The following is an account of the robbery written up by Julie Hrivnak.
I left the house approx. 8:40am and my kids returned approx. 3:55pm to discover the house had been robbed.
It is my belief that the thieves hit in the morning sometime when the fog was still thick. My neighbor across the street noticed a light on that I did not leave on in the house around 12-1:00. My guess is they were here between 8:45 and 1:00 (prob. when foggy).
They entered the basement level through the dog door. Stole the gaming systems and games, Money from Cole’s dresser. They kicked in a locked keypad entry door to our wine cellar that also holds our safe. Damage to the door frame and wall behind door. Our bedroom the dresser was turned inside out and our comforter with white duvet cover was stolen (prob. to stash items). My jewelry armoire was stolen with my engagement ring in it. They also stole my wedding ring/band, diamond earrings, necklaces that were in my bathroom in a tray. They stole a few bags in the closet with minimal items in it. Ironically they did not steal some prescription meds I had. The upstairs had damage to our office file drawers they tried to pry them open from the top thus making it impossible to gain entry. It didn’t appear that they took checks but will probably change my accounts anyway. It looks like they were going to steal the Mac computer (unplugged and turned sideways) but didn’t. They also left iPads, iPods and a Bose speaker upstairs. I believe something spooked them before they could grab them. In the garage they stole a purse. They literally opened just about every cupboard drawer and closet in the house. Thankfully they were not too destructive in their search just messy.
I found grimy handprints in the basement and some upstairs and forensics came out and dusted for fingerprints and determined the thieves were wearing dirty gloves.
Today I went around the house and walked down the empty lot next to us. I did not see any items dropped. Also think they would look funny with a white queen duvet slung over their shoulder on foot. I’m thinking it more likely that they had a getaway vehicle. Also the big TV downstairs had a fabric handprint and it was turned like they were seeing if they could get it off the wall. That definitely wouldn’t have left the house on foot.
Just wanted to share my thoughts and also share what they stole and where they looked. Thought the neighbors could come up with a good hiding place for their valuables.
Getting cameras this week and probably a security system (not that those really help but may give the kids some security). Also am looking into a “smart” dog door that only opens when the dog is near with a chip on her collar.
Thankful it was just stuff and I didn’t have to worry about broken windows last night.