Shop break in attempt

[bannerd]

Hey all, my garage was almost broken into. Four men were trying to break into my shop last night. I keep it locked up but it looked like they were planning to use force with hammers. Any security ideas? Time to weld reed bar around the windows and door?

They took off when I ran out with my gun, I think seeing me in my underwear was enough to scare them.

 

[cowboy73]

Bars over the windows and doors sounds like a good idea. I'd put the bars for the windows on the inside. I'd also make them easily removed from the inside in case of fire. You wouldn't want to be trapped in there in a worst case scenario. Motion sensor lights above doors and security cameras are also good. How far away is the garage from the shop? They sell some wireless security systems now. You might look into that also. Might be time to talk with your insurance agent about what exactly is covered also.

 

[Jagmandave]

If they're "easily removable", couldn't the bad guys just break the window and easily remove them?

What woke you up and alerted you to the break-in, bannerd?

 

[bannerd]

If they're "easily removable", couldn't the bad guys just break the window and easily remove them?

What woke you up and alerted you to the break-in, bannerd?

It was a fluke, I looked out the window after getting some water and noticed them.

 

[Leadfot]

Get a shootgun and replace the lead With rock salt.

 

[Dugan]

Get a shootgun and replace the lead With rock salt.

sadly you cant "shoot" anything at anyone for stealing property... including in his wonderful state of NY.. They would hang you for a weapons charge.

If you ran outside with a gun and they confronted you and you killed one youd be in prison... as dumb as that sounds...

 

[Trey T]

The adrenaline rush when it comes to thieves is like no other. anyways...

Keep your driveway and exterior of garage lit. I wouldn't even use motion lights as LED lights are so efficient, it's worth to keep it on all night; not to mention, electricity is almost as cheap as natural gas these days.

If you have home alarm, look into hooking up sensors and arm your house at night.

 

[ddawg16]

Big dog and motion lights....and camera.

A dog will keep 99% of the dirt bags away. Motion lights and cameras are also great. If they do get in, you at least have pics for the cops.....which usually puts them behind bars about 90% of the time.

Most crooks are not first timers....so it's not hard to figure out who they are.

 

[homebuilt burner]

The best idea I have heard of was on the MIller welding forum. One gentleman said he had a 109db alarm, he said it was so loud it even made him want to leave his house.

 

[Philbert]

Light them up with a paint ball gun, bright *** neon green so they'll stick out like dog balls if their in a line up. Confront from a covered position and have a real gun as backup in the event that they are armed.
Oh yeah aim mid chest or below, you would not want to pay for an eyeball.

 

[Catadj78]

I'd move to a state where you wouldn't have to worry about it




(was supposed to quote the comment about NY)

 

[rburke65]

An attorney friend of mine says to put a bullet in them and there will never be 2 sides of the argument.....only yours!

 

[Zombifyd925]

Uh oh. Where abouts upstate? Im up in Saratoga County. But my options would be the camera set up and an alarm. And maybe a pit trap.

 

[LXCam]

Big dog and motion lights....and camera.

Yup, one of these and rest assured the criminals will be licked to death.

LOL, I was going for a picture of my mastiff but didn't have any in PB, damn the bad luck.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Na alarm system with lights, camera, and an alarm that would wake the dead.

The problem is, once they've tried and failed, they may wait until they think you're gone and try again.

Too bad you can't legally wire the window frames and doorknob with an electric fence snapper (or just 120) and expect it to work... the law frowns mightily on such shenanigans, tho the scumballs deserve no less.

I would think a big, ugly, mean to strangers dog(s) that lives in the garage... kept people out of my old bosses shop at night. As long as the mutts (3) knew you they would slobber you to death, and the boss had to make introductions and get them used to you if you worked there... but if they didn't know you... your new name would be Alpo.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Lights, alarm, loud siren. And this is something you should be able to trigger from your bedside as well. Make it very publically not popular to be at that location right then and there. You want attention to be shown on the attempt. Any burglar will flee quickly at that point.

People have gotten so used to car alarms going off that they ignore it. But a house with an alarm going off, lights flashing- no crook is going to hang around.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Get a shootgun and replace the lead With rock salt.

