CRIME Someone stole gas from us

[nomifyle]

Unfortunately, between the power company spraying and DH cutting trees down we are now visable to the road. Its easy to see DH's saw mill. He keeps a 2 gallon can of gas at the saw mill. He found the can down at the road ditch. Fortunately he keeps our other fuel storage in a less obvious place. He said there probably wasn't much more than a gallon of gas in the can.

We've been together for about 9 years and I've preached and preached about not being visable to the highway, unfortunately he has not listened. And the power company has sprayed along that area killing all of the follage. It use to be all shaded along that area but now its all open to the sun and the road.

All of this is very concerning. He does have a gate in that area that can be locked, but he goes through there with his tractor and is not likely to open and closed it every time.

 

[Meemur]

Maybe look into inexpensive trail cams and alarm system?
I'd be mad, too. A lot of the security is gone.

 

[2ndAmendican]

That sucks! You definitely need to get him on board with taking reasonable steps to protect home, property, and possibly lives.

 

[nomifyle]

Maybe look into inexpensive trail cams and alarm system?
I'd be mad, too. A lot of the security is gone.

We are on 12 acres in the woods with no near neighbors except some distant cousins by marriage across the highway. I think it would be difficult to have an alarm system here, DH does have trail cams, but he won't put them out. However, since he has to pay for the ever increasing cost of fuel, he might change his mind.

 

[Meemur]

I was thinking of something like this in the shed:

Ironton Wireless Driveway Alert System | Northern Tool

With this Ironton® Wireless Driveway Alert System, you'll know when someone enters your driveway. Ideal for a home or business app...

www.northerntool.com

I have something similar to that on the edge of my property, along with two hidden trail cams. I put the alarm out just in the summer to alert me to teens back there. I don't care if they are just passing through, but they smoke and set things on fire.

 

[Cardinal]

And you know whoever did it will be back, right?

 

[Griz3752]

Unfortunately, between the power company spraying and DH cutting trees down we are now visable to the road. Its easy to see DH's saw mill. He keeps a 2 gallon can of gas at the saw mill. He found the can down at the road ditch. Fortunately he keeps our other fuel storage in a less obvious place. He said there probably wasn't much more than a gallon of gas in the can.

We've been together for about 9 years and I've preached and preached about not being visable to the highway, unfortunately he has not listened. And the power company has sprayed along that area killing all of the follage. It use to be all shaded along that area but now its all open to the sun and the road.

All of this is very concerning. He does have a gate in that area that can be locked, but he goes through there with his tractor and is not likely to open and closed it every time.

At least the thieves left the can.

I'd be worried they saw or suspected there was other useful or valuable goodies easily taken there and come back again when times get tougher.

 

[Macgyver]

So they left the can? Sounds like they dumped it right into the car. Ballsy.

 

[Millwright]

So they left the can? Sounds like they dumped it right into the car. Ballsy.

The can may have been worth more than their car.

 

[Vegas321]

I would bet it was teens.

 

[bw]

And you know whoever did it will be back, right?

With appropriate tools to get into whatever they saw the first time.

 

[hiwall]

I expect this type of thefts will be more common all across the USA as time goes on.

Then things will get worse.

 

[Meemur]

This is why I took down the shed that was in my back yard. Now, there's a fire circle and I put out cheap hard plastic chairs in the summer (not metal, which scrappers would steal). The teens will still pass through on the path, but there's nothing worth stealing in the yard.

SOP is locking up both the lawnmower and bike in the garage. A thief could cut the chain, but it would take awhile.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm glad our whole property if fenced. Even then, Cary has his log splitter, trailer, and lawn tractor chained and bolted/locked down out at the woodshed. All gas cans are under lock and key inside his shop. Both of our vehicles stay locked.

 

[ktrapper]

Put out a bait can with half gas and half sugared water.

 

[Macgyver]

Put out a bait can with half gas and half sugared water.

Don't even need half gas.
The gas floats on top of the sugar water.
Doesn't take much to give it that gas smell. Assuming your average thief would only probably be checking to make sure it wasn't diesel maybe. Big maybe.

