Gutter Theft
 

Just a heads up....seems that yesterday morning around 5:30AM, someone was walking down the backyards between houses in a part of my street and was taking gutter downspouts. Mom-in-law had one large downspout, probably about 8 or 9 feet, ripped from the connectors and taken. A few other houses along the way had other small aluminum gutter parts taken. A neighbor heard the noise and came over, probably causing whomever it was to take off....carrying or dragging an 8 ft downspout. Sheriff just left after taking a report. Not sure who did this, but they were far from quiet while stealing the aluminum.

If your puppy barks, pay attention. Mom said her birds were making a noise, or so she thought. She yelled at them to be quiet. Probably was the thief.

Now that is pretty disquieting.....

Blueash reported a downspout theft on 9/30/11. Could the perps be selling them for scrap?

I don't know, Carla. Aluminum isn't going for nearly as much as copper....though it's probably easier to remove!

I didn't realize that Blueash had something similar happen.

I think Blue Ash lives up near Lake Sumter like you do Pooh. Does your mom in law live close?

I am not liking this at all. I am looking for my stuff to get those guys. I think PTurner is out of the country..We need to woman up here.

I am kidding...but it ISN'T funny!!!!

She does live near us, Gracie, across the street and a couple of houses down. Her downspout was the only large piece taken....and it was ripped from the straps that hold it to the wall. Someone had suggested an animal, but when the deputy looked, he said it wasn't done by an animal. What coyote, bobcat, gator or even a bear would need gutter parts....unless the beasties are setting up a home somewhere nearby... ;)
We'll have to wait for PT to return then it's time to fill the water pistols and set up watches.

Do we need a posse??? :crap2::crap2::crap2:

"Here I come to save the day...that means that mighty mouse is on the way, yes and when there is a wrong to right, mighty mouse will join the fight...on the sea or on the land, we'll get the situation well in hand!" (remember that one?)...ok, wishful thinking but when I DO get there Gracie, I'll join your posse:crap2:

My husband said the (my) theory of the thieves selling them for scrap was flawed, since they don't weigh anything at all. Well, suppose we'll have to come up with another motive or catch them in the act. I'll take the 12 am to 3 am watch, since by 4:00 a.m. I'm usually sound asleep (until 8:00 a.m.)

Aluminum scrap does have its own value based upon weight. I think your idea that the theft is a result of high scrap value for Aluminum could be a good explanation.

I'm back in The States and ready to beat the crap out of the perp(s). Thank you to all the ladies who are joining the posse. :ho:

Welcome home, Sheriff!

Interesting note....got an e-mail tonight telling us about another person who had a similar situation. They set up cameras, said the e-mail, and discovered it was animals...though no one has said exactly what kind of animal. It would have had to be Godzilla to rip the straps holding the gutter on... ;) Actually, I'm not sure that a raccoon would rip out downspouts...why would they want one. We do have raccoons on the golf course that is across the street from Mom's, but the creatures have not wandered through the yards on the golf course, across the street to where her home is, in the past. Why would they now and why the heck do they need gutters!

Glad you're back. Hope you had a great trip!

Time to kick butt and take names!!! :thumbup:

Bill :)

Did someone actually see a person walking between the houses at around 5:30 am or just hear the noise of downspout being ripped out?

I find it hard to believe an animal - even a raccoon - would do that and take the downspout away.

But scrap aluminium does not have much value and the resale value on used downspouts would be very small.

Got me stumped.

Got us stumped, too. No one actually saw anyone, but a neighbor did hear noise, and for a number of minutes. She wasn't sure what she was hearing so she and her husband got up and looked around. Later in the morning, the gardener was walking around the house with Mom and they found the empty space where the downspout should have been. When the sheriff saw the area, he felt it was taken by a human and not an animal. Sooooo, who knows.