Possible Break In, "Clear" the House?

[gatesbox]

About 30 minutes ago my wife calls me and says that when she returned home from shopping she walked in the front door and saw the back door wide open. She ditches the groceries, gets in the car and calls me. I'm walking distance to the house but she picks me up. I walk in the house, don't see any signs of burglary yet. Decide to go straight for the gun safe and see if it is there...It is, I take out my G17 and quietly and slowly go room to room for signs of burglary.

This is the first time I have "Cleared" my house. (I use that term in quotes because it seems kinda like a television term, but I can't think of another phrase).

So all is well in Denmark, but I have always been of the opinion that I would never do this, just protect family and wait for cops. Oddly enough the fact that there was less evidence of an actual break in Burglary, increased my likely hood to actually "clear" the house myself, without calling LE...

Was this a dumb move? Should I have called cops anyway? Or is this exactly why we own and train on HD firearms....?

[dobek]

Personally - I am there, the police aren't - I know the layout - I would put wife in safe location (in car with cell phone ready to leave if anyone other than me comes out) - and I would clear the house.

I am a bit jaded - the police won't come and investigate - and even if they show up, they aren't going to spend time to "solve" a burglary.

Time for a dog and/or alarm.

Steve

[gatesbox]

dobek - thats pretty much how it went down today...told the Mrs. to stay in the car until I came out, no exceptions.... mostly because I knew I was going for my pistol... didn't want her to come around a corner unexpected while I was going through the house....

[calwoodbutcher]

It's killing me. Why was the door wide open?

[XYZ]

Call the cops. You have no idea who, what or how many could be inside. Best to wait outside. Just MHO.

[duggan]

If you have the ability/skill to clear your own house I say do it, if you notice things aren't where you left them or stuff is trashed/gone through, then thats the time to call 911.

[stix213]

I'd call 911 as soon as you had any real evidence of a break in. Not sure if an open door qualifies. I've thought I closed a door before, but it didn't latch and the wind or even the dog could open it. My dog has even taught herself to open nearly all the doors in my house, and even unlock deadbolts, so if this were my place I'd suspect that trouble making dog for sure

[LooseCannon]

I would have called 1911!

[gatesbox]

It's killing me. Why was the door wide open?

So, after everything calms down a bit my 4yo admits to letting "Trixie" the cat outside before they left to go shopping.....

And Yes, If I had seen any evidence that the house was legitimately burglarized, I would have bailed back outside and called the cops...I think grabbing the pistol was just in case there was a surprise as I inspected the house for further signs..... It was the first time I have done this....

I have taken several extensive live fire defensive pistol classes, but most of my plans and preparation mentally have been for an evening break in... I had not thought about simply coming home to a sketchy house.

Identify todays threat level:

[calwoodbutcher]

Glad it was only the cat.

[Dion]

I love the marketing stereotype of what a "burglar" looks like.

• Clean cut or rugged good looks
• Beanie cap (no matter what temperature)
• Tucked in shirt
• Generally good looking
• Light colored jeans
• Looks like he works out
• Absolutely no signs of meth use

I wish they would hire realistic looking burglars for these silly stock photos. Might as well use Colby from Top Shot to play a burglar.



Here's how they REALLY look like:

[Curley Red]

Cat burglar. Be careful though kitty gots claws.

[LooseCannon]

Glad it was only the cat.

Still would have used the 1911...

[spits55]

I would call 911, if it was a break in and the person did get into your guns they could of used it against you! don't put your life in danger like that specially when no loved ones were home...put your taxes to work!

[RazzB7]

Still would have used the 1911...

Problem solved.