Very upset and angry

[Riverrose28]

Last year when we got our income tax refund hubby bought us a GPS to use for getting to shows, sales, etc. We used it for the first time getting to OHIO and it saved us. It has been stored in my dash board. Well last week someone got into my truck while it was in the driveway and stole my GPS. I had the monitor on because I was watching a mare, and I could hear everything, but obviously not everything. I went out to my truck that morning and someone had opened my console as my farm receipts were on the floor in the back. I didn't really think too much about it as I have grandchildren. Well today, I go to put something in the dashboard and my GPS is gone! Sorry to rant, but my farm has been operating in the red for several years and we are barely scrimping by, this has me furious! Well I got my 22 out of the closet and heaven help them if they come back! We are thinking of putting gates up accross both driveways. What would you do if in my shoes? We have lived here since 1988 and never had a problem, now this, sorry but I'm so angry!

 

[mickeymoto]

So sorry this happened to you! My property is completely gated, but I never leave any of the vehicles unlocked. We even lock our motorhome, as a few years back during a hot summer, someone jumped our fence and got into the motorhome and stole a bunch of fishing rods. They were trying to get the TV out, but our dogs (who were lounging in the garage), finally heard them and chased them off. I know they got ahold of one of them because, there was a piece of their pants leg laying on the ground just inside of the fence. We never heard anything because we had our window airconditioner on. Since than, everything is locked up as soon as we get out of it. Sad that we have to do this. I think we are better off now though, because farm dog is a chow now and no one can even get up next to our fence with her around. But you never know!

 

[KanoasDestiny]

When we lived at our last apartment, we had someone break my car window (although they apparently threw a rock from a distance), and someone stole my husband's license plate from his vehicle. We were not in a position where we could put up a gate but I would have loved to. Thankfully we did have dogs that barked when people came anywhere near our yard. They notified me when the drunk teenage boy from next door came over and tried opening my front door with me home alone inside.

We now live on five acres, with a perimeter fence around our entire property and our gate is locked at all times. Part of our property has barbed wire above the perimeter fencing and I hope to put it around the areas that don't, since I came home to a utility worker in my yard last year who had jumped the fence.

I would suggest putting up gates, getting an outdoor dog that likes to bark when strange people come near, and maybe put up some of those driveway motion sensors that alert you of company. I'm sorry this has happened to you.

 

[shorthorsemom]

Bought my kids a 10 year old 4 wheeler for christmas. Bought it with the last 900 bucks from my losing my job severance money. My kids said it was the best christmas ever. It was well hidden, covered and well within my property, it was not visible from the road. It was stolen the one night where I took the dog to the vet and then had to work late at the barn to help with the milking. Some stinking thief came in and rolled it right out of the driveway valentines day week. They knew where to look and knew the small window of time where our driveway wasn't blocked by our cars and we were both out. Kids didn't even get to ride it. Our collie wasn't quite herself that night. I did hear the goats talking and should have gone to investigate. We are beyond dismayed. That was a lot of money for us. Just makes you feel so violated. My husband wants to buy a junker non running 4 wheeler and stick it in the same place and find some way to scare the pants off the kids.

I have a camera set up now and plan to buy more. So glad they didn't do anything to the outside critters. Pretty sure it was the neighbors kid. Running with a bad crowd and easy to watch our house. The key was not in it, so would not have been a far push for the neighbor to roll it. They were trespassing on our property with their 4 wheelers and tearing up our meadow. We told them they could not ride on our property anymore. We told them more than once. hmmmm.

Bad crowd our neighbors. last week they were doing target practice for 2.5 hours. Shot off a few thousand rounds. Freaking everybody around here out.

We have 6 dogs. I had recently changed cat food for our outside cats and they were knocking on the door telling me how much they hated the new food. The dog barking was out of hand over the cats, so I may have missed the signals something was out of place. I think I could have handled my car being stolen easier than my kids main christmas present. I know exactly how you feel ! I think with the economy we can expect situations like these to get so much worse. I plan to get drive ways sensors. I love my gps. would make me sad to lose it. My brothers truck was opened and rifled through a few months ago. They even took the change in his ash tray. Truck was parked under his bedroom window. sheesh. stinking thieves. You keep going over and over in your mind how you could have missed the signs and how somebody could take something so quickly without you knowing. Just makes you feel horrible. so sorry for your loss. Sorry to add my woeful tale to your string here. Read your story and felt sorry for myself all over again.

