Piper2022
Bronze Member
Monday I had a few sets of alloy wheels stolen from outside my parents garage as well as a riding mower. Today the garage was broken into, and a dirt bike was stolen as well as the door smashed.
Here is a little history
I am 24 years old and basically share the garage with my farther as i live right near by. We built the place and and its a 30'x50' crammed full of tools, toys, and materials. The driveway is 1000ft long with the house at the far end and the barn by the road. I spoke with my farther monday night and he said a bunch of stuff was stolen from the yard, alloy wheels, tires, lawnmower, etc. The stuff was all outside under a lean-to addition. He was looking around after that and noticed some tractor tire tracks that wernt ours and we know of only one other person near by who has a tractor. We have never met any of these people before but my farther knew it was there tractor so he drove up there driveway to have a word with them. There was a early 20's kid in the yard who came over to him. My farther asked him if he had been on our property with his tractor and he said he was lost earlier. The he tells him that "you have alot of scrap metal over in the woods and if you would like it gone i can do that" my farther said we are fine and left under good terms, knowing that it was the kid who stole all the stuff. We called the cops and the kid in questions has been stealing all over the town, but mostly scrap metal. We filled a report and he said he would try and look for the stuff. I was not too worried because it was not worth a ton, maybe 800 for everything.
Today he breaks the glass in the entrance door to the barn and steals a dirtbike and it appears just that. We as well as the officer thought he would be scared off by the fact we knew who he was and filed a report, but no he wanted more. My parents found the damage before I was able to check on the garage and the cop was there and filled another report. Being 24 and living in poland, me for many years I know plenty of people. I called a few buddies and before I knew it I found out who he sold it to. The kid was nice enough to give it back for the 100 bucks he supposedly paid for it. Kid said he bought it thinking it was a 93 when it was an 03 that is why its so cheap.
Now I need a way to deal with this properly, both the kid and garage security.
For dealing with the kid, should i let this just play out, or should I have a talk with him. I am not a violent person and have no desire to fight with him. He only lives 1/4 mile from the garage. I have a friend who he stole from as well and he would would like to "beat him up" with my help but that is not how I solve problems. There are too many stupid kids out on the streets carrying guns that I dont want to get shot over some theft. The police have testimony from the kid he sold it too but I am not sure what sorta good that will do in the courts?
As for garage security I have installed a very loud alarm with motion sensor indoors and two trail cams setup outside for now. I am going to have dsl brought to the garage so I can setup some live video feeds to watch at work. Any opinions?
I am worried he is going to steal more stuff now that he has seen the inside of the garage. Any ideas?
Here is a little history
I am 24 years old and basically share the garage with my farther as i live right near by. We built the place and and its a 30'x50' crammed full of tools, toys, and materials. The driveway is 1000ft long with the house at the far end and the barn by the road. I spoke with my farther monday night and he said a bunch of stuff was stolen from the yard, alloy wheels, tires, lawnmower, etc. The stuff was all outside under a lean-to addition. He was looking around after that and noticed some tractor tire tracks that wernt ours and we know of only one other person near by who has a tractor. We have never met any of these people before but my farther knew it was there tractor so he drove up there driveway to have a word with them. There was a early 20's kid in the yard who came over to him. My farther asked him if he had been on our property with his tractor and he said he was lost earlier. The he tells him that "you have alot of scrap metal over in the woods and if you would like it gone i can do that" my farther said we are fine and left under good terms, knowing that it was the kid who stole all the stuff. We called the cops and the kid in questions has been stealing all over the town, but mostly scrap metal. We filled a report and he said he would try and look for the stuff. I was not too worried because it was not worth a ton, maybe 800 for everything.
Today he breaks the glass in the entrance door to the barn and steals a dirtbike and it appears just that. We as well as the officer thought he would be scared off by the fact we knew who he was and filed a report, but no he wanted more. My parents found the damage before I was able to check on the garage and the cop was there and filled another report. Being 24 and living in poland, me for many years I know plenty of people. I called a few buddies and before I knew it I found out who he sold it to. The kid was nice enough to give it back for the 100 bucks he supposedly paid for it. Kid said he bought it thinking it was a 93 when it was an 03 that is why its so cheap.
Now I need a way to deal with this properly, both the kid and garage security.
For dealing with the kid, should i let this just play out, or should I have a talk with him. I am not a violent person and have no desire to fight with him. He only lives 1/4 mile from the garage. I have a friend who he stole from as well and he would would like to "beat him up" with my help but that is not how I solve problems. There are too many stupid kids out on the streets carrying guns that I dont want to get shot over some theft. The police have testimony from the kid he sold it too but I am not sure what sorta good that will do in the courts?
As for garage security I have installed a very loud alarm with motion sensor indoors and two trail cams setup outside for now. I am going to have dsl brought to the garage so I can setup some live video feeds to watch at work. Any opinions?
I am worried he is going to steal more stuff now that he has seen the inside of the garage. Any ideas?