Got robbed today, I'm screaming mad!

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gbran

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Was going to the range this morning. I took my range bag out to my Jeep and put it in the back behind the seat and shut the tailgate hatch. Went back inside, used the john, took my guns to the Jeep and left. Got to the range and found my range bag had been stolen. I live in a nice area, I don't advertise that I'm into guns. It was early and I didn't see anyone out. Somebody was pretty bold, but much of the blame was mine for not locking up between trips.

The perp now knows I'm into guns and will probably be back. I do have a hell for stout gunsafe at least. Oh, my range bag had about 500 rounds of misc. ammo, my $300 digital camera, a laser rangefinder, tools, boresighter, pistol rest, spotting scope, etc. Probably about $1,000 worth of stuff.
 
That's a terrible lesson learned the hard way. After an uncle got robbed he said he didn't get a good night's sleep for days afterwards out of fear that they weren't finished with his stuff. It's probably a healthy fear to have after a case like this.

Now's probably a good time review your home security, add some lights, make sure your locks are solid and that your gun safe gives you a warm fuzzy. Considering getting a dog if you have the time and it will fit into your lifestyle.
 
I'd bet someone was nearby watching you and saw you did not lock the back gate. In fact you may even be acquainted with the perp. Unfortunate that these things occur but it is a reminder of the need for constant vigilance in this day of opportunistic crime.
 
Keep an eye on the local papers and pawnshops. Chances are that whoever ripped you off is not a gunny themself. Other than that, I am glad to hear that you were not injured or confronted directly. Sometimes life is interesting enough without having some drugged up thug trying to make it more so.
 
File the reports, contact insurance, review security

I think I would tell the police there "may" have been a gun in the range bag. When guns are stolen, police look into thngs with a bit more fervor. A stolen car with a gun in it is sought after much more intently than just a stolen car. If you're like some folks on this forum that have oodles of guns, this ambiguity might be warranted, if you don't have many firearms, this may not be as plausible. Ethical finaggling aside now.

If it was on your property, it's a homeowners/renters insurance claim and not an auto insurance claim.

Yes, your safe will keep the guns in place unless your dealing with a pro. I would immediately setup a home computer camera that provides decent quality images, set it on motion detector and place it where it can record movement to and from your entrances or the the driveway. I bet you would get an image of the crook within days returning while you're away. An easy snag ususally warrants a revisit once they know the victim has cooled off. Also, you could setup a sting and do nearly the same thing with the camera watching this time.

If he/she is dumb enough to use this opportunity again, you will have them with video evidence for the police to come make an immediate arrest and you can simply provide the officers with a CD with the offending actions saved in a short movie file. Once the police have this probable cause, I think they can then get a warrant to search the perp's house and find the rest of your stuff, showing a habitual criminal pattern. Acting quick and the criminal's boldness are going to be key to this actually working.

A bit of setup work, but you could actually know who the criminal is this way. However, be prepared for it to be someone you know.


jeepmor
 
This sounds stupid, but I had a cigarette lighter stolen out of my truck once while I stepped into a 7-11 for a quick soft drink. That was a little lesson for me.

But, frankly I'm probably pretty careless with having unlocked doors and so forth in my vehicle even when there are valuables inside when it comes to quick trips into stores and things. Locks don't always keep them out either... had more than a $2,000 worth of stuff stolen from my locked vehicle in my driveway once. Yes, lost a gun on that deal--Glock 23, some jewelry, and other valuables. Never let my vehicle parked outside my garage again. Such are the breaks. I just blew it off and moved on. Yes, I reported it, but I didn't turn it in on insurance.

Sorry you had the experience and yes it really pisses a person off.
 
First post here, howdy all, and I empathize with your anger gbran. Perhaps there is something you might try that might smoke your theif out and who knows, maybe get you some satisfaction. Like others have expressed, your thief probably is somebody close, maybe a youth, but definately with some rather noticeable and unique new toys his friends and associates will no-doubt take notice in. Perhaps if you print up a discription of your range bag and its contents, though not all and I'd be excercising a bit more political correctness on what I called the bag, but then info-bomb the area you live in, going door to door and talking with your neighbors, you'll put the squeeze on your thief hard enough for someone to come forward or your range bag to mysteriously reappear (wishful thinking, I know), but most of all, an active/aggressive response that most thieves would not expect. No doubt, revealing that you are a gun owner is traditionally considered unwise, but I happen to believe this is as much a myth as some posted in another thread I read here. So what that you own guns. Do you think that'll mark you for a higher probability of burglary? Doubtful. Most burglars, even those targeting guns, are not going to spend the time trying to crack a safe. They're after quick and easy and your safe doesn't qualify to be worth risking. Anyway, thought I'd offer a somewhat different approach. Good luck, I hope it is found and returned to you.
 
gbran,

how far do you live from neighbors?

If you are rural, then it's probably not an issue. If you are in the suburbs, then your house probably is right near several others. If you're in the city, then nevermind.

