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a close call

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soggysod

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Nov 16, 2008
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i had a situation this weekend i wanted to post. i am curious if anyone has any thoughts or tips to help avoid what di encountered.

i have been doing a side job laying flooring at night at a house that my parents just bought out of foreclosure. this house is out in the country, with no other house in sight, and the closest are some trashy looking spots.
i was working alone about 1 30 am, as i work on this after i get off work get home and get the wife and kid to bed.
to set this up, a few days ago i thought i heard a car door shut and pull off,and it gave me the willies so i had my pistol in the window sill
i was in a back room nailing down flooring. i had all of the lights in the house on, (with no blinds) front door wide open because i was sawing on the porch. radio blaring, do doubt to anyone that someone was home. oh and i had just walked back in from cutting a couple of pieces of flooring. a person could hear my saw on a quiet night for well over half a mile.
i heard something fall which got my attention, right after that i heard the screen door swing open slowly. its an old door creaks like hell and was shut wedged tight on my extension cord for the saw. deffinately not the wind.
i ease over and get my pistol, and rack it to chamber a round. its very loud, and echos thru the house. at this very instant, i hear thump thump thump, and the screen door slam.
i ease my way back towards that side of the house. i didnt see anyone, but it was almost 2 in the morn with no moonlight or streetlights.

needless to say i kept my pistol on my side the rest of the night.

the reason this really bothered me is because no one in this area would dare go into an occupied house at 2 in the morn un anounced without ill will. this is well in the middle of no where, on a road with no traffic, less than a car an hour. so i assume this person meant me ill will, and just didnt expect me to be armed.
i worked there again tonight, and no issues, but i am concerned they may come back armed, or with a friend. i have no choice to work at night. there is really only one well lit way in, but i cant stay in the front room all the time. anyone been in a similar situation that has any tips or thoughts for me here?
 
You mentioned it's a foreclosure. If I were to guess, I'd guess the previous tenants coming back trying to salvage something or burn down the property in revenge. Keep your gun locked and cocked from now on, and keep the radio OFF. You want to be able to hear.
 
Bring your dog and tie the leash to the front porch. In the alternative, go to Home Depot ASAP and get one of those motion sensitive spot lights and mount it up right quick over the porch so the guy will get lit up and blind as he approaches the house and you can see exactly what's going on.

Keep a phone handy and call for help at the first sign of trouble and leave them on the line as you handle the situation so they can hear you yell out for them to drop their gun and stop fighting as you pull your trigger.
 
I'd also consider letting the sheriff know about the event that transpired: it might behoove you to have a record going on just in case things flare up again. Probably won't; I mean, I sure as heck wouldn't go near any house that produced the sound of a slide racking as I spooked around ever again, but I think we all would agree that it is best to be prepared.

I'd second keeping the radio off, and suggest considering a step up in the gear to include a tactical flashlight, backup piece, etc.; real defcon 3 stuff, IMO. Probably won't need it, but you'll feel better.

Sorry to hear of it, that sort of thing will make you edgy until the work is done and the house is a memory. Glad you're safe.
 
Good point, definitely make a report to get it on record.

You can also sprinkle some peanut shells around the doorway and then put marbles right inside the entrance way. Cheap alarms which can be swept up or cleaned when you're done.
 
Looks like you done good. I heartily second the suggestion to get a flashlight. If you wanna get a good, wide beam LED on-the-cheap, look at the Rayovac 3watt Sportsman. I believe I got mine for $20 on sale at Wally World and its the brightest little light I've ever had, got a really wide beam too.
 
Yeah, I doubt he will be back, even with a friend, unless he is going to lie to his friend and not tell him about the gun owner inside the premises. Nobody really willingly walks into an armed confrontation because getting shot really hurts!

I would be careful when entering the premises though because you never know when he'll show up early to get there before you or lay an ambush for you since he might know the premises are abandoned otherwise.
 
