Break and Enters in O'Connor

Quite a number years back my mothers house was broken into while she was holidays. The thieves obviously knew she was away as they spent a lot of time in the house and made several trips. They literally stole everything they could carry. From the kitchen they took all her dishes and crockery, pots, pans, everything including the dishwashing liquid, food, drying rack and dish cloths. The only thing they left was the empty fridge. In the lounge room they left the couch and big screen TV.

They took everything from her wardrobe including sheets, blankets and curtains.

They took ½ her clothes and all her bedding.

They took her toiletries from the bathroom including the toilet paper.

They even took the clocks & pictures off the walls and her nick nacks off her window sills.

The police said they had never seen a house worked over so much. She’s a pensioner and was under insured so less then ½ was replaced. The effect that it had on her was devastating as she had lost everything she had ever owned and held dear. They even took her photo albums and personal belongings. She was so upset she was unable to return to the house and had to move. It still effects her today.

The little sh*ts have no idea the effect that it cause, and even if it did they don’t care.

A few months later I got word of who the thief was. He was known to the family. The police were contacted again and admitted they had him as a good suspect too, But they said without evidence there was nothing they could do. The sh*t has police history as long as the Nile, including some violent assaults.

A few days later he was spotted at a local pub. A few calls were made and within an hour he was admitted to the local AE with severe bruising and a fractured wrist. I was happily minding my own business 300km away at the pub with plenty of people around. I know it doesn’t solve anything but It certainly made me feel better.

Same thing happened to me in Turner. 42″ plasma, xbox, jewelery, laptop, cameras, ipod… then they came back the next morning for my motorbike (which is when i realised they also took my spare key)

I was almost more annoyed that no one in the apartment complex noticed a thing…..

“But be sure that any modifications made to make the windows more secure don’t inhibit your ability to get out via them in the event of a fire. I’ve read more than one or two news reports of families dying in house fires because they couldn’t get out due to bars on the window.”

Bars are unsightly and don’t work that well anyway if the burglar is prepared. Security Film lets you get out as do plantation shutters (if you get hinged ones with locks). Rollar shutte can if you use a system known a OzRoll which I have on my bedrooms. They use battery packs which allow you to perate the shutter even if the power is out de to fire or storms.

As my wife and other family members pointed out, at least I didn’t catch him in the act, otherwise I’d be up for murder charges too…

Wait at home during the day in a few weeks time, and when they come back for a second bite, take care of them yourself…

Yeha, B&Es suck, but are an all-too-common fact of life. Thankfully, we’ve not had any problems here in Canberra.

Some professional burglars will often try and revisit you in 6 to 8 weeks when your insurance has paid out and you’ve replaced everything.

But be sure that any modifications made to make the windows more secure don’t inhibit your ability to get out via them in the event of a fire. I’ve read more than one or two news reports of families dying in house fires because they couldn’t get out due to bars on the window.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

On a plus side, the two smoking hot AFP constables

Funny you mention that, as I was rather impressed with the ‘smoking’ AFP officer that showed up as well. (I guess she calmed my nerves a bit)

We are only renting, but have already spoken to the home owners to get a full security system installed. The house is an obvious target in the area, as it’s only 2 years old and looks like it would be full of expensive goodies… -__-

“The house was fully secured, a window was smashed to gain entry.”

3M security films, roller shutters and plantations shutters. The latter is very stylish and very secure. roller shutter are over kill for many (though I have one of many windows now) and the security film will keep most intruders out.

Terrible to hear.
I’ve been through it myself. Few years back, must have been a professional crew. They came in, didn’t disturb the obvious stuff but made a bee line to a cupboard at the back of the house where a safe used to be. Made of with it. If they were able to crack it, they would’ve found 30 years of collectibles worth many thousands of dollars.

It could have been worse. Friend of mine was burgled while on holidays. They stole 1 speaker (not the pair), a few CDs, made a mess of the toilet, used the house to sleep in and shoot up drugs for a couple of nights, did over the kitchen and left before they got back. Hope nothing like that happened to you.

Good luck with everything.

Make sure you ring microsoft and get the serial number traced. They SHOULD tell you if it has been used on LIVE. Glad to hear you are insured, Best of luck with everything.

Also futto…. I can understand perfectly the save game crisis.

I feel your pain. Same happened to me a few years ago…all was replaceable except my Xbox save games..argh, i’m such a nerd.

Most of the people that do it seem to be desperate and on drugs so the reality of how these junkies pay for their habit really hit me.

On a plus side, the two smoking hot AFP constables that came and fingerprinted the smashed window almost made up for it…mmmmm.