Unfortunate robbery at friend's house - suggestions?

[el Godfather]

Hi
Last month unfortunate incident happened to a close friend whose house was robbed. He was alone at house with 2 staff members and his son was sleeping in the basement with Ak-47. It happened around 3am. He was watching TV while suddenly he sees his staff members walking straight into his tv lounge, hands tied, and followed by 4 armed men. One with rifle (ak) and 3 with pistols. He had no time to react. They robbed his house with whatever they got their hands on in a rush.

He tells me that: one, he didn't have reaction time to get his gun, and two, he did not want the robbers to go to the basement where his son was sleeping. He presents reasoning that had they gone there the son might have opened fire resulting in having himself killed because they were more in numbers- understandable being a father myself. He kept talking to them and cooperated hoping to get it over with without anyone getting hurt.

The robbers were also in hurry and took stuff they could immediately grab ESPECIALLY his pump action and a 9mm pistol which was in his bedroom.

How do you prepare or handle situation like this? I don't know if he should/could have carried his piece on him all time. I mean how many of us can ALWAYS do that- plus even if he had it, he was taken by surprise with two hostages walking in front of the robbers as somewhat of human shield.

I would appreciate to hear your thoughts.
Thank you.

 

[Torian]

I didn't see it mentioned in your post...but how did the perps gain access to his house?

My uncle, a master jeweler, was robbed at gunpoint in his jewelry store recently. He was really shook up about it (had a gun in his face the entire time). It took him awhile to get over it, and now he just buzzes every one in. Simply put, it will take awhile for him to get over the violation...keep an eye on him.

 

[el Godfather]

He said they came from the adjoining house which they also robbed but had few guys left there as well until this job was done. I don't think he has any alarm or security system installed.


Trojan: I think he is quite shocked as I see lack of confidence in the way he is behaving since. Don't know what I should do to help.

 

[Telekinesis]

That sounds like a very difficult situation to be in. Glad no one got seriously injured or killed.

I think the best answer would be in making the house harder to break into. There's not much you can do once they've gotten to the point of having hostages tied up, but the harder it is for them to gain entry, the more notice and time you will have to figure out what's going on and defend against it.

I would start with hardening the route they used to get in in this instance (you mentioned an adjoining house?) maybe by adding better/stronger locks and doors between the residences. After that I would look for the easiest/most common way for people to get in and start making those less desirable avenues of entry. Remember, you don't have to be fort Knox, you've just gotta be a less appealing target than the other house down the street.

I would recommend he get a monitored alarm system as well as keeping all exterior doors locked, even when he's home. Id also make sure everything was well lit on the exterior. Another thing that is a little less urgent (though is still a good thing to eventually get to) is upgrading the locks. Most looks are incredibly easy to pick, even with little to no practice. Avoid things like Schlage and Kwikset and use the pick resistant locks. Most people breaking in will just kick in the door, but if you find a coordinated group (which it seems like your friend ran into) they might incorporate lock picking if they want a quieter entry.

 

[Sam1911]

Here in the US, one common suggestions is having alert dogs in and around the house who will give you some advance warning that intruders are present. I know that dogs are not looked on favorably in some parts of the world and wouldn't be a welcome part of a household, so I'm not sure if that would work in your area.

Unfortunately, with enough planning and personnel, anyone can be burgled, robbed, or murdered. The best options are probably to keep you public image low-profile enough that you don't interest people who have the means to successfully attack you. If they don't know you have anything they want, they're less likely to try to take it. Again, not all cultures make such modesty with regards to wealth possible. And men or families of stature probably can never be invisible in many places.

Next, making your home as difficult to enter quickly and forcefully and unobserved is a very wise next step. That can mean lots of bright lighting around the outside of the house, secured heavy doors, few entry points, and no easy approaches that allow attackers to remain hidden as they force their way in. Even certain kinds of thorny plants can be grown around property walls to make it difficult for people to approach from unwelcome directions.

It sounds as though the attackers caught the staff off-guard and simply walked in. As unpleasant as it may be, if you are a high-profile target, keeping all doors locked ALWAYS is probably a good idea. That way, no one enters without being known and allowed in. If there is a public part of the home (perhaps a business is run from the home?) then there should only be one passage between the residence and the public space and it should remain locked with a secure door all the time.

These are very cumbersome things to put into action, but if the risk of assault and robbery is this serious, they are probably warranted.

Not very many people here in the US face such risks, almost ever. Those that do learn to keep a low profile, and keep as many physical barriers as they can between themselves and the public.

But if someone's willing to put time, money, and teamwork into cracking your defenses, they'll probably win eventually (some men train their whole careers in just that sort of action). Best to try not to be a target in the first place.

 

[Kleanbore]

I agree with everything Sam said.

Also, some years ago, I concluded that the need to "get to" my gun was not a good one to have. I keep it with me.

 

[Sol]

Sounds like the robbers had some intel before they broke in...

 

[stressed]

Sounds like the robbers had some intel before they broke in...

I agree. It's odd that they carried an AK style rifle into a standard home invasion unless they were expecting to encounter armed resistance... As in you don't bring a pistol or shotgun to a rifle fight. And the fact that they knew right where to go, where the guns were and were in and out quick. I wonder if one of the "staff" that was flexicuffed wasn't in on it.

I always carry a weapon on me, whether it be a little .380 pocket pistol.

 

[Sam1911]

I agree. It's odd that they carried an AK style rifle into a standard home invasion

Possibly not in many parts of the world where the Kalashnikov is the standard firearm of everyone, good and bad -- more common than handguns. (Note, that's what the son had as well.)

I wonder if one of the "staff" that was flexicuffed wasn't in on it.

