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  #1  
Old 14-07-2006, 12:56 PM
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astrogeek (Leon)
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Not Safe

Well yesterday while my brother was home, a man kicked down our door and held him up with a screw driver. My brother turned into a salesman, taking the guy around the house and tring to find something to him to take and go. In the end he forced my brother to give him the keys to my step dad's 2 year old VW Transporter van and drove of in it. What the **** is wrong with the world, you can't even sit at home without worrying about someone breaking in. I'm just glad that my brother wasn't hurt. On the up side, however, the man was fairly nice. He let my brother put our two jack russlle puppies into a room so they wouldn't run out the door. At one point he was going to take my brothers computer, but when my brother told him that he was a graphic designer and all his work was on the hard drive the guy decided not to take it. Before taking the car he also asked if it was insured, maybe he wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't. So I spose the world isn't that bad. You may be held up, but at least the criminal will be fairly nice about it all. Mind you, I said he was nice but only in the sence that he didn't take my brothers comp and let the dogs be put away. Apart from that he was aggressive and gave my brother the feeling that he would definitly stab him if he needed to. The whole incident has made me think a lot more about security. Maybe we should look our security door even when we are home so the main door can't be kicked in. I just hate having to do crap like that though. You should be able to feel ****ing safe in your own home. You should be able to leave doors wide open. Oh well, I spose we still have it a lot better than most places in the world.
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  #2  
Old 14-07-2006, 01:05 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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That's a terrible story. Home invasions really scare me with a wife and 3 young kids at home.

Glad your brother is ok. What a weird situation though that your brother led him around the house looking for things to take. I guess anything to get him out the door.

I hope the police catch him.
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Old 14-07-2006, 01:14 PM
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asimov (John)
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Sorry to hear it mate. I moved from the city to the country to get away from all that! But even out in the sticks you have to think security first these days.
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Old 14-07-2006, 01:15 PM
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That is a worry. No doubt he needed a "fix" as his actions were desperate.
You will see him at one of the local pubs in time trying to score if that is of any help. Things like this happen all the time, and are so common place that these events are not newsworthy so we the public dont realise the magnitude of problems in this area. It does not suit the Government to promote such news as they are looking always for stats that tell us we have nothing to worry about. Ramp up your security, victims are selected for the ease of getting a result. If they see your doors are barred and locked they will seek a softer mark.
The main thing you will find is this will leave youshaken for some time, but look on the bright side , no one was hurt and you now know that security is like charity it begins at home. Dont underestimate the effect maybe some councelling (other than mine) would not go astray..it helps one realise that it was nothing personal that the attacker fits a certain mold.
I hope the feeling of outrage hurt and fear abate for you and your brother.
alex
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Old 14-07-2006, 01:15 PM
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astrogeek (Leon)
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Quote:
Glad your brother is ok. What a weird situation though that your brother led him around the house looking for things to take. I guess anything to get him out the door.
Well the guy basically forced my brother to do that, but he probably would have done it anyway. Like you said, anything to get them out of the house. I think that it was a burglary gone wrong. It happened about an hour after I left to go and visit my father who lives out in Warburton. I think that the man thought that the no one was home, and when he realised someone was his plans changed.

Quote:
it helps one realise that it was nothing personal that the attacker fits a certain mold.
Yeah, we know that it was nothing personal just a druggy needing a fix. It hasn't really affected me at all as I wasn't home, but my brother is going to go and see a counseller which I think is a good idea.

Last edited by astrogeek; 14-07-2006 at 01:27 PM.
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  #6  
Old 14-07-2006, 01:19 PM
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Hey you are in Preston I was born there..mmm what does that tell you about the area???
alex
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  #7  
Old 14-07-2006, 01:42 PM
JimmyH155
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burglar

that's terrible, Astrogeek. What about fingerprints - he must have left heaps - or aren't the Police interested?
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  #8  
Old 14-07-2006, 02:18 PM
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ving (David)
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sorry to hear about your brothers misfortune... i always worry about such things as burgularies. they say crime rates are on a decease but i dont know about that... tis a scarey old world we live in these days.

hope your brother is ok.
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  #9  
Old 14-07-2006, 02:24 PM
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h0ughy (David)
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just give them what they want, life is not that cheap. I have had to fight back once working in a service station as an attendant many years ago, and was nearly up on assault charges by the would be robber. I couldn't believe it at first but that's the way the law is. I was lucky the video surveillance cameras recorded the whole event and that I defended myself. Don't know if I would do that now though?
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Old 14-07-2006, 02:40 PM
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I wonder if you can seek reimbursement of the councellors fees on the criminal compensation program? As to the police I know they can do it will they ..I doubt it. I have had cars , furniture etc stolen nothing they could do. My father then a Magistrate had his home broken into ..they cought the theif within one and a half hours. We felt that was not the norm and I would be right. I can understand the police point of view when they work hard to catch an offender only to have them let off on a good behaviour bond, offence afte offence after offence.
I had a policeman working for me as a salesman and you would not believe what they have to contend with. Whislt off duty he heard of a armed robbery figured where the robber would pass by on the road and set off after him. The police car was slightly damaged in the pursuit, he arrested the robber recovered the cash.. A hero not so ... the paper work re the damage understanable but the department then charged the policeman with negligent driving.. he got it set aside but years later found that they had marked his record not of the bravery and the recovery but that he had damaged the car.
So next time you think of bagging the police spare a thought for what they put up with. I think the pendulum need to swing the way of the victims and decent folk.
To hear Houghy's story does not surprise me such nonsence should be stamped out. Now if you want to know what I really think just ask.
alex
al
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  #11  
Old 14-07-2006, 02:55 PM
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astrogeek (Leon)
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Yeah, the police came (3 cars, 10 police) and fingerprinted, took statments, etc. The van will most likely be found dumped in a couple of days (stolen cars usually are). As for the guy, he will never be caught, and if he he will get a slap on the wrists and thats it. How stuffed up is that?
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  #12  
Old 14-07-2006, 03:02 PM
CoombellKid
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Jeezzz! that aweful news, glad to hear no one was hurt. I was like Asimov
and move from the city to the bush a few years back, best move we ever
did as far as I'm concerned. But like Asimov says you still need security
out here. I recently heard about a local aournd here who went away, only
to come back to the hot water system removed, tap fittings through out
the house gone. Gas stove disconnected + plus fittings removed. They
only finished building a few months back. Someone was obviously building
a house or something as they left many other electrical appliances like
a PC, TV and stereo.

