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Well not quite resident, he must live locally to me but I see him up and down my street every day, always carrying a bike frame, kids bike, wheels or riding a different bike, some quite nice ones, lots of shite ones.
He is definitely illiterate and has problems saying basics things, and looks like an H addict. (I know what to look for) . He also looks effen dodgy and I don't like having the kids at home when he is on the prowl and the builders might have left a door open.
The groundwork for the extension is underway so often the side garage door and side gate to the garden are open. Two years ago mine and the wifes daily riders got nicked from here, due to lack of care over door locking etc.
So I have caught him at the side gate to the garden twice. He said he was looking to see what work was going on and had seen the planning notice outside. I gave him my hardest stare.
Anyway today I told the builders I would lock up as they left.
Unbeknownst to me they were sat in their van opposite chatting on phone, whilst Mr Thief saunters up the street pushing a bike and does a quick up/down look and then heads for the side gate, he was just stepping through when the two lads came up behind him to halt his progress. Luckily I was also heading that way from the garden so I told him to eff off before they got a chance to be more physical.
The bikes are well out of view now since previous incident, but this guy is super cocky and was my prime suspect from before, I can't help but wonder if he has a feeling to come back. So other than more vigilance when the builders need to leave stuff open, what to do?
I have already reported him to police when I caught him looking before, they DNGAF.
There is a small part of me that is tempted to brace him more firmly next time I see him and warn him of the consequences of being found on my drive again, but I am not really confrontational, I'll do it if I have to, but it's not my default. Plus threatening behaviour might not be legal, so its kind of not really on the table.
Builders have offered to the same, but they might turn threat into action, or I could easily get done for commissioning them to threat or maim.
Any ideas?
Are you getting a patio done?
Ha yes!
I have already reported him to police when I caught him looking before, they DGAF.
Last I checked, "looking at things" isn't a criminal offence so that's not surprising.
Only thing you can really do is either make sure both your security and insurance are comprehensive, or put the fear of god into him. And good luck with the latter if you're dealing with an addict.
What about looking at things whilst being 10m onto someones property?
Like today he was inside the gate, under the lean to.
Attempted burglary here - https://www.inbrief.co.uk/offences/burglary-under-the-theft-act/
Sounds like you need....
Make sure the bikes are very secure, and anything else - it's the builder's responsibility when they are on site, but it's a royal pain having a prized bike stolen.
"I genuinely believed that my family and I were in immediate danger"
Man up and deal with him would be the best idea. Surprised you have to ask. He has had a few goes now and you've done **** all about it. No wonder he keeps coming back.
Leave a garden rake out & if he steps on it...WHACK!
At least you could say that's how his face was bashed in.
He is definitely illiterate and has problems saying basics things,
The poor man needs help for goodness sake!
Post about it on the internet in the hope that he reads your post and turns over a new leaf. Job done.
Luckily I was also heading that way from the garden so I told him to eff off before they got a chance to be more physical.
That'll teach him! Should have told him he's grounded as he left.
The poor man needs help for goodness sake!
Sounds like hes helping himself .
Sounds like he needs help yeah. The police route will just get him nicked, brief jail, more drug exposure, back to the same old. Clearly (allegedly) nicking stuff to feed a habit and lack of money due to probable lack of education and work, if not a mental illness.
Or he's actually a knuckle dragging mechanic from a local bike shop or he's a self employed mechanic, which is why he's carrying around all that bike stuff, and he's a handy man hence looking about for some work 😀
So other than more vigilance when the builders need to leave stuff open, what to do?
Wait in the garage until he attempts to steal a bike and then strike!
You could throw that Scottish Supper (in the other thread) at him and hope he eats it and ends up constipated.
He won’t be able to move very quickly at all.
Its tricky, I’ll admit, but suspecting someone isn’t a crime until an act has taken place.
WTF no mention of shoes, bombers, or general internet hardman stuff?
STW, you've changed, man
Tough crowd tonight with not a lot of sympathy, who amongst you lot would have actually cracked him one? I think onza had the right answer, if he's a drug addict he's bound to be known to the police and 8f you've got kids in the property and he was in its boundary then you could genuinely be fearful for their safety. Either that or actually crack the **** one if he steps foot inside your boundary again.
I'd be thinking about some kind of trap, something legal like a bucket of yellow emulsion over him. Just don't forget youv'e set it...
Or there's always...
