For starters, I am very thankful this robbery was contained to our garage - we've gone out of our way to make sure our house is secure; we have security doors, security windows, deadbolts...but we neglected our garage a bit.

Very rarely are we ever gone at the same time: but a few weeks ago we had to suddenly take our youngest son to the ER because he has asthma, and we couldn't pull him out of the attack with his nebulizer. We were gone until the middle of the night. Someone got in the side door, and banged on the garage door opener until the chain broke - Matt said probably so if someone came home and tried to open the garage door they wouldn't be caught red handed.

All of Matt's tools were stolen - he had 2 of those big red tool box things from Sears, plus some power tools. It was a collection of tools that belonged to my dad, tools that belonged to his dad, and tools we bought him for Father's Day and Christmas over the last 18 years. Gone. Just cleaned him out. The tools from our parents are something we can't replace, since our parents are gone.

They weren't happy though with just the tools, they emptied my freezer - can you believe that? The top part of our old bassinet is gone, if I had to guess I'd say they used that to load up everything plus we had some of those old milk crates, which were also gone. All of my carefully selected pork loins I got on sale during a Kroger Grand Opening; my turkey breasts, and I had a bunch of rump roasts from a local meat store, gone; all they left was a bag of french fries and those were busted open all over the inside of my freezer. I have to go out tomorrow morning and replace my turkey for Thanksgiving. It just makes me sick, but I know it can be replaced.

But they also took all of our outside Christmas decorations, we haven't paid full price for any decorations in our life; everything was bought the day after Christmas, all of them gone - plus when I was straightening up the downstairs a month or so ago, I took a GI Joe type compound thing out to the garage until I could get things straight and they took that too - it makes me sick they took that, because at that point they had to know they were stealing from a child.

We have homeowners insurance, but we have never ever made a claim on either our homeowners or auto insurance. Tonight we have to sit down and inventory everything and send it off to the insurance company.

Matt said he was going to start checking pawn shops to see if someone tries to pawn the tools. I just don't understand how someone can be so malignant as to steal from people who work hard to have decent things. How can we replace everything? I don't think it's possible. And right here at the holidays, it really puts a damper on things.

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Catt
~ Mirror Mirror on the wall, I am my mother - after all! ~

How scary Catt! I'm so glad they just hit the garage and you all are safe. That truly is the most important thing.

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"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

Catt...I am so sorry. For future tools, make sure you put your ID mark on them. There is a tool to do this (forgot it's name). That way ID'ing them is easier and it makes it harder for theives to pawn (so I'm told)..

I can't believe how low people will goJust have faith in karma. It will come back on them times 10 some day.

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Catt,
I am so sorry that this happened to you. It is so hard when they take things that have a sentimental value.
How low can they get to steal your food!!
It always makes me mad that they steal our things instead of working to buy their own??
Hugs!
Shirley

That really bites - but, I can believe it! We left our garage door open while the kids were playing outside (front-yard). The kids must have wandered across the street to get their friends. In that short amount of time, some punk strolled into our garage & stole my sons bike.

Now, this isn't some cheapo bike. He wanted some fancy BMX thing (Haro), and my hubby & I decided to get it for him since he is such a good kid. I drove around the nearby park, & quizzed some kids about it. The kids said that they had seen a bike that was similar to the description. So, the next day I rode my bike down to the same park, and sure enough - there was the punk riding my sons bike. I followed him - he tried to ride away, but I was determined to stay with him. I finally caught up to him, and asked him to stop. He stopped (believe it or not), and I asked him where he got the great looking bike he was riding. He stammered for a minute, and than said "Uh, my friend gave it to me". DUH...I knew right than and there that it was mine, and I told the kid that I had a bike exactly like that stolen from my garage the day before. You should have seen him jump off of it so fast - he said "I didn't take it - you can have it back". LOL! I had to call my hubby to bring the truck down to pick it up. He couldn't believe that I had caught the kid red-handed and gotten the bike back.

Long-story short......I am glad you guys are all okay, and that it was contained to only the garage. Have your hubby check out the local craigslist too, as well as the pawn shops. You never know - theives are pretty dumb, and most likely haven't gone too far!

