House was burglarized last night

[JoeKing]

While me and the family slept. What a horrible feeling of helplessness and violation. American cops and Italian police just left, got statement down and have preliminary list of items stolen. Filed a claim with our insurance company (thank god for renters insurance) about $3k worth of stuff stolen. They just took cash, purses, and watches. All CCs are accounted for but we'll be keeping a close eye on statements for a while. Of course more paperwork to come this monday

I just ordered a crapload of window and door alarms along with some floodlights. We're now seriously thinking about getting a dog.

This freakin sucks, the day before my b-day and mothers day too. I know we won't be sleeping well tonight.

What's really getting me is I went to bed pretty late last night so I must have only been asleep 1-2 hours before they broke in.

 

[SandEagle]

sorry to hear man. we need to raise the penalty for home burglary to death. what are the italian police doing there? are u an ambassador for Italy or sumthin?

 

[JoeKing]

I'm in the military stationed in Italy atm. Unfortunately the most I can expect from the local police is a another police report I can file with the insurance company.

 

[datalink7]

That sucks. Hopefully they are caught but I probably wouldn't count on it.

 

[SlitheryDee]

So they managed to break in an didn't wake anyone up? That's crazy. I'd have trouble sleeping afterward.

 

[Krynj]

Man, that's just sickening. To have people stealing from you inside your house as you sleep.

Look at the bright side though -- at least you're safe. The items and cash are replaceable. Some home invasions end with a body count. Glad you and your family are safe.

 

[Brainonska511]

Look at the bright side though -- at least you're safe. The items and cash are replaceable. Some home invasions end with a body count. Glad you and your family are safe.

Pretty much this. Good thing you were smart with the renter's insurance.

 

[apac]

So they managed to break in an didn't wake anyone up? That's crazy. I'd have trouble sleeping afterward.

Dog is a good idea because of this. I swear they sleep with one eye open.

 

[JoeKing]

So they managed to break in an didn't wake anyone up? That's crazy. I'd have trouble sleeping afterward.

yup, we have a fairly compartmentalized type house, built mostly of concrete and stone so there's not that much creaking and house sounds. The bedroom area and living room/kitchen area (where most of the stuff was stolen) are fairly seperated.

They also stole the GPSs out of our cars. fuckers used my own keys to unlock the cars!

 

[lxskllr]

They also stole the GPSs out of our cars. fuckers used my own keys to unlock the cars!

Hey, at least they didn't break the windows :^D

Sorry to hear you got ripped off. As long as it was just manufactured crap, you'll get newer stuff in exchange for a headache. Could be worse.

 

[Bignate603]

yup, we have a fairly compartmentalized type house, built mostly of concrete and stone so there's not that much creaking and house sounds. The bedroom area and living room/kitchen area (where most of the stuff was stolen) are fairly seperated.

They also stole the GPSs out of our cars. fuckers used my own keys to unlock the cars!

It could have been worse, they could have used the cars to carry away your own stuff.

Thank goodness for renter's insurance, people are insane if they don't have it, it's so cheap.

 

[fire hazard]

So how does insurance work in this situation? Do you need proof that you owned something or will they just take your word? Sorry to hear that though. At least they were only after material goods and not something more sinister.

 

[M0RPH]

How did they get into your house?

 

[davmat787]

So how does insurance work in this situation? Do you need proof that you owned something or will they just take your word? Sorry to hear that though. At least they were only after material goods and not something more sinister.

I think a police report is usually required to make a claim for stolen goods at this amount. Sorry to burst your bubble, can't just say they stole your uber high end home theatre and get a shiny new one if that is what you were thinking.

Also why taking a home video of your homes contents and serial numbers is a good idea, makes it harder to have a claim rejected.

OP: sorry to hear about this, glad everyone is safe. The long term problem could be with family members no longer feeling safe at night, but it sounds like you are taking that into account.

 

[SKORPI0]

Glad to year you and your family are safe. They could have done worse and wake you up, ask for cash or valuables you have under lock and key. Surprised that there are no alarms in the house. What's the crime rate or burglar statistics in that area?

