topic My Neighbors Got Robbed in Community Chat

My Neighbors Got Robbed

Apple Head — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 03:11:10 GMT

I knew it would happen. New neighbors moved in. They constantly leave their blinds open day and night. They have very expensive electronic equipment that is in plain sight that you can easily see by just walking by their home. Many of thought they like to show off all their valuables.

I would say you are less than 20 ft from their living room window when you are looking at their house. It's a townhome complex with low walls.

Well, apparently, while they were out, someone or more broke in and took everything that was observed through their open blinds. They lost a huge screen TV, stereo equipment, expensive vases, their entire music collection, and more. The police think someone or more drove up in a van, and were able to jimmy open the garage door. The door to the house inside the garage was open (never a wise thing to leave unlocked). There was no real forced entry other than the garage door.

They think they loaded up a van or truck and drove off. I asked one of the officers if leaving their blinds open when they were home and gone with full view into their home could have been the reason. The officer said whoever did this could have easily been outside the home numerous times taking inventory. The irony is they took only items that were in full view. The back bedrooms weren't even touched.

It's just a word of caution. Keep your blinds closed when you are gone and don't leave them wide open at night with the lights on when you are even there. The officer said, lights on in a home at night with the blinds open give off a mirror effect from inside. He said people inside their home see a reflection of themselves in the open window and wouldn't see someone looking into their home. I tried that tonight and sure enough, if I open my blinds with a lamp on in my living room, I can only see me, outside is just dark. I wouldn't be able to see anyone peeking into my windows from 20 ft away.

The police told our HOA boss to make sure in any future communications with homeowners to stress the importance of closing blinds and not inviting crime into the complex.

Word to the wise.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

151949 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 03:32:27 GMT

So all the neighbors have easily observed what was in the house by looking in the windows because the houses are so close together, but when crooks were breaking in and walking out with all their possessions no one saw any of that.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

HappyDaze — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 03:41:33 GMT

@151949 wrote:
So all the neighbors have easily observed what was in the house by looking in the windows because the houses are so close together, but when crooks were breaking in and walking out with all their possessions no one saw any of that.

or carrying out large screen tvs, large vases, and a variety of other apparently large items...

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

homedecor1 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 04:06:48 GMT

@151949 wrote:
So all the neighbors have easily observed what was in the house by looking in the windows because the houses are so close together, but when crooks were breaking in and walking out with all their possessions no one saw any of that.

151949: it's possible! True story (Pasco County, FL)

many homes in our area (inc. over 55 communities) in this area were robbed. HOW you ask?

They broke in thru the back of the house then went directly to the garage if there was NO car in the garage, they opened it and they pulled their vehicle in and closed door. They proceeded to rob home (only items of value) and opened garage and pulled car out and left.

Obviously no neighbors thought anything of it (who have been caught) were not in plain sight and no suspicious vehicle, etc. were seen! Oh to have the mind of a criminal ! Here's the article

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

PamfromCT — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 03:59:33 GMT

We've had a home security system for years. While nothing is perfect, it goes a long way in keeping your family and property safe.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

Apple Head — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 04:56:26 GMT

Well, at the wee hours of the morning, most of the neighbors are sleeping like in most neighborhoods.

No one is looking in their windows on purpose. My mailbox is right across from their house. I can't help but see right into their home. I'm not standing there staring.

It does happen, because 5 months prior, another neighbor 3 doors down from them had their car stolen from the door that leads into the garage on the outside.

Sophisticated criminals stake out people's homes.

These people were foolish and obviously didn't even have an alarm system.

I wanted to make others aware. My mistake I guess thinking it would be appreciated instead being treated like a voyeur.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

Drythe — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 05:28:23 GMT

Thanks for the reminder. No point letting people know what's going on in your home unless you invite them in.

Too bad no one saw the heist, but hey, guess that's what professional thieves do.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

Desertdi — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 06:33:33 GMT

The burglars around here are using children to crawl thru the doggie door and then open the garage or front door for the crooks to gain entry.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

fourpaws56 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 08:20:44 GMT

My neighbor was attacked by a bear on his front porch,yep,it made the paper!

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

fourpaws56 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 08:22:15 GMT

Oh,forgot to add, no crime here,everyone has guns!