This happened two weeks ago and you just now noticed you were robbed? I hope you called the Police. I would not go checking pawn shops. That's what the Police are for. If the tools were from your parents, perhaps that will give the police a heads up on the older tools being pawned or for sale at a flea market.

azmom, I'm so glad you got your sons bike back! Yay

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@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

does it matter when she noticed? Out of all that she just said, THAT is what you focus on? Lovely.


Catt, I'm so sorry. I know all that Matt went through w/ his parents, and it sucks. On the other hand, I'm so glad they didn't get into the house. Is there anything you can do to make your garage more secure?

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Excuse me, lady, but if my garage was broken into, all my husband's tools were missing, the garage door chain was messed with, my food was stolen, and my husband was going to a pawn shop to look for tools -Yeah, I would have called the Police and had them investigate. What's your problem? I simply said this happened two weeks ago and you just now noticed? It's a legitimate question. One the Police would ask if they were called two weeks later. Get off your high horse.

Catt, I hope you filed a police report. If not, you need to do it now.
Chances are they will not be able to find any of the stolen items, but a report still needs to be made.

second--and I know it's too late for you, but anything of value should be marked. Now, on power tools that's easy, they all have different serial numbers. But for smaller handheld tools, you need to mark them w/ a specific yet different identifier, something like Mattncatt1, mattncatt2, mattncatt3, etc. This way these tools can be entered into NCIC and will be tagged as stolen in a nationwide database. Most pawnshops will run the items they take in through the local police dept. (especially tools and weapons).

Matt does not need to go checking the pawnshops. It will do know good. If he finds anything, he will have to go to the cops to even attempt to retrieve it. Please contact your local police dept. and file a report.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I am sorry this happened to you.

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

Catt that is wrong on so many different levels-it sounds like you had some pretty eclectic burglars. I'm sure (knowing you for the past few years on here) that you had a well-stocked freezer. I hope given the variety of the items stolen that they can be found. It's pretty sad about the tools-I hope Matt is doing ok.

Actually, after reading it again, it looks as though Catt is telling us now what happened to her a few weeks ago. She's just now having to inventory her losses for her insurance claim. Which is probably making her relive the experience which makes you sick all over again. That's probably why she's posting now. She needs some support and sympathy and kind words.

...and to Catt... ((((HUGS)))) I am so sorry this happened to you! I've been through it also and it's terrible! A few weeks ago a co-worker of my mom's was robbed and not only did they steal everything, but they had enough time to steal everything out of her freezer AND time to COOK A MEAL in the house they were robbing! This was in broad daylight! Times are just getting bad. I'm just thankful that you weren't home.

A tip for you would be, if your family is always home and the first time your house is all alone you get robbed...sounds like whoever did the robbing lives close enough to have seen you leave and knew that you'd be gone for a while. I hope they get caught.

And as far as them stealing your food, I've been reading your posts on LGC for years and I think I know you well enough to know that you'd cook a meal for a family in need if they asked. Like another poster said, karma will come back to them.

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~~~~~~~~~~

Kristee
Kritter0114@aol.com

"Hold on, let me check....YES! I do have a coupon for that!"

Catt, I am sorry this happened but thankfully no one was at home or hurt for that matter because you never know it could have been a lot worse!

My neighbor's garage got broken into back in June. It happened on a weekend when we were going to Holiday World so maybe it was the night we were gone and wouldn't have noticed. I just know when she came over and told me her stuff was missing out of her garage and the sad look she had on her face it really hurt her because it was her deceased father's lawnmower and other stuff they took. I think about how many nights her mother had to be there by herself before she passed away. She would have been terrified had she been here.

It just makes you mad when someone violates your home. My neighbor filed a police report and I think her insurance gave her a pretty quick return.

