Sunday, December 23, 2007

In the spirit of taking

Well yesterday was a joy and a half. The tenant who occupies the apartment we last lived in and renovated called, "Richard. I got robbed. The window is broken what do I do?" I had barely finished my first cup of coffee and I sighed and told her I'd be right over. First I roused Serge from his sleep with the sparkling news. I went over to the distraught tenant's place to observe the damage. The police had already come and left. You could see the exact way they had gotten in because of the three feet of snow on the ground. There's where he (gotta be a he) jumped over the fence. (I imagine a skinny guy, bug-eyed, jonesing for his fix. Paranoid, like a human squirrel.) There's where he found a stray two-by-four to break the double paned window with. The usual things were taken, tv, stereo, computer, but also some more unusual things. Food, blankets, toiletries. They took the turkey and the freshly baked Christmas cookies. They took the milk and the cereal. They didn't notice the digital camera on the floor. The tenant had been out until 4am when she discovered it. She had had the work Christmas party that went way late. She was pretty hysterical, right on the verge of laughing and crying. Her friends kept calling and she kept telling them that the party she was supposed to have there yesterday evening - was canceled. Poor thing. Not insured either. So we got a hold of an emergency window repair place and within an hour a guy came and installed a temporary window while the correct one is special ordered. All in all, $600 unexpected dollars for us to pay. The insurance deductible is 500, so we'll just pay the darn thing since having a second robbery in the year would not bode well for renewal prices.

I feel bad for them. (It's two girls.) What a shitty thing to happen right before Christmas. It makes me think this thought that I work hard to forget - So many bad people in the world.

18 comments:

Birdie said...

I'm so glad you and Serge were there to show the girls what good there is in the world. You are the bright spot in this bleak moment, bringing balance back.

Keep sharing your wonderful smile and obvious love of life. It will be what they remember about this Christmas.

CoffeeDog said...

Getting robbed is the pits. It happened to us once, and just last week a neighbor down the street got robbed.

The did take some odd items for her house. They must have felt as though they had a lot of time.

Anonymous said...

What a terrible thing to have happen at this or any time of year. Maybe suggest to all tenants to get renters insurance. The guy left tracks to follow, I wonder if the police tried or just didn't care. Time to invest in alarms? Drugs can make a guy do awful things I hope he gets help or at least gets caught. Ed

bardelf said...

What an awful event for the tenants and you. It especially disturbs me that, in addition to stealing electronics and such, the robber took the turkey and even Christmas cookies.

May karma swing its full force at the robber.

Anonymous said...

I sympathize with those girls. Although I've lived in a couple of "rough" neighborhoods over the years, I never had my house broken into. However the spouse and I had our room at a gay B&B in Key West broken into and wallets stolen while on vacation. Even though it wasn't my house, that icky feeling of someone having been there, going through your stuff, takes a long time to go away.

My adventures said...

That sucks, and what a vivid description of the culprit. I bet that describes him to a T.

A Lewis said...

You know, the holidays just don't take a break for anybody...the bad things continue happening, the hospitals are full, robberies still go down....and the good goes on too.....I'm trying to remember the good........
Merry Christmas!

Rox said...

Drop in on her and bring her a bottle of wine and a cheeseball or something. Show her that the world is NOT full of shitheads and assholes. It will make you feel better.

You're a good landlord, with your quick response and action!

dpaste said...

He took the freshly baked cookies? And milk? Are you sure the police shouldn't be looking for a heavy-set man in a red suit?

David said...

I was surprised myself that they took the cookies and the rest of the food. I want to believe in karma and that these guys will get what's coming to them.

Sad reminder that things like this happen, anbd they don't take a holiday.

Java said...

Didn't you say just this past week something about wanting a little excitement, maybe an issue with some tenants, while you were off work? I may be remembering incorrectly, but there was something about your rental properties.
I am sorry for the girls, though.

Anonymous said...

you know, when you started describing the turkey and milk and everything being taken, I thought of the Grinch; too bad there are real ones out there.

When was the other robbery? Am I going daft? I can't remember you talking about it.

I hope those girls have family to help them out right now.

Anonymous said...

That sucks! Sucks for the tenants and for you guys, too!

But I do have to admit that I chuckled a bit at the fact that the thieves took the Christmas cookies, milk, and cereal.

It is amazing how your brain works when you are high.

Enemy of the Republic said...

We've been robbed and I've been mugged, so I know how badly it sucks. I did get renters insurance after the first problem. It helps. But nothing takes away that feeling of sheer evil. Crime is always worse around the season of love and peace, no matter what the weather.

Summer said...

I feel for the girls, it's a scary thing to have happen not to mention the feeling of violation. When we were robbed they went through my underwear drawer, ugh, had to get all new undies. To even take their Christmas dinner is low.Drugs will make people do awful things.

Sunshine said...

That totally sucks. Hope they still have an okay Christmas. :S

Anonymous said...

I was hoping this story ended in gunfire.

Sorry about the $600!

Mark in DE said...

Like you, I choose to be optimistic about people in general. I like in a very small town and do not lock my doors unless I get in the car to go somewhere. But then I read about this and it makes it harder to stay optimistic.

Sorry for the unexpected expense.

Mark :-)