Source
r/AskReddit•
OrbitCase

What is the likelihood of thieves returning to a house they've cased "unsuccessfully"?

My husband thinks our house was just cased by thieves. He was in napping and someone knocked on the door. He yelled just a minute and by the time he got to the door the person was jogging away from the house to get into a van. He went outside to wave them down and they sped off. The car that is normally in the driveway was not, so it looked like no one was home.

We've also had several instances of unknown people driving by slowly while looking at our house. Granted some of these people could be former owners of our house, but it is creepy all the same.

We are now taking steps to install a camera system and motion detecting lights, but I was curious if anyone knows if the chance they might show back up is high since my husband answered the door.

Posted Sep 17, 2011, 10:29 PM UTC

316
SanchoMandoval•

Hmm I'd say their unlikely to rob a place where they know there are people around and vigilant. I wouldn't worry too much. The vast majority of burglars are only looking for a place with nobody there. They don't really keep trying the same house until nobody's home, they just move along looking for an easier target.

3
traitorous_8•

Very likely.

Our house was robbed twice by the same people/persons. Same van, fingerprints, etc... Cops weren't much help.

Fosscam IP camera's are cheap and work really well with ZoneMinder.

3
OrbitCaseOP•

That is awful! Thank you for the recommendation.

1
asciicat•

what is so valuable that can be seen from the outside?

2
SanchoMandoval•

this, maybe?

2
OrbitCaseOP•

Well you can see into our family room and we have a 55 gallon turtle tank in there. That'd be it though.

2
[deleted]•

Get a gun and a security system. And possibly a dog.

2
Sirtet•

Or a motion sensor with lights a recording of a dog barking...a very BIG dog barking.

2
[deleted]•

Ever see Home Alone? If it does happen it will be a zany adventure.

2
KennyLog-in•

Yeah, according to that movie, a robber will continue to try to enter a house even if they are severely burned.

2
[deleted]•

most thieves are fucking stupid cowardly junkies. so prob not very likely

2
Syntaximus•

Very unlikely; empty houses are strongly preferred by thieves. That is, however, assuming they were thieves. A rapist probably would have run to his van if he heard a male voice as well.

Mace it up, girl.

2
fuckingnihilists•

With any luck, they'll assume you got information on the van and will not return. Hard to say for sure, though.

2
PabstyLoudmouth•

Are you hiding some real cool shit like the "Maltese Falcon" or something?

1
g155one•

They likely assumed he was a permanent couch dweller - they won't risk coming back.

Unless they continue to monitor the place and conclude otherwise at a later date

1
PorterCornered•

Actually more likely after they have successfully burglarized you. They wait a month or two until insurance pays off and you re-purchase all new electronics and stuff, but they make sure it's before the "ADT" sign goes up in the front yard.

1