Most definately get yourself a good, bright flashlight, and do a quick check around the house when you've got to show up. You could utilize some makeshift alarms, like leaning a broom etc up against a closed door so you'll hear it fall when the door opens, or put a can on top of the moving pane of the window frame so it will fall if the windows open. They'd already be aware of the creeky screen door alerting you to their presence. I wouldn't want to advise you to do anything to put yourself into a life or death situation, esp one where you might have to hurt somebody, wrong as they may be, but if they've showed up twice then you've got reason to consider it a possibility they show up again. On the plus side, they probably wanted nothing to do with hurting you from the sound of it. Sounds like one lone man, from the footsteps, and they fled the scene at a sign of opposition. Their interest probably was something inside, so you certainly ought to make sure there is no one inside upon arrival. With them knowing you're armed, if you showed up they might try and hide and stumbling upon them face to face the situation could turn ugly. Perhaps you've got a buddy who could 'stand post' with you so to speak?

You done well to bring your pistol, though you probably didn't expect anything. And though it would usually be excessive, for your particular situaion and if you're anticipating a repeat appearance, I'd probably bring my shotgun. The distinctive crack from cocking one of those and they know you mean business, also you could opt for a less than lethal first shot if you so choose.

If I might ask, how many more nights do you figure you got into this job?

Be careful, and think sensibly. Hope they decided whatever motivated them to do this wasn't worth it.
 
It's nice to hear that just racking a round into the chamber was enough to send them running. Personally, I'd recommend wearing the gun and keeping a dog with you.
 
Can you find a friend to help you? Extra ears/eyes never hurt! Also, I would like to have the windows papered over so someone outside couldn't see inside. Keep one door locked so you won't get flanked by a second BG. Stay safe!

Mark.
 
Keep the handgun on your hip, and bring a shotgun if you have one, though keep it hidden, so if they sneak inside while you're working somewhere else in the house, they won't find it and use it against you. If you have a dog, bring it, but only if your wife is also knowledgeable with firearms. No sense in taking away your family's protection while you're gone too. Motion sensor lights are also a great idea, especially since it's your parents house, and they might wanna live in it someday. Get some good ones and make it part of the renovation. Your truly best bet would be to convince a friend to help you, at least for a day or two.
 
im gonna say buddy system, you need to get a friend to go with you also armed. definetly inform the police and i agree with motion lights.
 
Harbor Freight has a portable motion sensor. It's a small battery powered sensor head and a wirelessly connected receiver with a bell. You could put a motion detector covering each access. They also have a version with multiple channels.
 
If the sportsmanguide ones are like the ones they sell at Costco they aren't any brighter than an old minimag light.

Costco sells a regular motion sensitive flood light with the two bulbs included for under $20. HD and Lowes probably have something similar. In 5 minutes it wires right into any regular box that a regular outdoor light would be in. I'd swap out whatever outdoor lights are in place now, I'm thinking one at back door and one at front, for a couple of these. You can always remove them later, put the old ones back, and run new boxes for the motion lights later.
 
Good guess Leroy!

Sportsmansguide has a solar powered motion sensor LED light so you just drill and mount with no wiring.
Click to expand...

Good idea, does not really need to be Sun Light bright, just so it's there for ever, no maintenance.

Some good ideas all ready posted.
 
Maybe a couple of game cameras set up strategically might capture a photo of any spooks snooping around.
 
After hearing that gun rack, they probably went to clean out their pants....

I agree with other post.

Dog, light, gun, cell phone, let LE and neighbors know.

Be careful.
 
Made the hair on the back of my neck stand up reading that--I'm really glad to hear you're OK. I agree with everything posted. Can you lock the doors? Is there adequate lighting outside the building? Do you lock/arm your truck when you park it for the night's work? Last thing you want is to be walking to the truck after finishing up for the evening and have them about/in/around it. A few flood lamps, a good flashlight, and a furry companion would probably be the best.

And maybe an extra magazine. :)

Stay safe.
 
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