I’m so sorry this happened to you. Things can be replaced of course, but still, what a violation and show of how awful people can be.

That's terrible! So sorry that happened! It feels so violating. I guess we all should have cameras up, just in case it does take a good photo of someone.

We went on one offical family vacation once. For a week. Came back to twenty thousand million jillion feet of snow and some &$#@ stole our snowblower. (he could have 'borrowed' it and brought it back once he got dug out) Filed a police report and all that. Nada. I even saw what looked like our snowblower online for sale down in the flatlands and told the police. They told me it was not a big deal and we are not doing anything, so yeah, feels pretty icky. I hope you have better luck in recovering your items (fingers crossed).

Time to check pawn shops and Marketplace - things like that are often used for quick cash turn around. I'm sorry that happened to you.

My faith in humanity is at an all time low. :( I hate that I'm letting things like this get to me. But my social media feed is filled with people who seem to truly believe they are entitled to take things from other people and they have no regrets about it.

Stealing from people has always been a "thing." What seems new is that the people doing the stealing seem more brazen, have no moral problem with their actions, and unfortunately our society doesn't deem it worthy of doing much about because we have (apparently) bigger fish to fry. So it goes.

I am so sorry that happened to you. My husband expects things like that to happen....his grandfather had a fishing cabin by the lake. That was years ago....and it was a constant worry as to what condition it would be in when they entered it. People have always had an attitude they are owed "things" that are not theirs.

It may or may not help, but random turn-on timers for interior/exterior/garage lights.....is something I would check out. A hidden siren alarm hooked to motion- sensors. Get a Go**amn LOUD one.

On the fanciful side, I'd rig up a couple "Predator" (the Arnold S. movie!!) Lasers! 3 visible lasers appear on whatever will be......"destroyed". THAT may freak some perps out! Especially if they're coming from a nearby tree or something!

😈😈

Yes, yes yes to security cameras. While they might not be a deterrent per se, you get an immediate alert that someone is on the premise.

We have security cameras and Nest on our front doors.

We immediately know when anyone is at the door or drops off a delivery.

Even if you are too late and the police can't get there on time, there is still a chance that someone might recognize the intruders or a recognize the car or truck.

DH has help some quite a few crimes be solved with what his cameras pick up on our rental properties.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately theft has become entirely commonplace and thieves are so callous in their disregard for damaging property in the process. A former police officer family member said that at least in my area, many steal and then re-sell stolen goods, especially tools, in order to fuel their drug addictions. And of course even with homeowner's insurance, we end up having to pay a deductible so it's not like we're ever fully whole from such a crime. I'm sorry you're going through this. Your anger is very valid.

We really like our Ring cameras and app. Ours are security cameras/lights rather than the doorbell type. All are accessed by phones and computers and each as speakers and alarms to use at will. The lights are motion actived and we can set up the perimeter and sensitivity.

That stinks. i hate the scumbags who did that to you. Even worse is the feeling of some creep being in your space, touching your things

Thank God for our stores parking-lot cameras!! I tracked-down the vehicle that left a big dent on my car. It was a very windy day, & their door slammed into my rear fender, banging thru a crease. JUST like the sofa-pillow "chop"! 🤕

The conventional body-shop estimate was $1,600!! Dear God!

Someone at work recommended a PDR place. That estimate was $300. Couple months later, I received $1,400 in CASH.

Hint- I didn't use the body-shop! PDR repair was flawless. Had some spending moola now!

😈😈😈

Maybe it's always been this way but it seems like more and more people want what someone else has but don't want to put in the same level of effort to get it. Or it could be a different scenario where someone has a drug habit and is stealing/selling stuff to support it. Bad news, no matter what.

Thank you everyone for commiserating with me. At one time or another, most of us will experience theft of some sort and it's such a shock when it happens.

I have been checking FB Marketplace and Craig's List but I expect the items that were taken are long gone. There are no pawn shops in the area, but I would check those too if there were. We've made a police report and were able to provide them with the serial number of the generator. In the unlikely event that they stumble across it, they'd be able to trace it back to us.

I'm going to miss that generator; it came in really handy when the power went out in our all electric house, but at the moment, we aren't feeling inclined to replace it and risk losing another one. Maybe we'll feel differently after some time has passed.

I guess we should also consider ourselves fortunate that they didn't break into the house or the guest cottage although there isn't much of value in either. Just furniture and the usual household items. The televisions are old and not worth the bother.

We have really good security lighting, but I'm thinking all that did was help the thieves see what they were doing! We'll add another layer of security with cameras and maybe get stronger locks and I think that's about all we can do. We have friends drive by regularly, but they don't usually get out of their cars and walk around the property to check it out.

I'm entertaining the idea of putting electrified wire around the sheds and garage and especially heavily around the doors, but we'd probably be sued if some poor burglar were to get a shock. Lasers in the trees, eh? Hmmmm...

Awful, so sorry that happneed. Property crime is rampant in my area too.

