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KD5NRH wrote:

randomoutburst wrote:Still, dogs are not always a practical solution for someone looking to deter theft and burglary.

Depends on how you advertise them:

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy 'That's funny right there, I don't care who ya are!'

03Lightningrocks wrote:By the way Keith, your cameras are getting really good shots of these guys. Our cameras are not so detailed. Where did you get those and what /how would I ask for the same thing. The camera at the back of our office is not nearly that clear. What res is the camera?

Cam is just an Airlink AICN500W in a home-built weatherproof enclosure outside, and the software is from a company called Blue Iris Not really a hi-res cam.

And, you can live in my trash can if you can stand the smell, but we may start calling you Oscar.

sjfcontrol wrote:

KD5NRH wrote:

Keith B wrote:Totally different kid than the other two. This is a VERY common way for kids to get money or electonics from unlocked cars.

Just make sure they don't steal those counterfeit $20 bills you were planning to turn in at the FBI office first thing in the morning.

You mean the ones with the dye pack?

Yeah, that the rattlesnake in the breifcase is guarding.

randomoutburst wrote:

Keith B wrote:I now have a video of a kid trying the door handle of my daughter's car last night, then going across to one of the neighbor's cars.

They're still doing this after the police have already talked to them?? Gutsy...or stupid. I call stupid with a streak of greed.

Totally different kid than the other two. This is a VERY common way for kids to get money or electonics from unlocked cars.

USA1 wrote:OK Keith, You know what you must now do...
Hide in that trash can and when the perp walks up, spring out and nab him.

That would be funny. I bet the kid would so startled he would jump over the car!!!

It would also be on video, so maybe I could submit it and win $10,000 or even $100,000 on America's Funniest Videos!!!!

OK, WildBill asked about how the video was at night. I now have a video of a kid trying the door handle of my daughter's car last night, then going across to one of the neighbor's cars.

Awaiting a call-back from one of the Detectives.

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Well heres the update:

I don't have the report in hand, just verbal, but apparently an officer went to the guys house that evening and interviewed the individuals. They used an excuse they were trying to get a car charger from a friends car, but were unfamiliar with the neighborhood and thought it was his. However, they couldn't identify the car they were supposed to be getting the charger from (guess they didn't remember what my car looked like from all they had tried. LOL) Anyway, they apparently were pretty scared about being contacted and the parents of the one boy were there, so hopefully they got the message. Police are still reviewing the info including the video, but since no other issues were reported it will probably be dropped.

As for a crime being committed, Texas PC 15 is Preparatory Offenses, with 15.01 being Criminal Attempt. It would be a hard case to press as they can always use the excuse they were mistaken on what car they were to get into. Also, PC 15.04 is a Renunciation Defense that could be used by a lawyer as they abandoned their attempt on my vehicle and I didn't actually witness any other events happening. Even if convicted it would be a Class B misdemeanor at most.

Best thing is if they got scared straight by the visit and don't continue their mischievous deeds.

mctowalot wrote:I'm thinking about buying the biggest rat trap I can find and sticking it in my center console. Probably use a $20.00 bill for bait!

And there's always the old "possum in a sack" trick, but the weather needs to be cooler, wouldn't want the possum to be uncomfortable while he waits.

Yeah, but as I get older, I might have a memory lapse and forget about the rat trap in the center console.

However, I kinda like the possum in a sack thing though. If you do it during the summer, the possum will be REALLY MAD and you will get maximum effect when the sack is opened.

sjfcontrol wrote:Generally speaking, people who attempt to augment (or replace) their regular income by stealing things from cars, aren't the brightest bulbs in the pack. In other words, they're dumber than a box of rocks! (That, however, does not mean they aren't dangerous!)

These are kids (late teens, maybe early 20's.) They are bored and looking for money or loose electronic items they can use or sell to their friends. The practice is called 'car hopping'. Basically, they walk or drive around looking for open cars and take whatever suits them from inside. If it is locked, they move on unless there is something they see of value they really want. Many folks keep $5, $10 or $20 bills stuffed in their cars for an emergency. Even loose change like my wife keeps ads up to $4 or $5 easily. If they have luck of hitting even 4-5 cars open in an afternoon they can make a little extra cash and if they find a GPS or radar detector, iPod, or a laptop it is a real bonus.

Right2Carry wrote: How is the nighttime video?

Nighttime video is decent if there is adequate light, but not near what the daylight is. I have motion activated floods on the drive and if triggered, the subject in the immediate lighted area will be recognizable. If the neighbor across the alley's flood comes on and there is movement, you can see the images, but they are not recognizable by face at all. Really not much different from the images I get from the professional system I have at my office.

As for the infrared lighting, I keep it turned off. It uses infrared LED's and they glow a little when on. Also, the range on them would be OK in a dark room, but no good for outside.

I really don't have any good video of nighttime to show. Will try to get something and post it. Actually, I may have a video cat coming through the camera. Will check and post if so.

WildBill wrote:

Texas Size 11 wrote:Funny...my two year old hops out of the car some days without shoes on trying to be funny. He then spends the next couple seconds saying "it hot" and running to the grass. Frightening thing is he hasn't figured out to stop after doing it multiple times.

He will learn.

Yeah, it took me 50 years. Think I learned for good this time.

USA1 wrote:

bronco78 wrote: Question though.. Did a crime occur? I'm not arguing the obvious intent of a crime.. But, is it a crime to touch someone car?

I was thinking the same thing. Probably not much the Cops could do in this case.

I think it is debatable. He did try to force entry by pulling on the handle, but it might be a hard row to hoe in court that it was attempted burglary. It isn't criminal mischief either since there was no damage done (except to my feet). No matter they were up to no good. You should ALWAYS report things like this so they can build a case and look for patterns. If others in the neighborhood or surrounding area have anything missing, then they can correlate times and locations to potentially put two and two together.

JNMAR wrote:Glad it turned out benign for you Keith. By the way that was nice video quality...mind sharing make, model, and software used?

Cam is just an Airlink AICN500W in a home-built weatherproof enclosure outside, and the software is from a company called Blue Iris

Yesterday afternoon I was inside the house trying to stay cool when I heard a car with loud exhaust in the alley behind the house. It sounded like it stopped up the alley, then slowly proceeded to behind my house.

My vehicle has been broken into previously in the driveway, so I installed a security camera. I had the pulled the page up on my web cam just in time to see a kid out of his vehicle and trying the door on my car.

I quickly ran out the back door, but they had headed down the alley. I ran back into the house and grabbed the cell phone and headed out the front door to see if they came around and down the street. I could tell they had crossed over and were coming up the alley on the other side of the street.

I ran across the street and caught them just as they were reaching the end of the alley. I mentally got their license number and moved to the other side of the alley while getting a good look through the windshield at the two occupants.

They must have realized I was suspicious and turned back out and onto the main street and quickly exited the area.

I called the police and had them come out and take a report. Have heard nothing yet back on status.

And before anyone asks, I WAS carrying, and no I didn't draw down on the car and force them out and onto the ground. I had a license number, a description of the car and occupants, and that was all I needed to do.

As for the never again, I was barefoot and after I had ran across the concrete with no shoes, I now have 2nd degree burns on the balls of my feet. Large blister on each foot. So, no matter what you are doing, be careful with your bare feet in this scorching sun!

And, here is the video of the event in the driveway.

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