Strange home break in....looking for opinions?

Question

This happened a few years ago and it's always just left me wondering, so I wanted to get some thoughts from law enforcement.

We were out of town for about a week, locked all the doors, set timers for the lamps, did everything we could for safety's sake. Arrived back home after vacation to find our garage door wide open, random lights left on in the house, ceiling fans running, and most oddly this antique rocking chair we had set in the corner of our basement was dragged out into the midding of the room, facing out the basement picture windows (that look out onto a golf course) like someone was just sitting there enjoying the view.

Nothing was missing from the house, or seemed to be tampered with besides these few things. The police came out and the only thing they could tell us was that there were scratches, from a ring, on the garage door handle, and none of us wear a ring.

For law enforcement people, have you seen this before and if so what happened? Other opinions?

The only people who knew we were gone were the grandparents. This is in a fairly upscale area with little crime as well, but at the time there were teenagers living next door so we never counted out that they may have come over. But they did not know we were gone.

Answer 1

That's better than Columbo. Scratches from a ring on the garage door handle?. My opinion, Happy Halloween.

Answer 2

I investigated a break-in very similar to this not too long ago. Door left hanging open. Various lights and fans on. Nothing taken (not even money and a gun that were lying out in plain view). I found the point of enrty (an unlocked window to the kitchen) and recovered a hand print from it. The hand print looked to belong to a 9-12 year old. No children lived in or frequented the home. Through some investigaiton I found that there is a comedian (I am unsure of his name) that does this as a practical joke. Kids watch the comedian and copy cat it. Thats probably what occurred with your home as well.
Unsettling, but a heck of a lot better than having your window smashed in and all your valuables missing.

Answer 3

You really should watch this movie from Germany called "The Edukators" (see link below) German title: Die Fetten Jahre sind vorbei.

Maybe the reason for the break in is a variation on this theme. I think someone just wanted the satisfaction of being in your home, to make you feel a little less secure.

That's it. I don't think the reason is any more mysterious or complicated than that. I think the proof is that there was no maliciousness involved. The perpetrator did not vandalize the place.

Watch the German import movie "The Edukators" and decide for yourself. I rented it at a Hollywood video. It is usually easy to find.

Answer 4

I read a story in my local paper this past week where a lady went on an extended vacation, came home to find strange people LIVING IN HER HOUSE. When she ordered them to leave, they told HER to leave and tried claiming the house belonged to THEM because she had been gone for two months. She called the police and the people took off.
Sometimes, homeless people will watch for inactivity, then start squatting in houses where the residents have obviously gone off for awhile.

Answer 5

There is a recent Korean movie with this theme too called "3 Iron". I have seen it is blockbuster. There is no dialog. I first enjoyed this movie at Sundance film festival, and believe it or not it is a love story of sorts.

Answer 6

I think thats pretty funny... Sounds like someone wanted to play a practical joke on you, they prolly broke in the same day you came home and knew you were coming home that day...

Answer 7

It sounds like a joke. Somebody that knew you and knew you were going out of town and when you would return.