LOL, I did that years ago, I heard it hurt when it hit him, the other barrel was loaded with 00.

Looking back I should have had both barrels loaded with 00. I would have been doing a stranger a favor. They finally caught the guy a few months later...after he'd broken in almost several more houses.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

An attorney friend of mine says to put a bullet in them and there will never be 2 sides of the argument.....only yours!

I heard the above put a little another way. I was told "the other guy couldn't make the court date."

I might add, have a "spare" gun nearby, when and if you call the cops, walk up to them with it in your hand and give it to them and say "this is what he pointed at me as I shot."

 

[Mike007]

Just something to look for if anyone runs out in a situation like this. A friend looked out the window and saw 2 guys removing the rims from his car one night. The last thing he remembered was running out the door. He believes a third guy was waiting out of sight near the door and struck him in the head when he came out. He was ok, but probably very lucky. Oh, and they took the rims anyway.

 

[fnieto]

A working dog/s always keeps home/shop owners aware of dirtbags.
I have an alarm but rarely arm it as four GSD's keep the property secure.

The two on duty are investigating a passing coyote. The other two are napping in the house awaiting their shift. The UPS dude rings the door bell then immediately leaves. haha
Seriously, thieves don't like penetrating trauma followed by lead poisoning.

This was your wake up call.

 

[JCQuick]

so OP did you call the cops before or after you went out with your gun?

 

[48fordnut]

My bedroom window ,2nd floor looks out into the mid yard where the shop in, I have a security light.I also have a riot gun with 00,slug,00,slug,00......I think I could hold their attn. till the cops get there.Plus maybe an un registered .38 air pistol

 

[bannerd]

so OP did you call the cops before or after you went out with your gun?

After I went out. I'm pretty sure I tracked down where they live. Neighbour got a good look at one of them (blonde hair).

Dog wouldn't be such a bad idea.

 

[GDPossehl]

I heard the above put a little another way. I was told "the other guy couldn't make the court date."

I might add, have a "spare" gun nearby, when and if you call the cops, walk up to them with it in your hand and give it to them and say "this is what he pointed at me as I shot."

Haha, good luck walking up to a cop with a gun in your hand. A wipe and plant would be your best bet.

My dad always put that quote as " Dead men tell no stories."

 

[theoldwizard1]

Motion sensor lights, but they half to be high enough that they can not be unscrewed/covered up. Windows should have bars. 1/8"x1" flat bar lagged into the interior studs.

The only door that is really safe is a commercial steel door in a steel frame. Big $$$.

The strongest you can make a non-commercial door without a steel frame is to drop a bar across into brackets that are anchored into the studs. I have not seen one that can be locked/unlocked from outside.

 

[jimgood]

sadly you cant "shoot" anything at anyone for stealing property... including in his wonderful state of NY.. They would hang you for a weapons charge.

If you ran outside with a gun and they confronted you and you killed one youd be in prison... as dumb as that sounds...

It all depends on who's left to tell the story and how it's told.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

A lot of emotion is spent in the aftermath of a home intrusion and even as in the OP's situation, a failed one is upsetting. Our home was broken in to just after my wife and I had gotten married 24 years ago. The perp sat on our bed and rifled through my wife's undergarment drawer, stole family pictures etc. This type of home break- in makes the victim feel very personally violated...and mad. A lot of sleepless nights, followed that break in of our home.

That said, there are a lot of good posts above about security measures to take. But one had better know the rules of the law in their location, because not all methods of security taken.... may be readily acceptable... especially if an innocent gets hurt or killed....

I will kill to protect my life or my wife's life without hesitation. To kill someone for a TV, welder, lawn mower, car theft..... not worth me EVEN having the possibility of me losing my freedom over. Homeowner's insurance covers material goods. JMO

 

[James-W]

It all depends on who's left to tell the story and how it's told.

The opening poster said that four guys tried to rob his garage. What are you suggesting? That he shoot an kill all four of them?

 

[DenisG]

Talk to the cops. Don't assume they can't or won't help.

 

[trentonmakes]

Strategicly placed razor blades!

