43 replies to this topic

[millett916]

FYI: This is common practice for thugs. They knock on the door or ring the doorbell and if they see/hear nothing, they figure nobody is home so they go around back and break in. So, even if you don't want to answer the door, make sure you at least turn on a light or two when someone "visits" to make sure they know someone is in the house. Just having a motion light is not enough. Those go on even when nobody is home. The thieves want to rob you, not confront you.

A few years ago I happened to get home to my place in San Diego around 2:00 a.m. after a gig. Around 3:30 or so, someone rang my doorbell several times. Thinking it was just some kids playing around, I ignored it. 10 minutes later, I hear hammering at my front door. The idiot sat back and saw that "nobody was home" so he was trying to pry open my door. I turned on the light and yelled to the guy that I had a gun and had already called the cops. He ran for the hills. The cops never caught him. I don't ignore a knock or doorbell anymore.

We recently had a young guy, possibly in his early twenties, come to our door around 9:00pm on a Sunday night. He spoke with a fake accent/stutter and was trying to sell magazines so he could make money to help troubled youth. What made me uneasy was the fact that it was pretty late and he was dressed in all black. I immediately called security and gave them the description that my husband and I took down. I'm pretty sure they were scoping out places to rob and I wouldn't be surprised if the guy who came to our door was one of the men recently arrested. I agree that you should always make it known that you are home if someone like this comes to your door. However, if my husband was not home with me I would have not answered the door but instead I would have called the police.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

We recently had a young guy, possibly in his early twenties, come to our door around 9:00pm on a Sunday night. He spoke with a fake accent/stutter and was trying to sell magazines so he could make money to help troubled youth. What made me uneasy was the fact that it was pretty late and he was dressed in all black. I immediately called security and gave them the description that my husband and I took down. I'm pretty sure they were scoping out places to rob and I wouldn't be surprised if the guy who came to our door was one of the men recently arrested. I agree that you should always make it known that you are home if someone like this comes to your door. However, if my husband was not home with me I would have not answered the door but instead I would have called the police.

The police might not get there fast enough. If you husband is not home, go to the door or window so you can be seen and yell loudly enough to be heard outside (pretending someone else is home), "Bubba, it's just a solicitor." Then say you're not interested without opening the door. If the person looks suspicious and/or it's an odd time of night for a solicitor call the police as well. But do make sure the person knows you're home.

[Twize]

Sad yet ticked to hear about this. Seems these occurrences (burglary/home Invasions) are coming up much too often, not just in Folsom either. I believe many citizens are taking note too. A few weeks ago I visited TDS & The Gun Room (range practice), I checked out their retail floor and was really surprised to see/hear many 1st timers (a lot of women) buying and getting educated in firearms.

[tgianco]

With a 65lb dog (not huge, but not a rat dog, either) and a vicious bark anytime the door bell rings, it's a nice first deterrent.

There's some other good suggestions here. How about a motion light anytime someone comes to the door at night?

[ducky]

I'm really surprised by the burglars willing to go through dog doors. I guess I shouldn't be. We don't have one because the size of our dog would require a real door. It's just I always thought that the possibility of a dog at home would serve as a deterrent and they'd move on to somewhere there wouldn't be barking to bring attention to them.

[eVader]

[Thinkingoutloud]

As a victim of a burglary two years ago it's so great to hear these thugs got caught. At my house they entered through a dog door in the backyard just like they did one of the houses on Glen Mady Drive. These dog doors are not safe and the burglars know it.

Where was your dog? It didn't scare them off?

I'm really surprised by the burglars willing to go through dog doors. I guess I shouldn't be. We don't have one because the size of our dog would require a real door. It's just I always thought that the possibility of a dog at home would serve as a deterrent and they'd move on to somewhere there wouldn't be barking to bring attention to them.

I had the same thought! :-) I know my dog would bark her head off and she sounds tough! No way someone's coming in my yard.

[Dan600]

Where was your dog? It didn't scare them off?

I had taken my dog with me to run an errand. He was actually the reason I knew someone was in the house. I returned home and entered through the garage door. My dog always runs in first to get a drink of water. I heard him a few seconds after going in growling and fighting. I thought he had a scuffle with our cat but when I went in after him he was chasing the guy out after a scuffle. The guy probably $h!t his pants on the way out. The best part is he left with nothing and left behind a bag of ours he had packed with checks, social security cards, credit cards, etc. Forgot to mention that I also purchased a 6 foot gun safe after this happened. All our personal information is now locked up.

I had the same thought! :-) I know my dog would bark her head off and she sounds tough! No way someone's coming in my yard.

If someone wants to get in your yard they will. Dogs are a deterrent but it's not hard to poison a piece of meat and give it to the dog to keep busy while they take your stuff. These burglars aren't afraid of dogs.

Edited by Dan600, 26 October 2010 - 03:03 PM.

[Dan600]

Saw another burglary on Sunday's police log on Caithness Court. I wonder if this was another house hit by these same guys on Saturday night but reported on Sunday. Anyone know?

10/24/2010 Burglary 1700 Block Caithness Court Rock thrown through back window.

[sunnyCA]

From what I heard, a large rock was thrown through the back slider on Freswick. This was done after they pounded on the door--after the homeowner did not answer one of them went around back with a large rock and threw it through the sliding door and entered the home. It would not surprise me if it was the same group.

I really wonder why they chose that part of Folsom. It's not near the freeway (or the light rail )--you have to really wind your way through Folsom to get there and to get out. Not too bright, but then again, that's not all that surprising since they thought that breaking in was a good idea to start with...

[mugman]

Hi everybody. Just got off of 10 days of jury duty in Sacramento Court. Aquino and Jones were convicted of 3 counts of 1st Degree Home Burglary and one count of attempted home burglary. Santos-Green was found not guilty of all charges. I listened to the 911 tape of the woman as her house was being invaded and it was really scary. At one point she could barely breathe from fear. The 911 operator had to tell her to take deep breaths. Jury duty is a pain but it is worthwhile to make sure justice is done.

[ducky]

Hi everybody. Just got off of 10 days of jury duty in Sacramento Court. Aquino and Jones were convicted of 3 counts of 1st Degree Home Burglary and one count of attempted home burglary. Santos-Green was found not guilty of all charges. I listened to the 911 tape of the woman as her house was being invaded and it was really scary. At one point she could barely breathe from fear. The 911 operator had to tell her to take deep breaths. Jury duty is a pain but it is worthwhile to make sure justice is done.

Hey, mugman, thanks for doing your civic duty! Glad you let us know the outcome. I wonder how long they will serve. That did sound like a very scary situation for that poor woman. So glad they were caught & tried.

[Dan600]

Hi everybody. Just got off of 10 days of jury duty in Sacramento Court. Aquino and Jones were convicted of 3 counts of 1st Degree Home Burglary and one count of attempted home burglary. Santos-Green was found not guilty of all charges. I listened to the 911 tape of the woman as her house was being invaded and it was really scary. At one point she could barely breathe from fear. The 911 operator had to tell her to take deep breaths. Jury duty is a pain but it is worthwhile to make sure justice is done.

Thanks for the update...hopefully the victims are all aware of this. Such wonderful news. Why did Santos-Green get off so easy?