believe terpkristin. There's no way she could have crawled through that window without breaking an ankle or something.

agreed, that would be unpossible

FM

[BigDPW]

Sorry to hear about the break-in... Glad no really important things were stolen...