This time it happened to me...

[Texastransplant]

Yep you gotta be carefull. Back where I used to live there was someone that was beaten and robbed. It takes police a long time to make any calls, took like 45 mins. Meanwhile this older man grabbed his shotgun and went outside his busness to protect himself. Police came up and yelled drop your gun, he didn't and they blasted away and killed him. He was the one that was beaten and like me he wears hearing aids, he didn't have them in. What 70 year old would worry about the police killing him when in fact he was only trying to protect himself from another beating.

 

[Texasjack]

There is a huge surplus of s***heads in the world and they've run out of room to keep them all in Washington. So don't be surprised for them to pop up in your neighborhood. (I've noticed that they all seem to be attracted to WalMart - or at least the store seems to be filled with weird folks after the sun goes down.)

Seriously, you can only do so much and then you just have to go on with your life.

 

[Driller]

As the father of two 6 yo twin girls, I think I would have acted differently. I do not ever want to know the pain of waking up the next day and finding one of my girls is missing after seeing someone the night before outside. I could never forgive myself if I had done nothing. Again this would be my situation. I live in the middle of 85 acres with no other house in sight. If you are looking through my window at night and I do not know you, You better hope you know Jesus.

 

[txinvestigator]

As the father of two 6 yo twin girls, I think I would have acted differently. I do not ever want to know the pain of waking up the next day and finding one of my girls is missing after seeing someone the night before outside. I could never forgive myself if I had done nothing. Again this would be my situation. I live in the middle of 85 acres with no other house in sight. If you are looking through my window at night and I do not know you, You better hope you know Jesus.

Do tell. In the OPs position, what would YOU have done? No inuendo, specifics please.

 

[Rum Runner]

Seriously, I wonder if you have a peeper. Maybe not the 1st time hes been there, and maybe not the last. Game camera is an interesting idea.

 

[LJH]

You did everything right.

Game cameras don’t always work. Motion lights are much better. Best ~ if it doesn’t or tick off your neighbors is bright all night lighting.

 

[shooterfpga]

Seriously, I wonder if you have a peeper. Maybe not the 1st time hes been there, and maybe not the last. Game camera is an interesting idea.

yep, not everyone can afford a surveillance system. i know I wouldnt want to be near something flashing in my face and taking a pic. atleast you will know what they look like in case you need

 

[M. Sage]

yep, not everyone can afford a surveillance system. i know I wouldnt want to be near something flashing in my face and taking a pic. atleast you will know what they look like in case you need

They make infrared game cameras. But you can get security cameras that stream on the net pretty cheap these days...

 

[Brit]

Think about it from a criminal point of view. I'm not sure what this guy is up to, but you have gone from being just another house to a house with a face and a presence, a presence that could possibly identify him. Because you were assertive and "gave chase" to somewhat of a degree, the situation has changed in his eyes. You're not just a cooler in the back of a pickup, now you're a cooler in the back of a pickup with a German Shepherd sitting on top of it.

Don't think I'm discouraging any further vigilance, I think you have elevated yourself from sheep to sheepdog in the criminals eyes. That has changed your dynamic to your favor. I seriously doubt he'll be back. It's a good thing this shook you up enough to be prepared to take the extra steps to ensure your family's safety.

 

[M. Sage]

Think about it from a criminal point of view. I'm not sure what this guy is up to, but you have gone from being just another house to a house with a face and a presence, a presence that could possibly identify him. Because you were assertive and "gave chase" to somewhat of a degree, the situation has changed in his eyes. You're not just a cooler in the back of a pickup, now you're a cooler in the back of a pickup with a German Shepherd sitting on top of it.

Don't think I'm discouraging any further vigilance, I think you have elevated yourself from sheep to sheepdog in the criminals eyes. That has changed your dynamic to your favor. I seriously doubt he'll be back. It's a good thing this shook you up enough to be prepared to take the extra steps to ensure your family's safety.

That's pretty much my take on it. You're now "that house" that he's going to avoid.

 

[lalonguecarabine]

Should have avoided it in the first place. That's what shook me up.
House was fully active. Three vehicles parked on property. All outside lights on, front, back, and side - and we've got a massive streetlight directly in front of the house. Very active street with plenty of traffic. Etc. etc.
Then when discovered, he turned and left, quickly and efficiently. Did not respond or attempt to respond to my verbal challenge.
None of it made any sense at all.

Will he avoid this house in the future? I certainly hope so. But I can't help noting what I've pointed out: Nothing about this house is easy or vulnerable. That can't be said of other houses in a 1000 foot radius!

Anyway, my vigilance has been given a good recheck. Neighbors know of the prowler. And that's pretty much it.
Of course, security here has been stepped up since then as well, but I'm certainly not posting how on the internet.

 

[Driller]

Do tell. In the OPs position, what would YOU have done? No inuendo, specifics please.

Better not say in case my comments might be used against me in a court of law one day.

 

[TxDad]

Almost 10 days late I finally see this thread. Im glad you and your household are ok. That is def an eye opener. I admit, I have been one of "those" guys who used to say I would be Conan lol. Then I heard talking outside my window one night. I saw about 4 guys outside trying to hide by my gf's car. By the time I got my clothes on, minus shoes, and ran outside with pistol in hand they had split. I could easily have fired. But why? We were physically safe. The iminent threat was over. And they had already hopped the fence.
Bottom line is, I feel your anger and the I cant believe this happened to me feeling. Look at it as an eye opener. You responded with perfect actions and nobody got hurt. Good job.

 

[M. Sage]

Almost 10 days late I finally see this thread. Im glad you and your household are ok. That is def an eye opener. I admit, I have been one of "those" guys who used to say I would be Conan lol. Then I heard talking outside my window one night. I saw about 4 guys outside trying to hide by my gf's car. By the time I got my clothes on, minus shoes, and ran outside with pistol in hand they had split. I could easily have fired. But why? We were physically safe. The iminent threat was over. And they had already hopped the fence.
Bottom line is, I feel your anger and the I cant believe this happened to me feeling. Look at it as an eye opener. You responded with perfect actions and nobody got hurt. Good job.

... you took time to get dressed?

 

[TxDad]

... you took time to get dressed?

Im not running out there draggin on the ground messing up the landscape

 

[M. Sage]

im not running out there draggin on the ground messing up the landscape

rofl!!!!

 

[Driller]

Im not running out there draggin on the ground messing up the landscape

Funny!!!!!!

 

[lalonguecarabine]

Im not running out there draggin on the ground messing up the landscape

WOW!

I wasn't aware that your flabby ass hung that low.

 

[onac255]

Im not running out there draggin on the ground messing up the landscape

 

[Bumble442]

yep, not everyone can afford a surveillance system. i know I wouldnt want to be near something flashing in my face and taking a pic. atleast you will know what they look like in case you need

Harbor Freight has a Color Securty 4 Camera System with recorder for $299 I got one 2 years ago and it works great.
And a 2 Camera B&W with monitor for $59.99