Thursday, May 2, 2013

Did I Ever Tell You About The Time I Was Robbed?




Twenty Things Your Burglar Won't Tell YouRobbers, remove your ski masks!

  1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
  2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
  3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
  4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
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  5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbour to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
  6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
  7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewellery. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
  8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
  9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. [Don't take me up on it.]
  10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
  11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
  12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
  13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)
  14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
  15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbours.
  16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbour hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.What Your Burglar Won't Tell You
  17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
  18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighbourhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
  19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your social networking site. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
  20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.


Maybe I'll tell my story soon.


6 comments:

Slyde said...

some great hints here... my wife should read this. If i have to tell her ONE more time to close the damn blinds when she goes out, i think i will scream...

MarkD60 said...

My house in the US was robbed once, by kids who took mostly candy. But they made a mess, and the feeling is terrible.
And once someone tried to break into an apartment I lived in, while I was home... Big mistake.

Unknown said...

Excellent! I hope I can remember all of those.

Lil' Nigglet said...

Dat remines me, nex times I be lookin in yo windas, only half skroke it.

SkylersDad said...

Excellent tips.

Cora said...

Well, yikes! I'm glad you're okay. I can't wait to hear the story and to find out if the scumbag was caught and if you ever got your stuff back.

My home has never been broken into, but my little old Fiero was once. The jerk took a hammer and bashed the gearshift out of alignment all so he/she could steal my $99 no-name cassette player. My gearshift wouldn't move out of park anymore and I had to have it towed and repaired, which cost A LOT of money. I just hope my cheap-o stereo ate that thief's favorite cassette.