My stolen rifle recovered!

[firesafety3]

Two days after Christmas my home was broken into sometime during the day (no one home). Seemed a sort of bold action considering the neighbors around and holiday traffic. But I live in the country and evidently someone had been watching the house.

I started to post the theft here back then but really didn't have anything worthy to pass on. And to be honest I was a little embarrassed and pretty pissed. They took jewelry, small electronics, cash, two handguns...stuff they could carry out. They also found my Bushmaster in its locked case in my bedroom, I had come in late from the range and put it there (just being lazy). I contacted the Sheriff's Dept and reported the theft.

So I get a call this Wednesday from a detective with the Police Dept. He informed me that a guy had ran a stop sign and an officer pulled him over, fairly routine stop. No ID but the plates were run and it turns out he had current warrants out for him, drug related. Large amounts of drugs were found in the car along with...my Bushmaster. He stated that he had it for "protection" and had aquired it that same afternoon. He was, of course, taken into custody.

The detective that contacted me stated that the fact that he had a stolen firearm, particularly assault style, would get him probably 10 years on top of the sentence imposed for the drugs.

I'll get my rifle back sometime later this year, which is not a problem. I'm glad that the rifle wasn't used in a crime and no one was hurt. Of course, I still have two handguns floating around out there.

It's amazing how quickly stolen guns change hands and how much of it is drug related.

My guns were secure from my kids, but not secured against theft. I'm shopping for a quality gun safe now. This was a good, and expensive, lesson for me. As I said, I live in the country, six acres behind me butting up against the bayou. No doubt someone heard me shooting or saw me transporting my guns and led them to break in.

Just a fellow THR member reminding those in doubt to secure those weapons and report any gun theft, even the cheapies!

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Glad you got the rifle back!

 

[itgoesboom]

FS3,

I had a similar situation happen to me a few years ago. Guy broke into my truck while I was at work, and stole several items, including a Ruger .357 Blackhawk. Reported the theft to the police, and was told that I would likely never get it back, since the SN would be ground off, or it would be used in a crime.

About a year later, I got contacted by the FBI. Turns out they went after a known gang house, and found my revolver in the process. It hadn't been used in crime, and it still had its serial numbers, so I was told I would recieve it back within a few months.

In reality, it took 2 1/2 years before I finally got it back, and that was only because the agent who I was dealing with was proactive about getting it to me.

Chances are they will have to wait until the suspect goes to trial and is convicted, and they may even have to wait for appeals to go through before they return it to you. Ofcourse, that takes awhile because there are pretrial motions to determine if the search was legal, etc etc..

This could several years, or longer. I was very fortunate that the guy who stole my pistol pled quilty just before the trial, after the search was deemed legal. The FBI still had to wait for him to waive his appeals ( I think that took another 60-90 days), then they did a 2nd set of ballistic fingerprinting to see if it matched up with anything.

Only after all of that did I get it back.

I.G.B.

 

[Nazirite]

It seems, at least to me, most burglaries are drug related. I hear about a lot of them in certain areas, especially in lightly populated areas with good cover around the houses.

The discovery channel is airing a new show called “It’s takes a thief†Wednesday nights at 10:00 p.m. The show involves two former thieves who go up to a house and ask the owners if they can rob it on tv. The owners are allowed to watch, everything stolen is returned, and the discovery channel pays for some security enhancements for the home. The show is an eye opener for sure.

 

[P95Carry]

Good that even one of three is recovered .... not too optimistic re the handguns tho. But still hopeful for you.

Maybe a good time to remind folks again ... photograph all guns ... one reason why I have pics of mine I can post. Then take said pic and add text to it - model of gun, caliber and - serial number. Save that pic set to CD and store that safe somewhere - even burn two.

Even if the CD is out of date by a gun or two - it is invaluable info IMO ... the cops can use that to good effect. Over and above that - do best to keep guns secure and - a regretable thing - try not to advertize their possession.... I guess even shooting in one's own yard these days is advertizing.

 

[41mag]

Glad you got your rifle back.

He he,don't give up hope on the handguns http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=86029

 

[armedcitizen]

He claims he just got the rifle, but....

are they taking his work on that or are they investigating him for the break in at your house?

