Somebody tried to break in today..

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cubiczirconia

cubiczirconia

New member
not once, but twice.

Yesterday my daughter told me that someone was peeking inside our house through the windows. I went downstairs, opened the door, checked and there was no one. I even checked the "motor court" side if someone was hiding that side. Then I told her that it might be a neighbor walking the dog.

This afternoon, I didn't go for my scheduled pick up at 1.30. Daughter was sick and came home early. I usually leave my car outside, but today I had parked it inside after I brought her home. Someone started pushing the front door at 1.30. I got really mad thinking it might be one of those people who leave cards, and opened the door. (without peeking in the peep hole to check first). The man ran away as soon as I opened the door. I thought I scared the "bill" guy. Except that he was medium build and had black hair, I don't have any other description of him. That could be landscape guys, that could be Ontrac delivery guy.

Then I was gone for the next pick up. When we return, the door is pushed in, but the deadbolt was intact- it's hard to explain, but hope you get the point. There were two cards, of a cleaning service, folded into the door in a L shape, and I am sure someone slid them through the top of the door to check for the bolts. Well now they know how many bolts!

I called the Irvine Police, and requested for increased patrolling in the area around afternoon pick up time. It's not just mine, half of the houses in the neighborhood are empty at that time. The cop paid a house visit, and took the visiting card of the cleaning company and said he would give a call and talk to those guys.

Scary day! But I am putting a brave front so that the kids aren't scared.
Anyway, thought of sharing with my fellow citizens of the safe city. There is a time delay before the alarm goes on when you enter from the front door/ garage entry. Windows and the back door break-ins mean immediate alarm. I think that's one of the reasons for the front door break in. And also, during afternoons, there is hardly anyone outside, and anyone inside during those hours..

I saw all the amazing responses you guys left on my blog, but I have been busy with all this drama.. Thank you so much..
I bragged about leaving the car windows down, and car unlocked with my purse inside on the street in Irvine, but I don't think I will try that ever again! Take care you guys, takes only a minute to turn on the alarm or lock the doors. More later, when I am a little composed. I need to meet a few neighbors and see if we can set up a neighborhood watch program in the afternoons.

CZ
 
My other friends have been reporting similar things in various neighborhoods where they live in Irvine, there was even an incident of a druggie going through someone's trash near us.

It even sparked a conversation of gun ownership... and I was thinking to myself "Really? In Irvine?". I must be naive.
 
I am so glad you and the little one are okay and that he was not armed / too scared to use it during the first attempt. I still think the police could have done more like dusted for fingerprints or something. It's Irvine. Where are the helicopters?!

Fwiw, y'all - I talked to her on the phone a few minutes ago and she sounds remarkably calm. Nice composure, CZ.

Call my cell if you need anything in the coming days.
 
Thanks for sharing CZ and really relieved to hear you and family are ok.  Hope you and/or the police are able to warn the neighbors to keep an eye out.
 
I am glad everything is ok. Irvine is very safe on violent crime but petty crime is very high. Heighten your alert because you are being watch when you leave your motor court. The burglar knocked on your door and knew that you were not home. They are smart as not to ring your bell because there are gadget that allows the ringtone to trigger a barking dog recording. By knocking on your door the burglar knows you don't have a dog.

I suggest getting a yappy dog like a wiener dog or Chihuahua. Burglars hate noise.

Another method is to install a dummy or real surveillance camera from Costco on your front door eave.

A buried front door invites crime so be careful.
 
CZ,

I am glad your family is safe. Thanks for letting IHB know about these things.

Other good tips:
1) Get some prominent ADT or other alarm company signs or stickers on your entry and windows (you don't need a real alarm--just the perception will scare some off)
2) Some large size 12+ shoes left on the porch and back/side doors
3) +1 on the fake cameras with blinking LED (again the perception of security will scare many off)
4) Get some timers for lights at night and a radio and/or tv on suggests someone is home
 
Glad you are safe.  This seems to be happening in our part of town too, right down the street from us, in broad daylight and in a "nice section" of town.  This was scary. Mrs. Morekaos is home a lot during the day by herself.

http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_19870073?IADID=Search-www.presstelegram.com-www.presstelegram.com

Long Beach Police still searching for gun-wielding burglary suspects

LONG BEACH -- Police on Wednesday were still searching for a gun-toting burglar who broke into a Long Beach man's home and fired a shot at the victim before fleeing.

A total of three suspects are wanted for the crime, which occurred at about 8:35 a.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of Santa Ana Avenue, said Nancy Pratt, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.

The victim, who was not hit by gunfire, told police he was home alone when he discovered the culprits and was nearly shot by one suspect.

Patrol officers quickly set up a perimeter in the neighborhood and searched the victim's home and the surrounding area with the assistance of K-9 units, but the suspects were not found, Pratt said.

 
For CZ and others with friends reporting things...are these in gated communities?  what areas in Irvine? so others know to keep a look out
 
I agree with irvinehomeshopper that there is more crime in Irvine than people realize.  About every six months or so we get a robbo call from the Irvine PD saying that there has been a rash of car break-ins in the neighborhood.  Usually at night.  Usually following a party filled with loud teenagers making excessive noise outside.
 
Thank you everyone.
This is not a gated community. We changed the locks, put another dead bolt. We do have alarm system, but if they break in through the front door instead of the windows, they have 45 secs to a minute before the alarm goes off. When they know the floor plan already, it shouldn't be hard to take what they need and leave.

It's been four days now, and there are no "cleaning company" cards on any doors in our neighborhood. That day when I went around in the neighborhood sharing my experience with a few neighbors, we noticed that almost every house had the cards from different companies.
 
Statistic supports a man gated community has fewer break ins. If you are close to freeway just like banks there will likely be more burglaries. Homes back on to a street with landscape buffer and bus stop are also easy preys. Thieves can see the back of your house from outside the wall and study when  lights are on and off. Burglars throw the loots over the backyard walls into the trees and landscape on the other side then retrieve it by driving or on foot to the other side to pick up. The bus shelter is where the thief waits until the coast is clear to head into the landscape zone to pick up. You will be surprise that many thieves are local underage kids without cars in need of money to buy drugs. If your neighborhood has commercial traffic then it is really hard to keep an eye out for the regulars when too many random cars wander into the neighborhood.
 
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