 

[KFhunter]

Yes, a bait can would be left out.

 

[Griz3752]

Put out a bait can with half gas and half sugared water.

I get where you're coming from but I can't think of an easier way to ensure a 'get even' return visit. I'd hate to have to defend my family over such; I would but ........

 

[ShadowMan]

Why did he cut down the trees? Trees are your friend.

Concealment is your ally, what no one sees, no one bothers with. I'd be planting some FAST GROWING concealment.

 

[nomifyle]

At least the thieves left the can.

I'd be worried they saw or suspected there was other useful or valuable goodies easily taken there and come back again when times get tougher.

yes, we were greatful they left the can and yes, I worry about them coming back for other things.

 

[ktrapper]

I get where you're coming from but I can't think of an easier way to ensure a 'get even' return visit. I'd hate to have to defend my family over such; I would but ........

Just leave one with number 1 diesel in it then. It wouldn’t appear that it was a set up then. Fuel injected vehicles do not run well, if at all on diesel. Number one diesel is pretty clear. If they are in hurry they may dump it in before they realize it don’t exactly smell like gas.

I had a kid stealing gas cans out of my boat in AK. The pipeline guard, whom I knew, told me who it was he seen poking around my stuff.
A bait can fixed him right up. Never seen him riding that 4 wheeler again.

I can’t stand a thief and take it a pleasure to screw them up in their stealing even if it costs me money to do it.

 

[ktrapper]

Or put things under lock and key and carefully apply some electricity.

 

[bw]

there's nothing worth stealing in the yard.

Passed by a friend's house in Baton Rouge last time we were in town. There was not a single thing outside that house that could be picked up. No hose, no tools, no chairs, nothing. Told me all I needed to know about that neighborhood.

 

[Griz3752]

Just leave one with number 1 diesel in it then. It wouldn’t appear that it was a set up then. Fuel injected vehicles do not run well, if at all on diesel. Number one diesel is pretty clear. If they are in hurry they may dump it in before they realize it don’t exactly smell like gas.

I had a kid stealing gas cans out of my boat in AK. The pipeline guard, whom I knew, told me who it was he seen poking around my stuff.
A bait can fixed him right up. Never seen him riding that 4 wheeler again.

I can’t stand a thief and take it a pleasure to screw them up in their stealing even if it costs me money to do it.

Yes well if you've got him/her dead to rights like that, you may have at least taught him a lesson and maybe even saved his life. There's a reason horse thieves were hung in the old West; putting someone afoot miles from a settlement was often a death sentence. It was a harsh punishment but for a very serious crime.

 

[Walrus Whisperer]

And you know whoever did it will be back, right?

Yeah, now they know you have desirable stuff. Damn.

 

[Intestinal Fortitude]

Plant a shrubery!!
The Knights of Ni finally get their shrubbery

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZvsGdJP3ng

 

[John Deere Girl]

Someone tried to steal fencing about an hour ago from one of the properties we own. Signs of the times, and hidden security camera's are very important to have right now.

 

[mecoastie]

Unfortunately, between the power company spraying and DH cutting trees down we are now visable to the road. Its easy to see DH's saw mill. He keeps a 2 gallon can of gas at the saw mill. He found the can down at the road ditch. Fortunately he keeps our other fuel storage in a less obvious place. He said there probably wasn't much more than a gallon of gas in the can.

We've been together for about 9 years and I've preached and preached about not being visable to the highway, unfortunately he has not listened. And the power company has sprayed along that area killing all of the follage. It use to be all shaded along that area but now its all open to the sun and the road.

All of this is very concerning. He does have a gate in that area that can be locked, but he goes through there with his tractor and is not likely to open and closed it every time.

Close and lock the gate if he is not actively in the area. Put up the cameras and some of those driveway alarms. Dont leave anything valuable out. Maybe set the sawmill up somewhere more hidden? Stuff like the engine off that sawmill would be quick to remove and easy to get rid of. It is only going to get worse going forward.

