I'm not going to sleep tonight - Just confronted a burglar - UPDATE!

[stripedelete]

First I'd like to thank everyone for the well-wishes regarding the safe outcome of my incident the other night.

I spoke to the cops about 7:30pm tonight and they gave me an update on my perp.  It seems there was a fight at the Arby's across the street that night.  My perp got the worst end of it and split,  leaving some personal items, including his wallet, part of his shirt and a lot of blood.  Which I think explains my description.  I told the cop he looked like Deniro in Raging Bull wearing a toga.  The cop laughed, but, now I feel vindicated.  It explains the  "I got mugged" line.  Of course doesn't explain why he was trying to get into my shop.  

Also, the wallet had some  type of drug scale.  The cop tried to describe it, but, I guess I don't do enough drugs to be up on that kind of thing.

So your next question might be did they catch him?  I don't effin' know.  Why?  Because I focused on describing MY STOLEN PICKUP TRUCK
(Yes, you read that right)

At about 4pm I left the shop with my delivery pickup (1998 Silverado), dropped off an order and then met my old college buddy at his daughters soccer game.  I watched the game and headed back.  At about 7:15 I was exiting the GA400 near my shop and I see a truck like mine (2001 Silverado) go through the intersection and get on GA400 South.  

This is the part where I feel like a MORON:  I say to myself, "Look that poor bastards low beams are out - just like mine".  Let me explain;  my low beams went out a couple of weeks ago so I just leave the high beams on.  When the high beams are on they stay on like "daytime running lights".  I guess if it wasn't BROAD DAYLIGHT I would been more suspicious and wheeled around.... But, I guess if were dark I wouldn't have noticed.

So, I get to the yard and the truck is gone.  So I call the cops and the rest is history.   Btw, they keys were in it.

Now let's go back to the perp.  Recall that I thought he was saying something to someone when I came around the corner.  I remember it being "no something".  I think the other guy may have seen keys in the truck and was suggesting they barrow it to get out of there that night.  (I don't always leave the keys in there but sometimes I do.)  I think they may have come back for round two.

I told the cops they picked the wrong truck.  Rust-belt cancer, 287K miles, no high beams, and a quart-a-day trans leak.  The truck was actually off limits to employees because of the leak.    Oh ya, the windshield was cracked.

They said they will desert it in Atlanta or hand it off to someone for $50 and they will chop it up for scrap metal. Which goes back to the druggie perp talking to someone.  The may have finally got their fix.  (I hope they save the starter - it's new)

I otherwise lead I pretty drama-free life, so, I have really had enough for one week.   I also see no need to check my lottery tickets...  But, be assured I will be going full on "Omega-Man" in the near future.  
(Also, I only had liability on it, so no need to go there.)  

[A383Wing]

hey..at least yer OK....physically anyway.....the mental part...well.... 

Bryan  (just bustin' ya...no bullying here from me)

[Fred]

That's quite a week you're having stripedelete. But I'd say luck is on your side in some small way as both times you were left unhurt. Maybe it was lucky you weren't there when they stole the truck (if it was the same two guys) as I'm sure they would have been better prepared this time round.

[bull]

Wow. Maybe it's time to get out of Atlanta.

[stripedelete]

Wow. Maybe it's time to get out of Atlanta.

no shit!

[AKcharger]

Holy Smokes!

Well except for the truck sounds like things worked out well.  An the  guy who stole you're truck will likely burn in hell for eternity (In accordance with 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) so he's got an broken down truck AND eternal damnation!

I think some lights would be your best bet to avoid avoid future break-ins

[stripedelete]

Holy Smokes!

Well except for the truck sounds like things worked out well.  An the  guy who stole you're truck will likely burn in hell for eternity (In accordance with 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) so he's got an broken down truck AND eternal damnation!

I think some lights would be your best bet to avoid avoid future break-ins

The truck left in broad daylight.  It had to be the morons from the other night.  Anyone with any knowledge would have known with the other pickup gone, I could roll in right on top of them.   With any premeditation, it would have been one of my Isuzu NPRs.  A couple of them are real sweathearts.

I think there's some newbies in the hood.  And that makes me nervous.

[Mike DC]

           
The cops know who at least one of the guys is, by name.  You could track him down. 

[stripedelete]

           
The cops know who at least one of the guys is, by name.  You could track him down. 

