Garage Break-In Last Night

Creeper · 03-30-2005, 6:08 PM

I live in an apartment and rent a garage. This morning on the way to work I decided to grab something out of the garage and I noticed the manual key lock that the maintenance crew uses to get in (just in case someone loses their door opener) was pried open and when I opened the garage I noticed some stuff missing. I am SO DAMN GREATFUL that the thieves didn't touch my bike. Instead, I think someone walked by my garage one day while I was working and saw the stack of Dell boxes thinking their were computers and monitors in them, because the boxes were scattered all over. They did manage to take half my tools, a music keyboard, and some other small personal things. They most likely grabbed whatever they could take in a one swoop and then bail.

I filed a report with the apartment management and they are willing to relocate me into another garage. That's not my main concern, as I don't want a repeat of this. The thing the maintenance engineer and myself agreed on is to cut the steel cable that connects the external manual garage door lock on the outside to the garage door's track/chain inside. I went to Home Depot and bought Bolt Cutters to cut the wire. Now nobody can open the door unless they have a the remote door opener or a truck to knock the door down.

Somehow I feel better telling you guys what happened. It takes a load off my chest being able to vent my anger and frustration. Liek I said, I'm incredibly greatful that my bike was not damaged or stolen, although they did take the rear sets I just bought and was going to install this weekend.

Newfie TLR · 03-30-2005, 6:12 PM

**** luck pal, but at least you've still got the bike. Obviously very uneducated crooks, didn't realize that was a V-Twin or else it would have been gone!!

JAMI6989 · 03-30-2005, 6:14 PM

Close call dude, count your blessings!

sheepofblue · 03-30-2005, 6:49 PM

Wow when I first saw that I thought

he just got his RC setup. Sorry to here some maggot got anything but glad it was not the bike. Did you report it to the police? I had a toolbox swiped one night and the fine folks at the Madison County Sheriffs Dept got the dog and he is now in a cage

Especially if you can describe the tools (specialty) or have them engraved it might help them make an arrest.

luvtolean · 03-30-2005, 6:52 PM

I'd get a new garage, they now know there's a bike in that one.

Creeper · 03-30-2005, 6:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I'd get a new garage, they now know there's a bike in that one.

Yeah, this is what I plan to do. There are no garages available but one will be vacant soon. In the mean time I removed the manual key entry that the maintenance people use (with their permission, of course) and while I wouldn't say it's impossible to break in, it's a more difficult task than before. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this doesn't happen again.

luvtolean · 03-30-2005, 7:01 PM

Yeah, bad bad feeling when something like that happens.

I had a house break in a few years ago, and they didn't touch my computer or a couple thousand bucks in MC parts that were on my floor. All they took was a lousy stereo worth about $50. It was so weird...

ashkicker · 03-30-2005, 9:37 PM

You have to hate a damn thief.

SomeStrangeGuy · 03-30-2005, 9:55 PM

Have you hooked up some electricity to the disconnected handle yet? That could be amusing at least should they try again in the interim

sonofarex · 03-30-2005, 10:03 PM

back in the day the punishment for stealing a man's horse was death by hanging... what the hell happened?

Zhart · 03-30-2005, 10:29 PM

Sounds like CrackHeads. They knew is was their ass if they touch the bike.

ND4SPD · 03-31-2005, 9:27 AM

If you or your friends are in any way technologically skilled go buy a wireless router with a wireless camera and set it somewhere in the corner and let it capture when you're not there. If those guys come back before you get to a new garage hopefully you'll have it on video.

Heavy-Dee · 03-31-2005, 9:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I'd get a new garage, they now know there's a bike in that one.

+1

Tornado bait · 03-31-2005, 9:54 AM

Whew....damn glad you still have your bike. But sorry to hear about the other ****. I know what it feels like.

Mojave954 · 03-31-2005, 10:33 AM

I have the same fears at my place. Too many people walking by looking into the garage.

Nice to know they didn't get anything you couldn't replace.

Creeper · 03-31-2005, 11:19 AM

Can you guys believe the idiots came back to the apartment complex last night? They walked up to my garage again, realized I rigged it so they couldn't open it, then as they walked back to their vehicle I took a picture with my digital camera. I'm going to the police today. They freaked out when they knew I caught them.

ND4SPD · 03-31-2005, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creeper

Can you guys believe the idiots came back to the apartment complex last night? They walked up to my garage again, realized I rigged it so they couldn't open it, then as they walked back to their vehicle I took a picture with my digital camera. I'm going to the police today. They freaked out when they knew I caught them.

ReaperAZ · 03-31-2005, 11:38 AM

Caught them phuckers, that's awesome. Here's hoping the cops will do something for ya. That's the one thing that's semi predictable about crooks, they'll probably come back. Too bad for them you were ready this time.

Dano

{EDIT}Is that a Police Assoc. sticker on the rear window?

What a bunch of idiots. I guess that guy in the back seat doesn't want his picture taken...

.

oldfogey · 03-31-2005, 11:46 AM

Well done Creeper!

soon2b954 · 03-31-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creeper

Can you guys believe the idiots came back to the apartment complex last night? They walked up to my garage again, realized I rigged it so they couldn't open it, then as they walked back to their vehicle I took a picture with my digital camera. I'm going to the police today. They freaked out when they knew I caught them.

That's awesome!! Keep us updated.

Did they make any attempt to get out of the car? Where was the driver?

Tornado bait · 03-31-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creeper

Can you guys believe the idiots came back to the apartment complex last night? They walked up to my garage again, realized I rigged it so they couldn't open it, then as they walked back to their vehicle I took a picture with my digital camera. I'm going to the police today. They freaked out when they knew I caught them.

Fuggin Awesome!!
I can't wait to hear how this turns out.

EDDIE110171 · 03-31-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creeper

Can you guys believe the idiots came back to the apartment complex last night? They walked up to my garage again, realized I rigged it so they couldn't open it, then as they walked back to their vehicle I took a picture with my digital camera. I'm going to the police today. They freaked out when they knew I caught them.

Good I hope they get what is coming to them.

luvtolean · 03-31-2005, 1:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creeper

Can you guys believe the idiots came back to the apartment complex last night?

Absolutely. They wanted your beautiful bike.

NICE JOB!

I hope the ****ers become someone's bitch in prison...

dattaway · 03-31-2005, 3:05 PM

back in the day, they didn't use a camera to shoot the crooks. what the hell happened?

Creeper · 03-31-2005, 6:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soon2b954

Did they make any attempt to get out of the car? Where was the driver?

They got out of their car and I waited until they attempted forced entry into the garage again. Once that happened I started snapping photos and that's when one of them ran back towards the car while the driver was still standing there startled and trying to answer my questions about WTF they are doing. Then he proceeded back to the car and I snapped a facial of the passenger and then the full rear of the vehicle, including the license plate.

I went to the police this morning and filed a detailed report. They were amazed at the photos I provided them. I'll keep everyone updated!