Need advise - burglary of my home

[Nortonics]

I've been extremely pissed for the last 3 days now - here's the story:

Just moved into a beautiful new construction home about 6 months ago. Got away from the Minneapolis, MN metro area after 20 years and moved 30 miles North - one big reason being the crime problem of Murderapolis.

As such, the neighborhood around my new home is full of construction contractors that are building no less than a dozen other custom homes in the vicinity, including the house right next door.

So I go out to may garage last Wednesday and need to use the custom 'Gorilla' ladder that's up against the wall near the garage door - similar to a 'Little Giant' ladder. So what do I find but an empty spot where it used to sit. Are ya getting the idea yet? Yup, some $#%^@# decided that they need my personal property more than I did, and they took it upon themselves to trespass my private property during daylight hours while the garage door was open and my family was at home and steal that ladder. Words alone cannot express how extremely mad I was at that moment, and still am presently.

It's a damn-near gimme' that the person responsible was one of the contractors working right next door that slithered over to my house at an angle where no windows faced that direction in order to remove that rather large 5 ft to 19 ft size ladder that weighs about 50 lbs and quickly throw it into their truck. Certainly nobody walking down the street was going to go unnoticed trying to walk away with such a large item.

Went to the construction foreman that oversees the entire area the next morning to express just incredibly how mad I was, and demanded that he do something about it. Decent guy - been acquainted with him since the time of looking in this neighborhood back 6 months ago. He's sending out letters to all the contracting businesses that he deals with detailing the issue. Other than that, there's not a whole lot more he can do. I also went on to let him know that he'd best talk to all his contractors that they best not even set one foot onto my property in any fashion as my warning has been provided, and that if anybody would like to go against that and I witness it I will personally be all over the individual(s) and they will be leaving the site in an Ambulance. Further, I warned that if I catch anybody underneath the roof of my home, be it in the garage or otherwise, they could very possibly have about a 50/50 chance of taking a .45 right between the eyes - God help them if they so much are carrying a hammer or some other tool in their hand if I catch them under my roof.

At this stage I could care-a-less about the value of the stolen property. More-so, I want the ass of whomever did this, and I want them BAD - REALLY BAD.

So I'm sitting there stewing over what I might be able to do, rather than just sitting on my thumbs and falling over dead. Obviously the Police took my report, and I'm just about certain that strategy won't produce jack for results.

One thing I determined that might be useful is to pit contractors against contractors. As such I've written up a single page notice that details a reward for information resulting in the identification and conviction of the person responsible - a $1000 reward, of which I'm fully prepared to pay, and would be extremely happy to do so if someone can hand me the info needed. Just walked around yesterday to all the contractors on the job sites in the area and passed these out. And let me tell ya, each and every one of the guys I spoke with understands just how pissed I am, and just how far I'll go to find the person responsible. They looked at me and could see the fire in my eyes - I could tell because in every instance they all took a step back and realized that I'm so pissed about the matter that they don't want to be crossing my path in any way that could put them in the reticule of my sights. I figure that $1000 is enough money to entertain a contractor to narc on fellow contractor - I'd love for that to happen. Even figured out a way that they could narc 'em out without even having to identify their-selves.

Today I'm planning to place these ads in mailboxes of all the neighbors in the vicinity as well, for a couple of reasons. One, to inform them of the problem so that they can take appropriate action so that they hopefully won't have to go through the same thing. Two, so that maybe they'll put additional pressure on the National Construction Company responsible for this site to do something more to keep them protected from the contractors they send to this job site.

It goes without saying that this issue has increased my blood pressure to new heights. How dare some schmuck invade my house, especially when people are in it, including my wife and two young sons.

I may never find conclusion to this issue, but at least I'm doing more than nothing. And regardless, I'm sure I'll get over it, but I can't help but feel some real genuine anger over having to put up with this kind of crap after all I've done to get away from such problems. I'm certain that once all the construction is complete within the next 6 months and all the contractors are gone the chances of issues like this happening again in this neck of the woods will be extremely unlikely. And I must also say that I'm sure that 95% of these guys are truly excellent people, employees and workers - unfortunately the 5% just tarnished the reputation of everybody though.

