Our home got robbed yesterday - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bean · 06-19-2012, 03:29 AM

Well not my current house, but my parents'. A small, old - but not too run down place on a corner lot in Beddington that is unassuming, unappealing but hey; its ours.

The thief left evidence of his failed entry via our back door and patio but succeeded to jimmy his way in through a side window. He must have done his research as my sister was at work during the time but somehow he just knew that my recently retired parents would be returning from vacation later in the afternoon. What a ####ty way to return from a trip.

The house was ransacked, things over turned, drawers picked through - heirlooms, cash, trinkets and jewellery taken at will. I'm past the point of anger, just complete disbelief that immigrant parents who never made much more than minimum wage during their tough careers could be targeted for quick profit.

Sure, insurance might be able to replace a few things but the security of what I believed was a sanctuary is no more. The constable and fingerprint guy were good to deal with but truly; it'll take far more than their efforts to be comfortable here. I don't live 'at home' anymore but clearly; my family have to overcome this massive breach of personal and emotional space. I truly don't know how it is possible right now.

On my end, there are few things as sobering as getting that frantic call from your dad, one day after father's day. The emotional, mental and physical anguish is tormenting me and is not helped with the concern I have for my sister and folks.

In my bout of insomnia, I'd like everybody out there in CP land, to please use our nightmare as your wakeup call. It isn't a call to arms or a need to live in fear; just a reminder to take stock of how good things can be and to take precautions to ensure that your loved ones are safe. We never thought that we'd be statistics of invasion, robbery and victimization.

I'll probably never meet you but please, take care out there.

Larry

icarus · 06-19-2012, 03:35 AM

Terrible. Sorry to hear that. Hopefully they can catch the loser who did it and your parents can feel a bit better about the whole thing.

PIMking · 06-19-2012, 03:38 AM

Our house was broken into right before we moved everything in last summer. there was only a few items in it at the time so they didn't get anything. Since the tornado things have been a little five finger discount down here.

freedogger · 06-19-2012, 03:43 AM

That sux man. Glad no one was hurt.

SHOGUN · 06-19-2012, 03:47 AM

Get a dog... best investment for home security.

freedogger · 06-19-2012, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

Get a dog... best investment for home security.

Good for older folks too. Wish my parents would let us get them one but they worry it would be too much hassle when they go traveling.

I have almost pulled the trigger on this item in the past for them, but thought it was a little too over reactive. Maybe not after reading above.

"This advanced alarm system uses radar technology to detect motion and measure distance through doors, walls, or windows up to 4" thick. When an intruder approaches within 30 feet, it begins to bark like a large German Shepherd. The closer the intruder comes, the more frequent and the more threatening the barking becomes. It plugs into a standard 110 VAC outlet and has a volume and sensitivity control."
Google guard dog motion alarm if interested.

Sr. Mints · 06-19-2012, 04:35 AM

Sorry to hear that.

We've never been broken into, but when I was a kid, we got home, and some guy was in our back yard and as we came out of the garage, he asked, "is So-and-so home?" My mom said, "uhhh, no" and the guy left. Then she noticed the door was damaged where he was trying to jimmy it. So she called the cops right away.

Even that kind of thing makes you feel violated and leaves you questioning your security. I can't imagine coming home to find everything's been ransacked.

I wonder if the punishment for theft were cutting the thief's hand off, such crimes would be fewer . . .

06-19-2012, 07:26 AM

Crappy. Not as uncommon as people think.

On a side note and maybe this should be the the "grinding gears" thread, but the correct term is broken into and break and enter, not robbed, robbery or home invasion.... sorry, just a pet peeve.... continue on.

Ozy_Flame · 06-19-2012, 08:20 AM

Trust me, nothing better when they identify the peeps who did it. It's a common case that the burglar has a criminal history - just wait a couple of months, and you'll probably get justice.

It's great relief to watch the turd squirm in court. Stare him down while you're there.

Flabbibulin · 06-19-2012, 08:27 AM

poorly timed joke

Bill Bumface · 06-19-2012, 09:13 AM

It sucks for sure, but you'll get over it.

Just be warned if they like what they found, there is a high likelihood they'll be back for more in about a month when they think you've replaced it all, so keep that in mind.

Bean · 06-19-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Move farther from Deerfoot. Learn from history- there was always more crime in West Berlin the closer one got to the wall.

Hey Flabbibulin, #### you. Not everyone can afford to live in the most luxurious of areas. If you don't have anything of value to add, don't increase your thread count here.

The original post was meant as a small note for all CPers to be mindful, not to point fingers at certain communities. You think families in higher end neighborhoods don't feel anything just because they have a big house?

bomber317 · 06-19-2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Move farther from Deerfoot. Learn from history- there was always more crime in West Berlin the closer one got to the wall.

wtf? yeah,

"Hey Mom, Dad, I think you should leave the house that you guys got and raised us in because it's too close to deerfoot. Your house may get broken into."

the OP wasn't asking for advice on where his parents should live.

Bean · 06-19-2012, 09:40 AM

There are some really great people that I personally know on CP. It's just a small reminder to you all to appreciate what you have and to use our bad experience to try to avert your own.

From the epic threads of Wannamaker, Snot Boy and even the Funny pics/videos; this is a great community and a lurker like me is just trying to better what I've gained so much from.

Have a good day everybody.

Bill Bumface · 06-19-2012, 09:41 AM

No kidding. If anything move across Deerfoot and become one of those getting free stuff!

Bean, don't worry, you'll feel a whole lot better about it pretty soon. There was a guy working up and down the LRT line breaking into houses like mad. Hit mine 3 times in a month, which did leave me feeling very uneasy every time I'd come home. People told me I should move and all sorts of other over-reactions. They caught him, and the neighborhood went from 10 break-ins in that 6 months to now (just checked http://crimemap.calgarypolice.ca/) and it's 1 break in. If you check that map you'll see its less about where you live and more about where the current batch of low-lifes are choosing to target.

Flabbibulin · 06-19-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bean

Hey Flabbibulin, #### you. Not everyone can afford to live in the most luxurious of areas. If you don't have anything of value to add, don't increase your thread count here.

The original post was meant as a small note for all CPers to be mindful, not to point fingers at certain communities. You think families in higher end neighborhoods don't feel anything just because they have a big house?

Sorry for offending you. was just a joke. I'm sorry for what happened.

CaptainCrunch · 06-19-2012, 10:11 AM

We need a new type of company, one that can assure us that our parents and kids are safe at home. That some junkie doesn't break in and steal your possessions.

When the police can't do the job because they're too busy, over run by thugs hopped up on the latest intoxiacant you can always count on us.

flamesfever · 06-19-2012, 10:16 AM

Sorry about your parent's home. We were robbed some time ago, and I know how they must feel.

The police came to my wife's school, where she was teaching years ago, and showed the staff a map that they got from some b&e crooks. The map was of a district they were targeting, and all the homes that had security systems or dogs were marked with an "X".

It's not always the most expensive items you miss, but the some of the family heirlooms, and things with a lot of sentimental value, that can't be replaced.

On a lighter note, while the detective was making out the report, he said my son's bedroom was heavily ransacked. My wife and I looked at each other and smiled, as it was just as it usually was before the robbery.

Phanuthier · 06-19-2012, 10:31 AM

Sucks to hear, sorry.

sixpacked · 06-19-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent Wookie

Crappy. Not as uncommon as people think.

On a side note and maybe this should be the the "grinding gears" thread, but the correct term is broken into and break and enter, not robbed, robbery or home invasion.... sorry, just a pet peeve.... continue on.

Seriously!? Why don't you go knock over the kid's sand castle while you're at it.