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Author Topic: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.  (Read 8683 times)

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Offline JohnnyReb

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Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« on: March 15, 2009, 07:23:12 AM »
I posted this in the lounge and now dicided to put it up for discussion. Some say I did right but a few say I shouldn't have done it. Just like to add that the thief/trespasser was several hundred feet down my private road when he ran over my little gadgets. Should I be subjected to lawsuits or criminal charges for protecting my property?
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After putting up with trespassers and thieves for years, I set a trap for them Friday night.......and I got one. I've put up signs and they tear them down. I gate and lock the road, they tear it down. So I welded up some real thin tire slicers and buried them in the road after putting up a barracade and a bunch of new signs Friday afternoon. Stayed up all night, riding by the place every hour to check on things. I ruined several hundred dollars worth of large new 4-wheel drive mudders and fancy wheels. I doubt I'll recover any of my loss but the police are now working the case. Some of the stuff that was stolen would take more than the strongest wieghtlifter to pick up so hopefully they'll get several in this sweep.

In recent weeks I've had about $20,000 worth of building material and misc. stuff stolen off the farm. Just JohnnyReb doing his part to spread the wealth around......and he's damn tired of it. 
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“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline Flame

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2009, 07:30:52 AM »
I say good for you!  But I don't know what the laws say about it.  But I think if more people did stuff like you did to protect what's there, it might make the lowlifes think twice before doing stupid crap.
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2009, 07:32:00 AM »
If you've posted signs and had a locked gate, I'd say good on ya.  If this is a case where you did it right at the turnout, I'd say probably not a good thing, but given that you've 1--been ripped off before, 2--filed the proper reports, 3--the Keystone cops haven't found anything, 4--put them well inside your property, I say let them try to sue you or file charges.

See, this is where I like NH law.  Not only are they subject to deadly force if they're in your house, they're subject to it ON YOUR PROPERTY.

Too bad you didn't catch them as they were going by and turn them in right then.  Then the cops would actually, I dunno, DO THEIR JOBS?
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2009, 07:49:35 AM »
Quote from: NHSparky on March 15, 2009, 07:32:00 AM
If you've posted signs and had a locked gate, I'd say good on ya.  If this is a case where you did it right at the turnout, I'd say probably not a good thing, but given that you've 1--been ripped off before, 2--filed the proper reports, 3--the Keystone cops haven't found anything, 4--put them well inside your property, I say let them try to sue you or file charges.

See, this is where I like NH law.  Not only are they subject to deadly force if they're in your house, they're subject to it ON YOUR PROPERTY.

Too bad you didn't catch them as they were going by and turn them in right then.  Then the cops would actually, I dunno, DO THEIR JOBS?

I let the cops handle it. The fellow had backed out off my property and was accross the road changing tires when I drove by. I called the Sheriffs department and met the deputy about a mile away then returned to the scene. The cops were grinning from ear to ear even though there was nothing they could do friday night. They now have names and tag numbers of the offender and those that he called to help him. It gives them ideas of where to start looking "AND" since I can positively identify my building material.......a good case.

Now if your wondering how I can identify my stuff, I own a hobby sawmill and an old 4-sided planer. My lumber looks store bought but it's not. Nominal size of a store bought 2"x12" is 1 1/2" x 11 1/2".....mine is not that size.........only I know the exact correct dimensions of my lumber.

Just in the last 2 weeks they've gotten......
about 100---16' 2"x12" 's
about 40-----16' 2"x6" 's
about 40-----10' 2"x10" 's
30 sheets of tin cut at a long special length .....I know the exact length.
10 -----------16' 6"x6" cedar post
20 -----------16' 4"x4" cedar post

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“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline Lord Undies

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2009, 07:51:24 AM »
Something had to be done.  Good for you.

Passivity and cautious inaction are like fuel for thieves.    
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2009, 08:28:16 AM »
Quote from: JohnnyReb on March 15, 2009, 07:49:35 AM
They now have names and tag numbers of the offender and those that he called to help him. It gives them ideas of where to start looking

Sorry, but what the hell more do they need?  Why aren't these ass-clowns in jail yet?
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2009, 08:57:20 AM »
Quote from: NHSparky on March 15, 2009, 08:28:16 AM
Sorry, but what the hell more do they need?  Why aren't these ass-clowns in jail yet?

They need the evidence that "they" are the ones that stole my stuff. Otherwise it's just a case of simple trespass.

I didn't have time after their latest visit to build the contraption I wanted to build. Namely one that would allow them to ingress without damage but cut down the tires on egress. The trespasser didn't get to my barn before cutting down his tires. So he didn't have anything of mine in his truck when the police got there.

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“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline DumbAss Tanker

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2009, 09:19:41 AM »
I doubt you'll be in any trouble over a passive thing like tire slicers.  Where people end up on the wrong end of the lawsuit is where the owner has lethal or maiming traps set.  Just my two cents.
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Offline Wayne

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2009, 09:20:56 AM »
  How do the cops feel about land mines??
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Online Carl

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #9 on: March 15, 2009, 09:21:59 AM »
Laws can vary on these matters so it is best to check beforehand.
What is right isn`t necessarily "legal" so one needs to understand the potential long term consequences of any action.

Having said that I don`t see how one can make a distinction between what you set up and a fence or gate that if hit would also do vehicular damage so hopefully no laws are written to prevent barring access to ones property.
Perhaps a warning sign  :whatever: is required and I would think a typical posted or no trespassing sign should do.
If the booby trap is clearly designed to inflict personal injury then it might get gray so prudence still is the key.
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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #10 on: March 15, 2009, 09:38:08 AM »
Quote from: Carl on March 15, 2009, 09:21:59 AM
Laws can vary on these matters so it is best to check beforehand.
What is right isn`t necessarily "legal" so one needs to understand the potential long term consequences of any action.

