I think my house just got probed for burglary

[esheato]

I'm currently unemployed so I'm home all day scouring the internet for work.

It's 1:30 in the afternoon. Bedroom community where most people are gone and at work all day.

My truck was in the driveway like normal.

I hear a knock at the door. My golden retriever goes berserk (good girl, and she got a bone afterward). I go and look through the window. See a young man, dressed in mostly black, knit cap, Converse. No car on the street. Nothing in his hands. I figure he's not selling anything, so what could he possibly want?

I wasn't expecting anyone so I didn't open the door, and responded gruffly, "I'm not interested, thank you."

I think about it for a minute and something struck me as odd. I double check the garage door is down (my shop is in the garage including my safe, workbenches, lots o' guns, steel targets.....it's obviously a gun shop). Then I go back to look out the window and see where he went or if he came in a car. No sign of him. Went outside a few min later and the neighborhood looks normal.

I'm about to go run some errands and am a bit paranoid I'll come home to a broken back door and the house rummaged through..

 

[scaatylobo]

Your garage is "obviously" a gun shop and you dont have an alarm system,camera system,and dog .

Geez I think a reality check is in order here.

I dont have a gun shop and I have at least that much security in place.

 

[leadcounsel]

I am also at home today, on vacation, and had someone ring my doorbell. When I answered he had some questions about cable services or something...

Seems that would be a very easy way to case a joint. Good thing that I have loud dogs, camera, alarms, etc..

 

[cor_man257]

Maybe he meant its obvious once your inside.

Report it to the police, and tell them someone suspicious was there, and explain. Make sure your guns are secure and go about your day.

If we live in fear the terrorists win, its an old joke but it isnt wrong.

 

[MachIVshooter]

You'd be amazed the number of "visits" your residence may get when you're expected to be gone.

I work from home, and it may often appear that I'm not here. I also have a driveway chime; Some people have seemed quite surprised to be greeted when they thought no one was home and believed they were unannounced. Usually someone looking for another address (they're not well marked here) or just solicitors.

Take a picture next time. It's easy to do subtly with cell phones.

 

[Strykervet]

I am also at home today, on vacation, and had someone ring my doorbell. When I answered he had some questions about cable services or something...

Seems that would be a very easy way to case a joint. Good thing that I have loud dogs, camera, alarms, etc..

They've been going through our neighborhoods doing this... It seemed fishy to me so we called the cable company and they said they *think* they are doing this. They asked if I had any issues, problems, whatever, checked off a list and went to the next house. I watched him and he did in fact go down to each house. I happened to have my gate open and so he couldn't see the no trespassing sign --my foul. There was also a Comcast van parked down the street and they were doing some kind of work that had our service go in and out intermittently not long after he left.

If I have my gate closed and they come up anyway, I am VERY rude and run them off the property and warn them not to come back --but this hasn't happened yet. If they do, I keep 'em around until the cops get here and I press charges for trespassing. If I catch them snooping or they look suspicous or can't answer my questions satisfactorily, then I just press charges right away, I know why they are here.

With a stellar alarm, no trespassing sign next to the alarm sign on the gate, and a neighbor with a similar setup with both of us armed and willing to respond to the other's alarm (stealthily, and not with the intention of engaging the intruder, just stopping the burglary until the cops arrive) our little section of woods isn't the best place to pick for snooping and stealing.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I think my house just got probed for burglary

Yes you were. He probably want down the street a few houses looking for an empty residence, or went to the next street over to ply his trade. His getaway car was probably driven by a girlfriend or other compatriot who circled the block or waited for a cell phone call to be picked up.

Encounters like his need to be reported as soon as they happen. If reported, the police might be able to grab the guy before or just after a burglary. Once he is caught the problem disappears until a new burglar moves into the area.

 

[xXxplosive]

Why did you answer at all....the dog did it for you.....I never answer the door if I'm not expecting you, my Male German Shepard is our door man...then...,if the door knob turns or the doors is forced in the jamb..........wel then........you gain entry at your own risk as the sign on the door says.

 

[1KPerDay]

Maybe he was selling magazine subscriptions...

 

[smalls]

Could be a canvasser. I did that in high school, and usually had nothing with me but a pen and small notepad in my back pocket to write down customer info down. Had the police called on me numerous times for "suspicious behavior".

 

[NoAlibi]

1KPerDay: "Maybe he was selling magazine subscriptions..."

We had a band of burglars that we caught who were registered (reqired of solicitors in our county) that would try and sell you a magazine subscription if you were home and burglarize you if you weren't. This modus operandi makes for a good cover in case you're checked out.

smalls: "Could be a canvasser. I did that in high school, and usually had nothing with me but a pen and small notepad in my back pocket to write down customer info down. Had the police called on me numerous times for "suspicious behavior"."

Good!

 

[Averageman]

I read something about canvasing neighborhoods and leaving color coded flyers.
The color codes show which homes are ripe for a burglar and the second crew cruises by to see which flyers are still on doorknobs later, then they hit the prime ones.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Every year, we have kids come buy to sell us fresh produce. Basically, it is a team operation whereby there is a truck of produce and a group of kids that are sent out to knock on doors. If a person is interested, then the door knocker calls the truck. Since there are several kids, each working a side of a street and so canvasing 2-3 blocks at a time, there is a good chance the truck isn't on the same street as the kid knocking at your door. The kids carry nothing but a cell phone.