 

[Bignate603]

I think a police report is usually required to make a claim for stolen goods at this amount. Sorry to burst your bubble, can't just say they stole your uber high end home theatre and get a shiny new one if that is what you were thinking.

Also why taking a home video of your homes contents and serial numbers is a good idea, makes it harder to have a claim rejected.

OP: sorry to hear about this, glad everyone is safe. The long term problem could be with family members no longer feeling safe at night, but it sounds like you are taking that into account.

I tend to keep receipts of any large purchase, and if it was bought online I have a folder in my email where I keep all of the order confirmations. I need to get around to doing a video of all my stuff though.

 

[minendo]

Glad to hear you and your family are safe. I was in a similar situation back in October when someone tried breaking in through my daughter's room. Luckily my dog scared the shit out of them.

 

[alkemyst]

I have been burglarized to the tune of about $32000...I wasn't home, I sleep lightly fortunately and somehow know even if someone walks into my room.

I didn't have an alarm at the time, ironically I had just finished ordering a complete system 15mins prior to getting the next phone call from a neighbor.

Now insurance will tell you 'you are covered' no matter what, honor system style...they may even tell you all you need is photos....this entirely is not true, esp on a large burglarly or anything expensive.

Fortunately for me two things happened: 1) i buy almost everything online so it was easy to find out what I owned as well as have a receipt (the latter is something they will say they don't really need, but do require in reality) and 2) my main computer was not stolen as it is sort of 'built in' to the desk and not easily removed.

Between email confirmations of my orders (I archive email back to 1999 currently), and all the photos I had of my pets and family in my home, I was able to figure out what was missing. It was nearly 300 pages of reporting.

Sadly, as through as I was 2 years later I am still finding things that were stolen and I didn't notice. Some of these items not cheap.

I am upside down in my home now and my neighborhood is going to shit. My career is booming though and I am looking to buy two pretty nice cars. As a requirement I am going to be forced to install video monitoring for security...even then that's not going to stop vandalization necessarily, but at least it puts up a deterrent.

 

[Bignate603]

Now insurance will tell you 'you are covered' no matter what, honor system style...they may even tell you all you need is photos....this entirely is not true, esp on a large burglarly or anything expensive.

Fortunately for me two things happened: 1) i buy almost everything online so it was easy to find out what I owned as well as have a receipt (the latter is something they will say they don't really need, but do require in reality) and 2) my main computer was not stolen as it is sort of 'built in' to the desk and not easily removed.
.

Can you go into this a bit more? What would you recommend to keep as documentation?

 

[alkemyst]

Can you go into this a bit more? What would you recommend to keep as documentation?

Video with dates, someone in your family in them, serial numbers.
Reciepts

 

[qliveur]

Sucks, but I'm very glad to hear that no one was hurt.

 

[ShawnD1]

Dog is a good idea because of this. I swear they sleep with one eye open.

I don't understand how dogs always know. If I'm chillin with a dog, they'll jump up and run to the door before anyone gets even close to the door to knock or ring the bell.

Hey, at least they didn't break the windows :^D

This. School mate had his truck broken into at school. The radio they stole was worth nothing, but fixing the door was $800. Total bullshit. Thieves deserve the death penalty.

 

[DaWhim]

where in italy? naples?

 

[twinrider1]

...What a horrible feeling of helplessness and violation. ....

That nails it. I hate thieves with a passion. You just can't be there to watch your stuff 24/7. It's sobering to think about how easy most of our homes would be to enter.
I'm not saying stealing should be a capital crime, but I have no sympathy for any thief killed in the act.
Glad you're ok.

 

[JoeKing]

where in italy? naples?

no up north about an hour outside of Venice.

It almost 1am here and while we're tired, me and the wife are finding it hard to sleep. Of course all of the outdoor lights are on and I plan to keep them on until I can install our floodlights and alarms. I guess I'll be sleeping in the living room tonight if not for my own piece of mind, but my wifes.

I know the thieves probably won't come back, but I can't help it and I guess this is the only way I can "fight" back in the short term.

We're going to check out a 1 year old Lab tomorrow.