Topic: Someone Broke Into My House

[nickclone]

Ok, in the last week, I've dislocated my shoulder twice. It's really sore, I can barely move without extreme pain and it's insanely swollen.

I woke up to boil some eggs and I filled the pan with cold water and let them sit. I went back to my room and dozed off for a bit (my arm keeps me from getting comfortable so I haven't been sleeping) when I heard a knock at the door. I didn't recognize the guy and he was leaving (so I thought) so I head back to my room and hear a truck pull off (so I thought).

I suddenly hear a loud bang that shook the house, it sounded like someone was banging on the garage door. So I go to the kitchen, look out the window and I don't see anything. I heard two more loud bangs and what sounded like glass breaking (it was the locks breaking). So I grab the sharpest knife I could and run down stairs as fast as I can.

Now I'm not the biggest guy, I'm six foot three, weigh about 180 pounds and although I'm not muscular I'm definitely not skinny. I didn't have a shirt on, so they could see my muscles, I physically can't shave so I have a full beard, I was waving a knife around and I was extremely pissed off when I pointed the knife at them and yelled "What the fuck are you doing in here!?". The guy in front of me yelled "oh shit" and bolted with the other guy back the same way they came. I ran upstairs, grabbed the phone and ran out the front door, but they were in the car and gone by then.

The cops came, took some fingerprints (apparently they had my dad's laptop when I confronted them and they dropped it) and pictures and said they would keep me posted. If I could've moved faster I should've gone out behind them and gotten their license plate number.

[idolminds]

Damn man, thats crazy.

[Cobra951]

Sorry man.  That really sucks.  Good thing you were intimidating.

[nickclone]

Sorry man.  That really sucks.  Good thing you were intimidating.

I forgot who said it and this isn't verbatim, but the saying is: "If you're weak, make yourself look strong. If you're strong, make yourself look weak.".

I was flexing and putting on my extreme angry face when I confronted them. Luckily I wasn't wearing my sling or they probably would've just kicked my ass.

[WindAndConfusion]

If someone is wearing a sling and he's STILL waving a butcher knife at me, I think that might be even more reason to stay the fuck away from him.

[Quemaqua]

Nice job.  Sucks to have your house broken into (been there), but at least you scared them off and did it in suitably crazy, pissed off fashion.  With a knife.  That makes a good story.

[nickclone]

Haha! Nothing beats crazy, it was all I had going for me.

[Xessive]

Wow, the gall these guys had to break into your house while you were there! Thank God you weren't hurt (beyond your current injury).

[ren]

That's crazy. Did they get manage to actually steal anything or were you on them too fast?

[scottws]

I hate hearing stuff like this.  First of all, I'm glad you weren't hurt and secondly I'm glad you scared them off.

But what the hell?  Your own home is supposed to feel like the safest place on Earth.  I don't know what I'd feel like if someone invaded my home while I was there.  I certainly wouldn't feel safe there anymore.  Damn people like this.

[Ghandi]

I'm glad you are ok, that's pretty fucking scary.

You can lock your doors, get security systems, etc - but if someone really wants to break into your home, they will. As long as they aren't murderous / crazy, your method seems like the best defense - make a lot of noise and wield a huge weapon.

[ren]

Somewhat related: How many of you lock your doors? I think it was Bowling For Columbine where Michael Moore was doing a bit on how Canadians don't lock their doors. It was probably a selective sample  but I wonder if there's any truth behind it. I'd guess close to 50% of my friends houses always have their doors unlocked. That number gets higher among those that don't live in the city.

[Ghandi]

I've always locked mine (at night - are you talking about daytime also?), no matter where I've lived. It's a good practice. I can't say that I've ever encountered a situation in which locking my doors was a bad decision.

[idolminds]

Doors locked at night or when no ones home. Not locking your doors sounds....odd. Why wouldn't you?

[Quemaqua]

You only don't if you're stupid.

[Raisa]

I ALWAYS lock my doors. I guess having lived in third world countries trains one to always lock doors, close windows, etc.

Recently, there's been some crime where I live, and no one's felt safe walking around. It's normally so peaceful. Of course, the recession is being blamed. But then malls are so full, people always eating out--so... recession my ass.

[Cobra951]

75% of people could say "depression my ass" during the 1930s.

[nickclone]

Minor Update: My neighbor told me that he saw the same white SUV next door the day before, I just saw them pull out of the neighbors driveway while I was outside smoking. It makes complete sense: the people next door are Spanish, the guys who broke in are Spanish, the people who broke in HAD to have scoped out the house first (who could do it better than the neighbors?) and I just saw the same white SUV. I can't literally prove it yet, but I think I should at least agitate the bee's nest. What do you guys think?

[Ghandi]

Did the police get fingerprints? I'd definitely let them know what you think.

[Quemaqua]

Yeah, definitely tip them off.  That kind of stuff can be a huge help.

[nickclone]

Did the police get fingerprints? I'd definitely let them know what you think.

They did, but they weren't "experts" so they got smeared prints. I told them as soon as they got there that there were some on the storm door handle, but they didn't take them even though they had the kit with them. Instead, they decided to ignore what i told them and either ruin the prints or let them evaporate in the heat. I think I may have to handle this one myself, but I won't do it unless I'm completely certain...all I need to do is see their faces.

[Ghandi]

Well, the only reason they got fingerprints is if they caught them for some other crime - then then could link them to the break-in. Obviously they have no plans to pursue your case any further. I doubt letting them know what you saw would lead to anything, I only said it to make you feel better. Even still, I'd be careful what you get yourself into. You're dealing with some crazy fuckers if they are willing to break into the house next door.

[nickclone]

Well, the only reason they got fingerprints is if they caught them for some other crime - then then could link them to the break-in. Obviously they have no plans to pursue your case any further. I doubt letting them know what you saw would lead to anything, I only said it to make you feel better. Even still, I'd be careful what you get yourself into. You're dealing with some crazy fuckers if they are willing to break into the house next door.

Well, unfortunately for "asshole #1" and "asshole #2", my friends and I are just as crazy and twice as bored. I figured the cops wouldn't be too much help, but at least they tried...some things need to be handled in house.

[Pugnate]

Minor Update: My neighbor told me that he saw the same white SUV next door the day before, I just saw them pull out of the neighbors driveway while I was outside smoking. It makes complete sense: the people next door are Spanish, the guys who broke in are Spanish, the people who broke in HAD to have scoped out the house first (who could do it better than the neighbors?) and I just saw the same white SUV. I can't literally prove it yet, but I think I should at least agitate the bee's nest. What do you guys think?

Why [would] anyone try to burglarize the house next door? That's very stupid.

[nickclone]

Why anyone try to burglarize the house next door? That's very stupid.

I guess I should elaborate: the people next door don't actually live there. The house has been on the market for almost four years no and no one has bought it, the current residents are "babysitters". The guys I think did it don't actually live next door, but they're frequent visitors, I have no idea if the babysitters know what they did.