Garage break in

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:20 am

Hey guys, When I got home from work yesterday, I saw some garbage on the front yard. I opened the garage door, took the garbage inside to put it in the trash.
I noticed the door leading to the back yard was wide open and the drawers in my workbench were open. I then noticed the door had been forced open and the cheesy little striker plate was on the floor with the small screws that were ‘securing’ it to the door jam. Someone had been in the garage, probably looking for an inside door to enter the house. (which we don’t have)
Outside, a chair had been pulled over to our bedroom window and the screen had been removed and set down against the hot tub. With a double lock on the window, entry would be impossible without breaking the glass.
Luckily…whoever it was left WITHOUT taking anything from the garage, or disturbing anything, OR laying a hand on my baby!! My bike was untouched.
All my tools were right there, one of my ARAI helmets was on the bench, a new electric saw…nothing was out of place. The hidden key to get in the house was still there, out of sight, but with some snooping around, they could have found it.
They must have been looking just to get in the house for money (which there is none) jewellery, electronics...
I have since beefed up the door. Things you don’t really think about until it happens!!
Here are some pics of the incident and how I fixed it.

Cheers!
Chris
Forced entry

Cheezy striker plate and small screws

Heavy unit from Home Depot w/ 4 - 3" screws

Home made security plate w/ 5 - 4" screws

Installed

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:49 pm

That sucks Chris, good thing the thieves were stupid..probally kids, glad nothing was missing especially the cb. I don't know what i would do if i saw that when i got home but my door is already reinforced and the dogs work good to

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:49 pm

Wow. Lucky. Those Bastards!

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:05 pm

Hey Chris,

Glad nothing was stolen and that your baby was left unscathed. We'll have to hoist a beer in celebration when we get together in a few weeks.

Tom

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:08 pm

Sorry to hear this Chris, glad nothing is missing, I would consider this a happy ending.

I haven't seen your house, with attached garages the dividing wall is usually 5/8" drywall, not a lot of effort to get through.
You would be surprised what is in your house that will go with a break-in. I would recommend motion lights and a security system.

I have been broken into twice, pretty hard to put a value on the sentimental things, wedding rings, WW1 medals, GG uncles gold pocket watch from the railroad........that's part of life in a big city.

Jim

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:25 pm

Man that sucks.... Glad everything was ok!!!!!

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:34 pm

jkotsi wrote:

Sorry to hear this Chris, glad nothing is missing, I would consider this a happy ending.

I haven't seen your house, with attached garages the dividing wall is usually 5/8" drywall, not a lot of effort to get through.
You would be surprised what is in your house that will go with a break-in. I would recommend motion lights and a security system.

I have been broken into twice, pretty hard to put a value on the sentimental things, wedding rings, WW1 medals, GG uncles gold pocket watch from the railroad........that's part of life in a big city.

Jim

If the guy tried to get through the wall from the garage into the house, he would have to break through the tiles around the bathtub. I think he was looking for an easy way in without making too much noise, as one close neighbor doesn't work and is home most of the time.
I would like to put up some motion sensitive security cameras, but getting power to the camera locations would be tough.
There are some nice wireless systems out there, where you can get email alerts and view the cameras from a smartphone or computer.
I alerted all the neighbors about what happened.
Just some bored kids roaming around, although he must have had a small pry bar to get into the garage.
When I called the police, they told me to go on their website and fill out a report!!

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:14 pm

I am just glad that you got out of that mess without being burglarized. A lesson learned.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:20 pm

CDN1100F wrote:

When I called the police, they told me to go on their website and fill out a report!!

WTF? Seriously? That is some serious BS

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:56 pm

erock419 wrote:

CDN1100F wrote:

When I called the police, they told me to go on their website and fill out a report!!

WTF? Seriously? That is some serious BS

I think that qualifies for 'This gives cops a bad name' in CTDYL

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:03 pm

swiftnick wrote:

erock419 wrote:

CDN1100F wrote:

When I called the police, they told me to go on their website and fill out a report!!

WTF? Seriously? That is some serious BS

I think that qualifies for 'This gives cops a bad name' in CTDYL

No BS or "bad name". Common procedure these days.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:06 pm

Chris, izzat a hollow core door on your garage entrance? If so, get a solid core (exterior) spec door. Much stronger.

Sorry to hear about the violation of your home and security.

