Ripped off by neighbor kids.

[Ten*K]

So, I came home on 15 minute break today to let the dog out for a pee around 6:30. With storm clouds coming in, I wanted the little guy to "de-pressurize" in case it was pouring all night like the storms we just had.

I live in a nice, quiet area.

I left the windows in my car down, and the car was in the driveway. I ran in the house (townhouse style home), hooked the leash to the dog, and took him out back. We were out there for about 3 minutes. I happened to look up and saw one of the 2 neighbor kids (the younger of two is about 8 or 9, the other a year older) looking down at us from the second story window. I gave him a wave, and noticed he was talking on a walkie-talkie.

Took the dog back in, scratched his ears, tossed him a treat, went back out front, into the car, and back to work. Total time out of sight of the car... 5 minutes.

I realized halfway to work (a 2 minute trip) that my little change cup lid was up. Then I noticed it was empty. WTF? I normally keep 2 or 3 bucks in quarters for parking in there, along with a spare 5.7mm round that I had recovered from under the seat just 2 days ago.

I realized that someone had been in my car, and realized when and how. I looked through the car when I got back to work, and discovered that the lug-nut key for my locking lugs was missing out of the center console, and the garage door opener was on the passenger floor. Son of a bitch! Now I have to find another set of locking lugs with a different key to make sure my car still has wheels on it... $75-100 bucks I now have to spend. Thankfully, I have the garage... which I park in 99% of the time.

Now I've spent the last few hours mulling over what to do. I didn't actually see the theft. The "neighbors" are merely short term "guests" who are living in the house while the actual owner is out of the country on business. There would be added tension in any accusation because there is an ethnic difference. I'm also upset because I was planning on buying a flip-out telescopic sight for my EOTech... and now I feel I need to put that money towards a gun safe. With aspiring little criminals next door who could be here anywhere from a few days to a few months, I'm sure as shit worried about a break in.

If anyone's got a used safe to sell, drop me a line (just for 2 rifles/2 shotties, and a few pistols, plus ammo and a few very sharp things).

It also reminds me of my days working for the Sheriff's Office, and having to take to boys the same age and appearance to juvenile detention for 10 years because they burglarized, fecally defaced the office of, then set fire to a paper supply warehouse, and that wonderful 10 year old from Camden who just robbed another kid at gunpoint.

All the same kind of kids... you look at them and think "THEY.. did WHAT?"

Funny thing is I was planning on renting Gran Turino this weekend.

[normanvin]

You should set the little buggers up. Get a vidio camera. Then repeat the visit home. Then show it to .

[Ten*K]

i would like to set up two small dome style cameras... one at each end of the house. these can be integrated to my PC.

http://ez-toyz.com/2Camera_Weatherproof_CCTV_Camera.asp

I have a terabyte of storage space, so recording time shouldn't be any concern.

[Exbiker]

That bites. Your not in the TH`s that are on top the hill from Freemansburg or the ones by Bethlehem Township`s park are you?

[arrrrgh15]

according to the POTUS, the cops aren't allowed to arrest them if they are a minority. That would be acting stupidly.

Kids these days aren't afraid of anything because they know you can't do anything about it short of calling the cops. When I was a kid if I tried to do something like that I'd have gotten my ass kicked by the car owner....then I'd have gotten my ass kicked by my dad at home after the owner called to tell him what I did.

I'd have called the cops.

Rent Gran Torino. Great movie. May help give you some ideas on how to handle this situation.

[GunLawyer001]

Even if you had videotape that clearly showed an 8 year old stealing $50-$100 worth of stuff, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. Our legal system pretends that children are precious angels who sometimes need more coddling when they make mistakes. And the parent is usually the reason the little bastard is a criminal.

Your best bet is to let them steal beer, perhaps some candy. After you've added something to it. Some sort of powerful laxative or emetic, or if you really want to be creative, a few Viagra pills mixed in (but keep your dog locked inside if you do that, especially any female dogs). I wouldn't get creative with antifreeze or other toxins, but the non-lethal spectrum still allows some creative justice.

Just don't tell anyone who gave you the idea, let it be between you, me, and 20,000 registered PAFOA members. I suppose a spoilsport jury might frown on tampering with beer with the intent that children will drink it, even if the kids are stealing it from you.

[normanvin]

Even if you had videotape that clearly showed an 8 year old stealing $50-$100 worth of stuff, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. Our legal system pretends that children are precious angels who sometimes need more coddling when they make mistakes. And the parent is usually the reason the little bastard is a criminal.

Maybe nothing legal can happen. But if someone showed me a video of my kids stealing there would be some consequences. And I would guarantee it never would happen again.

[Dredly]

Yeah I would go talk to the parents and "report" the theft as a community service and ask if she saw anything laying around outside... realllly casual like. helps to OC while doing this :P

Also, never underestimate the power of Vizean (sp? the eyedrops).

[King 5.45]

Owning a gun safe is simply taking appropriate precautions. No, people aren't supposed to enter your home and steal things that don't belong to them, but pointing the finger at miscreants isn't going to make weapons reappear or undo any damage that they might do in the hands of others. Wait for the gear and buy the safe.

[Tootie]

Maybe nothing legal can happen. But if someone showed me a video of my kids stealing there would be some consequences. And I would guarantee it never would happen again.

Yes but you're not a parent in name only as most thuglings parents are. You took this responsibility full on and taught your kids right from wrong.

I say find a safe, lock up the guns. Buy that camera set-up and record away. After that talk to the thuglings parent and ask them if they could keep an eye out for your lug key, because it has somehow disappeared from it's normal spot.

Sorry for the violation of your personal belongings, it really makes the blood boil doesn't it.