 

[jnojr]

I'll get my rifle back sometime later this year, which is not a problem. I'm glad that the rifle wasn't used in a crime and no one was hurt. Of course, I still have two handguns floating around out there.

When my moms house was burgalrized and my P228 stolen, the police caught the burglars. As far as I'm concerned, they should have been put in a jail cell and told they aren't getting out until the gun is recovered. "We threw it away" Fine... where? We'll go look. "I gave it to someone" Great... name? "I don't know" Uh, huh... you gave a gun to someone you don't know. OK... let's see if you'll remember in a week, or a month, or 30 years.

The only semi-bright side was, at sentencing, the defense attorney was trying to paint a picture of deprived kids who had just made on tiny little mistake and should be given a little probation. I told my mom to tell the judge that there was still a gun floating around out on the streets, and the little punks got a few months in the Vista Hilton. It ain't much, and it didn't get me my gun back, but it was better than seeing them skip out the door...

 

[joebogey]

P95Carry

Maybe a good time to remind folks again ... photograph all guns ... one reason why I have pics of mine I can post. Then take said pic and add text to it - model of gun, caliber and - serial number. Save that pic set to CD and store that safe somewhere - even burn two.

I did just that about 3 weeks ago. Used a digital camera, took pics of every gun and added serial numbers to each.
Made 2 copies, and stashed one in a safety deposit box at the bank. The other I gave to my brother as backup.

 

[CentralTexas]

Maybe

what should be done is all the buy back guns destined for the smelter have a use.
Plug the barrel half way down and circulaute them with Plus P ammo.....

 

[itgoesboom]

Maybe what should be done is all the buy back guns destined for the smelter have a use.
Plug the barrel half way down and circulaute them with Plus P ammo.....

Nawww....there are enough Glock Grenades out on the market as it is.

(Ducking and running).

I.G.B.

 

[CB3]

Responsibility

I had two beautiful, double barreled, cased shotguns stolen from under my bed in an apartment in 1972. Never recovered. Never again.

There are dozens of security safes available that cost about as much as one of the good rifles or shotguns they protect. Some fancy-schmancy 1911's cost far more than a high end safe. A closet with a solid core door, pinned hinges and a deadbolt can slow somone down enough to deter him.

Also, there are numerous fast access safes for loaded guns that protect the weapon both from theft and misuse. These range from about $90-$350.

Considering what many of us spend in a year on guns, ammo, cleaning equipment, accessories, training, range fees, competition fees and expenses, etc., surely there is little excuse for not spending some of that to secure guns from theft and misuse.

A simple alarm/observation system now costs only a few hundred dollars for a home. They can be customized to be convenient and not interfere with normal home activities. Even a dog is an effective deterrent.

In some jurisdictions it is now required to lock up guns and a criminal act if you do not. I do not advocate such government interference, yet I find it difficult to believe that there are gun owners out there today who can justify leaving weapons--loaded weapons even--around their homes unsecured. I believe this is irresponsible, especially if you have a CC permit and can carry at all times.

The idea that a gun of mine might be used to injure or kill someone because I allowed it to be stolen--or worse yet, misused in my own home--is something I choose NOT to live with. I think this constitutes responsible gun ownership--not just hitting what I aim at.

Let 'em have the DVD palyer and some of my tools, but leave our guns alone! What I value, I prevent from being stolen. Also, I value not being in court and held responsible for harming someone else.

For obvious reasons I am not going to detail what I have for security in my home, but suffice it to say that I have spent in excess of $3,000 in the last four years to protect not only our guns, but ourselves, and certain other valuables.

[Stepping down off soapbox. Contrary replies eagerly anticipated.]

CB3

 

[rock jock]

As far as I'm concerned, they should have been put in a jail cell and told they aren't getting out until the gun is recovered.

I have a better idea - start cutting off body parts until they fess up.

 

[beerslurpy]

When I got my 3rd gun I realized I just had too many lying around to be safe and I was running out of places to hide them all. My rationale is that a gun safe wont stop a determined burglar with time on his hands, but it will stop some crackhead or mischeivous neighbor kid from being able to knock out a window or door and find an AK47 a minute later.

Almost every burglarly Ive ever seen was a crime of opportunity. Almost anyone smart enough to crack my safe and steal the tasty filling will be smart enough to see it isnt worth the effort.