Barry

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:30 pm

Id be tempted to add one of those dead bolts with a super long bolt. My old neighbor had a dead bolt that extended at least 2 1/2". You'd have to kick the entire door jam out or break the hinges. After that though, I think Id also be looking at a way to make the security cam thing happen. Those things can be remote, battery powered.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:39 pm

What he said. Get a dead bolt and install the steel plate on the inside of the 2x4 as well. That's what I did when I built the garage. If someone tried to break in they would have to cave in the side ��...oh ya steel door

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:41 pm

Shawn_Mc wrote:

Id be tempted to add one of those dead bolts with a super long bolt. My old neighbor had a dead bolt that extended at least 2 1/2". You'd have to kick the entire door jam out or break the hinges. After that though, I think Id also be looking at a way to make the security cam thing happen. Those things can be remote, battery powered.

I have mixed feelings about deadbolts. Some years back, my inlaws' home was broken into. (for the third time in a quiet neighborhood) The thieves used a big pry bar to get the door open since it had a deadbolt. The door, jam, and casing were all trashed and a bunch of their stuff was stolen. My opinion is that if they want to get in, they will get in.

Ironically, one of their neighbors drove by and noticed a TV, VCR, and other stuff stacked up on the front steps. They thought it was odd, but did nothing. So much for watching out for each other! The thieves also grabbed all the steak knives and left one in each room. Evidently they wanted to be ready in case someone came home. I guess they were desperate.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:45 pm

Chris, I'm glad nothing was taken. Especially not that incredible bike! I have a security dog that will totally kill anyone that comes near the garage. Seriously, Brady is a force to be reckoned with.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:47 pm

WOW you got lucky down the hwy here in Windsor crime is up 200% if we want to keep our stuff we nearly have to bolt it down.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:52 pm

They can be battery powered and solar charged without too much difficulty.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 9:01 pm

youn6372 wrote:

Chris, I'm glad nothing was taken. Especially not that incredible bike! I have a security dog that will totally kill anyone that comes near the garage. Seriously, Brady is a force to be reckoned with.

My cat can take your dog any day. Cool

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 9:23 pm

Sorry to hear and glad nothing was taken. Years ago our house was broken into. Lost a few guns, credit cards and some of the wife's jewelery. But the worst part is knowing someone(s) were in your house.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 10:01 pm

Don't want to beat this to death but locks only keep honest people out. Good locks keep kids out. No locks keep out the pros. That's why we have that back up called insurance.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 10:38 pm

This one sounds like drug addicts or kids, pros would have cleaned out the garage.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:03 pm

I'm glad to hear you and your stuff are all safe. Having that invasion in your life can be upsetting. I hope you are well.

I would even suggest just some cameras. They don't NEED to be powered. I'm sure just believing your property is covered is a deterent.

Just my two cents.
I'm going to go and check my garage now...

Cheers.

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:41 pm

This could have been much worse.....who even knows?

Good on the security plate.....that should make em' think....

Jebby

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:03 am

That stinks, Chris.
Thank goodness these were incompetent thieves.
The violation of your personal space can take a while to get over.

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:11 am

Chris:

Dang, I thought that kind of stuff did not take place up where you are. And this was in the middle of the day?

I've got a steel door in a reinforced frame and a deadbolt too.

Take care of yourself and the family.

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 10:34 am

Lucky mate, I have a massive Rottweiler x bull mastive that guards the house so the only way in or out is through the front door or garage so thieves are limited for options. That and both houses either side of us has camera surveillance. I've had my tools ripped off once before and I won't have it happen again.

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:23 am

Little terriers do a great job, won't kill anybody but bite hard enough to hurt and they make a lot of noise and that is what crooks don't want. Sorry Tom your cat won't make enough noise to scare them off. Can't say I have ever seen a sign at the front gate "Beware of the cat"

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:28 am

Chris:

Or you could post this sign on the door:

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:22 am

That is a good one Roger! Yes we have plenty of crackhead kids looking for easy stuff to pawn off to buy drugs.
I think this guy got spooked off by someone/something. Unfortunately, here in our 'civilized' county of Canada, you aren't allowed to protect your property with force unless the intruder uses deadly force first. Although, a cop once told me you would be better off killing the intruder than injuring him, as it would be your word against a dead man's.
Thanks for everyone for their suggestions. I will be replacing the entire door and framing. Someone also suggested a 'deer cam' that hunters use, as they are battery powered and are motion sensitive.

Cheers to all!
Chris