So gimme' your take on the issue. I'm sure I'll be hearing some responses about how to cool my jets before I get myself into trouble, and that's just fine - maybe I need to. Just be sure you fully put yourself into my shoes when you think what you'd do, or do differently. Maybe this is more of a rant post, to help me get it out of my system with the aid writing out my thoughts and receiving some constructive criticism.

Thanks for listening...

 

[gm]

I would get another one and send the bill to the guy in charge.you cant actually prove they took the ladder but it would certainly seemly very likly someone took the ladder to use on the job. garden variety thieves arent going to steal a heavy ladder because its too much work to lift and carry it, kinda odd carrying it if it wasnt something they used everyday and wasnt noticed.

1.
until the contractors start to finish elsewhere, id lock and permanently mark all your tools and equipment.itll help you ID them should they end up missing as well.

2.

set a trap if you wish.bait it with some tools and the likly culprits might return for a second helping.just dont make it obvious that just anyone can know you have the tools.cameras or just wait for them.

 

[AndyC]

I know the feeling - I got cleaned out in a burglary a few years back (and I mean cleaned out as in everything - including my toothbrush, razor - even the soap in the dish). I can and did replace most of the stuff eventually, but what irked me was that they took my entire photograph collection - my entire life in photographs, including my military pics - all kept in manila envelopes in a gym-bag that they obviously used to help them carry out some of the stuff.

My photos were the items that had no value to them, but of course were the most valuable, irreplaceable stuff that I owned. Every picture I take nowadays is scanned and burned onto DVD and copied again once the DVD is full. Oh, I do have 1 picture left of a DC-3 Dakota (hit by a SAM7) from my military days - and only because I'd loaned it to a buddy to copy 3 days before.

I'm still so enraged by it I'd happily take a drill to the person's kneecaps if I could find them

 

[JJohnston015]

You really want my take? I've had cars stolen and stripped. No resolution. I'd say you got off easy - you learned your lesson a lot cheaper. No sympathy from me. Keep your garage closed unless you're in it.

 

[deadin]

Not to say you shouldn't be pissed, but it sounds to me like you are getting fixated and are over-reacting just a tad. What are you going to do if you have an actual break-in and are cleaned out. (guns, jewery, computers, etc.)
Just have a stroke and get it over with?
Talking to the general contractor is a good step. Offering a reward is good (however I think $1000 may be a bit stiff.)
Working yourself into a frenzy of righteous vindictiveness is not good.
Have you thought through what you are going to do if you catch the thief?
Turn him over to the law? Petty theft probably won't get much of their attention.
Beat the crap out of him? He may be bigger and younger than you, or if you succeed, you may be standing in front of the "The Man".
Pull a gun on him? Let's not even go there.

I would say you have done about all a reasonable person can do. Take it as a lesson that nowhere is really "safe", take some normal precautions and move on.
(Unless you want to live in a fortress. Then it's time for chainlink, razorwire, perimeter alarms and pitbulls. )

Dean

 

[dm1333]

In my opinion, and remember that this is my opinion, you are way too mad about this. Work with the contractor, but is the loss of a ladder worth how much anger you seem to be feeling? I was the victim of a smash and grab a few months ago, lost a cell phone, a brand new set of binoculars that I had bought that day, and a shotgun. It pissed me off, but since there was nothing I could do I decided to let all the anger go instead of feeding it. A week later I got a phone call from a police department 50 miles away letting me know that they had recovered my shotgun and once the gangbangers went to court I could come pick it up. I think you should step back and look at what really happened because it doesn't seem all that bad.

 

[Oldtimer]

Calm down! You aren't going to like this!

#1: While it SEEMS obvious as to who MIGHT have taken your ladder, there are SEVERAL "suspects".

#2: Whoever took your ladder was an "opportunist", and YOU gave them the opportunity! Your ladder was a temptation, and YOU had your garage door unlocked and open for all to see!

#3: The police have conducted their investigation to a certain extent, and they aren't going to send detectives, SWAT, K-9 handlers and helicopters to try to solve the crime.

#4: Your "Gorilla" ladder isn't THAT uncommon, and I doubt if you had marked it in any way to show that it belonged to you. It MAY have already been sold at a local swap meet! Even IF you were to spot YOUR ladder, that MAY not mean that the person in possession of it was the "opportunist" that stole it!

