[graciegirl]

Mint.

I am so sorry for you. It is outrageous that you have been invaded in such a blatant way.

Is your home viewable from the back by neighbors? You always wonder how this could happen.

Again I am so sorry and also glad you or your puppies are o.k.

GG

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by Mintjulep

I'm sure they were yapping like mad, being the schnauzers they are.
If only they could talk...

Minty, you mean your schnauzers don't talk??? Yes they probably were yapping like mad, funny they didn't scare the robbers away?
Don't mean to make light of your dilemma but from schnauzer lover to schnauzer lover, I can't imagine they were quiet??

[samhass]

Minty, I'm still shocked that it was you. I hope you will forgive me for putting your email here on totv. I was told to get the word out...and this is a great venue for that.
I am sure you feel very violated. We have to look out for one another and report anything suspicious. It's funny, for the last two days two different groups of 2-3 people have been fishing in the lake behind my house. I don't see a car and have no clue where they are from. Today it was 2 young men. Yesterday it was two men and a young woman. I thought about calling the sheriff because they are not supposed to be there, fishing or not... but if they are honest fishermen, I hate to cause them grief. Suggestions, anyone?

[Mintjulep]

Sam,
Please do call 911 and explain you were told to report anything suspicious because of recent burglaries.
All of the police and detectives told me to spread the word that nothing is too small if it is even the slightest bit odd.
They would rather come investigate, than someone not reporting something that could help them catch these crook(s).
It is an extreme priority between several counties.

The guys fishing could very well be casing your neighborhood and calling an accomplice to tell them they see a couple leave for dinner.
The burglaries always happen between 6 and 9 the detectives said.
They suspect that's what happened to us. Then someone jumped the fence behind us (there's no homes back there). Then after they broke in, they walked the 4 blocks to VT pool where police suspect their accomplice picked them up, because the trail ended there according to the bloodhound.
And they do suspect a young woman (mid twenties) may be part of the ring, which means others may be young.

They also told us to put wooden rods on the slider tracks, so they can't be opened, not metal. They use magnets to raise the metal ones up.

[bestmickey]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but am happy no one (including pups) was harmed. Thanks for sharing the tip on the wood rod. I never would have thought of crooks lifting a metal rod with a magnet. Live and learn.

[punkpup]

WOW!!!!! I would never have thought about the material used to prevent the slider from being opened!!! I have an old wooden dowel in ours because that's what we had around and that's what my parent's have used for eons.

Perhaps it might not be a bad time to consider adding some surveillance cameras and a DVR. They've become incredibly affordable. I was in both BJ's and COSTCO today and saw several options. Up to now I've only had a mild interest in these types of systems mostly because I find the technology fascinating but the fact that this occured while your dogs were at home , what Kathie said about losing her dog after a break in and the fact that I'm home by myself with my dogs has me thinking about this stuff a lot differently now!

[nONIE]

Minty,

i am so sorry this happened to you. What a shock, sure hope they recover your valuables and catch the dirty rotten scoundrels!!

A good tip that someone put out a while back, is to keep your car fab by your bed. If you here something unusual ,press the panic button and your car will start beeping loud enough to attract the neighbors attention., and probably scare off the Robbers.

[KathieI]

Nonie, what a wonderful idea. My neighbors will hear the car alarm if there is a problem. Never thought of that until you mentioned it to me. Thanks good suggestion.

[Mintjulep]

Well, this morning I noticed a young guy, shabbily dressed walking down our street, then walking between and around back of the houses across the street. We called those neighbors. Then another young guy walked up our driveway and was standing in front of our car by the garage.
I called 911, while my husband went out and ask the guy who he was.
He said he was with our lawn service and was checking for high spots in the yard. But was carrying no equipment. Bob said "In our driveway". The guy said ' Oh, I'm sorry' and walked away.
The guys were gone when the police arrived, but I had a given them a very good description of both, so they went looking for them.
Several neighbors also noticed the guys and were watching them.
I hate if I called the police on our lawn service, but I don't feel guilty...
And the police were glad we called...

[chelsea24]

You did the right thing, Minty. You and everyone, please be vigilant and take care. We had a neighborhood watch back in Illinois. I can't see why that can't be started here. It's another deterrent.

I know this is not a true gated community, but doesn't the gates take pictures of all the license plates? Just wondering.

[villages07]

Minty,

Your vigilence is commendable. I am also sorry to hear you have gone through this. As a numbers person, I always tell people the chance of a property crime (burglary, golf cart theft, golf club theft, etc) happening to you here are very miniscule - our numbers are large and the number of incidents is very low .... unless it happens to you.

Just curious.... did Mr Minty ask the guy to name/confirm the landscape company? If he came up with the right company name that might be a little reassuring...if not, danger, danger.

[Cassie325]

If they are indeed checking the house out....and are not the lawn people...then they are very BOLD...walking up and down the street, in between homes, checking things out in the middle of the morning!! We have now installed a padlock on the gate at our Villa. We have instructed any of our renters or family that they are to leave it on!

This is very sad that it happened to you Mint! I am very glad you and your family are safe, but I am so sorry it happened to you.

You did the right thing calling the police this morning! I would have done so as well.

We saw two men hanging out on a golf cart in Alhambra one evening. They were just sitting in it doing nothing near the mail box center. We stopped at the gate and notified the gate guard, who immediately called Community Watch to have them drive around the area. I know they are not the police but they have a direct link to them and can get them if needed.

Might be worth calling them and asking them for some extra patrols in your neighborhood in the next week or so...just to let the burglars know you are watching!!

[sandybill2]

we try to be viligent as well. we rode by our neighborhood pool fairly late one night--saw a black pick up truck in the lot--drove into the lot and parked in front of the mail boxes and watched them for a while. Turned out to be the company that empties trash, etc., but felt that we needed to check it out. Of course, we had our cell phone ready to make a call if necessary.

[BritParrothead]

Never be afraid to call the cops. My husband is a retired Met Police officer(London), and he says if in doubt diall 911.
This is from another forum I am a member of:

On the 23rd December, a young couple arrived to stay at Calabay Parc (on the 27 south) for a few days until the rest of the family arrived. They dumped their luggage in the house as usual and drove to Wal-Mart at Haine's City. As they pulled up at the house after shopping, 2 men went either side of there car and ordered them to hand everything over at gunpoint. They took their passports and at least $2500 in cash plus their luggage etc.

[Mintjulep]

07,
Yes they did identify our lawn service.
But we have only lived in this house since mid-Nov. and haven't had weekly mowings, so didn't recognize the guys.
But it turns out one of the neighbors did recognize them and they were our lawn guys.

The police are doing extra patrols in our area, and our house.