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Upset, just need some encouragement...

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IrishEyes

IrishEyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
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Ugh. Well, I just needed to vent I guess! Need the encouragement of my PS family! The other day, my father''s house was broken into. Luckily no one was home. The weird thing is this: my dad and stepmother own two businesses, one of them a limousine company. They have nice home in an upper-class suburb of Chicago. They also have alot of expensive items in their house. Apparently, someone broke the window in the back and came in. They didn''t ransack the place too much, but they took some cash and found the closet where my father''s safe is located in and tore up the closet (I guess trying to find the safe, then trying to get it open). They ( or he or she) didn''t take any credit cards, jewelry, computer, etc
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. My dad came home and called the police ( burglar was gone already). He filed a report, is fixing the window, and getting an alarm installed. However, he thinks they will be back. He''s been sleeping in the living room " waiting" for the burglar to arrive again.
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To make matters worse, yesterday the limo they own was vandalized. The window was smashed in.

I think that someone is after him. I don''t know why. My dad ( like me, hehe) is a very opinionated and not-so-subtle person. He tells you like it is, doesn''t sugar-coat things, and many times will make others angry by his opinions and sayings, even though he doesn''t care he makes them angry ( wow, that sounds bad! he really is a wonderful man though!!!). Maybe he angered someone. Or maybe he has something somebody wants and they''ve been following him and all that. I don''t know. Either way, I am VERY worried for him. I keep imagining this person or people breaking in again and this time hurting my family. I just don''t understand why people do things like this? All I ask is that my father and stepmom are ok, and that no one hurts them. I was up all night last night thinking about them and worrying, even though I know that''s not going to solve anything.

Sorry for rambling on, I''m just so upset and anxious.
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Thanks for listening
 
Oh my, I can see why you are upset and scared. I would be too!

Let''s hope that the two incidents are not related.
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Thanks Patty.... I hope they are unrelated too, it just seems like too much of a coincidence!
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Irish...That''s horrible! I am sorry to hear this is happening to your family. I would be very disturbed by these events as well.

First, I don''t think that someone would take credit cards if they were breaking into a house. They are traceable and the thiefs may be IDed trying to use them. Additionally, as soon as the break-in is discovered it is assumed that one will cancel all their credit cards. Jewelery, I don''t know about that one. They may have been after identity records & banking information. Who knows. It''s hard to say.

A few things that I would do....

I would consider spending the money to hire a private investigator.

Second, I would look into a security consultant, but not in the method that you think. The consultant will look at the overall picture & advise of ways to make the house safer. This is not necessarily a security system, but someone who is knowledgable regarding buglaries and can advise best ways to avoid them in the future (ie: placing motion lights at a level that is not reachable from the ground, changing locks, ways to better secure windows, etc) or make it extremely difficult for someone to break into your house.

Third, get involved in the neighborhood watch or start one up. This doesn''t imply one has to be nosie (sp)....just that you are all watching out for each other.

Fourth, self defense measures.....have they considered a few different methods or classes? This can be anything from taking a self defense class to purchasing pepper spray to gun classes.

Additionally, I believe within the last two or three weeks it was announced that the police are not going to respond to security system calls anymore as there are too many false alarms. I don''t know if that is just in this area (WI) or if it is nationwide. If this is the case, it basically makes a system useless if you are relying on them strictly for notification.

Either way, if you and your family believe someone is out to get your father or your family, seriously consider hiring a few professionals and doing what is within your means to take back control and feel safe.

My thoughts are with you and your family.
 
Date: 5/3/2005 1:17:25 PM
Author:IrishEyes

All I ask is that my father and stepmom are ok, and that no one hurts them. I was up all night last night thinking about them and worrying, even though I know that''s not going to solve anything.
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hi irish, i''m sorry to hear that... maybe you should get your father an alarm system? our apartment was burglarized a year ago and it totally made us nervous (didn''t help that we lived in a not-so-good neighborhood with a murder across the street), but we had an alarm system installed and it gave us peace of mind. maybe your father wouldn''t mind getting one of those? with motion detectors for outside? it sucks that people have to stoop to that level.
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Thank you Noonersmom for the recommendations, I will pass them along to my family! I don''t know if he''s planning on having a PI come in, but he''s prepared in the weapons department! I was always raised that if someone breaks into your house when you are there or your family (especially your children), you kill them. Plain and simple. They don''t belong there, and it''s better to be safe than sorry. I know many may disagree with this, but that''s how we are.