If you are in the burbs, then the thief is probably a neighbor, or one of their kids. If any of your immediate neighbors have teenaged kids, I would consider them possible suspects. If they see you throw a bag in your jeep, then go back in, they might snatch it.

While there is the possibility that someone could just happen by at just the right time and place to see you throw the bag in, or see it laying there, it is unlikely. Also, it's pretty arrogant to simply snatch a bag in broad daylight when the owner might step back out at any moment. Adults might not do this, but some kid might have the guts and general lack of intelligence to give it a try.

Is stealing ammunition and felony?
 
The time I had my home (a mobile home in a park) burgled, it was by the neighbors. They had a neighborhood watch -- the neighbors watched while the teenaged brats carted my stuff down the front steps. :rolleyes:
 
Yes, your safe will keep the guns in place unless your dealing with a pro. I would immediately setup a home computer camera that provides decent quality images, set it on motion detector and place it where it can record movement to and from your entrances or the the driveway. I bet you would get an image of the crook within days returning while you're away. An easy snag ususally warrants a revisit once they know the victim has cooled off. Also, you could setup a sting and do nearly the same thing with the camera watching this time.

If he/she is dumb enough to use this opportunity again, you will have them with video evidence for the police to come make an immediate arrest and you can simply provide the officers with a CD with the offending actions saved in a short movie file. Once the police have this probable cause, I think they can then get a warrant to search the perp's house and find the rest of your stuff, showing a habitual criminal pattern. Acting quick and the criminal's boldness are going to be key to this actually working.
Click to expand...


I got one better.

Pop the hood of that Jeep all day on your day off. Put a nice tool box outside (this is like porno to crooks). YOu don't have to waste the whole day pretending to fix your jeep, but you do have to go inside a lot and sit on your couch and watch outside while watching some TV. Here is the catch...you are not trying to catch them right now. You are just taking breaks from fixing your Jeep and keeping an eye on your stuff. Aat the end of the day...or whatever time if happend last time, close your hood and take stuff inside but leave the tool box. (this works best at night, but YMMV). Be ready to move because you will catch someone...even if its not the same guy. Be glad you still have your guns because this is where you get to pull them.

Its good to have a cell phone on you and a friend to assist...preferable one who is competent with firearms because ME personally, I am gonna hog-tie this fella with duct tape like he deserves.
 
We had a lot of new home construction in our neighborhood a couple of years ago.

A rash of car burglaries happened and we found out later the construction workers were casing different houses and cars, watching when people left and when they come home etc etc. :cuss: Then they would come back later that night and make their move. We had the PD actually bust the workers in their construction trucks and vans in the neighborhood at 2:00am.

A neighbor of mine had 2 $1000.00 bikes stolen out of his garage while he was home and he had simply left the garage door up.

You can never be too vigilant in protecting your property.
 
Good point about construction workers.... they often have a key to the houses they work on when doing the finishing work. Most people don't change the locks after buying.....

I believe I would leave something appealing in your vehicle and keep watch on a weekend morning.
 
Strangers probably wouldn't go after a random bag -- I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone you either know well or are at least acquainted with, who knew you were going shooting. They probably expected to score a couple guns. Believe it or not most burglaries are perpetrated by someone the victim knows, or a "friend of a friend."

I really wouldn't try setting up a "sting" as the authorities would likely view it as inviting a confrontation, especially if you draw without adequate provocation. I know after losing a bike off the front porch as a kid that I'd want to really hurt someone if I caught them, but you're better off not doing it. Just keep your stuff locked up or move to a place where you don't have to worry about it. I know I've probably got a couple grand worth of stuff on the carport that I don't worry about (but I probably should...).
 
Outlaws said:
I got one better.

Pop the hood of that Jeep all day on your day off. Put a nice tool box outside (this is like porno to crooks). YOu don't have to waste the whole day pretending to fix your jeep, but you do have to go inside a lot and sit on your couch and watch outside while watching some TV. Here is the catch...you are not trying to catch them right now. You are just taking breaks from fixing your Jeep and keeping an eye on your stuff. Aat the end of the day...or whatever time if happend last time, close your hood and take stuff inside but leave the tool box. (this works best at night, but YMMV). Be ready to move because you will catch someone...even if its not the same guy. Be glad you still have your guns because this is where you get to pull them.

Its good to have a cell phone on you and a friend to assist...preferable one who is competent with firearms because ME personally, I am gonna hog-tie this fella with duct tape like he deserves.
Click to expand...
emphasis mine

I don't believe entrapment, ending with actions like the part I bolded, is a good idea. :uhoh:
 
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don't believe entrapment, ending with actions like the part I bolded, is a good idea.
Click to expand...
Especially if it's a neighbor that picks up the box to either bring it to your door or put it in their garage/house for the night and let you know they have it the next day because they are worried about it getting stolen. It would be hard to tell someone doing that from someone who is a piece of excrement at that time (although if they didn't tell you later I suppose you found your man).
I know how you feel man, that sucks. I had my vehicle burglarized, firearm/mags/holster/mag holder stolen along with some digital items, about $2K worth of stuff. Get cameras.
 