 

[Ashley]

Turn it in the insurance and always lock all doors.

 

[ohmt]

Have you reported it stolen? My grandparents had a $2000 horse statue stolen from their driveway a few years ago (it was passed down and they used it as decor for the entrance to the farm). They reported it stolen and a couple weeks later the police called and said they caught who did it and the statue was returned. It was a group of high school boys and they had been going around stealing various things. It's a long shot, but if the person is caught, the police won't know what's yours if you don't report it.

I hope you do get it back! Some people are so terrible. If they only knew and cared.

 

[AngC]

I guess you're probably venting, but I'd put the 22 back in the closet if you're going to potentially take on another human. In my opinion a 22 doesn't pack enough punch. ...not to mention, if you did successfully use it, the climate in this country is not conducive to self defense or property defense.

 

[jacks'thunder]

Ang is right. My in laws that live right next door got their barn broken in to about 2 weeks ago. They stole 2 22's, a 410, a pistol all the ammo that goes with them, and a set of torches. My fil was talking to the sheriff and she said even if you hit them with rock salt or bird shot your the one going to get in trouble. Unfortunately it feels like the criminal has more rights then us...... it scary and very sad.

On a side note my hubby was called to jury duty a few years ago and this case had to do with a man getting life in prison. You know what for? Shooting a burgler twice. They were saying because he had the time to pump his gun a second time it was pre medatited. I do not know what happened in that case but it sure is a scary thought...(hubby did not get picked to be on the jury)

I know your venting and "P"-ed off, I completely understand! Opens your eyes doesn't it? I'm here alone because works midnight half the time. My eyes are wide open and nervous!

 

[MountainWoman]

We gated our property several years ago and it was a great decision. We live at the end of a very rural road and people were always thinking our driveway was part of the road and would be turning and driving around at all hours of the day and night. Put the gate up and the problem was solved. Our geese and guinea hens will also make quite a racket if someone unknown is around. Great for alerting you to new people on the property. They are louder than dogs but I don't recommend them if you have neighbors.

I'm so sorry your GPS was stolen. Just not right at all to have that happen.

 

[MountainWoman]

Woops, my post showed twice. Sorry!

 

[shorthorsemom]

My tax person told me yesterday I can turn in the theft loss on my taxes next year if homeowners doesn't cover the theft of my 4 wheeler? Anyway..although i would love to take matters into my own hands..I do that only in my mind and let police handle the confrontation. Found security cameras on amazon for reasonable prices. Would be nice to catch somebody red handed. Gone is trust.. time for smart awareness and and a camera system. Still would be fun to take my husbands big truck out and re enact a scene from the movies Christine or duel. Only in my mind. Local thug kids rolled a whole field of round bales into the woods last year. Dread summer warm nights and bored city kids. Tough being a solo farm left in the middle of all those mcmansions.

 

[Lil Eowyn]

Thats too bad

I hope you somehow can find it or something good comes up.

 

[MountainWoman]

After reading ShortHorseMom's story, I can relate to not paying attention to the dogs. We have lots of wild critters running around at night. One night we let the dogs out before bedtime and they started making a racket and wouldn't stop but we thought it was deer passing through. Long story short, turns out there was someone hiding in our bushes. Dogs knew but we dismissed it.

So sorry to read of so many bad things happening to people and their property.

 

[Riverrose28]

We have several dogs, problem is I can't let them run lose they are fenced. We live close to the road and the limit is 50 no one would stop for them, they would get killed.

After feeding horses this morning I went out and disinfected the inside of my truck. Just the thought of some sumbag touching things is disgusting. Come to find out one of my neighbors had his truck gone through as well the same time, he only lives about a half mile away. so sorry to hear about your childrens atv being stolen. It's a shame that you work so hard and have so little, and some one doesn't work for it at all, they just take! Shame.

 

[Riverrose28]

AH the power of a newborn mini foal! Police officer just left from checking out my truck and getting info on my GPS/GArmin. He fell in love with my Tank, just 8 days old in the front paddock, says he may bring his grand daughter to see him. He's not for sale, but I'm always willing to share hugs and horsie kisses with kids, trying to get them hooked on our little love bugs.

 

[Carolyn R]

It's always wonderful to have a great relationship with the local/state police!