Having said that I don`t see how one can make a distinction between what you set up and a fence or gate that if hit would also do vehicular damage so hopefully no laws are written to prevent barring access to ones property.
Perhaps a warning sign  :whatever: is required and I would think a typical posted or no trespassing sign should do.If the booby trap is clearly designed to inflict personal injury then it might get gray so prudence still is the key.

He was well past a bracade set 200' inside my property(he went around it). The baracade had 2 new, large, bought signs stating KEEP OUT & NO TRESPASSING posted on it, plus a hand painted message stating I meant for everyone to keep out, 200' past the baracade were 2 more signs on post stating KEEP OUT & NO TRESPASSING, a 100' past there was 2 more signs with the same message nailed to trees on each side of the road that the driveway goes between.......about 50' past that point, his tires went WOOF WOOF....that finally stopped him.

Modified to add-----the tire slicers were flat on the end, no sharp point, but if someone fell on them they could get hurt.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2009, 09:40:46 AM by JohnnyReb »
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“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline Bluesuiter-Retired

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2009, 10:50:53 AM »
Do like they do at the Trident sub bases, have a number of dobermans who's voice boxes were surgically disconnected so the first hint they are in deep $hit is when the dog knocks em to the ground and starts rippin em.

All it will take is one incident and the word will spread to stay away.
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Offline mamacags

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2009, 06:47:59 AM »
Not only do I not think you should be in trouble, I also think you should get the key to the city.  If more people did stuff like this it would rid their towns of the low life pieces of crap that steal everything that isn't nailed down.  My dad lost a bunch of stuff from his garage last year.  Some stupid meth head walked right into his garage in the middle of the day grabbed the stuff and took off in a car.

Some guy kept ripping up my parent's neighbors yard in his 4X4.  The neighbor buried angle iron in the dirt with big nasty screws welded on it sticking out.  They found the truck down the road with 4 flat tires.  It brought a tear to my eye. :rotf:
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Offline Magog

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2009, 08:28:08 AM »
That is great, more people should do what you did.  I applaud you for taking the incentive to stop these scumbags, and I would love to see more people do this kind of thing, as the police aren't able to be everywhere at once, and unfortunately people like you get stolen from.  Too bad more lethal force can't be used, as that would stop them better than a few flat tires would.
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Offline SSG Snuggle Bunny

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2009, 12:14:48 AM »
One of the little bastards will pop a tire, get out to survey the damage then step on a spike and injure his foot allowing him to sue you for permanent disability, punitives and pain & suffering...regardless of actual trauma or lack thereof.

Remember: most lawyers vote democrat.
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Offline Vagabond

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #15 on: March 17, 2009, 01:00:26 AM »
Quote from: JohnnyReb on March 15, 2009, 09:38:08 AM
He was well past a bracade set 200' inside my property(he went around it). The baracade had 2 new, large, bought signs stating KEEP OUT & NO TRESPASSING posted on it, plus a hand painted message stating I meant for everyone to keep out, 200' past the baracade were 2 more signs on post stating KEEP OUT & NO TRESPASSING, a 100' past there was 2 more signs with the same message nailed to trees on each side of the road that the driveway goes between.......about 50' past that point, his tires went WOOF WOOF....that finally stopped him.

Modified to add-----the tire slicers were flat on the end, no sharp point, but if someone fell on them they could get hurt.
Carl is probably right.  Plus, I could show you lots of places where tire shreading deveices are installed on vehicle paths.  Without clear intent to cause bodily harm, plus the presence of numerous trespassing warnings, you are clear.
Too bad you couldn't hang around and plant the shredder after they were in to get them on the way out.
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Offline LogiQ

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2009, 11:44:36 AM »
  Here in Texas, people disappear all the time. Ya just gotta make sure thier vehicle isn't found on your property.
Just sayin'......... :naughty:
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Offline rich_t

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2009, 08:34:38 PM »
Quote from: LogiQ on March 20, 2009, 11:44:36 AM
  Here in Texas, people disappear all the time. Ya just gotta make sure thier vehicle isn't found on your property.
Just sayin'......... :naughty:

I think I like the way you think.

 :uhsure:
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"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2009, 02:41:19 AM »
Quote from: LogiQ on March 20, 2009, 11:44:36 AM
  Here in Texas, people disappear all the time. Ya just gotta make sure thier vehicle isn't found on your property.
Just sayin'......... :naughty:

Ever seen how thin a 35 ton bulldozer can mash a car?......there's one sitting right bye the driveway going into my property. "Be Prepared" is a good motto.
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“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline Airwolf

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2009, 05:26:07 PM »
Too bad that they don't sell war surplus concertina wire and Claymore mines by the case. IF that didn't stop them then it's time to install some more serious stuff.
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Offline ScubaGuy

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Re: Thieves, trespassers and boobytraps.
« Reply #20 on: March 22, 2009, 07:37:21 PM »
I had a friend who was getting his mailbox run over at least once a month so he decided to do something to stop it.

He planted a piece of railroad track in concrete, but a wood box around it with his mailbox on top.  Late one night he hears a loud crash from the road and goes to find a dead pickup wrapped around his still standing mailbox.  The perps. didn't get injured and were nowhere to be found.

As he told it the deputy who took the report told him that what he did was technically illegal but he had a really had time trying to explain it without laughing.

AFAIK his mailbox is till standing.

It sucks that you put many warnings around your property but can still get in trouble for protecting what is yours.

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