Just got robbed

[goyo2]

I hardly ever use the G|A forums even though I lurk a lot. Every time I post something I get great results, and today I need some cheering up.

I got home a couple of hours ago to find my stuff gone from my house and I feel like crap, mostly because I left the carport gate open. I also left some electronics and valuables out that are usually in my safe. Nothing that can't be replaced, but just feel really bad like I did something wrong.

The house was as secure as could be, I even have iron security doors, they broke the lock on the back one and got into the house. They took everything entertainment related except for my speakers and thank God they left the computer and monitor. I'm moving it to my parents house because they know its here and obviously they know how to get in.

I don't feel like calling anyone because I don't really want to talk about it, but I really needed to get some of this stuff off my chest and this forum has been great in the past.

I have called the cops and they sent a nice gal over to dust for prints and take a report. No renters insurance, the house had a water damage report two years ago and it was uninsureable. Its just stuff.

Thanks for letting me get some of this crap out.

[Jenny]

Sorry! I know that sucks but I'm glad you weren't home and are safe.

[goyo2]

Thanks Jenny,

It was weird, I was only gone for an hour and a half. They left an orange hardhat, so they were posing as some kind of repairmen. The cops got lots of prints off of that which is good, but most likely, my stuff is being fenced as I type.

It realy feels like a kick to the gut because I am not in the position to replace any of it for a while, and I wouldn't want it to get ripped off again since they probably live in the neighborhood or close by.

Thanks again, and I'm glad I safe too. I walked right in thinking that my landlord had someone working on the house, I could have been hurt.

[thatonefilipinoguy]

sorry to hear that

I hope the police can catch the robbers.

[bachviet]

Sorry to hear about the robbery man. HOpefully the cops catch those fools.

[InfiniteNothing]

So where do these people sell the stolen goods? Ebay? Seems like there should be a good way to put a "don't sell me on ebay" sticker on your stuff or something. I imagine the demand for stolen goods is small. It would be hard to make an obscene amount of money.

I once had my car radio stollen over a period of 2 nights. It's a pretty funny story actually. One day I get in the car and notice the radio is acting a little funny and my glovebox has been emptied on to the seat. I didn't think much of it at the time. The next day I go out to the car and the radio is gone. The ironic part is they broke off the driver side lock when the passenger side lock was already broken from the time when a key broke off in there. A key had also been broken off into the ignition so that could have been stollen too. All in all, i'm glad they took the radio and left the car. Little more irony: there's some possibility that the radio they stole was stolen. A guy from work sold it to me pretty cheap. The wires in the back were cut unevenly too.

So I've always wondered what it takes for a person to grow up such that they could steal from another. How can they justify this to themselves? the risk? the moral guilt? How bad is their life where they have to steel to make a living? Is it greed?

[SonyGuy]

That really sucks man. I hate thieves. My friend and I had an "aquaintance" come over to our house at 1 in the morning asking for a ride one time. My friend asked him to get in the truck and wait while he got the keys, well this guy saw a carton of our ciggerettes on the floorboard and decided to help himself. Next time he came over we layed his F****** ass out in the backyard and told him that's what we do to thieves. He never came back. Justice is served.

[djradam]

sorry to hear that, i hate when people disrespect others. almost as bad as someone keying your car.

my friend left his sliding door open in a college town. woke up next day thinking he lost is cell phone, but his wallet had no money and neither did his girlfriends.

personally though, if you're smart enought to use ebay, you're MOST LIKELY smart enough not to sell it. if you know the right people, you can make just as much selling to friends of friends.

[revil]

Originally posted by Yossarian
you whipped his ass over a carton of cigs!? damn, addicted?

cartons cost a bit more than packs. and it's more of a principle thing.

[goyo2]

Originally posted by InfiniteNothing
So where do these people sell the stolen goods? Ebay? Seems like there should be a good way to put a "don't sell me on ebay" sticker on your stuff or something. I imagine the demand for stolen goods is small. It would be hard to make an obscene amount of money...


So I've always wondered what it takes for a person to grow up such that they could steal from another. How can they justify this to themselves? the risk? the moral guilt? How bad is their life where they have to steel to make a living? Is it greed?

All of the stuff they stole would be really easy to get rid of. TV, DVD, video cam etc. Of course they only get pennies on the dollar, but they probably walked off with 2 grand worth of stuff. It was a good score for them. I'm pretty sure the stuff wasn't going to be sold on ebay because they don't know too much about computers, I have a really nice monitor sitting on my desk that they were dumb not to take, instead they took an old trumpet!

I think that people steal for lots of reasons, most of all I think its because it is the quickest way to get what you need, whether its drugs or booze or just more cash. In Fresno, we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country..about 18 percent. Not that unemployment is an excuse to steal from somebody, it just gives someone more motivation to risk it, since there's not a great chance that they are going to find gainful employment. I just hate to think of some amature using my camcorder.

I've had my car broken into three times living in San Diego, and my tent broken into in Rosarito. It really sucks, but what are you going to do?

