On Xmas eve we where burgled while we slept upstairs. We need advice please.?

Question

Someone came over 6 gardens to get to use in a row of terrace houses. We havent been burgled in the 18 years we have lived in this house.
No other property was touched or attempted. he took everything valuable we had downstairs including credit and debit cards, cash, drivers licence (old style) various letters and statements, watches, mobiles, all DVDs, CDs (he put the boxes back after taking Cds out. Same with DVDs. he put purse back in handbage and wallet as he found it. he sat at our computer and left it on. (not the moniter though) and then took all obvious CDs and DVDs that where wrapped up under tree. he then locked up after him and you would never have known he had been in. But for the fact he left my wifes handbag in the wrong place and she noticed straight away and looked within 5 mins of getting up.
Now we have recently got an expensive puppy dog and have had it for 8 weeks.
We walk it of course twice a day and get alot of people stopping us to take a look at the dog. Do you like me think they were after the dog but found the dog was upstairs with us in a penn and wouldnt risk going up stairs? or do think they saw the other penn in the front room and got a shock and thought **** there is a dog upstairs so i wont risk going up?
im now thinking they might come and try again for the dog at some other time.
I have stopped the wife taking the dog for a walk incase someone tries to take it from her. Am i overreacting or do you have a view on this whole issue?
Please no funny stuff please im really not up for it as you might expect.
thanks

Answer 1

Well to be honest this sounds a lot like whoever robbed you must have known you and your house very well, to feel comfortable enough to stay there for the time it took to take the cd's & dvd's out and put the boxes back, I don't know how easily they were able to access your other valuables (only you know that) but they obviously didn't feel threatened at all and felt they could take their time..... I have had several neighbours go through almost the exact same thing, did you recently have a party or some company or meet someone new and have them over, has anyone been paying quite a bit of attention to certain things in your home, like they were checking out the location of valuables??...or it could even be someone who mentioned your house and things to another person. It sounds like this person or persons were quite "at home" and new where things were. The part with the dog bothers me though, as I too have an expensive purebread...although mine is a rottweiler, so not too many people would like to tangle with her...is your dog a toy, or a small breed?? The person (s) who did this may have been aware that you have a dog, but that the dog is a pup and is upstairs with you at night.

I really feel for you in this situation, it must be very hard and make you look at everyone with suspicion and I don't blame you. I'm sure that I would feel the exact same way in your position, so no you are not overreacting.

I would change all of my computer accounts, for banking, change any kind of ebay accounts and passwords for all, if he had access to your computer you don't know if he has transferred files to his/her own computer for his/her use later on. I would check all the pawn shops in your area and all the new/used cd/dvd places to see if some of your property has been pawned or sold.

I would also seriously look into a monitored security system with your wife and tell absolutely NO ONE else about it....that way if someone does try to come back for the dog...or anything else they may have missed the first time...you will at least have a small measure of protection and piece of mind, at night and when you are away from home.

Best of luck to you and I hope that you will soon have some answers and be able to again sleep soundly in your own home.

Answer 2

So sorry to hear about the burglary. One thing you should remember is that it is not you but the goods that these people are after. You will feel violated by the fact that they have got into your house. Most times it is a chance factor. perhaps you went to bed earlier than neighbours and there were no lights on or they could see through the windows that no one was around. The back entry is often safest for them. They more than likely were not after your dog. Dogs are usually a deterrent than anything else irrespective of their cost. Please enjoy walking the dog and feel safe. These people like ready cash or cards they can use or turn to money. Remember to cancel all cards and also check with your bank that no money has been taken. They seem to act fast in withdrawing money. It is such a nuisance factor and it takes time to get over a shock like this and anger and emotion are the norm. I have been visiting people for six years now so am fairly used to these situations. Remember that you are safe and that only material things were taken. Put safeguards in place regarding your window locks and doors and close curtains when appropriate. I wish you many more safe years. You managed 18 before!!! Best wishes.

Answer 3

Doesn't sound like it was the dog they were after. This sounds like just a good thief taking his time going thru things maticulasly so as not to overload his swag bag on departure. He knew you were there and he also knew the dog was there and yes i suspect he never went upstairs because the dog was there. Have a look around the houses beside you do they have alarms? Do you have an alarm do you have security lights front and back? If not i suggest you invest in some. If you do have all these things then it was an inside job. Look to your children for signs of drug abuse, hard thing to say but all to common I'm afraid. Especially terraced house this is very suspicious, very risky for sneak thief unless the gains are particularly good. Finaly take your dog out for a walk its not his fault.

Answer 4

I don't think you are overreacting like the other answerer I imagine that burglars would stay away from houses with dogs as they are likely to cause a commotion and raise the alarm. If you wanted to steal a dog, wouldn't it be easier to snatch it off the street rather than risk being caught in someone's house?

I do think it is strange how meticulous the burglar was, and how they had the cheek to sit at your computer. I don't want to alarm you, but it sounds to me like it could have been someone who has knowledge of your house, eg an aquaintance who has been in the house before, as they managed to spend a reasonable amount of time in the house and knew where to look for stuff to steal. Also, the fact they went for CDs makes me think it is either someone very young, or someone who is looking to make some quick money and has opted for stuff that you could easily sell in a pub or somewhere similar.

I could be completely wrong of course, but it's something you should consider. And for peace of mind if I were you I would invest in a good alarm system.

I feel very sorry for you, this is a horrible thing to happen at any time of year. I hope the police catch up with this lowlife soon.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry to hear that you have been through this. I've been a victim of crime repeatedly, and I'm so sick of the scum who do it, that I could cheerfully break every bone in their scrawny little bodies if I ever caught one red handed. To be honest, I'm with the opinion that it was probably an inside job too - did you have any visitors - friends, neighbours around etc?
I know people tell you not to take it personally, but I've always felt totally violated. I don't think the law protects anyone other than the criminal. Did you know if they cut themselves in your house, you can be held responsible? The law is a farce. I believe a mans home should be his castle and I hope your puppy is soon old enough to bark when it hears anyone downstairs again.

Answer 6

That's nasty, especially at Christmas. Everyone knows there's going to be presents in the house, so they're a natural target. You're not over-reacting to not letting your wife out with the dog, just protective. If you're insured, get that sorted out ASAP. Cancel the cards, mobile numbers & anything else, too. Get some protection against I.D. theft. Maybe someone knew about the dog & thought you had it for protection, but they've been bold enough to get round that. Get a silent alarm fitted if you think they might be back.

Answer 7

It does sound as though your house was targeted but I wouldn't have thought that they were after the dog.

If I were a burglar, I'd avoid houses where I knew there were dogs as they could give the alarm

Nevertheless, as they seem to have been at your house for some time and might have found out information you should be very careful for a while - obviously change all locks etc.

You should ask the Police for advice

Answer 8

People who break into someone home make me sick. I feel sorry for you.
Why not have CCTV like I do which covers the front and back of the house and records the visitors. It is interesting to see what people do when you are out. Had this in operation since June 2001 and I can tell you most people are honest but one day I hope to catch the person who is not.

Answer 9

I'm not sure what the question is. Sorry to hear you got burgled though, that sucks! There is a very good chance they will try again because they know you will have replaced all the old stuff they nicked with new so get your security upgraded ASAP.

Answer 10

It looks like it was someone who knows you and has been in your house before .it seems they knew were to look for things without making a mess and why would some random burgler take so much care in putting things back as they were ,it doesn`t make sense. I would sit down and think if anyone you know quite well, could be on smack ,even a friend of a friend who has been in your house before .
I`m sorry this happened to you and at Christmas of all times but at least no one was hurt .but you are bound to feel very nervous now