That being said, I still hate the idea of thinking it could come to that. I hope that whoever broke in is not smart enough to do it again, because the next time there will be consequences, and I can only hope that my family is not harmed in the process. I love them very much! They are hardworking, decent and kind people who have worked for what they have, rather than be cowards and steal it from others.
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I''m in the "angry phase" right now.....
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Thanks bopitaddict, I''m sorry you''ve been burglarized!
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I''m sure it''s just awful, not being able to feel safe in your own home
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Date: 5/3/2005 1:50:56 PM
Author: IrishEyes
I was always raised that if someone breaks into your house when you are there or your family (especially your children), you kill them. Plain and simple. They don''t belong there, and it''s better to be safe than sorry. I know many may disagree with this, but that''s how we are.
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you just have to be careful with that because there are cases where the person who kills the intruder is the one who goes to jail... i think if you reasonably believe that the other person is going to harm or kill you, you may use proportionate amount of force against that person...

in other words, if you''re not fearing death, then you most likely won''t be allowed to shoot them... unfortunately...
 
HI:

Oh my, what an upsetting business--is it likely difficult for your family to feel safe in their own home. Shame. My M-I-L house was burgled on our wedding day--and it took them some time before they felt like they didn''t have to look over their shoulder again.

Sharon
 
Bopitaddict - that''s exactly what I am fearing. That the burglar will come back and one of two things will happen: 1. my father shoots and kills him/her and then goes to jail or prison if he can''t prove it was self-defense. I know it''s happened to many people, unfortunate as that is.

2. The burglar shoots/kills my father and perhaps my stepmother. The thought of this brings tears to my eyes...

The best option I suppose is 3. They don''t come back and everything ends well. I''ll try to remain positive that this will be the case....
 
IrishEyes,
I am so sorry to hear this. You must be scared to death. Oh I pray they don't come back. I do like the PI idea and what about getting protection from the police for your dad and stepmom??
 
IrishEyes- first off, im so sorry to hear about all of your fathers troubles. i hope you dont loose too much sleep worrying. (i know i would)


i think noonersmom made some very good points to consider. most important #2. if his house is better secured, more visable, etc. he would be less likely to have a breakin. find someone who specializes in home security. this could even be a local police officer who has seen his fair share of breakins, or even a security consultant (typically associated with construction industry). part of my work includes designing banks, art galleries, storage vaults, and secured offices....and for each project we have a specilized consultant to determine the best security method for each.

in addition, be cautious. cancel and replace all credit cards etc. run credit reports etc. and follow up every so often. what you dont see missing is information. (would be a good idea to keep an eye on potential identity theft)


something for all of you to watch is a show on discovery called "it takes a theif" it gives a very accurate glimpse into how a would be robber might think.


good luck....i hope things get back to normal soon.
 
I''m so sorry to hear this terrible news! I wish I knew just what to say. I''m sure if these two things are related an alarm system and/or police protection would scare off who ever is doing these horrid things! Best wishes to you and your family.
 
I''m sorry to hear about the burglary.

A good alarm system is the best first defense.

Also, if the police don''t immediately come out if it goes off (they don''t in my community either) the alarm company monitors from somewhere and calls your phone - if you don''t answer with the code word they send the police. They also have a way to make the alarm call by a cell phone to the monitor site so even if the criminal cuts your phone line it won''t keep the alarm from notifying the company.

They also have a hostage code on the alarm pad so if the criminal makes you punch in the code and shut it off, if you punch in that code the alarm company knows not to call and to just send the police.

My guess is that they focused on the safe because they think what you have must be really valuable if you have to keep it in a safe. Also people tend to lock cash in there - sometimes surprisingly large amounts.
 
Oh Irish! So sorry to hear about this! I certainly do hope the burglar doesn''t come back.

