My brothers house was broken into

[GB]

I am really upset right now, but nothing compared to what my brother must be feeling. He called me yesterday to tell me his house was broken into. He lives in a houe with two other guys. It is a very big old farmhouse. His room is on the top floor in the furthest corner of the house. The theif broke in and went straight to his room. this can only mean one thing as far as I am concerned...the theif knew my brother. he had to pass though multiple other rooms and floors to get to his stuff passing by TV's and electronics and all sorts of things. They got away with his laptop, iPod alarm clock thingy that I bought him for Chanuka, Cash that he won at the casino over the weekend, and a ring that our grandfather had given him which help great sentimental value, but little monetary value.

I am pretty sure the theif is their last roomate who they basically had to kick out because he was a deadbeat. this guy would sleep all day and play Everquest (an addictive computergame that some people call everCrack) all night. That would not be such an issue if he wasn't also the father of a young boy (I think he is 6 now). the dad had his son on the weekends, but never spent time with him. My brother and his other roomate ended up taking care of the kid every single weekend. they would feed him, take him places, play with him, make sure he was safe and not getting into trouble, and basically being his dads for the weekend.

I am convinced that this jerk is the one who broke in and stole my brothers stuff. They are pretty sure he was messed up with drugs someone too and I bet he knew to go right to my brothers room for some cash and stuff he can sell. The cops were dusting for fingerprints last night. I really hope they catch this #$%^&!!!

 

[mugsy27]

that realy sux GB...i hope they catch him!!

sounds like its time for some good ole fashion vigilante justice!!!

 

[GB]

If I ever see this guy on the street he had better hope he can run faster than I can mugsy!

 

[urmaniac13]

Oh no GB... I really hope that the whole things will come to its justice and the loser will be put to where he belongs and the sooner the better...
I feel sorry for the son, too... I hope he will find a better father figure one day.

 

[GB]

Thanks Licia. I hope so too.

yeah I feel really bad for the little boy. He is such a nice fun loving kid. He deserves a lot better than this idiot for a dad. I do not know anything about his mother so I hope she at least gives him the love he deserves!

 

[texasgirl]

That is awful, GB. My husband had his truck broken into once and they got about $1,500 worth of power tools. DH said that he was pi$$ed about the stuff being gone, but, what bothered him more was knowing that someone invaded his privacy. He felt very naked. I hope that they catch the jerk!!!

 

[GB]

Thanks TG. I am sure that is how he is feeling right now too. It makes me so mad just thinking about it. his computer was only a few months old and he even just ordered an extra hard drive for it that is probably in the mail as we speak.

The worst part though is the ring they stole. My grandfather was a gem setter and he made this ring for my brother. He always wore it to special occasions and it always made grandpa so happy when he would see it on his hand.

 

[Michelemarie]

GB, I am sorry to hear of your brother's misfortune. He must feel so violated right now. I feel sorry for the loser who did this to him -he is in the worst shape - he must have no spirit - no conscience - and little love in his heart - what a horrible way to live - and he will have you-know-what to pay when he gets you-know-where - it won't be where we spend eternity. Again, sorry to hear the bad news.

 

[SizzlininIN]

So sorry to hear about that GB. Hope the cops are able to catch the creep.

 

[In the Kitchen]

Gb

Why is it always t he good ones? You are one of the good ones here too. So sorry to hear about the bad news. Having someone steal anything makes you feel so helpless. The police just never seem to be concerned. I am sure your brother feels so bad. You try to help someone out and this is the thanks you get! Is there any justice? Have to look long and hard. Sorry to be so down but you seem such good person. Your brother probably is to.

 

[GB]

Thanks everyone. ITK I agree it really stinks, but like MM said...he will get what is coming to him.

I am a firm believer in Karma. Do good things and good things will happen to you. Do bad and bad will happen. Now of course this does not hold true 100% of the time as you can see from my brother being robbed, but in the end he will be doing fine and the theif will not!

 

[BigDog]

Forewarning, this is the cop in me speaking, having been trained to be a cop. . . . .

If your guess is right, GB, the police have a decent chance of nailing the SOB. A couple things lead me to that thought.

1. Your statement of the likeliness (sp?) of the guy being on drugs, or at least under the influence of some sort of substance. Typically when someone is artificially on cloud nine, they make mistakes and leave all sorts of evidence. They don't know what mistakes cause they aren't in their right mind. That leads to not thinking to clean up to cover any tracks/evidence left behind. That equals a field day for CSI.

2. Even if the guy was stone cold sober, if this was due to a vendeta (sp?) against your brother, the mind is more in a rage then acting out of logic (not that breaking into a house is logical, but crooks usually have some sort of plan of action). Being in a rage, it's fairly likely that evidence was left behind. Depending on the severity of the rage will constitute how much of a field day CSI has.

If I was lead investigator, here's what I would do. Let CSI do their thing and make sure they leave no stone unturned. I would also contact every pawn type shop between your brothers residence and the suspect's residence, and a 10 - 20 mile radius from each point of origin. While on scene, I would attempt to reconstruct the course of events with partners. Of course, certainly a perimeter would be established to protect the scene from contamination. Though it may be sad to say, I think the roommates are worth a conversation as well. Of course, a conversation with the suspect is needed too. Everyone needs to have an alibi to prove or disprove. Sadly, even your brother falls into the alibi category. Not saying he was involved, and I certainly mean no disrespect, but there have been cases where a break in is staged for insurance money. I trust, GB, that this is not the case and that your brother is a stand up guy. That said, the police need to be able to verify that with facts, not just word of mouth. Also, typically if it was an insurance type staged crime, far more would have been either taken or damaged. Again, no disrespect to you or your brother. It's just steps needed to be taken to rule out any and all possibilities.