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Must be legal, people voluntarily get shot by them every day. (****ing hurt as well, as I can testify)
Put a sack over his head, throw him in the boot of your car, drive to somewhere precipitous and show him the drop. Problem solved.
It's a shame, the only way to really control this guy is to become his dealer. Even if you filled him in, he'd still be back for your bikes or whatever else he could get hold of...
Get your gimp mask on, chain him up and threaten to sell him on the internet.
the only way to really control this guy is to become his dealer.
That is a really good idea! Only other alternative is really something inspired by the film Saw.
WTF no mention of shoes, bombers, or general internet hardman stuff?
Own him with bombers, take his shoes off him and wee in them. Then and only then kill all of his family to show him how serious you are
Is that better? 😀
In all seriousness OP all I can think of is setting up cameras. Catch him trespassing on multiple occasions and maybe the police will start taking it seriously.
Vape on him, apparently it's a heinous, hideous action.
That'll show him.
If he is an opiate addict as you think. Tell him you've got a Naloxone kit and he's getting tied up and jabbed with it he he darkens your doorstep again. Just the fear that you could be serious will keep him from bothering you.
Shed, vice, knife white spirit
Get him on video ... then something goes missing (perhaps even something that doesn't).
He sounds very predictable and you know who he is... leave something that looks valuable and make sure the video gets him leaving with it. (old mobile phone that doesn't work sort of thing)
Does he have a dog?
If he has bum it.
That'll learn him.
“I genuinely believed that my family and I were in immediate danger”
^^this. Just deal with him next time. He keeps coming back because nobody is stopping him.
I know people like this OP. Our local bike thief is due out of prison shortly. You can try giving him a kicking if you find him on your property, don't go OTT and you could reasonably claim self defence. It would put him of a bit, but not completely, drug users commonly steal of their dealers with terrible consequences. When they need drugs they just don't care 🙁. But are you used to violence ? He probably is, even the most wasted looking junky can be a suprising handful. I've learned from hard experience, security and insurance work best. Get a solid ground anchor and a good chain, make sure he can't just wheel stuff away. Let him know you know what he is, and keep reporting him to the police if he acts suspiciously near your home. And good luck, he will in all probability try and steal of you again.
Make sure bikes are secure. CCTV is a good deterrent.
And next time you have words, make sure it coincides with doing some gardening, so you have a large shovel resting on your shoulder :-). If they are not already, make sure the builders are aware of what you suspect, and encourage them to show them the error of his ways, if they are keen.
Get a solid ground anchor and a good chain
Then **** him with it?
Get a cheap bike, GPS tag the shit out of it. Leave it where he can get to it, when it goes, get the police to follow the tracker and get the bugger jailed.
Our local bike thief is due out of prison shortly.
Is he called Scotty?
I knew a Scotty in jail, except he nicked wagon loads.
Inform him that if he nicks anything, you'll come looking for him. Then, as he's leaving, point out that if someone else nicks anything, you're still coming after him. He might turn security guard for your house if you're convincing enough.
Bum his dog? That's harsh.
Just bum him, that'll put him off. That or you got a friend for life.
1) Tell the police he is stalking you ...
2) How about doing the same to him at his gaff?
If the gentleman appears to be a user and keeps entering your property where there are young children I might be playing that card a bit more with the Police.
Had to remove him from property, scared me, concerns for children, if the builders hadn't stepped in etc.
I don't think it's necessarily overplaying it either as if he is desperate and one of the kids gets in the way while hes thieving then they could be at risk.
I would probably grab him and have a good word if he was snooping around on my property - unless he was much bigger than me! Otherwise get a mate to go with you and have a word? And find where he lives.
Can you still formally warn him to keep off your property (has to be letter) and then get him done for trespass next time he steps on the drive?
It's what shops used to do with thieves as it was treated much more harshly than repeated theft.
He's an addict, so any sort of warning/treats are just not going to work.
Get some decent insurance and physical security that'll make it more hassle than it's worth. I would be getting a 3m steel gate and frame made.
Also - home security cameras are cheap and good these days, any time he comes onto your property to have a nosey around, send footage to the police. Pin screenshots of him to your new gate.
Nothing will work with addicts coz the addiction is too strong.
The only people that can control them are their dealers.
Fire, junkies have the same aversion to it that land pirates do...
Kill him, cook him, and eat him. It will deter others.
https://canadiancrc.com/newspaper_articles/AAP_Husband_cooker_loses_plea_11SEP06.aspx
Thanks for the advice all. The violence angle is not really my thing. I like the "my kids are in danger" approach to the cops.