Best of luck I hope they catch the guy.

regards,CS sunny days

Rob
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  #13  
Old 14-07-2006, 03:07 PM
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ballaratdragons (Ken)
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It is NOT just a case of Break & Enter. It goes further if you want it to.

The guy held him and threatened to stab him with a screwdriver. That's assault with intent to kill. Much more serious than burglary or Break & enter!!!
He forced him to hand over the keys - Intimidation.
He took the Volkswagon - Motor vehicle theft.

The police should make more of effort if that's what you have him charged with.
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  #14  
Old 14-07-2006, 03:45 PM
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astrogeek (Leon)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ballaratdragons
It is NOT just a case of Break & Enter. It goes further if you want it to.

The guy held him and threatened to stab him with a screwdriver. That's assault with intent to kill. Much more serious than burglary or Break & enter!!!
He forced him to hand over the keys - Intimidation.
He took the Volkswagon - Motor vehicle theft.

The police should make more of effort if that's what you have him charged with.
My understanting is that he (if he is caught) will be charged with aggravated assult, breaking and entering and motor vehicle theft. Still, I doubt he would get a prison sentence. I hope that he is caught and that he will go to prison though.
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Old 14-07-2006, 04:16 PM
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leon
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That's bloody terrible Leon, hope they get the prick.
Yea it's true these days, you cant even enjoy the supposed saftey of your own home, years ago you could leave your doors open and go away for a week and nobody would touch a thing, wouldn't like to try it now though.
And it's true there is no punishment any more, and no one seems accountable for there actions, and take responsibility for what they do.

I hope to see you on the 28th Leon, at Snake Valley.

Cheers Leon (The other one)
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Old 14-07-2006, 04:35 PM
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er I doubt if he would be charged with car theft... Under the law for laceny there must be an intention to permanetly remove the goods from the owner.. By simply saying "I did not intend to keep it" they wont charge him that way. There will be another provision in your Crimes act that covers "joy riding" which is all you could get him with I would say as to the car.
No attempted murder either..you must have the intention to kill and made a real attempt. It is an assualt ..which is the threat of force being applied not the actual force.
As much as I dont like recalling this story I tell it.
A friend came to my house distressed that the police were looking for him for the murder of his girl friend. He said he did not do it, I felt he did. He tried to suiside in front of me and I stopped him. I told him not to worry and tell the police that he did not mean to kill her .. The fact that the first thing he told them was I did not mean to kill her saved a murder charge being made.. he got only 3 years for manslaughter and is out somewhere now. One case where a guy came to the door leveled a revolver shot his victim and dunped the revolver in the harbour went all the way to the Privy Council because the guy said "I did not mean to kill him I just wanted to frighten him"..that statement nearly got him off..and would have if the court believed that was the case..which they did not.. my point it was clear cut murder and the guy nearly beat it.
I hope all who wonder why I got out of Law can understand better why I stopped believing in its justice.
alex
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Old 14-07-2006, 05:02 PM
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Jupiter
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Could have been a lot worse, he could have took your scope.
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  #18  
Old 14-07-2006, 05:07 PM
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Anyone want to know how to beat the breath analyser?
alex
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  #19  
Old 14-07-2006, 05:09 PM
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jjjnettie (Jeanette)
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We had a home invasion when I was about 12 ( 31 years ago sheez ).
The bloke, who knew my brother, smashed down the front door with the butt of a shotty. Mum had the gun to her tummy, my sister and brother hid in their bedrooms and I scarpered out the back door and got the neighbour to call the police.
1 and 1/2 hours later the police arrived. Mum had managed to calm down the junkie and he was asleep on a bed with the gun hidden. The classic quote from the coppers were, "Mrs Lamb, there was no need to be afraid, the gun wasn't loaded." We were also asked not to press charges, and so we didn't.

One can imagine the amount of respect I have for authority now.

He did return a few weeks later and apologised and actually fixed the hole in the front door.
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  #20  
Old 14-07-2006, 05:17 PM
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mickoking
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Crap like this is a symptom of society gone wrong. Where is the sense of community? compassion? No, we live in a dog eat dog society, every one for themselves. The stuff that scum bags thrive on
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