I've been robbed...

[clifpa]

There is a question at the end of this lengthy text which I need your advice on, thanking you in advance.

My shop has security bars (?) both in the front and the back. My shop is also in a very nice location as far as low crime goes.

But when I stepped into my shop yesterday morning I noticed that a small garbage container had been turned over and the contents scattered. My first thought was a (very) large rat or maybe a cat had done it.

As I walked slowly into the work area, I come in from the back door, into the saw and length storage area and then from there into the framing area, I immediatly noticed that two or three ceiling tiles had been removed from the far left edge of my shop. At the top of my mat/glass storage box was what looked like my HP Fax machine. Ouch.

The shop next to me has been vacant for the last couple of months and that was the entry point. Someone had left the security lock open and that's how the guy got in.

Everything was gone. Computer, printers, tools, etc. Some customer art work and 300 from my cash register, gone. (I really felt secure, I thought there were fire walls so this would have been a difficult access from the other shops and who wants to rob a frame shop when you have a smoke shop two doors down.

When I went in the shop next store I noticed that computer parts were broken and scattered, change from my cash box, and other items. I knew this was a one man robbery since he was dropping the items down to the floor. I went outside and searched the area for clues. I found my glass metal container hidden behind a bush at the church in the next lot, along with three small garbage cans all filled with my broken up stuff.

A women came out from the church and asked what I was doing. I explained. She had talked with a 20 year old that was sweating over my containers. He asked if she had a plastic bag since he was cleaning up the area. She said no and left.

Time to call 911.

Police came, crime lab came, nothing that would nail the bad guy...two hours of finger printing, reports, etc. I was loosing any hope of finding this guy.

Then....a women's voice screams out...that's him...in that truck. (can you believe he came back with a cops car out front of my shop)

Before you could react the police were everywhere, helicoper in the sky and yes, they not only got the bad guy but his friend to.

Life is good. I was able to get my broken computer up and running and get backups (only my CD writer worked) I hadn't done my backups for two days being very sick, stupid me. Now I have the data and can put it on this laptop.

The police recovered my cash. "bad boy, bad boy, what you going to do..."

The police are great. Free framing - materials.

Now my question. How would you handle the replacement of the damaged stuff. Contact your insurance (I use PPFA recommended companies) or would you hold the property manager accountable?

I told the property manager that I held them responsible for replacing my stuff because, in my mind, this is no different then them using their master key to access my business and forgetting to lock up when they left? I think they were remiss. I think by leaving the door unlocked next store, which they had been told about before, they put me and the other shops in harms way.

What do you think and how would you go forward on this.

Everyone, please, please do your backups every night and this is a big one. Keep yesterdays copy at home and the current backup in the shop hidden away. This guy took all my backups.

The police are great, even when I get my normal 3 year ticket for speeding...wink

[JFeig]

Number one. There is a police report. I hope that it includes the comment of vacant shop entrance next door being unlocked.

I would file a claim first. It can always be recinded (taken back).
I would next contact an attorney to see what legal action can be taken against your landlord in his neglegance of not locking doors next door.
I would also question the fact that there is not a solid wall (fire or to the roof regular internal wall) between 2 businesses.
I would also look into an alarm system with internal space monitoring (sonic / I.R. etc.)

[Bob Shirk MCPF]

I would present the claim to Your insurance company and let them go after the property manager. That way your claim should be payed promptly and your insurance company can deal with litigation against the property manager or his insurace company. If the property manager offered to replace everything I guess that I would take his money and not report it to my insurance company.

[Cliff Wilson]

Call your insurance company. Now! If they want to recover from the property manager let their lawyers worry about.

[HannaFate]

This got me thinking about our building. The original inner arrangement has been altered many time over the years, and I doubt that the new walls go all the way up. The original fire walls are still there, of course, but the spaces have been divided.

Hm. I'll have to check the security of the little (empty) space beside us.

[Barb Pelton]

Cliff,
A good friend of mine was robbed exactly the same way a few years ago, only they didn't catch him and he came back for round two!

You've already been given good advice, and yes, of course the property manager/ landlord should be held accountable.

I'm so sorry for your losses, but thank goodness it wasn't worse.

[Bill Henry-]

I can imagine the sinking feeling you had when you entered your shop. My sympathies.

But go the insurance route. If you go after the property manager, he's likely to remember the incident the next time the lease is up for renewal.

Were you able to recover the stolen art, or will it be held for evidence until the trial? That may make things sticky as far as your customers are concerned. Have you notified them, yet?

[Jim Miller]

I agree -- let your insurance company recover from the property manager if that is to be done. No need to jeopardize your good relationship.

A word about backups -- take them away from the location every night. I used to keep backup CD's & compact flash disks in a file cabinet, but stopped that after thinking about what thieves might take. Or burn. Or vandalize.

We backup our FrameReady program and QuickBooks Pro every night.

Cliff, my friend, you got lucky. Congratulations.

[Less]

Get that alarm system...and pay them to monitor it!!! The window and door stickers alone may be a deterrent, but the screeching siren will give them something to think about.

[Emibub]

Gotta agree with Less on this one Cliff. I pay $30 a month for ADT. It is a monitored system and it does work. I had my store broken into the first year I was in business. It was a smash and grab and they did get cash, that is all they were looking for. Out of the 3 businesses who got broken into that night I was the only one with an alarm system. They still got what they were after but with the siren going off they had a minute to do their deed and clear out. Sounds to me like your thieves made a night of it with all they took. The siren would have scared the bejeezus out of them.

Sounds like you have a good attitude about the whole thing and thank goodness it wasn't worse. Yes the police are wonderful to have around!

[Al E]

When you do the police and insurance reports say you were "burglarized" not "robbed".

[clifpa]

Thanks you my friends!

I'm feeling much better now, colds almost gone, and I will call my insurance company first thing tomorrow.

I have a few more items to add to my list in terms of tools and equipment. Another issue is that I closed all day Friday while the police did their stuff along with catching the guys and all day Saturday to get the finger print stuff off everything, pickup the mess and put things away. Quess I should add this to the list :confused:

Boy was I lucky. Only two pieces of customer art work were wrinkled (I will be posting for help on this later) and the customers were very good about it. I think I can save the art!!!

Money, I'm getting that back.

Equipment, better these then my costly limited editions and large mirrors that are hanging on the walls. Yes, I came out pretty ok for the circumstances.

Thank you all for your input, wisdom and advise and yes, BURGLARY not robbery.

I really do like this forum. smile.gif