sylphaen
2012-01-11, 03:30 AM
So... I went to the supermarket today and left my window open 2 inches wide.
Not less than 30 minutes later, I enter my apartment and hear noise in my bedroom.
:huh:
I shout something like "Hey you!" (cant remember what I said) and suddenly get a toooon of noise from my bedroom.
:eek:
Having no light switch for the bedroom from the entrance, I kind of stay close enough to the entrance... just in case... And also because I thought "He may have a gun!" (in NJ, things are so complicated that I'd venture in saying those who have guns are either criminals, cops or lawyers who can interpret self-defense and gun-ownership laws) a bit dazed by the surprise of someone being in my apartment all in the dark.
:scared:
After much scrambling which may have lasted 10-15 seconds (i thought along the lines, let's not rush him, he might react in stupid ways i.e. dangerous for me ways), I hear no more noise and see no more movement from the window area. I go to the window and the guy had managed to jump safely from the 1st floor after bungling through all the cables lying around (my computer zone is a mess and next to the window), most likely tripping and exiting through a half open window while the window screen was also impending the exit.
I guess someone got as much of a scare as I did and a good rush of adrenaline.
I'm safe, my stuff did not move much (a sound cable got during the hastened exit) but I did lose some cash. So overall, it's all is good. I grew up in worse countries too so I can put all in perspective.
Funny part: he only took my USD and did not even take the CAD.
>.<
I must have entered my apartment just as he had finished getting in.
Conclusions:
1. There is a thief in the building. And all suspicions point to my neighboor while no one has any proofs to it. In my case, we met on the street just as I was walking out so he is one of the persons who KNEW I was not inside. Less than 30 minutes is a pretty fast reaction time given I'm on the non-street side of the building and no one has direct view on my window.
:no:
2. Never EVER let your guard down. You will get nailed from behind as soon as you become complacent and irrationally confident.
3. Do NOT leave any valuable near a point of entry (door/window). I guess CAD may be safe from that rule (fake money ? :lol:).
4. In the times we are going through, do not leave things to chance and stay alert.
5. Some people have no conscience dilemma about taking the savings from someone else's hard work.
This happens to me as my previous job ended just a month ago and while I am preparing to move away and try my chance somewhere else in order to make a living.
Since we're on the internet, some of you will likely very much enjoy pointing at all the mistakes I did and, yes, I did very stupid mistakes; no question about that and I won't even argue with you if you enjoy stepping on others.
The point of this message was to share my experience with you. To not let your guard down. And if you have not assessed your security situation, to do it seriously and correct issues you find asap.
In my case, I had realized that the 2 weakest points were the main door and the bedroom window (only 1 floor high and no burglar bars). I never acted upon it and even was stupid enough to leave valuables near that area (i.e. due to habit, my stuff is in my bedroom).
So be warned, be safe and keep open eyes.
I consider myself warned.
Thanks for reading and much love to you guys !
Not less than 30 minutes later, I enter my apartment and hear noise in my bedroom.
:huh:
I shout something like "Hey you!" (cant remember what I said) and suddenly get a toooon of noise from my bedroom.
:eek:
Having no light switch for the bedroom from the entrance, I kind of stay close enough to the entrance... just in case... And also because I thought "He may have a gun!" (in NJ, things are so complicated that I'd venture in saying those who have guns are either criminals, cops or lawyers who can interpret self-defense and gun-ownership laws) a bit dazed by the surprise of someone being in my apartment all in the dark.
:scared:
After much scrambling which may have lasted 10-15 seconds (i thought along the lines, let's not rush him, he might react in stupid ways i.e. dangerous for me ways), I hear no more noise and see no more movement from the window area. I go to the window and the guy had managed to jump safely from the 1st floor after bungling through all the cables lying around (my computer zone is a mess and next to the window), most likely tripping and exiting through a half open window while the window screen was also impending the exit.
I guess someone got as much of a scare as I did and a good rush of adrenaline.
I'm safe, my stuff did not move much (a sound cable got during the hastened exit) but I did lose some cash. So overall, it's all is good. I grew up in worse countries too so I can put all in perspective.
Funny part: he only took my USD and did not even take the CAD.
>.<
I must have entered my apartment just as he had finished getting in.
Conclusions:
1. There is a thief in the building. And all suspicions point to my neighboor while no one has any proofs to it. In my case, we met on the street just as I was walking out so he is one of the persons who KNEW I was not inside. Less than 30 minutes is a pretty fast reaction time given I'm on the non-street side of the building and no one has direct view on my window.
:no:
2. Never EVER let your guard down. You will get nailed from behind as soon as you become complacent and irrationally confident.
3. Do NOT leave any valuable near a point of entry (door/window). I guess CAD may be safe from that rule (fake money ? :lol:).
4. In the times we are going through, do not leave things to chance and stay alert.
5. Some people have no conscience dilemma about taking the savings from someone else's hard work.
This happens to me as my previous job ended just a month ago and while I am preparing to move away and try my chance somewhere else in order to make a living.
Since we're on the internet, some of you will likely very much enjoy pointing at all the mistakes I did and, yes, I did very stupid mistakes; no question about that and I won't even argue with you if you enjoy stepping on others.
The point of this message was to share my experience with you. To not let your guard down. And if you have not assessed your security situation, to do it seriously and correct issues you find asap.
In my case, I had realized that the 2 weakest points were the main door and the bedroom window (only 1 floor high and no burglar bars). I never acted upon it and even was stupid enough to leave valuables near that area (i.e. due to habit, my stuff is in my bedroom).
So be warned, be safe and keep open eyes.
I consider myself warned.
Thanks for reading and much love to you guys !