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Not only is it maddening to lose your stuff, but also your sense of security and safety. Like you say, if you replace things, they will know where to go to steal it again. I suppose a small utility trailer with those things hauled back and forth or stored at a nearby storage facility could be an option.

That’s terrible, so sorry for what happened to you and your property. We have a small second home in the Poconos. We keep our gas grill on our front deck. One time that we were there, we started to fire up the grill for dinner, and my husband noticed that the propane tank was empty. This was highly unusual, he would not have left it that low ( my husband is very Type A). The tank was also very dirty, again, unlike my husband. We refilled it, and we also bought a camera to keep an eye on the deck. A few days after we had gone back to our home, the camera picked up someone in the act of stealing our propane tank, and replacing it with another empty one! Our camera had a microphone, so my husband started yelling at the person (we thought it was our jerky neighbor, but couldn’t prove it), and he put the original tank back and left. We have since tied our grill and tank to the deck railing, and the neighbor has moved. So, yes to security cameras!

I’m so sorry about your theft, Dawn. There is nothing that makes you feel more violated than something like this happening. It happens a lot around vacation property here, especially where there are no permanent residents around. And in town with people rummaging thru unlocked cars, open garages, stealing kids bikes, etc. Makes me sick to hear about it.

Jb, that is tacky as all get out! Swapping propane tanks and using your grill!?

That is so upsetting. It isn't just the financial loss, it's the feeling of your home being violated.

I seem to have some crazy juju, as I have had two times in my life where someone tried to break in while I was at home and two times when someone came into my home uninvited. The last time was about a year and half ago - summer. I was working in my front yard, had the garage door open and I came into the house to use the bathroom. I came out and heard someone talking to my dog (overly friendly GSP). I grabbed the bear spray from my desk and walked out toward my garage. I hollered "Hello" and someone answered from my kitchen. It was the Amazon delivery guy. I just looked at him (I am sure he could see that I had something in my hand) and he started talking away, acting friendly as anything, saying he just came in cause he wanted to ask me what breed my dog is, she's so friendly and such a nice dog. Then he said he thought he would bring my package in for me. (It wasn't big or heavy). I told him she is a German Shorthaired Pointer and then told him that I am busy and he needs to leave. He walked out through my laundry room and through the garage and back out to his delivery truck. Really creeped me out for quite some time. The other instances were all when I was young (10. 19 and 20). In my sixties I wasn't able to shake the feeling so easily. I now have an alarm with a panic siren.

I am sorry for your experience, but glad you were not there.

Dawn I'm so sorry that happened to you. I think cameras would be a good idea. Although I hope it would never happen again, it is best to be prepared.

Jennifer that sounded like a really scary experience. Always trust your feelings- I'm sure you were right and he wasn't there for chitchat.

OMG Jennifer - WTH was THAT?! I have to believe his intentions were not good - what kind of delivery driver comes (uninvited especially) inside someone's home?! Were you at all tempted to report it? (That can be a double-edged sword, I know. We had a UPS driver stalk one of my coworkers a few years ago. He "met" her during deliveries to our office building, took a wildly inappropriate fascination with her, and he ended up getting fired for it which actually made her more fearful for a period of time. Anyone that unhinged may not take getting fired well, you know?!)

I think your story is particularly horrifying to me on top of that horrible story of the Fed Ex driver who kidnapped that little girl just last week in Texas.

Thank you everyone, I really do appreciate your comments and suggestions.

We are going to look at camera/security systems for both houses tomorrow. Looks like that will be our Christmas gift this year.

jb, while I shook my head at your story, I can't say that I'm surprised. People from all walks of life have such a sense of entitlement these days. I'm glad that your neighbor moved because it must have been awkward after he was caught.

Jennifer, that is a horrifying story. I'm very glad that the delivery person left when you told him to and didn't escalate. Shame on Amazon for not being more helpful. It's true that a lot of delivery people are independent contractors, but that doesn't absolve the companies who hire them. Do they not vet these people with at least a basic background check?

Not to freak you out any more, but there was a news story a couple of days ago about a FedEx driver who kidnapped a little girl (while on his route, I believe) and killed her. Many criminals or those with criminal leanings, etc. are employed, so we can't let our guards down just because a company seems trustworthy. https://www.cbsnews.com/video/fedex-driver-charged-with-kidnapping-killing-girl/

I saw that, Olychick, and it is such a horrible story. All the more reason for employers to do background checks of potential employees. I realize that may not be feasible in some industries where turnover is high, but maybe it's something for more companies to consider. Every job I ever had required that I be fingerprinted and a check done to see if I had a criminal background. It's not foolproof, but it's one way for employers to provide a layer of security when it comes to hiring decisions.

We were at Costco today and they had the Blink five camera security system available for a great price. We came home, did a little research, read reviews and are going to go back tomorrow to buy two of the systems; one for our primary house and the other for the second home. It may not prevent another burglary if the creeps are determined, but it's a start.

I have Blink. It is easy to get installed and works as expected.