Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Fortunately my wife got up for a glass of water early this morning and witnessed an uninvited visitor entering my shop this AM. I quickly went into property protection mode and "DETAINED" the intruder while my wife called 911. Our city's finest ( four patrol cars where there in short order) . The first officer smiled and asked, Hmmm What happened here? Enough said! My question now is. What do you have for security other than a monitored alarm? It is definately time to install something ASAP. I often times never even locked the shop because our German Shepherd did a fine job of keeping us secure however after 14 faithful years she is recently no longer with us ( boy do I miss her). Doug

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

"The first officer smiled and asked, Hmmm What happened here? Enough said!"

not enough said-did you shoot the worthless ******* or not? I unfortunately rely on the local alarm only, but live 5 miles from my shop. Fortunately, it is heavily patrolled a block off the main drag here. Nice you got quick response, hard to do better than a good dog or two as well.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Since we are about 12 min. from our shop, we have both night vision capable cameras with audio that we can log on to from anywhere online as well as motion detectors. At the track, two german shepherds guard our pit spot while we are gone. If they can get by them, they have earned anything they take!

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Way to go Lurch, Hope you got a picture of the poor fellows "accident" on yur cell. Comming to the Acess car show today?
G.P.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

I have had this happen to me, it is not a good feeling.

My first thought is get another dog. They are a great early warning system and some knucklehead looking to steal something does not want to deal with a 100 pound GSD. They will look for easier prey. Just be careful, a dog attacking an innocent person on your property can become an ugly legal mess.

How did they get in if you had a monitored alarm? Does your alarm have an outside horn? Makes a godawful noise in the middle of the night. I don't know the layout of your property, but dusk to dawn lighting, motion lighting, systems to alert you when someone comes up your driveway or approaches on foot (infrared, etc.) can be considered. Public awareness (whether real or perceived) of you possessing the means and the willingness to inflict bodily harm, on anyone who comes onto your property for the wrong reason, can also be effective. Rumors of trespassers being shot at in the middle of the night (regardless their source) can be useful in convincing the bad guys to avoid your place.

Here's the number one thing to my mind. Did you recognize this person? Has he been in your shop or know someone who has? Is this a business or a personal shop? I pretty much had an open door policy. People would stop to bench race or see what projects we had. The person who burglarized me had been in my shop, he had tagged along with another person who had stopped by one day. I remember him walking around looking at everything. When he came back, he had his shopping list ready and knew how to get in. After that, my place was closed up tight. You needed to be family, an old friend or a trusted customer to have access to my work area. You may not want to appear unfriendly, but you have to limit access to you building. Gearheads and others passing by will want to stop and check out the cool cars and shoot the breeze. They may not all be innocent enthusiasts. Burglar alarms are not very effective if the perp has been able to inspect the system. There should be a public area for customers if you are doing business. Either way, you have to limit public knowledge and access to your stuff.

Sadly, the times we live in force us to be less friendly and trusting than we may want to be.

ETA...Reread your post and see that I had assumed you had a monitored alarm. The same type hardware can be used to alert you without having a monitoring service since you are right there. But, who's going to respond if you're out of town next time?

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

This was my home shop in back yard with no alley access. Did not recognize this individual from past. I came in from the shop late last night and may not have locked and armed. My enclosed trailer was blocking driveway and doorway from street sightlines and I don't have visitors other than invited close friends. If I have something for sale it is not kept in the shop for strangers to view. I don't publicly display my shop either. Police feel it was random and the perp had no priors. As for the quick response it was likely that my neighbour is a cop and the responding officers know his address. Read: Looking out for each other! Doug

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Sounds like you are careful and none of my thoughts would have been helpful. Don't know what else you could have done other than replace the 4 legged guard and increase the locks/security on the building to increase the effort required to get in. I know that sometimes it takes an incident like this to really get a person to pay attention to security. Glad you caught the guy, I hate thieves.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

I had an incident a while back and then I had a guy install an alarm system both motion detector and the doors and windows too---when the alarm does go off the guy will probably be deaf for life!!!! My alarm not only turns the lights on by both electric and battery back up but the audible sound is 120-130 DECIBLES!!!! Comp 387

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Cactus and land mines are great deterents.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA oww, boom

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

In june I found a flash light in my drive way at 2 in the morning as I came back from the track. HHHMMM I thought. Next night the dogs were growling at the window at about 2 in the morning. Me, my 2 sons, the dogs and a baseball bat and some golf clubs made a trip outside and watched a silver pontiac sunfire drive off. Hav'nt seen it anymore. I do have an alarm on the shop. Thinking about buying something that spits out little pieces of lead. Never owned one any suggestions?
Chip

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Thinking about buying something that spits out little pieces of lead. Never owned one any suggestions?

Got 2. Smith and Wesson

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Tougher option for him in Canada.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

My parents have an alarm in their house and shop with mulitple speakers inside. There is no way possible you can stay inside the place and the funny part was the speakers where the cheapest part of the alarm. They are both monitored and my dad will shoot first and ask questions later. The interior speakers dont go off unless the motion detectors are on and its in away setting.


Herb Jr

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

C'mon Doug, cut out the pc-talk. That "uninvited visitor" was a God-damn crook!!

M68

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Canada is spelled with a "K" don't ya know?

Think about it....