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

hckynutjohn — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 08:59:48 GMT

In many neighborhoods the best protection can be "neighbors watching out for neighbors". In our area there are few homes as all of us have an acreage, and the road "in" is also the "only road out".

The few neighbors we do do have, we know their vehicles and they know ours. It is very easy to see a vehicle thatvdoes not belong here, especially one that is hauling big items out of their homes.

Nobody knows my schedule. I don't even know it most of the time. Won't say we will never be burglarized, but the perps might run into more than they bargained if I am home.

To the OP. Was this a burglery or a robbery? My apartment was burglarized many years ago and all of my electronics were taken. Not a good feeling for sure.

Thank you for putting up this PSA.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

PINKdogWOOD — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:18:21 GMT

We live north of the heavy campus neighborhood among still A LOT of college kids moving in and out of apartments/homes/doubles. We also have alleys up and down the streets. I'm home all the time and watch 'people' drive up and down the alleys in beat up van, trucks, old cars all the time in search of stuff to steal - and they do believe me.

I'll see old pickups FULL of stuff they've lifted from yards, garages all the time. I'll yell out to them if I'm out in my backyard. I've caught guys toting all sorts of belongings from my neighbor's yard. The driver sits behind the wheel while two guys had the grill in the their hands getting ready to walk out of the yard with it. They saw me watching them, freaked out, dropped the grill, hopped in the truch and high tail it down the alley. The stuff they already had from other yards was amazing!

Our alley neighbor behind our house had his a/c stolen twice! Hard wires cut, and away it went, his lawnmower too once.

I told the new neighbors right next door to us to be careful. I see now my words have fallen on deaf ears because I see they never close their garage door. Yeah, won't be long before the landlord's two ladders disappear. The guys who lived there prior to these kids had his vehicle's 3 of 4 windows broken but lucky for him nothing seemed to be taken.

It's dangerous out there. If you do not take up for yourself, someone is always lurking to steal your stuff.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

AuntG — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:25:18 GMT

I'm more surprised by the fact that a truck was loaded up with the stolen items and no one saw it happening. I certainly don't keep my blinds closed at night unless I'm walking around in my jammies.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

CrazyDaisy — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:32:14 GMT

I have no intention of living in a cave. I often have both the windows and drapes open all night. The dogs know when someone may be outside the window, they don't stay long

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

maestra — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:03:20 GMT

Thanks for posting this. My sugesstion: get a dog, either large and in charge, or with a big bark!

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

Say Nay — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:40:58 GMT

With the size of the items stolen I'm a bit surprised none of the neighbors noticed the burglary.

Some so-called moving companies hire people off of the street. Search online and there are many complaints of burglaries that occur after the movers finish their work. Beware of who you hire to move you.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

silkyk — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:39:20 GMT

@maestra wrote:
Thanks for posting this. My sugesstion: get a dog, either large and in charge, or with a big bark!

Even little fellas will do! One night we heard some kids out in our yard so I yelled out the window "Honey let the dogs OUT!!!". My Silky Terriers were barking their fool heads off by the door, sounding like real tuff dudes, and those kids skeeeedaddled pronto! hehehehe Bark way worse than bite but works....love my pups!

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

151949 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:41:05 GMT

No way I would ever live in a cave , or live in an area where I have to be afraid all the time.We don't even lock our doors.My DH does have a loaded shotgun in his bedroom closet should someone ever decide to make an unvited midnight visit.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

nunya — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:52:31 GMT

I was out with my dog and directly across the street a truck was parked in my neighbors driveway. He lives across town now but still owns the house. An older man and lady walked out with boxes and put them in the back of the truck. Then they asked me if the house was vacant. I said no... and admittedly I was kind of confused. They drove away and I memorized the plate. Called the police and the neighbor, Not sure what ever became of it. But I think I was just amazed it was broad daylight and they asked me questions like they weren't doing anything wrong. So, apparently they were casing the place because they thought the owner didn't live nearby.

And the reason I was out was... my big german shepherd, who doesn't miss a beat, was growling and barking, and my little dog wanted to see what was going on.

Re: My Neighbors Got Robbed

birkin baby — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 12:58:36 GMT

My friends and I always joke that the wealthiest neighborhoods generally never close curtains or pull blinds. At night those neighborhoods are all open for anyone to see. I work into of those areas. Everything is on display. It is a good post to remind us all to be careful.