B&E Calgary

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Cappy

But was a conviction entered?

Tough to convict when the only evidence is dude sold a bunch of DVDs.

You bought these DVDs from this guy here? Yup.

Where'd you get all these DVDs? From a house we robbed.

[troutman]

With my B&E last fall, the police could not collect enough evidence to prove who did it for sure. They know and I know who did it circumstantially, but they didn't have strong enough evidence for the Crown to approve charges.

I think the police worked very hard to charge the perp in my case. The problem is they require strong evidence. They did say this perp is known to them and on their watch list. He has been in jail before, and just a matter of time before he goes back.

I think if I had a video camera, that could have tipped the scales.

Have you all seen this device advertised on CNN all the time?

https://ring.com/

[RockLicker]

Yeah, purely anecdotal, but Break and Enter convictions seem to pretty tough to nail down.

A year ago, I had my garage broken into, and my favourite (and of course most expensive) mountain bike taken. Luckily it was just one guy on foot, as that was all he took off with.

Credit to the police, they seemed pretty engaged, came and checked the scene, and luckily I had recent photos with some fairly unique parts on the bike and the serial.

Week or so later some dumba** a few blocks away accidentally started his garage on fire, and when the firefighters showed up they found the place full of high end bikes in various stages of being parted out and mixed around. They hadn't quite gotten to mine yet, so I actually had it returned with only a few new scratches and minus a front axle.

Despite what would seem a pretty solid case, there were a bunch of guys living in the place, and nobody copped to running the little operation, so the police said they didn't have enough to press charges.

Was stoked to get my baby back, but endlessly frustrating, and I have fought the urge for a little vigilante payback every time I drive by the place.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Reaper

You bought these DVDs from this guy here? Yup.

Where'd you get all these DVDs? From a house we robbed.

Who would admit to that?

"I found them in a dumpster. Go away cop."

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by polak

Who would admit to that?

"I found them in a dumpster. Go away cop."

Someone with existing warrants.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by troutman

With my B&E last fall, the police could not collect enough evidence to prove who did it for sure. They know and I know who did it circumstantially, but they didn't have strong enough evidence for the Crown to approve charges.

I think the police worked very hard to charge the perp in my case. The problem is they require strong evidence. They did say this perp is known to them and on their watch list. He has been in jail before, and just a matter of time before he goes back.

I think if I had a video camera, that could have tipped the scales.

Have you all seen this device advertised on CNN all the time?

https://ring.com/

That looks awesome and cloud video storage is only $3/month, which seems like a great deal. I'd also be interested in knowing if anybody has this.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

^^ You have to remember that criminals are dumb. Like really dumb.
I had a break in my house in Altadore a number of years ago. It was an older home, and the windows didn't have locks. Perps broke in, took some cash and were clearly looking for drugs (went through my sugar and flour jars, I am such a noob, I didn't understand). Anyway, cops actually caught these guys, as they were going down the same street, trying other homes. Why they didn't stop while they were ahead, I will never know (except for the dumb part).

[polak]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Someone with existing warrants.

even more of a reason to lie.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by polak

even more of a reason to lie.

It's not unheard of to be offered some sort of promise of better treatment in exchange for information. I'm not arguing that this is exactly how it went down. I was just throwing a stick at the possibilities pile.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

^^ You have to remember that criminals are dumb. Like really dumb.

They are dumb, but many also have a great deal of street-smarts in gaming the system. My house was hit on a night the street lights were out. The guy that stole my car was careful not to be the driver. He had under-age girls drive, while he was the passenger. When they were pulled over he couldn't be charged for possessing my car. The way he stole my second car (impersonating me at the dealership) showed a level of criminal genius and pure balls that even amazed the police.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Sliver

That looks awesome and cloud video storage is only $3/month, which seems like a great deal. I'd also be interested in knowing if anybody has this.

My preference is to get a good 4 or 8 channel dvr system. Wired works well for me because I have easy access to run the necessary cables. There are some very well reviewed wireless systems as well. I would prefer to spend $500 to $1000 on a multi channel vs $230USD on a single Ring unit.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

My preference is to get a good 4 or 8 channel dvr system. Wired works well for me because I have easy access to run the necessary cables. There are some very well reviewed wireless systems as well. I would prefer to spend $500 to $1000 on a multi channel vs $230USD on a single Ring unit.

Installation is going to add up like crazy on a DVR system versus the two-minute doorbell installation on the Ring that I can do myself. I get what you're saying, but $500 - $1000 isn't really accurate if you factor in installation.

[polak]

Originally Posted by troutman

They are dumb, but many also have a great deal of street-smarts in gaming the system. My house was hit on a night the street lights were out. The guy that stole my car was careful not to be the driver. He had under-age girls drive, while he was the passenger. When they were pulled over he couldn't be charged for possessing my car. The way he stole my second car (impersonating me at the dealership) showed a level of criminal genius and pure balls that even amazed the police.

Wait you got jacked by the same guy twice?

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Installation is going to add up like crazy on a DVR system versus the two-minute doorbell installation on the Ring that I can do myself. I get what you're saying, but $500 - $1000 isn't really accurate if you factor in installation.

Very true. In my case it is an easy DIY job because I can run the cables to various locations from my basement. One downside that I'm only considering now is that a smart or aware criminal can easily take the dvr unit with them and leave no surveillance.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by polak

Wait you got jacked by the same guy twice?

I've told the story here before - here is the short version.

Dude breaks in my house late at night, and finds my keys and wallet. He drives off with my SUV parked on the street. My other car was in the garage.

The thief realizes from my keys that I have another car. He guesses correctly or follows me to dealership, knowing I have to change the locks asap. While the dealership waits for a part over-night my car is kept in their garage. The thief appears at the dealership in my SUV, pretends to be me and drives away with my second car.

Both cars are later recovered and returned to me.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Cappy

But was a conviction entered?

Tough to convict when the only evidence is dude sold a bunch of DVDs.

Yes. The suspects had other stolen goods at their place. And they were on parole after serving time for previous B&Es.

[polak]

Originally Posted by troutman

I've told the story here before - here is the short version.

Dude breaks in my house late at night, and finds my keys and wallet. He drives off with my SUV parked on the street. My other car was in the garage.

The thief realizes from my keys that I have another car. He guesses correctly or follows me to dealership, knowing I have to change the locks asap. While the dealership waits for a part over-night my car is kept in their garage. The thief appears at the dealership in my SUV, pretends to be me and drives away with my second car.

Both cars are later recovered and returned to me.

That's pretty crazy. Sorry for making you retell it

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by troutman

Dude breaks in my house late at night, and finds my keys and wallet. He drives off with my SUV parked on the street. My other car was in the garage.

Were you home?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Were you home?

Yes, and that would have made it an an aggravated break and enter. If he would have been charged with that, he would be going away for a long time.

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Canadi...reak_and_Enter

We have done a great deal to fortify the house since then.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by troutman

Yes, and that would have made it an an aggravated break and enter. If he would have been charged with that, he would be going away for a long time.

We have done a great deal to fortify the house since then.

That would freak me out. I'm an extremely light sleeper - I wake up if my kids so much as step out of their room to go to the bathroom - so I'd almost certainly wake up if someone broke into my place at night. Not sure what I'd do.

One guy did try to break into our last place during the day, but stopped with the door half pried open, presumably when he saw what was waiting on the other side - a largish german shepherd/ rotweiler rescue dog going nuts. We had to put our dog down last summer, and I haven't slept as well since. Now I want to get another dog.