[goyo2]

Originally posted by djradam
sorry to hear that, i hate when people disrespect others. almost as bad as someone keying your car.

my friend left his sliding door open in a college town. woke up next day thinking he lost is cell phone, but his wallet had no money and neither did his girlfriends.

personally though, if you're smart enought to use ebay, you're MOST LIKELY smart enough not to sell it. if you know the right people, you can make just as much selling to friends of friends.

Thanks, thanks, that is cool the theif left your friends wallet, as bad as it is to lose some money, losing identity stuff is worse. Its so inconvenient.

I'm feeling a little better now, still greatful to have the computer. Anyone ever bolt a computer to the desk? I have a feling the crooks live in the neighborhood. It was so strategically done. Like they knew my patterns. I was gone an hour and a half.

[RoniMan]

sorry to hear about your loss.

[attgig]

getting stuff stolen sucks, and getting broken into in your own home sucks even more.

but yeah....echo-ing jenny....glad to hear you're safe...and crap like this happens, but you still got your health.
it sucks to think that you could've done something to prevent it....but if they really wanted your stuff, they would've gotten in anyway, so don't beat yourself over the head because you forgot to close up your gate.

and if they got out a lotta crap out in that short of a time....they may have been scoping your place for a while....

[djsusm]

Dude.. so sorry to hear. I know the feeling, but probably not to the xtent that you are feeling. A couple of months ago, someone walked off with my digi camera bag with everything in it (about $700 worth of stuff). For a while I was kinda depressed because I had worked hard to earn that stuff for myself, and what right did these guys (whoever it was) have to take it from me. But then I realized that it is just material stuff, and that it can be replaced.

Don't stress out over it too much, but definitely let it out.

[brainsmile]

hey you should start a website trying to raise money

anyhoo... bummer and sorry you lost some stuff.

[goyo2]

Originally posted by djsusm
Dude.. so sorry to hear. I know the feeling, but probably not to the xtent that you are feeling. A couple of months ago, someone walked off with my digi camera bag with everything in it (about $700 worth of stuff). For a while I was kinda depressed because I had worked hard to earn that stuff for myself, and what right did these guys (whoever it was) have to take it from me. But then I realized that it is just material stuff, and that it can be replaced.

Don't stress out over it too much, but definitely let it out.

Thanks for the digicam story, I'm sure it was the same feeling, like a kick to the gut. I think that's a lot of what it is, I worked for years building a comfortable little system, nothing extravegant a piece at a time and lately I've been resisting the urge to add to it you know. Been wanting to be happy with what I got and pay off the credit cards first and live within my means. I am so glad I didn't buy this Onkyo dolby digital system and that projector that was on sale!!!

I just screwed some windows shut that they jimmied in addition to the door. I think I need to make a list of things that I am greatful for. I still got a lot of cool stuff, like some of you guys said, health most of all. Thanks for all the comments, even the ones I haven't responded to. I like the one by the guy who kicked that dude's ass for stealing the cigs. If I find out who did it I'll give you a call...although they did swipe my 600,000 volt stun gun.

[Peachhead]

Man that sucks! Sorry to hear about it, maybe they'll catch 'em.

[Kim]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I'm glad you are safe, and I hope the bad guys are caught.

[nickel]

thank God i'm a country girl. we leave our doors/vehicles unlocked here and it's all cool.
the city has a lot to offer, some good, some bad.

glad you didn't get hurt goyo2. material things can be replaced, you can't.

[goyo2]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts, it really means a lot. I'm starting a new thread asking advice for alarm systems and going to ask about people's experiences.

Thanks!

[eSDee]

Damn goyo I am sorry to hear that bro. That fuggin sucks that they jacked your stuff(especially your camcorder)! If you want, I know a couple of guys who can help you "retrieve" your stuff

Let me know if I can do anything man.

[djradam]

Originally posted by goyo2


although they did swipe my 600,000 volt stun gun.

seeriously?? damn .... i'm sure that'd be nice to use on them


was this done in the day time? i think most jobs are done locally. i mean who drives from the ghetto to a nice neighborhood to just rob some random house.

set up a hidden web cam(s) next time

[goyo2]

Originally posted by djradam



seeriously?? damn .... i'm sure that'd be nice to use on them


was this done in the day time? i think most jobs are done locally. i mean who drives from the ghetto to a nice neighborhood to just rob some random house.

set up a hidden web cam(s) next time

Yeah, I got some less than lethal stuff to keep the kids out of the yard (kidding) and some other things to make me feel safe...especially now (seriously)

I totally agree with the arguement that guns are bad to have around for most people. And I really loved Bowling for Columbine, and think that Michael Moore was right with a lot of his comments. The thing is, I've lived alone for most of the past ten years and a lot of that time has been in marginal low rent neighborhoods. Despite how safe it is in Canada, I feel safer with a .38+p in my pocket when I'm in my garage late at night. I have taken defensive firearm safety courses and attend combat pistol matches on a regular basis. Its really fun, but moreover, I think it makes the 5-? minutes before the cops arrive a little more surviveable.

