9 replies to this topic

[2_2COOL]

Last night was the 3rd night (title should read 10/24-10/26) in a row we've had Halloween decorations stolen from our yard on Glenn Dr. I should state that last night was an "attempt", where the two nights previous items actually went missing. The items value over $100 total. One large 3 foot bat & one headstone made from resin with the inscription Frank McGovern died 2000 (rare European import JUST purchased 2 weeks ago). Both items were less than 3 weeks old.

Having noted our items missing, we set up our webcam & also slept with our bedroom window ajar last night. As the 2 males in their teens to early 20's approached our house at 10:30 pm (again, same time as first night) we surprised them at the front door. My husband gave chase in our truck & caught one suspect right around the corner. Sadly, we didn't know exactly how to hold him until police arrived, so my husband told him in no uncertain terms what we thought of he & his friends actions. He also guaranteed them they'll be sorry of they come back.

IF YOU know who has the items described, or where they can be located, please contact us!! NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
At this point this is more about people having the nerve to trespass onto our property (all the way up to the front of the home with porch lights ON), than about the low value items stolen.
Police reports, full descriptions with photos, etc. will be turned over to the police today.

I am saddened that my new neighborhood isn't as secure as I had believed it to be. Not that I am cowering in fear. We know how to defend ourselves & our property if it ever became necessary. I am just dissappointed that my new neighborhood isn't the "perfectly safe harbor" I have previously believed it to be.
Please, keep your neighbors in your thoughts when you are traveling around town & you see suspicious activity. REPORT IT! I do. Thanks!

[Thinkingoutloud]

That totally sucks, but how awsome that you caught one of 'em! Let's hope that scares him off from further theivery.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I hope you took a photograph of them and any vehicle they may have had too. I am pretty sure they have your previously stolen items as well. Ask the police about how they would handle something like that as far as catching them in the act and finding out who they are so you can press charges. Remember those two girls that vandalized a christmas scene last year? They came forward and make up for what they did. Probably good for them in the long run. These kids could have had the same opportunity to make it right.

by the way, where is your display? sounds awesome!

[2_2COOL]

I hope so too. Funny, as my husband told the kid he caught his thoughts on the subject (yes, in a VERY unfriendly manor) the KID threatened to call the cops on him. LOL, all hubby said was "go for it".
I just wish they hadn't caught us asleep...we'd have for sure called police/had this kid take us to his home ,or that of his buddy, so we could speak with parents &/or his accomplice. Ah, well, hindsight is 20/20.

[ducky]

That is so uncool what happened. The way you caught them is awesome. I really hope you get your decorations back.

[2_2COOL]

I hope you took a photograph of them and any vehicle they may have had too. I am pretty sure they have your previously stolen items as well. Ask the police about how they would handle something like that as far as catching them in the act and finding out who they are so you can press charges. Remember those two girls that vandalized a christmas scene last year? They came forward and make up for what they did. Probably good for them in the long run. These kids could have had the same opportunity to make it right.

by the way, where is your display? sounds awesome!

They were on foot, so they're local. We have a general idea of where. Hubby was in one kids face,so he can be ID'd. He ratted out his buddy last night, so I am sure he'd give names if police catch them.

we could use an outcome like the Christmas lights family had (how cool was that? I JUST read that thread a few minutes ago!). I wouldn't mind my lawn being mowed weekly all winter!

We are on Wales/Glenn. it's a small (and getting smaller)display until Halloween night when it will at LEAST double in size & we'll put out all the GOOD stuff that needs babysitting like lighting/fogger/anamatronics.
Come by with the kiddies to trick or treat on the 31st!

[Steve Heard]

I am saddened that my new neighborhood isn't as secure as I had believed it to be. Not that I am cowering in fear. We know how to defend ourselves & our property if it ever became necessary. I am just dissappointed that my new neighborhood isn't the "perfectly safe harbor" I have previously believed it to be.

Don't blame it on the neighborhood. The sweet darlin's in gated communities steal and vandalize too. Ask the residents of Serrano or Hillcrest.

[Robert Giacometti]

They were on foot, so they're local. We have a general idea of where. Hubby was in one kids face,so he can be ID'd. He ratted out his buddy last night, so I am sure he'd give names if police catch them.

we could use an outcome like the Christmas lights family had (how cool was that? I JUST read that thread a few minutes ago!). I wouldn't mind my lawn being mowed weekly all winter!

We are on Wales/Glenn. it's a small (and getting smaller)display until Halloween night when it will at LEAST double in size & we'll put out all the GOOD stuff that needs babysitting like lighting/fogger/anamatronics.
Come by with the kiddies to trick or treat on the 31st!

Thanks for putting up your decorations for others to enjoy.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you and I understand your feelings of being violated when someone steals things from your home.

For many years my good friend and I used spend 100's of hours setting up our haunted house and had hundreds and hundreds of people come through. We had people come from Sacramento who heard about it and as far away as Grass Valley drive down to see it. One lady from Cameron Park made 4 different trips with her minivan full of different kids to see it on one night. The Compliments we received from so many people who couldn't belive we did all this and didn't charge anyone, was well worth our efforts. It was until about 3 years ago.

The last year we set this up we had some problems, with some kids from out of the neighborhood, breaking things and stealing some props, I told them they weren't welcome anymore and had to leave. They snuck around the side and went back in through the exit and did some more damage. I then told them I was calling the Police. The girl called her mom who showed up and started yelling at me for singling out her daughter and that since I was rich it shouldn't really matter that some of my cheap stuff got broken,as I could afford it.

Its sad that there is such a growing population of people that have been taught that THEY are entitled to others things. This growing sense of entitlement is going to end more than my Haunted House unless some changes are made soon!

[2_2COOL]

Wow!! Really? Some people... it amazes me some of the strange parenting that goes on nowdays. I mean, really!! I am mid 40's , but my kids are grown (20 &23) and I raised them as I was raised. You mess up, you pay for it. you replace, repay, get grounded AND get spanked. My kids have never been expelled, arrested, drunk (they both watched a grandfather die of liver failure from drinking), pregnant, etc. No, they are NOT perfect angels....but they KNEW they were in for it if they got caught doing wrong. I told them what my dad told me, "Go to jail? Don't call me crying wanting bail money. Rot in there". I guess tough love is a thing of the past?

I just don't understand the entitlement? Because you have money (which I am sure you WORKED for) you shouldn't mind things being stolen/broken/abused? Whatever!! My husband is the breadwinner in our family. I stayed home & raised our kids myself. Money was (& sometimes still is) tight. But we get what we want by saving once we pay bills. How someone gets something legally is really no one business, and it certainly doesn't excuse other people destroying their property just because they have more money than someone else!! That's stupidity!!

Funny when I told a neighbor about the thefts & asked why , what did we do to have people target us? He said, "You have money to buy useless stuff". Hmmm, but if we work for it & save up to buy what we WANT (useless or not)....why should others be upset? They have that same opportunity.

[2_2COOL]

Just an update....2 nights with nothing missing. we have had a lot less sleep & have been more vigilant. But, it seems the message got across. Too bad the taken items never found their way back. That tombstone was so cool. VERY unusual...that's why I liked it so much.