Make a call to your neighbourhod beat officer. He or she will like this one as it's an easy one.
Sadly it's pretty pointless threatening him, he won't give a shit and is probably more used to fighting than you and certainly has less to lose. CCTV/Insurance is probably your best hope, sure if you know a dodgy crowd yourself you could go down that route but you're just as likely to end up in the shit.
5plusn8, yesterday.
Again, get a decent ground anchor and chain, make things generally difficult and he'll pick a softer target. Anything else is just noise. He's an opportunist.
but I am not really confrontational, I’ll do it if I have to, but it’s not my default.
Preceded by I told him to eff off
He was probably watching to see when the builders left.
Where does he take all the bikes he nicks? perhaps they need to be told what is going on as well as notifying the police of his outlet.
No one to buy, no point stealing.
The only options I can see are:
1) Accept that this is part of life and make sure you have insurance to cover it.
2) Make getting at your stuff more hassle than it's worth.
3) Confront him in the hope that he bumps you down his mental list of soft targets.
4) Physically assault him so he thinks you're a bit nuts and not worth annoying any further.
1 & 2 are worth doing anyway, preemptively assaulting the fella would be out of the question for me which leaves just having a word.
If i was going to do that then it would have to be very specific and clear. Telling him to "Eff off" probably just registers as a close call but one he got away with. I suspect that until he's caught he'll be thinking that he's going about his business below the radar and your message to him needs to be that you have noticed him and that if anything of yours goes missing or is damaged then you'll know who to pin the blame on. Something along the lines of "It looks like you've been thieving, if I get robbed then I'll know it was you and your details are going straight to the police." You could close that with "I'll know who to come looking for" type comment instead of the police thing but that's only got weight if he's likely to be intimidated by you.
I can't guarantee this will be effective as there's also no telling how bothered he might be by any consequences that will eventually catch up with him but it is adding to any physical security you might add by making robbing you a little more hassle than the average punter.
Where does he take all the bikes he nicks? perhaps they need to be told what is going on as well as notifying the police of his outlet.
No one to buy, no point stealing.
Contrary to popular belief they don't just end up at Smack Converters, someone will buy them for a paltry sum (in the region of £20 - £50) and then shift them on to someone else further up the chain. The bikes will end up as bargains on Gumtree or eBay miles away or just sold wholesale and shipped abroad. There is no "outlet", the black market isn't a physical thing.
On a vaguely related note, I wonder if the likes of Ofo etc will reduce the market for nicked bikes. There are two borked Ofo bikes dumped in our street at the moment which have been there for ages as Ofo don't maintain their fleet anymore....
In my past experience they very often end up in smack converters, there will be a local outlet, he isn't retailing stolen bikes on a street corner.
If its anything like some of the thieves Edinburgh, he will just be hoarding them and nae selling them.
Placing a "sacrificial lamb" on your property, with strategically loosened components, would be funny, especially if you are able to video the carnage when he tries to whizz around a corner with a loose stem etc. Some pos/bso from Gumtree, would probably do the trick?
He might just knock out his teeth, assuming he has any left?
Just lock up the good stuff and wait for your trap to be sprung...
Place this in a prominent place in your garage.
Contents are up to you...
can't you just keep the bikes in the house rather than the garage until the builders have finished?
There's plenty of ideas if you just type "Bait bike thief" into youtube of how you can get some revenge on him.
Contrary to popular belief they don’t just end up at Smack Converters, someone will buy them for a paltry sum (in the region of £20 – £50) and then shift them on to someone else further up the chain. The bikes will end up as bargains on Gumtree or eBay miles away or just sold wholesale and shipped abroad. There is no “outlet”, the black market isn’t a physical thing.
When I was young you just had to know the right police officer, slip em some cash and hey presto... your bike got taken out of the shipment (rumoured to be transpennine in both directions) and magically found.
Of course this was before t'interweb thing... but begs the question how STW ended up in Hebden Bridge. 😀
Keep the bikes in the house till the work is done??
you Could then give him time to go in see there is no bikes before catching him inside, own him with bombers/call the police or what ever, if he knows their no bikes he prob not bother you much after.
A shotgun mine with the trigger wire fixed to part of a bike that is not noticeable, as soon as he moves it you'll hear the explosion then you can run outside and beat the ****ing shit out of him with whatever is lying around (you did leave a spade lying around didn't you?) - he had a screwdriver clearly visible in his hand (not one that matches any of yours and not a new screwdriver) and you feared for your safety/your families safety.