#5: Your contractor "friend" has NO obligation to you in the way of restitution! It was nice of him to say that he will spread the word, but you can't hold him accountable for the theft.

#6: EXCELLENT idea to let your neighbors know what happened. THEIR ladders will, most likely, not grow legs and walk out of THEIR garages.

#7: Hey, how much did that "Gorilla" ladder cost you? Can't it be replaced? Think realistically before putting a .45 caliber hole in someones head just because they were opportunistic! Bear at least SOME of the guilt for what happened! What if it turns out that a couple of 10-year old neighbor kidss stole your ladder and it's now stashed in their tree house or backyard "fort"? HMM!

Your dilemma is more like a LESSON LEARNED, in my opinion....and it could have been worse! Just don't fight fire WITH fire!

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I also went on to let him know that he'd best talk to all his contractors that they best not even set one foot onto my property in any fashion as my warning has been provided, and that if anybody would like to go against that and I witness it I will personally be all over the individual(s) and they will be leaving the site in an Ambulance. Further, I warned that if I catch anybody underneath the roof of my home, be it in the garage or otherwise, they could very possibly have about a 50/50 chance of taking a .45 right between the eyes - God help them if they so much are carrying a hammer or some other tool in their hand if I catch them under my roof.

Excellent strategy. You have now publicly made threats that will undoubtedly come back to bite you in the rump if you actually DO catch someone stealing something else. You had best hope and pray that you never, ever need to use a gun in self defense around anyone who might have knowledge of your threats.

 

[jobu07]

Today I'm planning to place these ads in mailboxes of all the neighbors in the vicinity as well, for a couple of reasons.

Be careful about that. It's illegal for anyone buy a mailman to put anything into a mailbox. My suggestion, put in their newspaper box, if they have one. Or personally hand it to them.

No sense in letting someone who's having a bad day have a reason to take it out on you if you get my drift.

 

[Zen21Tao]

Leave you garage open and accessible but put out some type of hidden trap (bear trap, hinged ply wood with nails, etc.) to serve as a nice surprise for the thief.

 

[Topgun]

I think Cabela's has a "garage seat" that clamps to the rafters and Realtree makes a suit that looks like rafters. So..... get another Gorilla "deke" and.............

 

[Topgun]

In the new neighborhood we moved into when first married, I had a spare tire thief. 2 successive weekends. Off the Chevy pickup with the spare tire carrier. Dog barked but I was too late in jumpin outta bed.
3rd week I taped a double edge razor blade to the big wingnut on the carrier. Dog barked, tires squealed......no one around. Next day blood all over the street.
No more tires gone.

(This was in 1961 before they would get lawyers to sue ME)

 

[2400]

(1) Further, I warned that if I catch anybody underneath the roof of my home, be it in the garage or otherwise, they could very possibly have about a 50/50 chance of taking a .45 right between the eyes - God help them if they so much are carrying a hammer or some other tool in their hand if I catch them under my roof.
(2)They looked at me and could see the fire in my eyes - I could tell because in every instance they all took a step back and realized that I'm so pissed about the matter that they don't want to be crossing my path in any way that could put them in the reticule of my sights.
(3) maybe they'll put additional pressure on the National Construction Company responsible for this site to do something more to keep them protected from the contractors they send to this job site
(4)Just be sure you fully put yourself into my shoes when you think what you'd do, or do differently.

(1) Threats of deadly force......
(2) Maybe the the reason they "stepped back" was they thought you were a raving lunatic and didn't like the implied threat of deadly force.
(3) Since you weren't "responsible" enough to shut your garage door why are the contractors and sub contractors "responsible" for protecting your property?
(4) I've been in your shoes. I talked to the foreman about the stuff missing, called the cops and filed a report, then Ilet it go.

 

[Sportcat]

Keep us posted.

 

[Waitone]

The issue ain't the ladder.

The issue is building a custom house in the wood of norther Minnesota for the expressed purpose of fleeing that same nonsense only to find it was in the woods also. He didn't have to go to the trouble and expense of moving just to get property stolen. He could have stayed put for a lot less and had the same pleasure. BTDT only mine was a stolen generator.

