Keys, a ladder and a thief
Yesterday turned into a real blue Monday for me. Firstly, I managed to grab the wrong set of keys as I was rushing out of the door. I was stuck in my garden and couldn't even get out of my gate. I have a high wall with spikes around my property. I phoned a friend who brought a ladder along and helped me to climb over the wall. I climbed up the ladder and perched on a cushion he put over the spikes. I then handed the ladder over the wall and he set it up on the other side so I could climb down.
The most sensible thing for me to do was to spend the day with my mother and wait for my son to finish work and let me into my house with his set of keys. We returned to the house and the first thing I did was to go to my laptop. I had left it open on my desktop. I was shocked to see that it wasn't there. Then we noticed that the glass in the window right next to the desk was missing. A thief had neatly removed the pane and dragged the laptop out through the bottom of the burglar guards. When I went into my bedroom, I saw that my jewellery box, also near a window, had disappeared too.
Well, the positive mindset I have been cultivating went out of the window too. I had a good melt down as this is the third laptop that has been stolen in a year. Fortunately, I back everything up to Dropbox. I just wanted to remind everyone to back up consistently. With the first laptop I had stolen I lost a book I had been working on for two years and I didn't have a backup. This was a hard way for me to learn how important it is to backup your work.
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Erica, I am so sorry this happened to you. How in the world did the guy get in there? With all the spikes, it sounds like a secure property! A friend of mine got married, and now has an extra house. In order to secure it, he has one of those light switcher things inside, keeps the lights and TV going on/off, etc., making it look like someone's home. He also put Beware of Dog signs in prominent windows, though there is no dog. He even put a Huge dog food bowl by the door, with some name like "Killer" on it. (really!) I'd check out other ideas like this on Google. Be proactive! I know it must be a real feeling of being violated! Hope it never happens to you again!-Rick
I am sure they watched the way I got over the wall and followed my example - a ladder and something soft over the spikes. My son has said I need to get a big dog. Maybe the Beware of Dog sign would work instead! Don't worry, I am going to be proactive - they won't find it so easy in future.
Heartfelt commiserations Erica,
what a blow to your sense of well-being……!
Computer and related hardware thefts are massively on the increase here in South Africa, where the contents of whole computer rooms and offices are stolen.
The really hurtful aspect is that these PCs and laptops were chiefly intended mainly for student use at high schools and universities as well as Administration.
It appears that organised crime syndicates are operating throughout the country!
Kind regards,
~Arthur
Hi Arthur,
I think this was just an opportunistic theft - someone saw me climbing over the wall and thought they would do the same. Like you say, such a shame that the crime syndicates often steal PCs and laptops intended for students.
Erica, thank you very much for sharing this.
Your admonishment carries great weight.
The weight of personal experience.
It's very much appreciated.
Therese
PS: Were the police able to catch those reponsible?
Unfortunately the thieves were gone with the wind - just a few fingerprints left behind. Thanks for your support.
Totally agree with to have a backup system in place. You'll never know when, where and how your data will disappear. A good reminder for those who have the system in place but hasn't updated and for those who hasn't got a system in place yet.
One of those days! Typical Monday. Yes the importance of saving and backing up work on a regular basis can't be emphasised enough. Best.
It really was one of those days! Glad to wake up to a new one today. Thanks for commenting.
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So sorry Erica... I'm glad today is a new day and that all your work is backed up. Who knows the whys of what we go through at times. I just think it's good to share our sorrows and successes, as you have done here many times. Are you getting a new computer today?
I am busy using an old desktop now instead until I can replace my laptop. I am thankful that everything is backed up.