 

[hd5574]

We both driveway alarm and a mailbox alarm...
Rural mailbox out at the road so we know when the mail arrives.

 

[lonestar09]

No one mentioned having or getting a dog.

 

[Meemur]

No one mentioned having or getting a dog.

Nomifyle and her DH aren't really in a position to care for a dog right now.

 

[Terrwyn]

That's a bummer! I am not sure even security systems are any good right now. Things are bad. I would go with a couple of Dobies myself if it wasn't for all the cats and needing a strong hand which I no longer have. Sorry your peace has been violated.

 

[Marthanoir]

Do you have Pyracantha in the US, also known as firethorn.

Think of it as natures barbed wire smeared in Carolina Reaper sauce,

 

[NoDandy]

This is why I took down the shed that was in my back yard. Now, there's a fire circle and I put out cheap hard plastic chairs in the summer (not metal, which scrappers would steal). The teens will still pass through on the path, but there's nothing worth stealing in the yard.

SOP is locking up both the lawnmower and bike in the garage. A thief could cut the chain, but it would take awhile.

Replace the chain with a plastic covered cable. Lowes has them, Master Lock brand I think. Cannot be cut with bolt cutters.

 

[SageRock]

The Pyracantha berries ferment, and when the little birds eat them, they get drunk and start rolling around on the ground. Happened on an expressway once, where they used to have Pyracantha landscaping in the center divider. Ended up replacing all of it to reduce the traffic hazard from drivers avoiding the drunk birds. Good times!

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Your DH is lucky they didn't burn his sawmill down for S&G. Maybe they will next time? Suggest you keep a running record of the monetary losses and thefts.

I love my DH but during the early part of our marriage he totally blew off my feelings of being unsafe because he didn't feel unsafe. Translated he was being young and a guy. Feelings don't always translate into "guy" speak. Numbers are harder to argue with. Will being seen from the road and theft/trespass/damage translate into higher insurance premiums? Hit with the numbers until it's his idea to replace the shrubs and trees hiding you from the road. Unfortunately, it may be too late as you have been "discovered" to some extent.

Don't be surprised if someone from the county shows up to do new estimates on your home and property for tax purposes. Those thieves aren't the only ones who can see what you have now.

I like the idea of security cameras and game cams. He has to see people coming into the property uninvited. Just because they were the first that you know stole something doesn't mean they were the first to come uninvited.

You do know how to use a gun? With accuracy?

 

[WanderLore]

Super large dog food and water dish in clear site, long heavy chain staked out.
Audio recording loud that's somehow set to motion activated, of a large dog barking.
That's a suggestion a lady cop gave at a seminar years ago.

 

[Millwright]

Replace the chain with a plastic covered cable. Lowes has them, Master Lock brand I think. Cannot be cut with bolt cutters.

PFFFT

No more effective than a chain.

Takes about 10 seconds to defeat.

Actually, you have to cut a chain link twice, unlike cable.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I know this flies in the face of some of the comments here, but it's the experience in our community, that the more isolated/hidden your house is, the better target it becomes. People can slip in and out without anyone noticing that anything is going on.

 

[ainitfunny]

Unfortunately, between the power company spraying and DH cutting trees down we are now visable to the road. Its easy to see DH's saw mill. He keeps a 2 gallon can of gas at the saw mill. He found the can down at the road ditch. Fortunately he keeps our other fuel storage in a less obvious place. He said there probably wasn't much more than a gallon of gas in the can.

We've been together for about 9 years and I've preached and preached about not being visable to the highway, unfortunately he has not listened. And the power company has sprayed along that area killing all of the follage. It use to be all shaded along that area but now its all open to the sun and the road.

All of this is very concerning. He does have a gate in that area that can be locked, but he goes through there with his tractor and is not likely to open and closed it every time.

THANK GOD!
You found out you have a thief problem CHEAPLY!!
Now, the thief is NOT going to go away, so you BETTER start taking precautions before the saw mill, tractor, disappear and house is broken into the next time you are both gone.