Some of you will recall that I posted just over 3 weeks ago that my storage shed, located on the property where I'm building my new house, was broken into, and my Yamaha kicker, chainsaw, and air compressor were stolen. OK, some things about that theft were weird, like why did they leave lots of valuable tools behind, etc.

So I took Friday off to work on wiring my garage. I unlocked the front door of my house to get some tools that I began storing there instead of the shed that I felt was too vulnerable to entry. So I happened to look downstairs and saw my basement door open. I went downstairs to check things out and discovered that part of the deadbolt lock had been taken apart and removed. Too frickin' weird! You have to be inside to unscrew the faceplates of a deadbolt lock. The deadbolt itself was left in the door, in the unlocked position of course, and the inside and outside faceplates are gone. No indications of prying on the door, no metal filings - - this is beyond figuring out. So I went back upstairs to see what was missing, but my toolbox with skill saw and drill, table saw, chop box, and everything is present and accounted for, or so I thought until I needed the coil of 12/2 wire for the garage, and it and a double breaker for a 220 circuit, and the door knob, yes, the frickin' door knob, are missing. There is absolutely no logic to this, and I'm stymied how some one got in - found the hidden key and put it back, and then took the basement deadbolt apart?

This is beyond stupid, but laid back peaceful Salmo is contemplating a stake out and blowing the head off anyone who comes poking around. Alternatively, are Claymore mines readily available anywhere? And can they be set up so as not to blow up Bambi, as we have several neighborhood deer? The neighbors would be upset if they were injured, but they're all for whackin' neredowell perps.

Sg

Tweakerville....

I'd post a sign out front. Shoot first ask questions later!

Best of luck.

Mf

I bet it was the gun grabbers.

If you need a back-up, let me know.

Probably a tweaker that hasn't slept for a week or so and is basically insane at this point. That's why it doesn't make any sense.

That's fukked up.

Fish on...

Todd

You forgot the 1st rule of Real Estate Purchasing:

Talk to the locals before you buy!

Sorry to hear about that. Such a bummer.

As if these D-I-Y projects weren't a big enough pain in the ass, you have to always be worrying about security.

Power up some security (motion) lights if you get a chance. I think I am going to do that as well.

Irie,

I did talk to the locals. No one mentioned any security problems. Comments were along the lines of "nice quiet neighborhood, with a new water system, etc." I think it's inviting to tweakers because there's no continuous presence, and my garage totally cuts off the neighbor lady's view of the driveway and front yard area, so a tweaker can prowl around all night without being seen.

Andy,

What do you recommend? I haven't shot in years, so I'm thinking buckshot; just aim and fire. Do I need worry which choke to use for buckshot?

I hate gated communities and the like, but this has got me seriously thinking about installing a remote motorized front gate and putting a fence around the front part of the property. I don't really want a lot of fencing since the wildlife corridor is part of the attraction of this place.

Sg

SG,
Sorry to hear that it happened again. That awful feeling you're left with after someone has invaded your home takes some doing to get over. Maybe a surveillance cam directed toward a little water puddle left outside your basement door and the door knob wired to 220V might help you feel better. The resultant video could be quite healing....

Puget is scheduled to run the powerline from my temporary to the service panel Wednesday, so my electrical options will increase dramatically. I'm thinking of some wiring options, but Rochelle asked what do we do with the bodies? Between the two of us, she always thinks about the small details.

Get some hogs. Have you seen "Snatch" before?

Tweakers inherently leave a great scent trail, so they are perfect for crabbing.

Sorry to hear about this continued problem SG.

When I was in college studying in Ireland I was dating this girl. Her roommate was dating a member of the Galway University Rugby team. One night we came back to her place. Sitting in the darkened kitchen were about 10 large members of the rugby team. Everyone had a bat. There were empties everywhere. Apparently, someone had stolen the roommate's bicycle a couple of days prior. The "team" decided to get a few beers and make a night of waiting and watching a decoy bike set out as bait. I read in the paper the next day that some bicycle thief ended up jumping in the river to escape a group of people chasing him. I think the thief got off lucky to have ended up in the river.

Women. Always coming up with gazillions of reasons why inspired solutions to pressing problems won't work instead of something more, well, never mind.... You're on your own big guy

CHOPPER SICK BALLS! Get a Dog!

sounds like a dumb question...but did you change the locks when you first moved there?...could it be the previous owner?...i have known of people saving keys for a very long time and returning when desperate...i lost some stuff that way...

sorry that really sucks...and is really weird...c

There are solar security lights....I have one. About ninety bucks.

There was a thread about Kalama cabin break- ins a while back. I think they are called trail cams sounds like the ticket. I know for sure if you have enough money and an internet connection you can set up a remote cam. we do it on most of our construction sites. not cheap but a good deterrent.

What the fuuddk man.

Time to move onto the property or maybe get some body out there to watch it for you.I have seen entire lumber drops disapear overnight.I can think of quite a few jobs where we had people staying on the site.

Just starting a huge remodel edition.Just spent another 700 bucks replacing tools from the last robbery.Take your tools home with you.It is the only way they will be safe.

Just of the top of my head I can list 20,000 dollars worth of saws compressors and such that have walked away over the years.

If you get a chance KILL THE MUTTTTHER FUUCCKER.