Scary stuff!
My friend in Hicksville just had major renovations done to his cape: a full dormer, new siding, windows, etc. The contracter finished about two weeks ago and to end everything off, last week a carpet cleaning company came to clean the few carpets he didn't replace. They pulled up to the house and there was a man sitting in a van, blocking my friend's driveway and staring at the house. The cleaners asked him to please move because they needed access to the driveway. Because no one was home and my friend didn't mention that anyone would come by, one of the cleaners was concerned enough to question the guy in the van. Anyway, a conversation ensued in which the guy insisted he was the contracter and he was just picking up his ladder...but he wasn't sure of the house number or if he was even at the right house! Anyway, he follows them in and he's alone in the house for 5-10 minutes. The cleaners asked if he needed help and he walked quickly out of the house, no ladder in hand of course.
The cleaners mentioned the incident to my friend who then searched the house to find every window unlocked along with a ladder alongside the house directly under an unlocked window. He called police and filed a report (for what it was worth) and the police promised to patrol the area the next day. The neighbors were put on alert as well.
Nothing happened; my friend removed the ladder and we figure the guy drove by, noticed the absence of the ladder and gave up, knowing they were on to him.
I just thought I'd pass this along because the cop said such a plot is quite common. Thieves see opportunity in home renovations: doors are open more often, strangers are in and out of your house, and when both spouses work chances are one isn't home all the time. The cop said it'll only be more frequent in the spring when more people get work done.
Just something to be on the alert for....
The cleaners mentioned the incident to my friend who then searched the house to find every window unlocked along with a ladder alongside the house directly under an unlocked window. He called police and filed a report (for what it was worth) and the police promised to patrol the area the next day. The neighbors were put on alert as well.
Nothing happened; my friend removed the ladder and we figure the guy drove by, noticed the absence of the ladder and gave up, knowing they were on to him.
I just thought I'd pass this along because the cop said such a plot is quite common. Thieves see opportunity in home renovations: doors are open more often, strangers are in and out of your house, and when both spouses work chances are one isn't home all the time. The cop said it'll only be more frequent in the spring when more people get work done.
Just something to be on the alert for....