 

[glockman]

I was broken into too

I also was recently broken into. Unfortunately the thieves found my power tools first. They used them to open up my gun safe. I have a better safe now and I keep all my drill bits, blades etc in it. They take up a surprisingly small amount of room. I am considering turning off circuit breakers for all my outlets and locking circuit box. Just a thought, only problem would be the fridge.

 

[Kingcreek]

I am a big fan of multi-layered protection.
good doors and locks, good lighting, dogs, quality security alarm system, good safe and an armed homeowner or 2.

 

[Standing Wolf]

It's amazing how quickly stolen guns change hands and how much of it is drug related.

What's amazing? The famous war on some drugs turns up the heat.

 

[KriegHund]

Good luck getting your other possesions back!

Bloody thieves

 

[homeka45]

Here's hoping you get it back in good shape from the police, unmolested and not rusty.

 

[Selfdfenz]

What is truely amazing about burglaries is the way different LE organizations react to them. I know of a department that doesn't even conduct a visit to the residence as long as no one was hurt, a building is left unoccupied and unsecured or unless a very large and valuable amount of stuff was taken. For a job that nets a few thousand dollars they just take the information over the phone and tell the home owner to call their insurance company.

In comparison, a different agency sends out a crime scene person. You would be surprised how many times the bad guys(s) hurt themselves while in the process of robbing a place and leave blood on a broken window etc. They also smoke and eat and drink this or that while doing the job and leave behind caps, gloves and tools. The second department not too surprisingly has had a fair amount of success closing those cases with DNA. Also not surprisingly they close a lot of rape cases based on the burgalies they close.

If you walk into your house and determine it's been burglarized if might make sense to back out and call the police before you goober up the crime scene. If they send someone you can go back in with them and tell them what is missing and look for evidence together. If you see blood, you may be golden.

I know if my place was hit and the department collected blood or a cigarette butt and refused to have it tested I would pay to have it sent off and let the department figure out later what to do about the bad press if we got a hit on a rapist!

Best,

J-

 

[Crownvicman]

Slightly off topic, but what does whether a gun was used in crime or not have to do with the police returning stolen property to it's owner? I can see holding for evidence during a trial, but beyond that, what right do they have to hold onto it? If someone stole my car and used it as a get away vehicle, does that mean the cops get to keep it forever after it is recovered?

 

[JohnKSa]

I would pay to have it sent off

You could probably replace everything that was stolen cheaper.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...what does whether a gun was used in crime or not have to do with the police returning stolen property to it's owner?

In some parts of the country, if a firearm was used in a violent crime, it's destroyed—period. The rightful owner can't claim it. The leftist extremists figure it's a way to punish guns for causing crime, I guess.

 

[sturmruger]

If some law enforcement agency had one of my guns I would call or stop in every day and ask for my property back.

 

[firesafety3]

Good points made here. I do hope the rifle is in decent shape when it is returned. I really never expected to have it returned. To be honest, I was a bit impressed with the way the process worked...this time. I was contacted by the Police Department the same day the gun was recovered.

To be honest, the stolen items weren't the primary concern. The break-in scared the hell out my family. I woke up each morning for the next week to find all of my kids (3) sleeping on the floor around my bed and the bedroom door locked.

I'm going to admit to a big "no no", but just to my friends here. The day of the break-in, my wife and I arrived at home in separate vehicles just after dark. While still in the driveway, my wife asked if I had come home earlier in the day because the garage door was open. I looked and saw that it had been kicked in.

*Now the big no-no!

I grabbed my handgun from the truck and entered the house from the same door that was kicked in. I slowly made my way through each room of the house (most lights were on). As I worked my way through, I noticed things missing and items thrown around. The more I walked, the more pissed I got. There is no doubt that if someone had popped out of a closet or bathroom that I would have fired. I vividly remember thinking "OK. There may be more than one, they may be armed. Don't empty the mag on the first guy."

Luckily, no one was there. Later I realized that more than likely the intruders were my son's age and that would have been a heavy load to bear.

I was prepared to defend my house... but from what??? My family was nice and safe outside and I should have called and had the Sheriff's Department perform the sweep.

I'm sure I'll get blasted a bit from my colleagues here and well deserve it. The adrenaline was pumping but I was in control. Just made a bad decision.

Anyone here ever had to draw on an intruder? Actually fire? Maybe that's another thread.