What Annoyed You Today?

I came home from work to discover that my youngest son had "helped" by shoveling all the wet snow into a big pile on the front steps. So it was hard as rock. Yay.

Having successfully sprayed the first colours on the Bf110 for the current GB, I went to the pub for a couple of hours, at around 21.15, getting home at just after midnight.
Opened the front door, to find that the back door was wide open, and I'd been burgled !!!
The house is trashed, the Bf110 included, and all of my camera gear has gone, along with my compressor and airbrushes, and some minor bits and pieces.
Spent around two hours with SOCO, who really woke up when I mentioned that my de-activated AK 47 (Chinese Type 56/2). with a mag loaded with inert training rounds, had also been taken .
I can now get some kip, but have to leave the house as it was after the break- in, and expect CID etc tomorrow morning.
P*ssed off ?
You ****ing bet I am !!!

Hope they catch the b*****ds! And you recover your stuff.
We got burgled once and all we got was a "call this number if you think anything else is missing."
They eventually caught the guy after a string of burglaries in the neighborhood, but we never got our stuff back.

Terry, I don't know what to say. I can only hope that your things can be recovered or that you insured and can get over this shock as quickly as possible.

I hope things work out for the best Terry

Ah bollocks Terry, sorry mate, wish there was something i could do for you.

Sorry to hear that, Terry.

A sleepless night

Thanks chaps.
Still waiting for C.I.D. and forensics to turn up.
The cameras were only covered by the insurance for my camper van (Doh !), and the keys for that have been taken too. The van can't move at the moment, as the battery is disconnected and flat.
Very much doubt any of the stuff will be recovered - probably 'smack heads', who'll sell it on for the price of a 'fix' - b@stards !!

Had the CSI woman around, and she managed to get one finger print, but probably not defined enough, plus photos of two oily footprints on the carpet.
Two CID detectives also been around, taking details and a full list of missing items, with photographs of the items I had on file.
They have a few 'suspects' in mind, and will check the known 'outlets' for things like the cameras, but I don't hold out much hope.
All camera gear and camera bag gone, except the tripod (!), along with a gold watch, the AK47, both compressors and airbrushes, my MkIIIA reflector gun sight and a few bits and pieces and around £10 in 2 Pence coins.
Spoiled my plans for photo trips next year, and can't finish any models yet. Will have to save up to replace the cameras I guess, but the worry is the loss of the van keys, which might have just been swept up with the loose change they were next to. I need to get a lock smith to open the van and change the locks and ignition barrel, if possible - b*ll*cks !!

Sorry to hear that my friend.

There is scum everywhere. I know you don't have much hopein having your stuff returned, but I still hope it does.

Thanks Chris. There's a slim chance of the cameras 'popping up' somewhere, but I'm not holding my breath.
The really inconvenient situation is regarding the keys for my camper van. I'm hoping they'll be discarded, and an attempt to take the van doesn't happen But that aside, I now can't even get into the van (which has a flat battery, which might stall attempted theft), and I'll have to wait until Monday before I can contact the insurance company, who I believe offer a service to get doors open, and / or contact a suitable locksmith, and also get the locks and ignition changed - if the parts are available.

At least you get a response. Few US police forces will even bother sending detectives to a burglary.

Terry my friend I am so very sorry to hear this. I always picture you in a small friendly village away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I don't know if you rent or own but our policies cover everything at replacement value unless something is very rare and/or worth more than market value. I hope you have something of that sort to at least ameliorate your losses to at least some degree

I'm very sorry to hear that too, Terry . I hope you will get back all stolen soon.

I am really sorry to hear this news Terry. Been broken into myself, maybe 20 years ago now. Took my brand new TV that I had bought two days previously. Must have been watching the house I think. Never saw it again.

Does your stuff have any identification? If it does show up, cops will need to show that its stolen and more to the point that its yours. If you have receipts or some detailed written description that might help.

Not sure how things work in the UK, but in Australia its hard to dispose of stolen property through normal channels like pawn shops. Strong possibility it will be unloaded at the pub actually(the perpetrators are not real deep thinkers). Do you know if anyone has been watching your house lately, or people hanging around that you've not seen before.