I'm not to interested in tracking him down.  But, I hope the cops do some police work.  I had a utility trailer stolen in Ohio.  Never thought I'd see it again, but, it was back in a few days.  The cops knew there was a "clepto" living on that street and did a little police work.  Initially, they didn't let-on they suspected anyone.   


I figure I have a 50/50 chance of getting it back.  If I do, it will likely have a burnt transmission.    But, damn, I may only need a few parts.  (See my body damage thread)

[stripedelete]

Well, I think the odds of seeing the truck again just dropped significantly.  I did a little research and found this:


"Taking aim at this new trend, District Attorney Howard spearheaded an initiative dubbed "Operation: Heavy Metal." After months of criminal investigation, the Task Force indicted en mass 96 defendants in March 2012 on charges related to the theft and subsequent sale of 300 vehicles for scrap metal. As part of the scrap metal scheme, thieves target and steal cars that are at least twelve years old. Once stolen, the vehicles are then taken to a recycling facility and sold for scrap metal for a profit ranging from $500-800 on average. The sale itself is legal under Georgia law which allows a car to be sold for scrap without a title as long as it is a least twelve years old. One presenting a car for sale to a recycler need only produce a drivers' license and a 'Cancellation of Title' for scrap vehicles, certifying the seller is either the owner or authorized agent of the owner.  The 'pseudo' owner is then paid for the vehicle leaving the legitimate owner without much recourse as the vehicles are usually crushed immediately."

[b5blue]

  I know your pain, I had 2 stolen at total loss. The 52 Willys CJ 2A just disappeared one nite. The TR 7 was being pushed down the road 8 miles from my house having been flooded by the perps. A Sheriff pulled behind them to assist and Pedro Perez got 18 months in lockup after being caught fleeing. (I love the patrol pups, they got chew on Pedro! Nom Nom Nom tastes like chicken!) The pisser was they would not release my 7 as it was evidence. After 2 weeks I complained at the front counter obtained a release and went to the salvage yard to get my car. It was sitting in 3 inches of rain water/mud, windows down with water inside to the top of the door sills, covered in fingerprint dust like they had used 5 lbs of the stuff. The headlights were still on so the battery was killed. The yard said they were not allowed to touch the car other than to move it and presented me a 175.00 bill for tow and 2 weeks storage. 7's use a special battery size/rating @ about 100.00. It took all day to drain and get the car running, pissed and knowing a soaked TR 7 is doomed to fail soon from electrical problems I got 375.00 trade in after being honest to the dealer. Both had keys hidden inside that were found and no theft coverage. Moral: NEVER leave a car unlocked much less have a key ANYPLACE near it much less on or in it. Next time just squeeze the trigger, his hands were on the glass, you could have been killed. Try your best to "just move on with your life" and not let this distract from all the positive you have been blessed with.  

[stripedelete]

 I know your pain, I had 2 stolen at total loss. The 52 Willys CJ 2A just disappeared one nite. The TR 7 was being pushed down the road 8 miles from my house having been flooded by the perps. A Sheriff pulled behind them to assist and Pedro Perez got 18 months in lockup after being caught fleeing. (I love the patrol pups, they got chew on Pedro! Nom Nom Nom tastes like chicken!) The pisser was they would not release my 7 as it was evidence. After 2 weeks I complained at the front counter obtained a release and went to the salvage yard to get my car. It was sitting in 3 inches of rain water/mud, windows down with water inside to the top of the door sills, covered in fingerprint dust like they had used 5 lbs of the stuff. The headlights were still on so the battery was killed. The yard said they were not allowed to touch the car other than to move it and presented me a 175.00 bill for tow and 2 weeks storage. 7's use a special battery size/rating @ about 100.00. It took all day to drain and get the car running, pissed and knowing a soaked TR 7 is doomed to fail soon from electrical problems I got 375.00 trade in after being honest to the dealer. Both had keys hidden inside that were found and no theft coverage. Moral: NEVER leave a car unlocked much less have a key ANYPLACE near it much less on or in it. Next time just squeeze the trigger, his hands were on the glass, you could have been killed. Try your best to "just move on with your life" and not let this distract from all the positive you have been blessed with.  

Oh man, a cj2a?  Sorry for that.  And thank you.  You're really spot-on.  I don't have the violated feeling that I would normally have had.  I guess one thing about getting older is that you find perspective so much more quickly. 

