Garbage and plants stolen from yard. Help.
 

For the last two years someone has been stealing garbage out of the garbage cans in my yard. At first, I thought someone was playing a joke on me. Then I noticed it only happened when I was gone from home over the weekend. I live on a lake so it would be very easy for someone on a boat to pull up and do their business and leave without being noticed. A couple of weeks ago I noticed that four Oleander(sp?) plants that my dad planted as a x-mas gift last year were gone, and there was a healthy dent in the nose of my VW bus. This summer I found VW parts scattered over the driveway(old bearings, nuts/bolts, a dipstick). I have a feeling it's that crazy redneck that lives a couple of houses down. One day he was trying to shoot another neighbors German shepard with a .22 rifle. What do you guys think? I sure don't want to antagonize him or whoever is doing this. I am worried that things will escalate. I have moved my garbage cans to outside my fenced in yard(still within the property line). Other than sitting on the porch 24/7 with a shotgun what should I do. Thanks.

Police.

B

There are digital, color security cameras for sale at Lowes for 50 dollars. They install in minutes. I saw them a few days ago while helping my father get concrete blocks for our front walkway.

Good thought. At this point I don't have any proof of anything. I am afraid the police will think I'M crazy. A security camer might help. I hate to spend precious money on this kind of thing. I have lived here for many years and have never had a problem until this neighbors in-laws bought the vacant(still vacant) lot next to me. Now he puts his boat in the water at the vacant lot.

Howdy JH,
Put the cans back where they were and have a camera on them. Set up the camera were it can't be seen. If you get more than 1 camera, set up second one on anything else that you think might be messed with or set it up on the path that they might use. As for spending the money. Think of it as an investment for future problems that might accure. Good luck.

I might just do that. After all, video evidence would really help catch/convict whoever is doing this. I suspect identity theft is the reason behind the garbage theft. There are many crack/crystal meth/coke addicts around here.

Cameras work but don't get in a pissing contest with crazed neighbors. A paper shredder is cheap and might send the message that he will not get what he wants from your trash.

Think twice before you run to the police with the "evidence". That .22 he has works on people too, eh?

Thanks tirebiter. That .22 is what makes me want to just ignore it and get a paper shredder. The police are not around at all hours and after a crazed neighbor goes off they can't help much.

stolen trash? check your credit report. You may be in for an identity theft nightmare.

Thanks, I have checked my credit report, and it's ok. What the thief doesn't know is that all my bills/bank statement ect are sent to another address. The only thing in my garbage is Coke bottles(no refund in my state), frozen food boxes, and the like.

What really makes me mad is the dent in the nose of the bus and the four plants. Esp. the plants. My folks are old. It was a real effort for them to go out and buy the plants and come over and plant them as a surprise.

I'd be pissed too I never knew that people stole plants until all of the bushes were stolen from our spec houses I guess its fairly common,

Get a security camera and a sign that says Security Camera in use.

Just casually saunter over and see if the plants are in your neighbor's yard.

Howdy JH,
I wouldn't put up signs up until after this problem is solved then they go up for future security. As far as not doing aything because you don't want to piss the guy off. What happens when he pisses himself off and just starts shooting. You might as well try putting the guy away and get shot at instead of becomeing an "innocent" victim.

Sorry about the parts, didn't think you wanted the plants - but keep the dam shephard out of my yard!

On a serious note - get a motion detection camera that are used on deer feeders. Not expensive and cool for other uses also.

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/catalog/leaf_river_trail_scan_camera_model_c-1_2487193.htm