My neighbor also had a dusk to dawn light installed so that when anyone walks in front of the garage it is pretty bright.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. This happened to us right at Christmas about 10 years ago. It was horrible. The robbers actually broke thru a deadbolt and came right in the house, went thru our bedroom, took all my jewelry, my husband's guns (some antique that his dad had handed down to him), my sons' wallets (which had their Christmas money in that they were saving to buy Christmas gifts at the Christmas store at school), cameras and lots of other stuff. They went thru our dresser drawers. It took me a really long time to feel safe and still I'm really paranoid about locking doors and security. Once this happens to you, you'll never feel safe again. I remember feeling like I had been assaulted myself. Just the thought of strangers going thru my belongings. How dare them!

I remember filing the insurance claim too as you are having to do. Do you have pictures of some of the items? Even a picture of maybe your husband working in his garage with his tools and toolbox in the background. Anything that can jog your memory of what was taken. When we sat down and took inventory, it was days before we actually realized some things were actually missing. You're just in shock. Our insurance company was very nice about everything and helped us out a lot.

We did call the police as soon as it was discovered and they came and took fingerprints, etc. The robbers were caught later breaking into our neighbor's house about 2 miles up the road from us a few days before Christmas.

So be careful and tell your neighbors. They could be next. Take your time filling out your insurance report because you'll continue to notice things missing.

I'm really sorry this happened to you and I really DO know what you're going thru.

(((HUGS)))

*waves to Jaded* Hi honey, I miss talking to you. We are going to revamp things as far as the garage goes, for starters as soon as we can line up some help, the freezer is going in the house downstairs: for as long as I can remember, there has been a freezer in the garage: I never thought of it being unsafe.

That's exactly right, sorry I probably rambled on. I noticed the next day when I went to the freezer to get a pizza: the night we got home we didn't even open the garage, it was the middle of the night and we just went right in the house. And you are right, I just wanted to get it off my chest.

I called the police as soon as we noticed, they came out but really didn't do a whole lot, they just gave us a report number to give to our homeowners. I wanted CSI to come in and track them down! Also, as we replace the tools, Matt said he is taking photo's of everything and clip it to the receipts for the item. And we are still discovering things we didn't know was gone. Also - the reason I mentioned the pawn shops is strictly because Matt would rather have our parent's tools as opposed to the new ones: even if he has to buy them back. There is a tremendous amount of sentimental value you can't put a price on.

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Catt
~ Mirror Mirror on the wall, I am my mother - after all! ~

AWW Catt you are such a sweet and nice person I can't understand why anyone would do this to you. I know you well enough to know had they came to you and ASKED, If it was in your power to give it , you would have. Thats why its so sad to see such a wonderful person as yourself having to go thru this.

I too have been robbed many many moons ago( I was only 19 years old at the time ).. My ex husband was off to 2 weeks boot camp, I never felt safe in the house we had none the less staying there alone with 2 babies while he was gone out of state with the army. I offend went home to check on the house, upon one of the check in my front door had been kicked in. I called the police and they met me back at the house alone with campus police( Ex was a Student at the college ). We did a walk thu and found the shotgun laying on the floor in the hallway, They had taken all my undies and my then 2 yo little girls undies and laid them out across the beds ( Mine in my bedroom and hers across her baby bed ) SICK O'S !!. They took the TV, Phones() and all of Ex's army gear that he had in the closets.

They took our children's toys( why take a child's toys ??). They threw diapers all over the place in the kids bedroom. ( Guess they were looking for things hidden in the closets (??)..


Of course being a student we didn't have renters insurance, Barely had money for food sometimes. So we didn't get the times replaced for YEARS after the break in. We moved not long after this. I was so scared to stay in that house alone with the kids, I REFUSED to stay there if he worked nights and If I had no choice in staying I had the shotgun loaded and waiting by the couch.

I wouldn't even walk out of a room into another one if Ex wasn't home. We set up the play pen for the baby and I had my DD sleep on the love-seat.

I told ex either we move or I'm leaving. We moved with in a few short months.
It's VERY SCARY to think someone has been thru your home uninvited. Very nerve racking for sure.

HUGS TO YOU. Hope you can get a good settlement to help replace some of the stuff that was stolen.

