Today I got robbed! First some background: I live in a very rural area where burglaries are rare and home invasions simply don't happen, probably because it's a good way to get shot. Think Mayberry here, only rural.
A few hours ago I was in my bedroom/office when I thought I heard a car outside. My gut told me to check it out, but I didn't because my son comes by when he's in the area or people drop by once in a while. Listened for a while, nobody knocked and I heard no more sounds. So I went back to my work. Then, a few minutes later, my office/bedroom door opened and some wormy little punk was standing there!
We were both surprised, to say the least, and the the guy said "I thought nobody was here, I'm outta here" and ran out. I usually have a pistol handy, but today, of all days, that wasn't the case. So much time has gone by with nothing happening, guess I've become complacent and careless.
All I saw when I reached the door, retrieved 1911 in hand, was a flash of white as his car went out my tree lined driveway. Couldn't identify make,model of car because of trees and distance. A quick inventory showed my leaf blower and weed eater, that I'd left outside on the porch and, inside the house, some of my power tools from a room-remodel-in-progress were missing. I had already found my new, never used, Makita circular saw by my bedroom door.
I realize I'm very lucky he wasn't violent, because I was caught completely off guard. And, maybe, because I didn't shoot the lowlife. Around here, I probably would have been "no billed", especially because the guy was 30(ish) and waaay past being old enough to know better , but who needs the hassle and expense.
The door that he used to enter the house was undamaged, so, apparently, it was unlocked. Another lesson (re)learned, "we're not in Kansas anymore", always lock doors and always listen to my gut. A further search may show other items missing and he may be back, since I guess I'm now "a mark".
I've alerted neighbors that we have a criminal in our midst, so they can be prepared. Right now, my priorities are checking out surveillance cameras and motion detectors to alert me if someone is on the immediate property, always locking doors even when I'm home, always being armed and aware of what is happening around me.
The only humorous thing here was the little dirtbag looked like he had just stepped off a movie set playing a '50s comic book hoodlum, complete with the Brando/cruiser style black leather jacket, white tee shirt, and cigarette hanging out of his mouth!
Who knows what the attire was all about, but maybe the smoking will kill him (can't help hoping that's the case), if his chosen profession doesn't do him in first.
As a very lucky surviver, if I could give any advise it's this: Don't ever let your guard down, no matter where you are! There is no such place as a no-crime area.
A few hours ago I was in my bedroom/office when I thought I heard a car outside. My gut told me to check it out, but I didn't because my son comes by when he's in the area or people drop by once in a while. Listened for a while, nobody knocked and I heard no more sounds. So I went back to my work. Then, a few minutes later, my office/bedroom door opened and some wormy little punk was standing there!
We were both surprised, to say the least, and the the guy said "I thought nobody was here, I'm outta here" and ran out. I usually have a pistol handy, but today, of all days, that wasn't the case. So much time has gone by with nothing happening, guess I've become complacent and careless.
All I saw when I reached the door, retrieved 1911 in hand, was a flash of white as his car went out my tree lined driveway. Couldn't identify make,model of car because of trees and distance. A quick inventory showed my leaf blower and weed eater, that I'd left outside on the porch and, inside the house, some of my power tools from a room-remodel-in-progress were missing. I had already found my new, never used, Makita circular saw by my bedroom door.
I realize I'm very lucky he wasn't violent, because I was caught completely off guard. And, maybe, because I didn't shoot the lowlife. Around here, I probably would have been "no billed", especially because the guy was 30(ish) and waaay past being old enough to know better , but who needs the hassle and expense.
The door that he used to enter the house was undamaged, so, apparently, it was unlocked. Another lesson (re)learned, "we're not in Kansas anymore", always lock doors and always listen to my gut. A further search may show other items missing and he may be back, since I guess I'm now "a mark".
I've alerted neighbors that we have a criminal in our midst, so they can be prepared. Right now, my priorities are checking out surveillance cameras and motion detectors to alert me if someone is on the immediate property, always locking doors even when I'm home, always being armed and aware of what is happening around me.
The only humorous thing here was the little dirtbag looked like he had just stepped off a movie set playing a '50s comic book hoodlum, complete with the Brando/cruiser style black leather jacket, white tee shirt, and cigarette hanging out of his mouth!
Who knows what the attire was all about, but maybe the smoking will kill him (can't help hoping that's the case), if his chosen profession doesn't do him in first.
As a very lucky surviver, if I could give any advise it's this: Don't ever let your guard down, no matter where you are! There is no such place as a no-crime area.