Find the four guys walking around with bandages on thier fingers, you've found your culprits. [emoji2]

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I've found having cars outside, and occasionally mixing it up.. taking the spare to work now and again, but always have one around. If there are external lights, having motion or sound sensing lights inside will usually scare them way..

Rest assured, they'll be back.. Take as much security precaution as you can.. When I leave for a long weekend, I've got all my doors locked including the screen doors, alarm is on and security company is called "dispatch immediately", fence is locked all the way around, and the non touch pad garage door opener is unplugged inside. Auto lights with random turn on time, as well as regular motion lights.

And a good insurance policy ..

 

[bczygan]

I'd get together with the fellow GJ member who started the thread titled "Help filling in a void under the garage floor"!

Could solve both your problems...

 

[ddawg16]

After I went out. I'm pretty sure I tracked down where they live. Neighbour got a good look at one of them (blonde hair).

Dog wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I figured as much....local 'neighbors'. 50% of the time it is.

If it's the kids...have a talk with Dad...while the police officer is standing next to you.

And if you're pretty sure of who it is, call the police. I'm willing to bet they have done other burg's....

 

[brownbagg]

sadly you cant "shoot" anything at anyone for stealing property... including in his wonderful state of NY.. They would hang you for a weapons charge.

here you can, you can shoot for tresspassing

 

[DonPowers]

A friend got robbed a couple years ago. He put up a few motion sensing lights that have built in cameras. They will take pictures / video during the day and night when the detectors sense motion. The lights at night produce good pictures.

Since motion sensing lights are so common, most thieves wouldn't give them a second thought during the daytime and at night would most likely shy away from a well lit area.

Good luck and hope you catch them.

Don

BTW in Maine we can use deadly force protecting self or property.

 

[Jagmandave]

Talk to the cops. Don't assume they can't or won't help.

I agree, do not let them get away with this......since you know who they are have the sheriff meet you at their place and let them know they're been seen and they're on notice. I'll bet if he gets a search warrant he'll find all kinds of stuff - and none of it theirs.

Who knows, you may be doing some other shop owners a good turn if they find their stuff there.....

 

[Cato]

Cameras are pretty cheap these days and are a good deterrent. Make sure you get multiple ones so the thieves are less inclined to disable your camera. Costco usually sells nice sets.

Multiple layers of locks are good too. By that I mean lock your gate, then shop door.

But don't let it turn you into a shut in. Don't start turning your place into a jail with bars over windows. Just do your best and keep enjoying life.

 

[MarkG]

Maybe a generous sprinkling of spent shell casings of various sorts around possible entry points would get their attention......:S

 

[Ponchoguy]

An attorney friend of mine says to put a bullet in them and there will never be 2 sides of the argument.....only yours!

No perps, no problems. Case closed.

 

[Ponchoguy]

A lot of emotion is spent in the aftermath of a home intrusion and even as in the OP's situation, a failed one is upsetting. Our home was broken in to just after my wife and I had gotten married 24 years ago. The perp sat on our bed and rifled through my wife's undergarment drawer, stole family pictures etc. This type of home break- in makes the victim feel very personally violated...and mad. A lot of sleepless nights, followed that break in of our home.

That said, there are a lot of good posts above about security measures to take. But one had better know the rules of the law in their location, because not all methods of security taken.... may be readily acceptable... especially if an innocent gets hurt or killed....

I will kill to protect my life or my wife's life without hesitation. To kill someone for a TV, welder, lawn mower, car theft..... not worth me EVEN having the possibility of me losing my freedom over. Homeowner's insurance covers material goods. JMO

My cousin was asleep as a teenager and caught someone trying to break into the house and undo the chain on the door. He fortunately had a Louisville Slugger nearby and still half asleep took a full swing and cracked the perp's hand against the wood work, sending the guy screaming and running down the block in agony.

A year or so later, some cracked up guy was wheeling my uncle's snowblower down the block in the snow trying to start it (without the key) and then tried to pawn it off until someone recognized the unit and detained him. They impounded the machine and it took a little bit of an act of Congress to get it back...

I had a car stolen years ago and it was a rotten feeling. In some ways, I'm glad I never found out who did it, because the results may have been ugly.....

OP: Did you per chance get the police to get any finger prints? As noted, if they are "three timers", maybe their prints are on file?