The truck was not long for the world, but, I really wanted to roll 300k.  Just to say I did.  It was a great truck had they been able gaurentee how good, I would have bought two.  I had already started shopping, because the best deals come along when you don't need them. 

[b5blue]

My BEST to you Brother!  (The CJ was a rust bucket...but with only 32K miles, it purred like a kitten.)

[Mike DC]

"Taking aim at this new trend, District Attorney Howard spearheaded an initiative dubbed "Operation: Heavy Metal." After months of criminal investigation, the Task Force indicted en mass 96 defendants in March 2012 on charges related to the theft and subsequent sale of 300 vehicles for scrap metal. As part of the scrap metal scheme, thieves target and steal cars that are at least twelve years old. Once stolen, the vehicles are then taken to a recycling facility and sold for scrap metal for a profit ranging from $500-800 on average. The sale itself is legal under Georgia law which allows a car to be sold for scrap without a title as long as it is a least twelve years old. One presenting a car for sale to a recycler need only produce a drivers' license and a 'Cancellation of Title' for scrap vehicles, certifying the seller is either the owner or authorized agent of the owner.  The 'pseudo' owner is then paid for the vehicle leaving the legitimate owner without much recourse as the vehicles are usually crushed immediately."

How in the hell is the state of Georgia doing that?  In 2013 you cannot check into a $30 motel room without at least having your drivers' license recorded. 


They're literally taking cars to crush, not demanding a title, not recording the VIN, and not recording the ID of the person turning it in?  Nothing?  How have they done this for more than 15 days in a row without realizing the theft implications of it?  All they have to do is start recording a VIN and a Drivers' license and the problem goes away. 

[Cooter]

In Va. you are REQUIRED to have A minimum of a title for ANY car sold for scrap. Period. No exceptions.  PLUS, you have to have it in YOUR NAME when it is "Purchased" by the scrapper. PLUS, you have to show PROOF of your leagal status in America..

[Budnicks]

Stripdelete I'm sorry to hear about your loss, I think I would be on full alert, the good thing is, it's got to get better, it can't go much worse....    stuff like your going thru now, is why I live in the sticks somewhat now, different type of people, far less crime, instead of the big city SF East Bay Area, Concord/{Clayton}Oakhurst CC or Sacramento/{Sloughhouse} Rancho Murieta CC areas like I use to, even in really nice gated neighborhoods, the dirtbag's come to them, to do their scams & thievery, in the more populated areas especially the larger inner-cities... Good Luck, Stay Safe, I wish you all the best...

[stripedelete]

"Taking aim at this new trend, District Attorney Howard spearheaded an initiative dubbed "Operation: Heavy Metal." After months of criminal investigation, the Task Force indicted en mass 96 defendants in March 2012 on charges related to the theft and subsequent sale of 300 vehicles for scrap metal. As part of the scrap metal scheme, thieves target and steal cars that are at least twelve years old. Once stolen, the vehicles are then taken to a recycling facility and sold for scrap metal for a profit ranging from $500-800 on average. The sale itself is legal under Georgia law which allows a car to be sold for scrap without a title as long as it is a least twelve years old. One presenting a car for sale to a recycler need only produce a drivers' license and a 'Cancellation of Title' for scrap vehicles, certifying the seller is either the owner or authorized agent of the owner.  The 'pseudo' owner is then paid for the vehicle leaving the legitimate owner without much recourse as the vehicles are usually crushed immediately."

How in the hell is the state of Georgia doing that?  In 2013 you cannot check into a $30 motel room without at least having your drivers' license recorded.  


They're literally taking cars to crush, not demanding a title, not recording the VIN, and not recording the ID of the person turning it in?  Nothing?  How have they done this for more than 15 days in a row without realizing the theft implications of it?  All they have to do is start recording a VIN and a Drivers' license and the problem goes away.  

It gets better.....  I pulled it from from a the police task force website.  As it states, they were assembled to track down the guys that are doing it.  
Isn't a little like O.J. looking for Nichols killer?  

[70moparman]

Shoot First, Ask Questions Second... They knew they were tresspassing and up to no good, they assumed the risk of being shot and killed the second they break into the building...  They are lucky it wasent my shop, I would of least shot the assholes in the leg or something just on principle...  Anyway, doubt they will be back after that, good for you...