M68

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Barrett .50 cal. sniper rifle ! Good for rabbit hunting.....lol.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Starting to see more and more house/business breaks in my area. W/Obama's economy- building plans failing miserably, it's going to get worse, as well......Stay alert, keep things locked and secure. Alarms, dogs and guns will make the bastards think twice.....WJ

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

A 12 ga pump police model 8 shots (two different stocks pistol and Reg) 00 buck shot cant miss. Hand gun a Tauras Judge Pistol shots either a 45 bulltet or 410 Shotgun tell neant hand gun.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Unfortunately in Canada we can't shoot people that break in to our shops.. but a few frozen paintballs hurt pretty bad too.

I have a friend with a fully automatic one that will pump out paint balls as quick as you can shoot them. Shoot up him and the car and tell the cops to look for the colorful car.. :D

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Shotgun is the best bet, no training required. A pistol is quite a bit harder to shoot and be accurate with. I think you can still buy a shotgun in Canada?:confused: Right?

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

We can not defend our property using a weapon.. It's right in our constitution.

Self defense is not an excuse up here to shoot someone.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Tough to beat one of these:
http://www.remington.com/products/fi...c-7-round.aspx

They're simple, inexspensive, work every time and are as tough as a sack of hammers.

Handguns have their place (like in the glove box). But handguns are best used to get yourself to a shotgun or rifle.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Well....can't you put the perp on the AHFS committee? That'll teach them.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

In Texas after dark you have the right to defend your property including the use of deadly force. If there is an intruder on my property after dark I have no idea what his intent is, I can shoot then call the police.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Thinking about buying something that spits out little pieces of lead. Never owned one any suggestions?
Chip[/QUOTE]

Get a paint ball gun, those little bastards hurt.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

I would move if it were me. WTF ! You can't even defend yourselves? Buch of #ussy politicians up there if you ask me. What about a Cross Bow or heavy baseball bat? Is that against the law to? Not worth a damn though if the perp is armed.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Its tough to carry a shot gun while riding my Harley ! .44 mag Ruger RedHawk is MUCH eaiser to carry while riding. I have a short Mossberg 500 12 ga right next to the bed when Im home.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Nope.. we can't beat him with a bat either..LOL

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Hadn't you noticed the part of detained untill police arrived.

Friend of mine (former Pathfinder) also had the privelege of detaining a suspect, lol.

Without a gun culture, Some can still rely on fists. Guns cut down on the fun time. lol.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

My shop is about 100 yards from my house alarm is ALWAYS set even if I go to the parts store in the afternoon. Weapon's of choice are AR15, AK47,and a Taurus Judge. Like a Cop friend of mine told me once just make sure you "drag the body's back inside"

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

All firearms for self defense need to be practiced with. The macho factor always kicks-in regarding shooting someone for self defense and/ or property theft. Although I don’t have anything against it doing so will put you into a serious legal situation. ALL SHOOTINGS ARE INITIALY CONSIDERED HOMICIDES! You now have to prove that it was self defense and you believe your life was in danger.

For the house I do have short, self defense style 12 gage shotguns. None have a shell in the pipe because most people, especially thugs, know that distinctive sound of pumping one into the chamber! Many times that is all that is needed and during night time, quiet conditions you can hear that sound a long ways.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Yes....the perp HAS to be inside your home and you need to fear for your life. I have several lawyer and county sheriff friends who told me long ago what to say and do upon arrival of the police. Some states (USA) are much better than others. Some "Commie" liberal states wont allow you to defend yourself with a screw driver. Florida considers your car/truck the same as your home so car jackers beware. Know the laws in your state and be able to defend yourself. If firearms make you nervous.....dont own one. I grew up with them all my life. They are a "tool" to be respected. No Macho factor implied. I WILL use one in self defense of my life with no regrets. Do NOT carry a firearm (in the states that allow it) unless you are prepared to use deadly force if ever necessary. It could be taken from you and used against you. Its funny.....I have a conceled weapon permit to carry a pistol (loaded) yet its illegal for me to carry a conceled knife or tazer. Unreal ! Oh yeah....a nice long 1/2 inch breaker bar makes a great "baseball bat" to keep in your vehicle. It goes without saying that if you own and carry a weapon you should be able to use it correctly. Same deal for a house bound weapon.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

For the house I do have short, self defense style 12 gage shotguns. None have a shell in the pipe because most people, especially thugs, know that distinctive sound of pumping one into the chamber! Many times that is all that is needed and during night time, quiet conditions you can hear that sound a long ways.[/QUOTE]


Mine has two barrels to look down and with only a 20" length better not get in front of me..... I can put some shot in a VERY big pattern!!!!!!!

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Got a sign inside my gate "tresspassers will be shot on site" that is all I need and is legal in Tx.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

A couple of claymore mine with trip wires works just fine!

JimR

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

For home (self) defense Taurus makes a gun called the Judge a single action revolver that fires .410 shotgun shells or .45 caliber rounds.
They make shotgun shells that hold 4 pellets. That is some stopping power and you don't need to be Annie Oakley. Plus it won't go through the perp, your wall, your neighbors wall, and hit his kids.

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

Our 1971 Charger RT had mufflers that would on ocassion spit out pieces of lead LOL

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

those were pieces of piston

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

I should have thought of that back in 1974. I tried to get them to believe it was from leaded gas. LOL

Re: Had an uninvited visitor in my shop this morning!
 

lean is fast right? lol