 

[dakotasin]

no! why should he bear any of the guilt??? he left his garage doors open. big deal! that does not make it ok for someone unkown to go onto his property and take his stuff.

i agree w/ the cooling down stuff... need to cool down. however, if it is the principle of the matter more than monetary - which it would be w/ me and seems to be here - pursue it. use the reward, let the police know you found the person, and then pursue getting the guilty party fired. warn everybody about the contractor's inability to hire honest hard workers... etc.

 

[dracphelan]

Unfortunately, this is all to common in new construction. Sometimes a member (or members) of construction crews will walk off with anything nearby that takes their fancy. Then, you have the problem of new appliances, HVAC equipment and other construction supplies being stolen when contractors are off site. It is a huge problem in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

 

[CraigJS]

Hope that you never shoot anyone in your garage. Your statment to the construction guy that you'd possibly pop someone between the eyes could come back and bite you in the fanny! Keep your doors closed, mark your stuff with paint or what ever, make it easy for you or the LEO's to ID. I know its a pain in the ***, but thats the world we live in..

 

[sm]

Others covered pertinet points.

I want to address other thoughts.

Wife and I built a new home, new platt, other new construction going on as well in various degrees of completion.

Only the Framer [main person with Construction and Realty Company] new anything about Wife, Me or Stepson. Granted pretty easy to figure where stepson attended school and his hours...Wife and I , never revealed anything.
We were liable to pop up at anytime to see progress, take pics, etc.

All the homes had the same Auto Garage Key Code, Same set of Locks with Master keys. No matter whom came to do what, once doors put on, then later garage door, anyone from Framer to Electrician to Plumber to Drywall...could access the house to do what their job was.

Just how it is done, simple and various folks can access as needed.

Code inspections done, carpet installed last, We go to sign papers.
Code said we have to have a turn-key on back kitchen door, Fire Code to allow folks to exit.

As soon as the house was ours, and that last inspection done with us in it...

Off came the locks and installed new beefier custom locks that fit into beefier metal [Framer kinda figured why I had that done...]. Deadbolts had longer throws, and deadbolt on kitchen door.

Kitchen Door:
Granted someone would have to climb over 8' wooden fence, or pick the custom lock on the double gate to enter back yard...Extra key for that all metal back door with custom , 3 ply glass. Key left in lock if we were home, at night put in a spot easy to get. We all three, even the stepson, kept a key on person at all times.

Yes we did fire drills and other drill...wake a stepson to do this, and he gets a bit cranky...

Nobody ever got locked out, and nobody ever walked into house while doors unlocked and out back, working in yard...never. You outside, you lock door behind you. Custom Keyed Window locks, and , I also had a new Code programmed for Auto Garage and Keypad.

FWIW the default keypad code is 1, 3, 5, 7, in case you want to return your neighbor's hedge trimmers you borrowed.

Pre- Wired for various things, including extra stuff for when Technologies came about...meaning the alarm was not the one everyone else had as came with these contructions, again had a guy I trusted, do this.

Now a block party was held for us , whether moved in or not...near complete or just laying ground...all invited. I had a LEO buddy come speak, and with Poloraids, visit about security stuff [wonder why my wife elbowed and grinned at me].

#1 big thing? Everyone left garage doors up.

LEO :
"Jones, how do you like that Snapper mower?"
"Smith, nice fiberglass ladder, may need to borrow that for some electrical work.
"____ , my kid had a bike like that when younger"
"____, Nice 9.9 boat motor, got a boat for it?.

Down the line he went , tossing folks pics of their open garage doors...
Funny how after that party, gargage doors stayed closed.

We addressed other matters too...

Garage doors to me are a GREAT Security and Privacy tool, especially for single women, and the elderly. One can get into safety, and away from danger/ not be vulnerable to danger.
Nobody can tell if you are home, or not , folks get cased at to when they leave for work and return.

Explains why a lady is raped coming back from taking a kid to school, rapist just waits in the garage. I was on such a case, she and hubby just left garage up all the time...

Now my kitchen door leading from Gargage was solid metal and had the special locks too, as mentioned. There were panic buttons handy around the garage, house and even the exterior around back...if you knew what these were.

