Well, just came back from my attached garage where I was supposed to be loading my tools for tomorrows job. Evidently i’m not the only one using them. My Bosch router kit, Dewalt Plate Joiner, and NEW Dewalt cordless jigsaw ALL GONE!!!!! I’m getting sick of this.
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Replies
They took the stuff right out of the garage, with you in the house? Wow. That's gotta suck.
Look in the bright side - an opportunity to upgrade!
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
I'm insured this time but I dont know if the insurance company will accept "my kids left the garage open".
I had to cut the original post short cause the police just showed up but, the last time I used my finish tools was a bout a week and a half ago and to be honest, i've been so busy that they could've stolen them an hour ago or a week ago. I have alot of stuff (well, I did) and I usually stack it on racks in my garage so if one or two pieces are missing I guess I didnt notice.
Call me suspicious but check the kids rooms, hang-outs and tree fort for new video games, skateboard, high dollar shoes, etcetera. No need to accuse but it wouldn't be the first time a kid did this. Often in well off homes with highly accomplished parents. The parents are usually the last to know while, possibly because, they always assume they would be the first.Parents assume they know their kids but so seldom they do. And daddies tools are both a likely target, easy to sell, give away for favor or trade, and source of resentment, they are often seen as keeping the father away from spending time with the kids. Kids who are, in many families, but not necessarily yours so no accusation, desperate for attention and affection. Trading the old man's tools for a video game has a win-win component. If the deal is not detected the kid gets a game and reaps a small dividend in taking their resentments out on the father. If the deal is detected the kid gets some attention, even if it is not in the form they really want, and a chance is there that the larger problem, beyond the loss of a few tools, may be addressed. Desperation and pain can make good kids do bad things.None of this may be applicable but it has, and does, happen. Mostly in families where 'no one would suspect'. Nice homes and well off families. Kids, and humans in general, are usually the weak link in any security system. If they don't cause or fail to prevent the problem they often potentiate it by bringing in friends and acquaintances who use the visit to case the joint. Some of these visitors may be exactly the sort of hoodlums who break in or take advantage of open doors and bright shiny tools they can trade for cash to buy drugs and/or alcohol.Something to think about.
Impressive.
I really thought the same. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Great, and/or twisted, minds think alike.I hope my post wasn't taken as an accusation or smear of his, or any other, family. IMHO often the neglected portion of crime control is the human, social and physiological factors within the community and family. Bars, stronger locks and alarm systems are the low-hanging fruit, both physically and psychologically. Thinking you can cure crime with hugs and happy thoughts, not grounded in reality, is almost as much an oversimplification.
No offense at all. Unfortunetly anyone can go bad. A guy I used to know and the last person I would ever suspect is now a crack head.
Edited 9/19/2005 9:16 pm ET by MSA1
MSA
I had a compressor taken right out of my attached garage. I live 75-100 feet back from the street and I often leave the garage door open while I'm home, never while I'm gone.
I think it happened while the in-laws were staying with us for the winter and someone diverted their attention, like that takes a whole lot of effort!
Bad thing about the whole deal is not loosing the compressor but that some punk-azzed thief came up to my house and did this. Now I wonder if they don't drive by and look at my house as easy pickens. Kinda feel violated in some manner.
BTW, I think your insurance co. would still have to pay if your garage door is left open, just guessing though.
Doug
The violation (and inconveince) is the big thing. I keep thinking they (the tools) must be here somewhere. I cant believe the balls on some people, to just walk into an attached garage and lift things off the shelves. My stuff is HEAVILY marked too, i've been through this before. All cases are sprayed with my name and all tools have my name on them also.
It may be too late but put out the message to the pawn shops in your area to look out for tools with your heavy markings on them. They don't want to deal with stolen goods and unless you've got really poor contractors there, the tools were probably stolen with pawning them in mind. (Gotta pay for that next fix somehow!)Good luck - I'm sorry it happened to you,Mac
Yeah, the cop figured it was a crack head. He told me that they have a dectective that cruises the pwan shops.
With that, and all my markings and serial numbers, i'm sure to get my tools back........YEAH RIGHT.
At least they didnt get the big haul this time. There is probably at any given time over $5k sitting in my garage.
Another possibiity to watch for are delivery drivers. Some of the smaller outfits have what amounts to carnies working for them, and a delivery van gives them perfect cover for their larcenous ways. If you see any tagging in your area, definitely keep the garage doors down as gangs are known to specialize in tool theft because tools are so easy to fence.
'bout a year ago, someone walked into my garage (Forgot to lock the door, I guess) and lifted my Super Sawzall and Bosch jigsaw kit. SOB!
BTW, all 3 gates into my back yard are locked - 2 of them are 5+ feet high and the other is 3+ feet.
Guess they could get in over the next-door neighbour's fence. I mentioned it to the youngsters next door one day, as the party (20-25 year olds) on the basetball court proceeded.
Good thing was they left the routers, Freud jig saw, table & chop saw, compressors ...................Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Saw on the news a while back where someone left their garage door open. Neighbors saw a tow-truck pull into the driveway and hook up to the car and leave. Didn't think a thing about it, until the cops showed up a few hours later. THAT takes some BIG ones!
Don
I have a 48 Chevy hotrod, no garage. It's big and bright red and gets some attention, especially since I live on a corner. First thought I had when it went into the driveway was some bestard pulling it out with a tow truck. 97% of the time, something else is behind it for just that reason. It's the other 3% I worry. I already lost one car that way, but it was a junker and I was just trying to figure out which yard to take it to. (By the way, this is a "good" neighborhood. Means nothing any more.)
Don
Well I went shopping today since I needed all the stolen tools today. About $650. I called the insurance agent and of course they said "For a claim that small you're better off to just eat it." Thanks alot.
Knew something was up when the neighbor got his car lifted out of the driveway about a month ago.
I dont think it was the kids. My oldest is only 8 and he's into the whole construction thing.
Geez... and people always wonder why I have such new tools. I bought the router kit in january, the plate joiner was about 1.5 yrs old and I got the jigsaw in june (used about 2 times).
Tonight i'm moving the infrequently used tools to the basement. So now I get to be inconveinced just so I can keep my stuff.