around 11pm. I was in bed, almost asleep when my three dogs all perked up and started to grumble/growl. Usually when they do this it's something outside or down the street but this time seemed different. I pulled on some pants and then I heard something in my shop. As I'm saying to my wife that there's someone in our place I grabbed my flashlight and tool of choice (in this case an XD).

I live in a 3 level place and my room is on the third level... clearing your place from the top down is not fun. By the time I carefully made my way down to the shop the place was empty and all seemed ok so I chalked it up to something outside...

Fast forward to this morning when I go down to my shop to get some work done and discover that my laptop is missing. Nothing else, just the laptop... I guess they heard the dogs and got out asap.

We've been having trouble with the lock on the door to my shop. I actually got locked out last night and had to come up through the garage with my neighbors whom I was outside talking to. I now think that my door wasn't really locked, just jammed. The locksmith showed me how the lock wasn't working properly and could be unlocked by jiggling the handle. On the same note, if they door was shut hard it would partially lock on it's own so that it not only looked locked but felt like it was too... however, this could have been enough to jiggle it open.

At any rate, new locks, keys, window locks, etc... also looking forward to the video surveillance.

 

sucks, but at least it was only the laptop?

 

Sorry to hear about the laptop. Hopefully your homeowners insurance will cover it?

 

That sucks, Rat, but good to hear you & Mrs. is OK.

Kind of odd though, that the break in just so happened when the lock was malfunctioning. I mean, unless it's sheer coincidence that some random weasel just so happened to stroll along on your block, randomly wiggle the handle and: open sesame.

Seemed as if the person already knew he/she might be able to gain access.

I hope you'd get a clear footage of who the culprit is. It would suck if it's a neighbor (awkward) and not some crackhead.

 

that fking blows. ive been in a bad mood all day because the cocksmokers behind me hopped my fence and stole boards from my fence board pile.

 

^^ ugh.

Time for my own video system. I've been meaning to set one up in my shop and out the window (cars get popped out front from time to time).

SK- it would totally suck if it were a neighbor! I spoke to one of them and he said he had someone check his door last night around that time.

I'm near the Potrero Hill Housing Projects and within the past year a rather large homeless camp has set up under the freeway by the 22nd st. Caltrain Station.

I'm pretty certain it's someone from one of those two places.

Insurance has been great! I have kind of a large deductible though. I never expected something "minor" so I set it up at $500 thinking I'd get cleaned out or there'd be a fire...

I'm just happy that was it and that I didn't actually have to have the confrontation and all that can entail.

 

Not sure if video will really do anything. My buddy in Suisun caught a thief on video surveillance at his home breaking into his car and told the Suisun PD that he had it on video, but they didn't even want it. Just told him they would let him know if they catch the guy. I wasn't too impressed. Maybe others have had better experiences? I guess one thing is you personally would know what the person looked like in case you ran across them again.

 

That blows. You'd think that with that kind of evidence you'd be good.

I'm certain that it's someone from the area. Just not sure who. I am here pretty much all the time and am in my shop a lot. I've been working here for years so I'll probably be able to spot the person responsible... not sure how that will work out.

 

Oh, I still remember where you're at. I was there when you hosted a dent day back in '05 (again, thank you). *One of the two Foresters that showed up.*

You showed me around the shop, and I think we tried to wax out the haze on your then white Suby's rear spoiler (you also showed me the pretty GTi).

Anyhow, when I saw the title and whom the poster was, I was shaking my head. I hate hearing crappy stuff happened to good people.

 

ah yes! I remember that... I think that was the first one I did here!

 

Dont worry i-club can help. We have a fun line of guns for sale!

 

lol

 

sad but good. Sad that some feening idiot had to break in to your house/shop. Good in the other hand that you and your family werent harmed or hurt at all. Heard too many stories where people get tied up and house ran sacked..other stories are worse. Once again glad your all good and get your self a "fierro" lol

 

so... good to know. The buildings security system sucks *****. The images are so grainy that they are basically useless. *shrug*

Next major purchase after something to run my shop on shall be a surveillance system. One that I can check from anywhere on my phone, desktop or... *see below

In other news... renters insurance has kicked in. Of course when I set it up I was thinking in the catastrophic range so my deductible was on the higher side. Something this small is helpful but not great. Better than nothing though!

*So, today I picked up a iPad 2 64GB 3G (verizon) for $912 OTD. Funny thing about it too was that they only had 64GB's available but more are coming in all the time. I was totally content to wait for one at full price (instead of over priced ones from speculators) but they had one at Target so I got it.

Also, got the locks fixed as that was the problem. My lock was acting up but I didn't realize that you could open my door if you "hit" the handle just right. Lame. I also plan on getting a bell above the door that rings every time it's opened... not that I expect this to happen again but I never did in the first place!

 

^^you can get an electronic system that will beep once loudly throughout the house almost like a fire alarm volume when a door is opened..easier to hear from 3rd floor than a little bell

good luck