My background and life was full of Pros that burgled, and other nasty fun filled crimes...My utilities were underground, I liked that having had Pros bypass alarms before. The main alarm was interior, a BG was not going to bypass this house set up. He would have to dig up front yard, to access, or my neighbors front yard where box was, he was retired Sheriff's Deputy...he and I kept tabs on anyone , anything.
Our chimney was custom and different too...lights and audible alarms , just folks thought we a great custom chimney and accented the roof, brick, and siding...*grin*

Biggest thing I note in security, folks do not use what they have. I view how I am going to look to a BG and how I would gain access to me, mine, and everything.

Mom got by with a manual single car garage door for too many years; she is the only one in her neighborhood to have a garage. Now with Keypad and remote access. She can get into safety, and take as long as need to unload groceries. Mom is 76 and does not walk well, "easy prey", so I make life difficult for predators best can for her.

Quick count says 5 folks have been attacked in driveways around her near neighborhood.

Think like a thief.

 

[Janitor]

Your ladder was a temptation, and YOU had your garage door unlocked and open for all to see!

"While my clients advances were verbally refused, the purported victim had on a low cut blouse and a short skirt. I ask you gentlemen and ladies of the jury - just who is the vitim here?"

The OP should be able to leave his ladder in the front yard if he so chooses. It does not make him an accomplice if somebody else comes onto his property and steals from him.

To the OP - Take a deep, cleansing breath.

/j

 

[lowracer]

You left the place where Murder is the number one crime...

You left the place where Murder is the number one crime, and moved to the place where the number one crime is people stealing stuff out of open garages.

Welcome to the suburbs!

While in the 'burbs, keep your garage door closed and locked. This forces the thieves to go next door to your neighbor's garage, which is almost always open. I used to live in a very well-to-do neighborhood in the suburbs of Austin. What was the number one threat there? Lawn equipment stolen from open garages. I read about it every month in the local paper police beat. Easy fix. Push that little button on the garage door control as you enter the house. Cheap and easy and foils 'em every time.

You might also wish to consult your doctor about this. Take a printout of your post. IMHO, your death-threat reaction to a stolen $300 ladder is completely over the top. I'm not kidding or being smart-ass about this. Put the gun down and go see your doctor now. You're gonna blow a gasket if you don't get help. Seriously, let us know how it works out.

 

[Nortonics]

Thanks for all the comments so far folks. I can hardly believe it but I feel much better already just reading some of your thoughts, especially those whom have gone through similar experiences. Yes, I did need to calm down, and over the past day that's exactly what I've done.

Now I'll try to clean up a few loose ends and will comment on a couple of the ideas presented so far though that are a bit off-kilter or simply don't apply, as there are a few out there attempting to ad-lib what's been presented so far.

Warnings or threats - I don't really know if there is a real difference between the two in this case. Preferably I'd rather call it a warning, as that's exactly what it is/was. I can't speak for other States, but I can tell you with all certainty that in the State of Minnesota if a intruder enters ones home, the homeowner has a 100% legal right to use deadly force against such intruder, regardless of whether the perpetrator clearly presents imminent danger to life and limb or not. Outside of the home it's a whole 'nother story, but within the premises of the 'castle', a intruder has no rights what-so-ever. Same thing if I wake up in the middle of the night because a window just got bashed in and someones in the house, I can start shooting, flailing the Louisville, go hand to hand with edged weapons, whatever I please. The law states it, and I'm protected by that law. So, long story short, anybody wants to just 'walk on in', they're taking their lives into their own hands. And really though, I'm not about to kill someone for being in my garage that's not supposed to be there and not presenting imminent danger to me or my family's life, as the last thing I need to live with is the conscious I took another's life for such a petty issue, or for any issue for that matter. But, if that person is holding a hammer and takes a step toward me while under my roof, they will be dropped where they stand unfortunately. A warning - so that the numb-nut that ain't thinking too straight to begin with might be able to save their own life. And really, if it's so illegal to say that, then why didn't the officer whom I filed the report with and told the exact same thing to take me on down to the precinct and book me in? Instead he told me exactly what I knew he'd tell me - "be careful with those type of actions". Generally speaking, the law around these parts believe that CCW and the rights it affords law abiding citizens is a good thing, not bad. If the laws are different in your State, that's not my issue.