A shotgun mine with the trigger wire fixed to part of a bike that is not noticeable, as soon as he moves it you’ll hear the explosion then you can run outside...
...into the garden revving a chainsaw like a teenager in a barry'd up Corsa, whilst your mates hold hands and do a "ring a ring of roses" around him in full clown suits to a background symphony of Apocalyptica, Mad Capsule Markets, Coldplay and Sepultura, all at the same time and strobe lights, gotta have strobe lights, but with varying speed and see if you can get a midget to ride a tricycle in a PVC pony fetish suit and, and...
...if that doesn't put him off ever coming back to the bad trip house I'm all out of ideas.
He's close to homeless, how good can his home security be? Also, if he really is on Heroin he'll likely be out of it while you walk in and rob all the bikes back from him, then start a local re-distribution process to give them back to their owners.
Alternatively get a nest camera, some firm evidence of him breaking and entering your property and then share this with the police.
Final option, flyer the local area telling them he's a kiddy fiddler, he'll soon need to move home.
Sorry I don't think I explained clearly enough. The bikes are not at risk really, they are now secure elsewhere on the property since the theft of two years ago. Which I strongly suspect him of, hence his the renewed interest in a property that was rich pickings int he past.
However I still don't want this dude poking around, it's kind of like become his hobby, I guess until he scores something.
It feels kinda stalkerish too. Either way I wish he would **** off.
Some real Walter Mitty stuff coming out of this.
@squirrelking: I was right with you up till Coldplay. That's just sick man. No one deserves that.
I had a situation recently where some Facebook 'vigilantes' took it upon themselves to setup a protest outside our next door neighbour's (by that time empty) house. The upshot of it was that I went out to one of the police sergeants who were monitoring the crowd (Four of them were eventually arrested and charged with threatening to burn the house down with everyone in it. I can only assume they thought we were fireproof next door), and told him that both my wife and I were feeling extremely intimidated and threatened by this crowd of low life oxygen thieves.
As far as I understand, this was enough for the officers to act on and they moved the crowd away within a few minutes. For all that people are coming up with hard man tactics and jokey remedies, it's not a nice situation to be in when you actually feel under threat in your own home.
Make the police aware of what's going on, and keep making them aware. Someone else mentioned a screwdriver? If this guy is coming onto your property to do mischief, then he'll be tooled up. Phone the police, tell them someone's outside your property again and you think you saw something in their hand. Could be a screwdriver, could be a knife, could have been the light catching his mobile phone, but you're feeling threatened and intimidated.
Tell the builders you're pretty sure you saw him carrying some DeWalt boxes the other day. That should result in them taking locking up the site a bit more seriously...
he’ll be tooled up
In all seriousness, a mate of mine used to be a copper. One night in 2001 around 9:45 pm he saw a youth that was trying to break into his car outside his house.
He went out and gave chase. He ended up being stabbed multiple times in the chest with a screwdriver for his trouble. Came very close to death and was only saved by blind luck and a skilled surgical team.
This was in a sleepy Northumberland village in one of the lowest crime areas in the country.
He is now affectionately known locally as "Colander Bob"
However I still don’t want this dude poking around, it’s kind of like become his hobby, I guess until he scores something.
It feels kinda stalkerish too. Either way I wish he would **** off.
If he really is a hard drugs addict then I doubt threats of any kind will be effective for long (including the police threatening to keep an eye on him). The police would probably love to be rid but would need something conclusive as they are probably equally aware of this bloke.
I'm more of an opinion that other than extreme actions for which you'd potentially serve a lot of time setting him up on video is viable option.
Why don't you flip it around - keep him in your house and your bikes on the drive?
Then get a dog. Nobody is going to mess with a German Shepherd that wants to make itself heard (and it will). Plus, the kids would love it.
Get some of those cat scarers that use shotgun cartridges
<i>D</i>ont get into a confrontation with him physically... Even if you managed to kick the shit out of him you will most probably end up being covered in his hep c infected blood..
I’d suggest he has seen the builders and was just hoping they had left some tools about he could make a few quid on. Don’t escalate it, cctv plus make sure you have a big D cell mag light by the door in case you have to run outside in the dark.
follow Beagleboy's advice...
Add in mention of children/wife/peeping if needed.
cctv plus make sure you have a big D cell mag light by the door in case you have to run outside in the dark.
The only people that can control them are their dealers.
Solution there, become his dealer 😀