Last year there was a case like this in I believe it was Winnetka where the father shot the intruder when he came back to burglarize the house a second time. The intruder didn''t die but the father was facing jail time. He had a valid FOID card and apparently could legally have a gun in his home. (I know in the city you''re not supposed to unless you are a member of law enforcement). Anyway, the judge ruled in favor of the owner of the house because he did fear for his and his family''s lives.

I agree that it sounds too coincidental that the house and the car were both broken into. The burglar(s) might have been scared off and instead just broke the window of the car as a "message".

My mom''s home was burglarized on, of all days, the day of my father''s funeral! We think we know who did it but could never prove it. They stole my mom e-ring (which was supposed to go to me) and some other jewelry but they didn''t find the cash she had stashed. I''ve read that burglars read the obituaries and society sections of the newspaper to see the funerals and weddings going on b/c they know the people won''t be home that day. That''s one reason why my husband and I didn''t annouce our engagement in the local paper.
 
My parents were burglarized while they were out of town for his Mother''s funeral.

It''s just horrifying to think that someone would do that but they do. It''s probably even easier now with the obituaries on the internet.

In their case it was probably because they left town in a rush when she had the heart attack and didn''t think to stop the mail or newspaper so the house was sitting there looking like no one was home.
 
Sorry about your parent''s house. That must be so nerve wracking. Thankfully they didn''t get away with anything, but there is still that sense of violation and invasion of space that takes a while to go away. Do they have an alarm system? I know that''s not the be all and end all, but in my house every window & door is hooked up to a system and we have motion detectors on the first floor. I had never heard what NoonersMom said about police departments not listening to the alarms, I know mine call to confirm and then come over, and I am also in the Chicago suburbs. Either way, the alarm is a great tool to notify your parents and a good deterrant for the theif. I truly hope this is the end of their security issues.
 
Date: 5/3/2005 2:10:31 PM
Author: IrishEyes
Bopitaddict - that''s exactly what I am fearing. That the burglar will come back and one of two things will happen: 1. my father shoots and kills him/her and then goes to jail or prison if he can''t prove it was self-defense. I know it''s happened to many people, unfortunate as that is.

2. The burglar shoots/kills my father and perhaps my stepmother. The thought of this brings tears to my eyes...

The best option I suppose is 3. They don''t come back and everything ends well. I''ll try to remain positive that this will be the case....
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Hi Irish,

Just hopped on here and caught your post. I''m sorry to hear what''s happening with your pop and step mom. The nature of the break-in sounds odd. It appears that they broke in for something very specific that they couldn''t find. Which raises the question ... what was it that they''re looking for? Does your dad keep something specific that someone may want in his closet? Is the safe easily transportable? If so they would have taken that I would assume but if they left it perhaps they had something else on their mind?

BTW ... if they are on/in your dad''s property he has a legal right to defend himself which includes shooting the bastard(s). I have a gun licence and carry myself and in the 41 years I''ve been on this planet, thank God I''ve never had to use my piece. Lord willing these guys will not show up again.

Take solace in the fact that everyone is alive and healthy and that noone has been hurt.

Godspeed,
Jonathan
 
Hey guys and gals, thank you all for the supportive words! It really does help and all your suggestions have been great!

Jellybean - OMG , I can''t believe people do that!!
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It makes sense though, they know you won''t be there. Some people are just horrible. My dad has a valid FOID card (as do I ) and the weapon is legal, so if anything does happen, at least he has that on his side..

Rhino - It does seem they are looking for something specific. The weird thing is, there''s no cash in the safe, its just important documents like business stuff, passports, etc. My dad is like me, we never carry cash, just cards. All of our "cash" is in bank accounts. So I''m not sure what they are looking for. I just hope there''s no return visit.....

Thanks again guys
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Hey Irish -- I too have a FOID card. Rhino is right -- in Illinois (I too live in a pretty good Chicago suburb) you can shoot an intruder on your property if you are defending yourself.