The thought that I'm somehow at fault for leaving my door open and allowing my property to sprout legs. I haven't an idea where that comes from. I can leave my house wide open, with thousand dollar bills covering my lawn and it's still my personal property that I own, and nobody has the right to trespass to even pick up one bill. True, it would be pretty stupid to invite trouble by leaving things laying around waiting for someone to take a chance at it, but regardless if someone feels the need to cross that line it's them that's at fault, not me, and as such they burden themselves with the consequences. Again, I can't say what other States say about this, but here, that's the way the law is, and it's a good thing.

Concerning the construction company's responsibilities to keep me safe from their contractors. Damn straight they have a duty to - they hired the people to work around homeowners personal property and dwellings. Don't know what other National construction firms dictate of their people and what constitutes appropriate action, but in this case if one of their workers gets nailed for illegal actions against a homeowner or homeowners property while on the job, the homeowner has all the right in the World to not only go after the individual, but also the company the individual was employed by, and that's the last thing they want to happen. They have all sorts of requisites in place as to what can and can't do while on a job site by their employees and contractors. Yes, they are responsible for their employees and contractors actions that they've hired to be on the job site.

And FYI - the garage door normally remains closed, but yes, it's open from time to time for assorted purposes. This is not an issue of leaving the garage door open all the time to invite unwanted guests. The point being, there's no telling if that purpetrator would just continue right through the garage and into the house, or through the front door right into the house, or break through the glass to open the front door and walk right on in. If anybody thinks that someone can't get into their house because they barricaded themselves in, you're dreaming. Sure, might stop some, maybe stall others, but unless your house is built entirely of brick, has no windows and the front door resembles a bank vault door, you're just kidding yourself.

Rather I'm keeping the sidearm attached, as I always have. It's not so much fear for my safety on this particular issue, rather I fear more for their safety, as they obviously don't know what they can legally get themselves into.

 

[Capital Punishment]

I've been extremely pissed for the last 3 days now - here's the story:

Just moved into a beautiful new construction home about 6 months ago. Got away from the Minneapolis, MN metro area after 20 years and moved 30 miles North - one big reason being the crime problem of Murderapolis.

As such, the neighborhood around my new home is full of construction contractors that are building no less than a dozen other custom homes in the vicinity, including the house right next door.

So I go out to may garage last Wednesday and need to use the custom 'Gorilla' ladder that's up against the wall near the garage door - similar to a 'Little Giant' ladder. So what do I find but an empty spot where it used to sit. Are ya getting the idea yet? Yup, some $#%^@# decided that they need my personal property more than I did, and they took it upon themselves to trespass my private property during daylight hours while the garage door was open and my family was at home and steal that ladder. Words alone cannot express how extremely mad I was at that moment, and still am presently.

It's a damn-near gimme' that the person responsible was one of the contractors working right next door that slithered over to my house at an angle where no windows faced that direction in order to remove that rather large 5 ft to 19 ft size ladder that weighs about 50 lbs and quickly throw it into their truck. Certainly nobody walking down the street was going to go unnoticed trying to walk away with such a large item.

Went to the construction foreman that oversees the entire area the next morning to express just incredibly how mad I was, and demanded that he do something about it. Decent guy - been acquainted with him since the time of looking in this neighborhood back 6 months ago. He's sending out letters to all the contracting businesses that he deals with detailing the issue. Other than that, there's not a whole lot more he can do. I also went on to let him know that he'd best talk to all his contractors that they best not even set one foot onto my property in any fashion as my warning has been provided, and that if anybody would like to go against that and I witness it I will personally be all over the individual(s) and they will be leaving the site in an Ambulance. Further, I warned that if I catch anybody underneath the roof of my home, be it in the garage or otherwise, they could very possibly have about a 50/50 chance of taking a .45 right between the eyes - God help them if they so much are carrying a hammer or some other tool in their hand if I catch them under my roof.

At this stage I could care-a-less about the value of the stolen property. More-so, I want the ass of whomever did this, and I want them BAD - REALLY BAD.

So I'm sitting there stewing over what I might be able to do, rather than just sitting on my thumbs and falling over dead. Obviously the Police took my report, and I'm just about certain that strategy won't produce jack for results.