First thought with the drug thought was that it was to steal to sell for cash for drugs. Knowing that there was tons of other stuff just as easily removeable and arguably of higher value tarnishes that theory slightly. The vendeta (sp?) seems the most likely motive, coupled with drugs, and maybe who knows what else. I do think it is likely that the guy was sloppy and left at least something behind to catch him. Under the circumstances, it's unlikely he cleaned up much, if at all, after himself. Any lack of evidence left behind would suggest either a stone cold sober, "logical" minded person not on a vendeta (sp?), or someone came in afterward to clean up. More reason for the conversation with the roomies, and anyone that may have had access to the residence (invited or with key).

Sadly, I think the least likely thing to be recovered is the ring, unless the suspect holds on to it for some reason up to his capture. If it has little monetary value, unfortunately it's not likely to be kept. The rest has serial numbers and can be logged and flagged at pawn shops, etc. Of course, those are material things, including the cash, that can be replaced. Heirloom items obviously cannot. I truly hope the police do their job quickly and nail this guy, and that he still possesses or knows where the ring could be retrieved from.

 

[licia]

I certainly hope they catch whoever did the dastardly deed and put him away. I know the feeling of violation. The farm house was broken into and they hauled out everything they could get thru a broken window. The doors all had deadbolts. They took a brand new convection/microwave oven that we didn't even know how to use without the book. They took an old wall mount telephone that had belonged to my great grandparents. We had the finish redone - a massive oak phone and many other things. But the worst was leaving us the feeling everytime we went that something may have happened again. BTW, they never caught the people, but I think that police department is about like the one on the show with Bo and Luke.

 

[GB]

Thanks BigDog. It has nothing to do with insurance since unfortunatley my brother did not have any. the rent the houe and he never bothered to get renters insurance even though I told him he should do it.

The other roomates are like family to us. They are two brothers. The one my brothers age is his best friend of 25 years or so. Ever since they became friends they have been attached at the hip. The went to the same summer camp, college, fraternity, and have been roomates since college. The other roomate is his brother who was my best friend for many years until we naturally drifted apart. All three of them are about as honest as they come.

I don't think this was rage motivated, although I could be wrong. This deadbeat roomate knew he was in the wrong and accepted what he had done as wrong the last time they all talked. he even told them to keep his canoe as some sort of payment since he didn't have any money he could give them. My personal believe is that he was in need of some drugs and had no money. He knew my brother had nice things in his room and he knew when people were home and when they would not be home. He used a crowbar to get into the house so I am sure you are right in that he left evidence and did not clean up well. If it is him then I am sure he will be caught if they can find him. He did not leave a new address where he would be so my bro doesn't even know where to begin looking.

I fear you are right about his ring. He will most likely never see it again. I guess the good news about that is that our Grandpa is still around. He is slowing down, but for now he is still here. I doubt he would be able to make another ring for him, but I am sure he can relace it with something else that will mean just as much, even if that is just memories or something.

 

[buckytom]

sorry to hear it gb. you feel violated after something like that. i hope they catch the bast^rd.

christmads of '04, when my parents were out of the house, someone broke in and stolle all of their jewelry, and all of my dad's and grandfather's ww1 and ww2 medals, including 2 purple hearts. it was terrible, so now my parents don't leave the house on holidays.

 

[GB]

It is awful what something like this does to a person BT! Your poor parents now will feel vulnerable during the holidays for the rest of their lives probably. Just horrible!!!

 

[BigDog]

The cop in me says to let 'em break in when I'm home. Stare down the business end of my Glock and see how far you get. Oh, I also have a couple sets of cuffs to lock 'em up until the boys in blue arrive.

I can't imagine the violation felt from a break in. I recall the weird feeling I had growing up when the barn attached to my folks house was torched. Fortunately the house was fine, and structurally the barn was fine, and it was rebuilt where needed. The feeling of violation along with a hollow, empty type feeling is what I remember. It's hard to explain, and it's the only thing I could think that may be similar to what your bro is feeling.

 

[GB]

I am sure that is very similar to what he must be feeling right now BigDog. And yeah I wish just one of the guys was home at the time. The robber would have been in a world of hurt!

 

[mish]

So sorry, GB. Fortunately no one was hurt and home at the time. Even though the jerk used a crowbar, your brother might consider changing the locks, passing out fliers in the neighborhood (a neighbor/passerby may have witnessed the break in, etc.), talk to the neighbors. The ex roomie may have filled out a rental application with driver's license, ss #, references, job history, etc. Follow up! Something similar happened to me, & can understand the anger. I took action on my own, installed a security system, etc. My understanding/feeling was/is, once you cross over my threshhold onto my property and I am at home, think again.

 

[kadesma]

I'm sorry to hear this GB. This type of thing makes me so very angry..People like this are so lazy and useless, they think they can just take anything they want, that as my dad use to say, the world owes them a living. So far we've had no breakins, but we've been robbed at gun point at our pharmacy more times than I can remember. Each time my first reaction was anger..Why is it someone always covets what you have but won't get of their bottoms and work for it.. I pray they catch this fool who did this..At least your brother will get some justice. And having a drug problem is NOT an excuse!!!!

kadesma