Chances of recovery are very slim, but stranger things have happened

Thanks very much for the kind words chaps, it's very much appreciated.

The relatively small town where I now live, and the immediate area, is not too bad overall, and generally friendly, but of course like anywhere else, there are some 'scallies' who pass through, mainly smack heads, who are opportunist thieves, out for a quick 'make' to get their next 'fix' - I firmly believe a single 9mm will take care of the problem and the drain on the social and financial 'aid' given to these low-life no-hopers, but then that's probably 'politically incorrect'.
The loss of the camera equipment, built up over the last three years or so, is a particularly heavy blow to me, especially as I have been involved in photography at a professional level for most of my adult life, and the thought that this equipment will be sold for a pittance really p*sses me off !
In general, I never considered that there was anything in my (rented) house of value to a potential burglar, apart from the camera equipment, which is normally kept in the case, and the case hidden from view, even if a search (by the average burglar) was made.
But for once, I left one camera on the coffee table,covered by a cloth, and the camera case with the other cameras and equipment tucked between two chairs, as I'd used one just before going out. I also left the lights on, and the curtains closed - just sod's law that last night had to be the night when a scally struck !
I have a strong feeling that the house had been watched too, and it's very likely that the thief was of low intelligence, just grabbing what looked 'shiny' or expensive, and relatively easy to carry, to be 'disposed of' easily, as witnessed by the removal of the compressor on the kitchen table (where entry was gained), and the small manicure case on my desk (used for modelling purposes). The really valuable items, such as computer, paintings, some ornamental things and many of my books, were not even touched, and not recognised for their value, and it probably only took a few minutes to grab the stuff and get out.

The camera equipment is insured for travelling, and if stolen from my van, but I hadn't yet got around to insuring it at home - lesson learned, if a bit late !
Ah well, with a bit of luck, I might be able to afford to replace most of it before the air show season next year,although it may have to be 'pre-owned' kit, and plans for another overseas tour are now scuppered..
At least I was able to provide good, clear photos of everything stolen, and the Detectives remarked that these could be very useful in identifying the items if they do happen to turn up in the 'usual' places.

Sorry to hear there are no real leads Terry. I've been out all day and was hoping for some good news.

Have an eye on Kijiji for your stuff as, if this guy(s) as dumb as he seems, he may resort to selling the stuff on line.

That's what the CID and CSI people said and they will be checking those places, as well as other 'known' outlets.
Although I have little hope of ever seeing the cameras again, at least it's encouraging to know that the photos I provided are considered to be extremely helpful in identifying the goods, and that there's at least a chance that they just might be located. Also, the CID will be 'watching' known suspects, so there's a chance - slim, but a chance.
I also remember seeing a stranger last night, as I left the house, standing in a slightly unusual location, apparently doing nothing, who looked away when I glanced in his direction. The same person was in the same place at around 19.00 on Thursday evening, when I went to the local shop - just a quick ten minute turn around - and also looked away then, when I glanced in his direction.
This info, and a reasonable description, has been passed on to the Police.

It's pointless me getting even madder about the loss of the camera equipment - what's done is done, and no good crying over spilled milk etc etc,
but the loss of the compressor is frustrating, as I can't get any further with the '110 (or take photos !!), and to add insult to injury, the new airbrush turned up today , which, without a compressor to attach it to, is about as useful as t*ts on a fish !!!

Terry, sounds like you were targeted rather than just a coincidental happenstance breakin. With the lights on and curtains drawn how did they/he/she/it know that you were not at home? Hard to think in such terms but even an acquaintance who knows your habits and what you have inside. Neighborhood kids for example. People who come to the door and offer free services to sell something, vacuum cleaners are a popular thing here. Free one room cleaning while they scope the place out. With my 100lb (45kg) Doberman, 170lb (77kg) Irish Wolfhound, and 75lb (34kg) German Shepherd roaming the house we don't get break-ins. A 9mm would be the least of their worries. Always prefered my 12ga with 00 buck.
Don't know about the UK but we have Renters Insurance here which covers all your personal contents. Those pics of your stuff are great. We do a video walk through of the entire place and all contents with the video kept in a fireproof safe