The magazine subscription people come around every so often. Some of those guys carry the brochure and small clipboard tucked into the small of their back like some waiters/waitresses do.

The notion that somebody ringing your doorbell that doesn't appear to be carrying anything is probing you for burglary is jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence. It is good to be vigilant, but one must also be reasonable. Had the kid done anything else to show undue curiosity in your home, then you might have a good argument. Did he continue to knock on your door for too long and repeatedly. Did he walk around the outside of your house, enter you back yard or anything like that? Did he try the handle/knob of the door? Was he trying to look in your windows?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Ran across this "AAR" last night while surfing the gun blogs*...

https://sarahandmom.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/you-picked-the-wrong-house-*******/

* by way of http://gunblogblacklist.blogspot.com/

Note - their language, not mine...

 

[esheato]

Your garage is "obviously" a gun shop and you dont have an alarm system,camera system,and dog .

Got a dog...we're renting the place, so no alarm or cameras. Safe is bolted to the floor. Everything else is replaceable I guess.

Maybe he meant its obvious once your inside.

I did. House totally blends into the neighborhood from the outside, but it's obvious what is going on in the garage. Wife has left it up a few times for extended periods. My rule is the door doesn't stay up unless you're in the garage working. She has a tendency to come in the house through the garage and forget to close it. I know, I know....I'm working on getting a new wife.

Report it to the police, and tell them someone suspicious was there, and explain. Make sure your guns are secure and go about your day.

Didn't think to report it, but I did check on my neighbors houses. Eventually, just locked up everything and went about my day. I agree with your terrorists comment.

Why did you answer at all....the dog did it for you..

I was thinking back to that other thread about security for the mom home alone. I figured since I was standing on the other side of the glass and he saw me look through the window, I should at least respond. And I wanted him to know that I was there.

Maybe he was selling magazine subscriptions...

I initially thought that, but the other times we had solicitors for that, it was usually during non-work hours, and they had a clipboard, laminated selection book, etc. This guy had nothing.

And most of all...my gut was telling me something wasn't right.

 

[xXxplosive]

Why did you want him to know you were there....?

Next............his move. You would have determined quickly what his intentions were....and acted accordingly.

 

[fireside44]

See a young man, dressed in mostly black, knit cap, Converse.

I thought nothing of your post until I saw this. Beware! The knit cap is a burglar's trade tool! Nothing will keep a crook warmer for a robbery on those cold winter nights than a quality knit cap.

 

[floorit76]

It would be easy enough to build a timer to close your garage door so that it doesn't get forgotten.

 

[conw]

I wasn't expecting anyone so I didn't open the door, and responded gruffly, "I'm not interested, thank you."..

I prefer the approach of saying loudly through the door "What do you need?". Even though I won't be answering the door except for UPS etc or a friend, it is in keeping with OODA loop principles (doing something unexpected) and while the reply is not likely to be "wuz thankin' 'bout burglin' yo azz," you'll probably be able to read between the lines.

NB: I wouldn't ask what someone wants without a nice solid door between us.

 

[NoAlibi]

The notion that somebody ringing your doorbell that doesn't appear to be carrying anything is probing you for burglary is jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence. It is good to be vigilant, but one must also be reasonable.

The nice thing about having your own home/apartment is that you decide how vigilant and reasonable you want to be.

This is how vigilant and reasonable we want to be: Simply, we don't want anyone to solicit us in the privacy of our home. We don't want solicitors coming to our door or calling us. This way not only are we undisturbed, but our safety is enhanced as well. Our winter home is in a gated community and since it's inception 43 years ago there has not been one burglary. Unfortunately, our other home is not afforded the same protection and several houses in the area have been burglarized. We have a sign posted on the front gate that reads, "No Solicitors for ANYTHING". It seems to be working.

We're thinking of putting an electric lock on the gate and an intercom. If we don't let you into our yard, there had better be a damn good reason for you to be there!

If any posters don't mind uninvited guests coming into their yards for a better look or whatever, then have at it. Our Home - Our Rules. YMMV

 

[Owen Sparks]

Put up a BEWARE OF DOG sign that is visable from the road. If they see that they will just move on to an easier target.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Good dog will keep most away. As Owen said but a Bad Dog sign and it will do the job.

 

[Gunnerboy]

Thats why i answer the door with my pistol in plain sight tucked in my waistband it has kept many a people from returning that and needing 4wheel drive to get up my drive way might have something to do with it also

 

[Averageman]

It would seem that proactive Law Enforcement would be to stop and check someones credentials when they door to door solicate.
A sign for your alarm company and a small "Beware of Dog" and "No Agents or Peddlers" sign on your door should do the trick.
There is nothing that made me love my dog more than finding a bloody shoe next to the Fence when I lived in Los Angeles.

 

[NoAlibi]

Averageman - "There is nothing that made me love my dog more than finding a bloody shoe next to the Fence when I lived in Los Angeles."

Yeah, screw the little bastard for jumping over the fence to retrieve his ball!

Just kidding! But you know with the illiteracy rate going through the roof, I can see our legal eagles turning this sort of thing into a accepted tort even though you had a sign posted on the fence warning about a bad dog.

“Well your honor, there is no expectation that anyone these days might know how to read and it’s not in the best interests of society to serve up human beings to bad dogs for lunch for a simple trespass into a person’s fenced yard.”

You wait - it’ll happen…remember that McDonald’s hot coffee law suit?!?