One thing I determined that might be useful is to pit contractors against contractors. As such I've written up a single page notice that details a reward for information resulting in the identification and conviction of the person responsible - a $1000 reward, of which I'm fully prepared to pay, and would be extremely happy to do so if someone can hand me the info needed. Just walked around yesterday to all the contractors on the job sites in the area and passed these out. And let me tell ya, each and every one of the guys I spoke with understands just how pissed I am, and just how far I'll go to find the person responsible. They looked at me and could see the fire in my eyes - I could tell because in every instance they all took a step back and realized that I'm so pissed about the matter that they don't want to be crossing my path in any way that could put them in the reticule of my sights. I figure that $1000 is enough money to entertain a contractor to narc on fellow contractor - I'd love for that to happen. Even figured out a way that they could narc 'em out without even having to identify their-selves.

Today I'm planning to place these ads in mailboxes of all the neighbors in the vicinity as well, for a couple of reasons. One, to inform them of the problem so that they can take appropriate action so that they hopefully won't have to go through the same thing. Two, so that maybe they'll put additional pressure on the National Construction Company responsible for this site to do something more to keep them protected from the contractors they send to this job site.

It goes without saying that this issue has increased my blood pressure to new heights. How dare some schmuck invade my house, especially when people are in it, including my wife and two young sons.

I may never find conclusion to this issue, but at least I'm doing more than nothing. And regardless, I'm sure I'll get over it, but I can't help but feel some real genuine anger over having to put up with this kind of crap after all I've done to get away from such problems. I'm certain that once all the construction is complete within the next 6 months and all the contractors are gone the chances of issues like this happening again in this neck of the woods will be extremely unlikely. And I must also say that I'm sure that 95% of these guys are truly excellent people, employees and workers - unfortunately the 5% just tarnished the reputation of everybody though.

So gimme' your take on the issue. I'm sure I'll be hearing some responses about how to cool my jets before I get myself into trouble, and that's just fine - maybe I need to. Just be sure you fully put yourself into my shoes when you think what you'd do, or do differently. Maybe this is more of a rant post, to help me get it out of my system with the aid writing out my thoughts and receiving some constructive criticism.

Thanks for listening...

Dont listen to anyone that would tell you youre over-reacting.

Lets think about it: What did you do to obtain that ladder? You paid cash. How did you get that cash? You worked for it. What happens when you work? You trade a piece of your life that you will never get back for money to buy nice things.

Essentially, some scum just stole a part of your life that you will never get back. And that, in my eyes, is grounds for being shot.

With that in mind, I think you did a couple of smart things.
1. Offering reward money to the contractors. You never know who could narc on a fellow co-worker. If I had the funds, I would even go higher than $1000, but thats just me.
2. Letting your neighbors know of the theft. Not only is there the slight chance someone might have saw something unusual in the neighborhood at the time of the theft, they will also pay more attention to whats going on in the neighborhood if theyre good neighbors, which could prevent further thefts. Not to mention itll give your neighbors a heads up that there is/are theives in the area and to watch their stuff.

If you really have time, you could do the 'bait' idea. Set up a nice piece of equipment where it will be noticed by people. Set up a camera if possible for evidence purposes, should you catch someone. If you do catch someone, I wouldnt approach him. I would immediately call the police, and since you suspect that they got away in a vehicle, i would inconspicuously follow them until police can pull him over.
You definitely would not want to approach him and do something that would put you in court/jail/worse. Unless your state justifies the use of deadly force to protect property. Even then thats a tough call to make.

People should not have to worry about some scum violating their property and stealing their shi*. Thats rediculous.

 

[rayra]

I'm not condoning the criminal's actions in any way, but keep your garage closed. Tag your goods with an engraving tool or paint. Some cameras or alarms might be in order, as well.
And most of all - last time I moved into a new home, the General contractor handed me a loop of wire with no less than 14keys to my home on it. I had a locksmith there within 48hrs to re-key all of my locks.

Quit stewing about the violations of your rights and take some action / precautions.

 

[meef]

Leave you garage open and accessible but put out some type of hidden trap (bear trap, hinged ply wood with nails, etc.) to serve as a nice surprise for the thief.

Hoooo yeah, that's the ticket!



And after you've nicely surprised the damn thief, you can later on sit in your cell and ponder that fact that the court awarded him ALL of your possessions....

Of course, your pondering will only be done in between the times Bubba's affectionately making you his bunkie.

Next suggestion please......