Update -- My Break-In

[CodeJockey]

Well, this is interesting. Some of you may remember that back in April I posted that my home had been broken into. My door was kicked in during broad daylight (thank God that my wife and children were not home). Knives had been strewn about the place from our butcher block, and my gun safe was stolen. Well, As it has been 5 months, I never really expected to see any of the stolen merchandise. The other day, however, I got a call from the Chief of Police of a local police department stating that they had done a raid on a drug house and confiscated lots of stolen merchandise, and at least a few of the guns they collected were mine. In addition, the one I was most concerned about was a shotgun that my Grandfather gave me. It's worth several thousand dollars, but it isn't the material value that I cared about, it's the sentimental value. Ironically, that call came in on his birthday. Perhaps he's looking down on me, I don't know but it was refreshing.

I just thought I'd share the good news with y'all. This is truly a great forum. Unfortunately, the bad news is that he says it could be a couple of years before I actually see the weapons since they are evidence. I wish that were not the case, but a couple of years is better than never.

Edit: And if my being inconvenienced for a couple of years by not having guns I never thought I'd see again means that a couple of scumbags go to prison then it's worth it. I just wish my local police department had taken fingerprints at the break-in. They refused, and so now I don't know if it will even be possible to link these guys with my break-in, other than having the stolen guns in their possession.

[Lumberjack98]

Congrats on the recovery of some of the items and especially such a sentimental one in the shotgun. It's too bad that you have to wait a couple of years, but at least you know where they are.

[Sly Dog]

Congrats......and that is very good news.

[Vic303]

Glad to hear some of your goods were recovered! Hopefully they will take good care of them and you'll get them all back at the end of the case.

[KBCraig]

I just wish my local police department had taken fingerprints at the break-in. They refused, and so now I don't know if it will even be possible to link these guys with my break-in, other than having the stolen guns in their possession.

Congratulations!

Remember, in Texas having possession of stolen property is the same as having stolen it. They don't need to prove they committed the burglary.

Since this includes a high-value collectible of great sentimental value, I would recommend talking to the property officer at that department, and seeing what could be done to ensure your guns are kept in a proper storage environment to prevent rust and damage.

[Emmett]

I don't know if it will do any good, but you might try and see if you can get the Shotgun your Grandfather gave you. They can keep the rest untill its over, and maybe a picture could be used in the place of the Shotgun. It might be worth a try. Just a thought.....

Good Luck, and Congrats on the Recovery,
Emmett

[BTin]

Congrats!

Any idea why the police wouldn't fingerprint?

[CodeJockey]

Thats great advice. I will definitely check to see if they can't give it to me, if they can at least guarantee that it is kept in a safe environment. I will contact them on that today.

As for the possession of stolen property, i had no idea, so that is a relief too. Thanks for the information on it. As to why the didn't fingerprint, I have no idea. He said they normally do not do that as there are so many break-ins that they wouldn't have time to process all of the information. I explained that they stole an entire safe full of ammunition and firearms, but that made no difference. I was thoroughly annoyed by that, but what can you do? At least they caught the guys, and recovered the merchandise. I'll keep you updated if I can get the guns back (at least that 1 valuable one).

Thanks!

[dawgfishboy]

Congrats...Glad to hear it!

Hopefully my wife's little p22 will find its way back home too.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Since this includes a high-value collectible of great sentimental value, I would recommend talking to the property officer at that department, and seeing what could be done to ensure your guns are kept in a proper storage environment to prevent rust and damage.

I did that several years ago when our home was burglarized while I was out of town. (My neighbor shot him several times, but that's another story.) HPD let me go to the property room and grease my Browning 270 with RIG and put it in a case. Maybe you could do likewise.

Chas.

[bryang]

Congratulations! I am so glad to hear that you were able to get your guns back, that is wonderful! I am sorry that you have to wait for so long before they return them, though.I am also glad to hear that they caught the perpetrator and I hope he will go away for a very long time.

-geo

[flintknapper]

Since this includes a high-value collectible of great sentimental value, I would recommend talking to the property officer at that department, and seeing what could be done to ensure your guns are kept in a proper storage environment to prevent rust and damage.

I did that several years ago when our home was burglarized while I was out of town. (My neighbor shot him several times, but that's another story.) HPD let me go to the property room and grease my Browning 270 with RIG and put it in a case. Maybe you could do likewise.

Chas.

Now, thats my kind of neighbor! I like the guy already.

[boomerang]

Edit: And if my being inconvenienced for a couple of years by not having guns I never thought I'd see again means that a couple of scumbags go to prison then it's worth it. I just wish my local police department had taken fingerprints at the break-in. They refused, and so now I don't know if it will even be possible to link these guys with my break-in, other than having the stolen guns in their possession.

I hope your guns don't get locked up longer than the bad guys.

[Mike from Texas]

Awesome, glad to see you got them back.

Coupe of questions if you don't mind. How big was your safe and how did they manage to get it out of the house?

[McKnife]

I did that several years ago when our home was burglarized while I was out of town. (My neighbor shot him several times, but that's another story.) HPD let me go to the property room and grease my Browning 270 with RIG and put it in a case. Maybe you could do likewise.

Chas.

It kind of sounds like you had a similar case that Joe Horn had. I assume they didn't portray your neighbor as a cold-blooded murderer, though. I guess we'll have to wait for the story, if you're comfortable with sharing.