First off, you don't go out after your neighbor because you know where they live.
Second, its not entrapment because you were just watching TV when you saw someone in your driveway and remembered you left your tool box out.
Third, unless they pull up in a vehicle, there is no rush. See what they do.
Fourth, you always have a sidearm on you because its your God given right.
 
Its arguable to a certain point, but at least where I live that wouldn't be entrapment, but it would be real bad if you initiated a string of events that concluded with the badguy being shot. Police here do the "fake unconscious bum with a wallet" sting all the time, busting people that jackroll drunks. Simply providing an opportunity, without coercion or compelling anything, is not entrapment here. Honest people would simply not act on the opportunity. The thieves simply can't help themselves.
For a long time, police have been warning hikers to lock stuff up in the trunk, but do it before you get to the trailhead. Apparently the goblins watch to see which trunk contains stuff and then when you're gone, pry the trunk open. So even if you locked it, its possible the perp might've been able to pop that open if they were good.
A friend got sick of having his truck broken into for his tools, which was a major load and not possible to transfer twice a day. An electronics tech, they were also high-dollar items. His solution was to acquire an old neon sign transformer (around 7000 volts but miniscule current, 9/1000ths of an amp.) He put it in his truck, one side to the truck body and the other to a wire that was dropped on the ground. He ran the extension cord to the house, with a switch by his bed. When his car alarm went off, he hit the button. All he found when he ran outside was a puddle of piss. Not a suggestion, just makes a good story.
 
Be glad you still have your guns because this is where you get to pull them.
Click to expand...

Not every state allows armed response for protection of property. Gbran's location is listed as Cali - he'd probably end up locked up instead of the perp.
 
Just a thought..

anybody know anything about the ink packs that banks put in bundles of cash? Seems like a good idea to me if you could get some. Non-lethal and effective. Anybody that was purple walking around neighborhood would be a prime candidate.

As a side note...there's times I get gas for the car, leave the keys in and make a quick run inside the quickie mart. Probably not so smart. Gonna stop that.
 
Too bad about your THEFT! It was NOT a "robbery", though! It was probably the crime of an "opportunist", and they MAY have observed you when you placed your range bag in the Jeep, then went back inside for your "nature call". All it took was a matter of SECONDS to grab that bag! I don't mean to offend you, but YOU were partially to blame for what took place!

Whenever I go shooting, I am VERY discrete when I load/unload my belongings. If someone is standing around, I'll wait until they are gone. Ammo and gun-related equipment go into my truck FIRST, and it is always secured within the LOCKED interior of the truck or the truck bed WITH a camper shell. The firearms are the LAST thing to go into the truck, and if I have to make multiple trips to load them, the truck is LOCKED when I am not there. When I finally hit the road, I know that everything that I loaded into the truck is still there. If I have to stop for gas, I never leave my truck unattended or out of my view! Add to that, I always toss a blanket over the rifle bags and items that are obviously gun-related.

"Intestinal fortitude"! Sure, "When ya gotta go, ya gotta go", but....why not make a "pre-emptive" "pit-stop" BEFORE you load all your valuable equipment? When you arrive at your designated location, unload everything and make sure that it's all safe BEFORE you visit the "John". Better yet, go shooting with a good buddy, who will oversee your equipment when you're not there, and return the favor for them when they have to find some relief!

Don't kick yourself, but look upon this incident as an invaluable "learning experience" that cost you a BUNDLE. Don't let it happen AGAIN! It could have happened to any of us....but "fate" jumped into your venture, and you ended up with the short-end of the stick. At least your firearms weren't "robbed"!

Lastly, the chances of having that thief carry out another THEFT, just because he (or she?) now knows that you are a gun person are VERY slim. I doubt if they "cased" you, but after they had seen you place "something" in your Jeep, then leave those items unattended, "opportunity" was too much of a temptation for them to overlook. Heck, it's quite possible that, after finding out what they had stolen, they decided to discard all of it in a nearby trash can or dumpster.

Next time, use your BEST "weapon"....your brain! If ya "gotta go", do it when your valuables won't be in jeopardy of being stolen!

I hope that you get those things back! I don't blame you for being so highly upset....but I haven't experienced any incident such as yours in 50+ years of shooting! Last week, when I went for a 3-day camping/shooting trip, I loaded everything into my truck during the hours of darkness, and departed shortly after everything was secured. I stopped for gas before hitting the highway, but my truck and my "arsenal" were never out of view.
 
..sounds like a 'thieving neighbor' to me....the pits..and while you made a mistake of not securing your items, stealing is always the fault of the thief, not the victim...I could say a little more, but it would cause trouble with other people...
 
lock your doors.

ALWASE do it.even if your steping away from your car for 10 seconds to run in and pay the gass station attendent; LOCK YOUR DOOR.
 
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