[goyo2]

Originally posted by eSDeeLoco
Damn goyo I am sorry to hear that bro. That fuggin sucks that they jacked your stuff(especially your camcorder)! If you want, I know a couple of guys who can help you "retrieve" your stuff

Let me know if I can do anything man.

Thanks man, I really think it happened for a reason. I've been wanting to write a screenplay for some time now and its like in an instant, most of my distractions are out of the house. I'm not sure how long I'll make it without a TV, and I moved the puter with all of my documentary footage to a safe location away from the house, so its me and my wifi connection on the pocket PC. Just enough power for email and word processing. Its time to write the great Mexican American story!

p.s. I might pick up one of those xm boom boxes if I get too bored.

[SonyGuy]

Hell yeah man. I mean guns are good and bad. Yeah they kill alot of people but I do like the idea of gun permits as long as there are some good requirements to get one. A good record/background and some good training courses you have to take in order to get one. I mean hell if someone is robbing a convenience store and someones in there with a gun as well, could be the difference between the store getting robbed or not, depending on whether or not the guy with the "legal" right to carry a gun has balls or not... I know, an arguementative point of view...

[StonedWheat]

I'm sorry to hear that you got robbed dude. I've had my share of getting robbed. To me it's just a part of life. I think it's a reminder for us that nothing is permanent, and that we shouldn't really get attached or put too much into our stuff. I'm not saying that you are attached or superficial in any way...just trying to help you see the positive side of this ordeal. It's a very humanizing (and painful) experience, but with the downs come the ups. Once I got a laptop stolen out of my car after owning it for a week, and ended up claiming it on my mother's homeowners insurance. The lady handling my case took 3 months to get me my money, but she was so bogged down with other cases that she made a mistake and reimbursed me for more than what i paid for it. I was happy cus I realized I didn't even really need a laptop.

So sometimes things work out better, it might just take some time or some creative way to look at things in a different light. You'll just be a little less entertained for a while

[kwikwa]

Goyo, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened! I'll be positive first: Yes it can all be replaced eventually. Yes you still have your health and the same number of orifices you did before. Now the negative: What you should do is pretend you're not home and you left the back door ajar. Then just sit in a dark corner wearing your night vision goggles and aiming your shotgun at the door. When the thieves walk in hoping to finish cleaning you out, shoot out their knees. They won't be able to run (or do much other that scream) and you can take your sweet time before calling the cops. If they bleed to death out of their new stumps... oh well: Didn't you want to replace your carpet anyway?

Gimme a call when you feel like it.

[InfiniteNothing]

Yes, death should be the punishment for stealing 2Gs worth of stuff.

[goyo2]

Originally posted by SonyGuy
Hell yeah man. I mean guns are good and bad. Yeah they kill alot of people but I do like the idea of gun permits as long as there are some good requirements to get one. A good record/background and some good training courses you have to take in order to get one. I mean hell if someone is robbing a convenience store and someones in there with a gun as well, could be the difference between the store getting robbed or not, depending on whether or not the guy with the "legal" right to carry a gun has balls or not... I know, an arguementative point of view...

I'm all for background check and training as well. Laws are such wierd things. They really train us well. Since the robbery, I've been packing a little .38...for like three days. Just so when I go into the house at night I'm not empty handed. I stopped this though because even though I've never had my car searched, chances are, I would get searched and busted with the gun. Its a slap on the wrist, but I wouldn't legaly be able to own a gun for 10 years. Second thing, in California, when a home owner shoots and kills an armed intruder in their house, chances are they will be charged with a crime up to murder. If in fact it was in self defense, the homeowner would still have to pay at least 10 grand in legal fees...and if the homeowner made a bad judgement and didn't excersize his/her miranda rights, they may end up behind bars for a while. If you shoot someone outside of your house in Cali, you better get rid of the body because you're gonna do time. Now I'm not some NRA supporter, nor would I join that group, I just think its kinda weird the way the laws work.

[goyo2]

Originally posted by StonedWheat
I'm sorry to hear that you got robbed dude. I've had my share of getting robbed. To me it's just a part of life. I think it's a reminder for us that nothing is permanent, and that we shouldn't really get attached or put too much into our stuff. I'm not saying that you are attached or superficial in any way...just trying to help you see the positive side of this ordeal. It's a very humanizing (and painful) experience, but with the downs come the ups. Once I got a laptop stolen out of my car after owning it for a week, and ended up claiming it on my mother's homeowners insurance. The lady handling my case took 3 months to get me my money, but she was so bogged down with other cases that she made a mistake and reimbursed me for more than what i paid for it. I was happy cus I realized I didn't even really need a laptop.

So sometimes things work out better, it might just take some time or some creative way to look at things in a different light. You'll just be a little less entertained for a while

Yeah man, I think I am over the worst part of accepting the loss of property. I rearranged the furniture in the living room to make it more condusive to kicking it and talking instead of kicking it and watching the tube. I think I'm going to set up a bookshelf in there too...maybe get some twister happening Its like, "Hey babe, I don't have a TV, but we can kick it and read some Kurt Vonnegut and play twister!"