ETA -- many people do keep cash in safes so maybe that's what they were looking for? And, if your dad has a limo business, I would imagine that most people pay with cash as opposed to a check or credit card. I knew a girl from high school whose parents owned some cleaners (for clothes). Her father was followed home once and held up in his own driveway b/c the robbers knew he took the cash from the drawer home at night. I know it's not exactly the same situation as your dad but it got me thinking maybe the burglars were just looking for cash.
 
IrishEyes
WOW!!! sorry to hear this about your dad.this happen to me 10 yrs ago i came home one evening with my 2 daughters (my wife was at work) they were 7 and 8 yrs old at the time as soon as i open the front door 2 burglars push in from behind and pointed a gun to my head, after they tie us up and blind folded me,they ask my daughters where i kept all my valuable items and where do i keep my guns,so my older daughter show them,they got away with my wife's original 2.29ct e-ring + my 1.47ct ring i had on my finger + about 1k in cash that i had in my pocket + lots of jewelry that my wife inherited from her mom + lots of valuable rare U.S. coins.after all this they threaten to kill my daughters if i don't show them where the rest of the valuables are hidden.even today,after all these yrs i still regret that i didn't get a chance to blow there F**King head off.
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Irisheyes,

I am sorry to hear that your family had to go through this terrible incident. I was wondering how these evils sleep at night. They must be surrounded by bad karma, and negative energy. I wish your dad and stepmom be safe and get back to their normal lives soon. How about installing surveillance camera system outside their house? So they know who try to intrude their property. I don''t know how much it costs, but I think it''s worth it.
 
Oh!!! GOSH DF....your story was even worst. It''s very scary. I am glad that you and your daughters are safe. Oh!! I am new to this board, and after reading your story, I''m not sure if I should wear a big diamond ring, or collect any beautiful jewelry. I am quite scared!!!
 
Date: 5/3/2005 2
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3:34 PM
Author: bopitaddict

Date: 5/3/2005 1:50:56 PM
Author: IrishEyes
I was always raised that if someone breaks into your house when you are there or your family (especially your children), you kill them. Plain and simple. They don''t belong there, and it''s better to be safe than sorry. I know many may disagree with this, but that''s how we are.
Click to expand...
you just have to be careful with that because there are cases where the person who kills the intruder is the one who goes to jail... i think if you reasonably believe that the other person is going to harm or kill you, you may use proportionate amount of force against that person...

in other words, if you''re not fearing death, then you most likely won''t be allowed to shoot them... unfortunately...
Click to expand...
believe me, i''ll take that chance.
 
Date: 5/3/2005 5:37:26 PM
Author: Rhino

Date: 5/3/2005 2:10:31 PM
Author: IrishEyes
Bopitaddict - that''s exactly what I am fearing. That the burglar will come back and one of two things will happen: 1. my father shoots and kills him/her and then goes to jail or prison if he can''t prove it was  self-defense. I know it''s happened to many people, unfortunate as that is.

2. The burglar shoots/kills my father and perhaps my stepmother. The thought of this brings tears to my eyes...

The best option I suppose is 3. They don''t come back and everything ends well. I''ll try to remain positive that this will be the case....
Click to expand...
Hi Irish,

Just hopped on here and caught your post. I''m sorry to hear what''s happening with your pop and step mom. The nature of the break-in sounds odd. It appears that they broke in for something very specific that they couldn''t find. Which raises the question ... what was it that they''re looking for? Does your dad keep something specific that someone may want in his closet? Is the safe easily transportable? If so they would have taken that I would assume but if they left it perhaps they had something else on their mind?

BTW ... if they are on/in your dad''s property he has a legal right to defend himself which includes shooting the bastard(s). I have a gun licence and carry myself and in the 41 years I''ve been on this planet, thank God I''ve never had to use my piece. Lord willing these guys will not show up again.

Take solace in the fact that everyone is alive and healthy and that noone has been hurt.

Godspeed,
Jonathan
Click to expand...
i don''t have a gun licence but,when i used to drive to coin shows i always carry 2 guns.one time me and another coin dealer friend was driving home from a coin show and our car broke down in the middle of nowhere (before cellular phone days) we had like $70k in cash + $500k in coins between us.one of us had to walk a couple of miles to the nearest pay phone and call for help the other stayed in the car.
 
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