Certainly possible. An age-old ruse, and one that goes right to my comment about folks having the time and resources being able to crack your defenses. Staff can be "bought." Security doors can be breached. Walls can be scaled. Strategy can be employed. It is impossible to figure every angle and harden your home to the point of impregnablility. About the best you can do is try and keep yourself from seeming like a meaty target for deliberate coordinated attack, while being hardened enough to not be easy pickings for random, low-effort attacks.

Some folks do such a good job of blending in and looking like they're of no value that they never need strong defenses. Other folks like to, need to, or can't help but be seen as a high-value presence. They need strong enough security that attacking them isn't worth the effort, even though the take would be quite valuable. That costs a lot in bother and money. Better to be the "grey man" who never gets noticed.

 

[allaroundhunter]

This sounds right out of a movie or video game... Perhaps getting Sean Connery as a security guard would be the best course of action.

 

[Sam1911]

In some parts of the world the fanciful stuff we put in our video games and movies happens for real.

Sort of like how some cultures wouldn't find "Survivor" all that funny.

 

[WALKERs210]

After a stupid mistake of opening my door around midnight thinking it was my son and it was not. Keep doors locked, double locked and chained, with alarms that are so sensitive that a butterfly can almost set it off. Loud yelping dogs, don't have to be a Bull Mastive or Pitt Bull, a Dachshund will raise enough noise that will make most people back off. My wife and I both have weapons at easy reach, and the understanding that I would rather be shot by one of her rounds as to GIVE in to anyone. In a movie with Tim Allen "Galaxy Quest" their standing quote was "Never Give Up Never Surrender" that is my way of thinking.

 

[MedWheeler]

Having "staff" implies that your friend is quite affluent. In my experience, which includes time in law enforcement, people in "affluent" living environments tend to neglect basic security essentials, such as locking doors and windows. I cannot count the number of burglaries, including those of occupied dwellings, in gated or otherwise-"well-to-do" neighborhoods, in which the offenders simply strolled in through an unlocked door.

I don't know if he should/could have carried his piece on him all time.

I bet he does now.

You say the robbers were "in a hurry" and only grabbed what was readily-available. That implies that they did not have a specific mission, and were apprehensive (scared) about being there too long. My money is on that, if the son had indeed encountered and fired on them, they would have immediately bolted (assuming any of them could), and not stuck around to shoot it out.

The way this ended is not necessarily bad. No one was hurt, and that's the ultimate goal.

 

[Trent]

There is only one way to gain advantage in a gunfight that is coming to YOU.

Advanced notice.

Perimeter security needs to warn you as well as delay intruders so you have time to prepare.

 

[bdickens]

Hi

How do you prepare or handle situation like this? I don't know if he should/could have carried his piece on him all time. I mean how many of us can ALWAYS do that- plus even if he had it, he was taken by surprise with two hostages walking in front of the robbers as somewhat of human shield.

I would appreciate to hear your thoughts.
Thank you.

Um...

locks?

 

[RBid]

As Sam called out right away, loud dogs are a big help. Nobody will get inside without the dogs letting you know somebody is getting close.

The second thing I'd like to call out, though I understand that some folks will disagree:

- I don't believe in staging firearms around the house. All of mine are locked up, except the one I...

- ...carry all of the time, on body.


Early warning + already having the firearm on you = easy to dig in.

 

[Jaymo]

Lhasa Apsos are great alert dogs.
They have a loud bark that sounds like a much larger, meaner dog.
Nobody, and I mean nobody ever got past my Lhasa.
They will buy you precious time.
I'm sorry to hear what happened to your friend.
The world can be a very inhospitable place.

Being the invisible man is a very good thing.
I look as broke as I am.
I'm not a worthwhile target for thieves/muggers/home invaders, and it shows.
I've never been a flashy person. It's just not my nature.
I've spent my entire life being invisible, and happily so.

 

[beatcop]

alarm, driveway chimes, secure inner door to bedroom (install solid door w/beefed frame). All this buys time...time to either call or wait for police, or run/hide/fight.

 

[Texan Scott]

I have very little worth stealing, but as much to protect as any other husband and father. A pair of small dogs and a small handgun on my person inside my locked home at all hours is not difficult or unreasonable.

 

[MedWheeler]

Jaymo writes:

Being the invisible man is a very good thing.
I look as broke as I am.
I'm not a worthwhile target for thieves/muggers/home invaders, and it shows.
I've never been a flashy person. It's just not my nature.
I've spent my entire life being invisible, and happily so.

Generally, this is me, too. But, I'd never take that as "security", as the vast majority of street-attack (mugging) victims, and those of home burglaries, are alo in the same blue-collar-class as am I, especially in my locale.

Even homeless people are frequently victims of theft and robbery. Everybody has at least something someone else might want.

 

[xXxplosive]

why ....some here carry at home too.

 

[RussellC]

why ....some here carry at home too.

Always. Pistol under the covers even when sleeping.

Russellc

 

[Hanzo581]

If he has "staff" he has money. Tell him to get an alarm with monitoring service and make sure his "staff" is trained to keep doors and windows closed and locked.

 

[two gun charlie]

I don't know if he should/could have carried his piece on him all time. I mean how many of us can ALWAYS do that-

Well I do and I believe a quick death is better than getting tortured , humiliated and then murdered , so the sad sob that thinks he can point a gun at me and I will just give up is going to get a horrible surprise

 

[eastbank]

locks and alarms are you friends, use them. i use motion alarms set up on my porch and down stairs and dead bolts that only have a flat plate on the outside of the door and no key(can only be locked and opened from the inside). the alarms are wireless and set off the sound units in the bedroom and living room and have a 20 second delay so i can turn them off when i want. and i have a firearm close by at all times. eastbank.