OH P.S Our TV was recovered form a local Pawn Shop I saw what I thought was our TV As I did go to all the pawn shops close by. We had the paperwork with the serial number and I called the police they went there and sure enough it was our TV.. The owner was shut down for receiving stolen goods and not reporting on paperwork the ID of the person pawning it. So there is hope in finding Matt's stuff. Good luck with doing so.

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MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

Catt, I'm so sorry, too. I just feel so bad for you. My dad had the same thing happen with his tools and a lot were his grandfathers. He was devastated, as well. I really hope that Matt is able to recover some of them. Your family will be in our thoughts.

Kim

I'm so sorry!
Knowing you on here and living fairly close by makes it seem more real and personal to me.
I will pray that your things are recovered.
Maybe the food is being used to feed the hungry children of the thieves.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

Catt, So sorry to hear that your garage got broken into. I hope your things get recovered!

I'm so sorry to read about this, Catt. I will keep your family in my prayers!

peapie

Sorry to hear about it catt hope you can recover your items. Glad you wasn't home and you are all safe. Hope you have a happy thanksgiving.

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SAHM of Bailey 12, Tyler 10 , Emily Ann 6, and Ryan Matthew 4 yrs old.

(((Hugs))) coming your way from us here too. It is awful that someone would have the audacity to come into your own home and take what you cherish.

I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune. It's sickening, as well as violating to be robbed. I hope you eventually recover your items. Years ago, when I lived in an apt., a pearl necklace was stolen from my apartment. Then a couple of weeks later, the storage locker I kept my spare clothes in was broken into and cleaned out.

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We're off to never never land

Probably the same a**wipe who took your blow up decorations. I swear, what is this world coming to.
I am so sorry , Catt. My heart just falls thinking of how hard you and Matt work and what loving people you are, and this happens to you? I really hope that some of the tools show up. And to go through the freezer and take children's toys? Scum of the earth. I wish there was something I could do except be angry for you. {{{hugs}}} Leah

Catt How horrible I Tell you it is going around my friends rental home got broken into in broad daylight and the neighbors saw it and did squat. They broke down two doors, took what little the tenants had of value , rifled through the clothing and stole all the food out of the freezer, fridge and cabinets and went on their merry way with no less than 3 nieighbors witnessing it, the tenants had no renters insurance, but my friend keeps homeowners on it and the doors are $1800 a piece to replace. Its a shame it really is I would go out and get an engraver to engrave all replacement tools some police departments offer a loaner out but not all. I would check Pawn shops or at least go to them and alert them to what happened and what is missing. My gut is sadly its someone you know who has watched you over the years stock up your food etc. I hope someone catches them and they pay dearly.

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~ Christine ~
Grammie to Trinity Lorayne Jean Keens Born June 9, 2011 Loving my awesome guitar picking 100% Country Boy boyfriend Kenny !
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy

I'm so sorry your home was violated, and your property stolen. I hope the police are able to recover some of the items with sentimental value for you, and catch the lowlifes who did this.

I always just try to imagine how people must grow up to believe that they are entitled to take whatever they want from those who work hard. It's inconceivable.

I hope the holiday season is a happy one for your family from here on out.

I just wanted to add that I am sorry also. I hope that you are able to find who did it, and recover some items.

Oh Catt...I'm so sorry that this happened to you...((((HUGS)))) to you...We've had this happen to us, too...it SOOO hard to get over!! We felt very violated...I'm soo sorry!!

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Jenn
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill

I come back to visit MC and then I read this... I am so sorry this happened to you. My parents were robbed 2 years ago and it was a family friend feeding his drug habit - getting money for his next "fix." He ended up taking my mom's jewelry that my grandmother had passed onto her.

This is what happened to my neighbors, too. We were all outside doing stuff, in fact, and some guy just walks into my neighbor's garage and bam - takes their bike. I don't get some people. Last Halloween I've had pumpkins stolen off my porch, too.

Now I engrave everything. I bought my own for around $50.

Oh, and did you all figure out the point of entry (how the person or persons got in)? You might want to enforce things and make your home more impenetrable.

I hope you can recover your things...

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"Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness."
~ Earl of Derby