Our shop was broken into!!

5:20 this am thieves broke into the empty (un alarmed) suite next to ours and busted through the wall.
All they took was the computers. BUT they still took the computers, and made a huge mess!
Our alarm went off, and the officer that responded obviously didn't even take a look! He left a "false alarm" notification on the front door!!!:mad:
It was obvious from looking into the front window that it had been burglarized! The sargeant that responded is also a customer of ours. He was MAD, and was on the phone giving someone the what for!
Sigh.... so now I get to call the insurance, and deal with all that. My thinking is they just wanted info since they just took the laptop and tower, but no cords. Oh yeah, and the 22" monitor and barcode scanner.
Luckily both computers were just used for web applications, since our point of sale system is web based.
Oh I just feel so violated!! It's just maddening! Esp. since the officer said he thinks they have been in before, because the lap top wasn't in a very visual area.
One thing I am thankful for... No customer bikes were taken!

I hate theives. We've had our music store broken into several times. It really makes me mad. And in our experience the police rarely find anybody. My husband was a better detective and on 2 occasions got leads on who the perps were. (One was his son---real bummer.)

Seems like you've had a tough go at it lately. Hope they catch them!

Oh, RM, so sorry to hear of this! Yes, and with the economic troubles, too, this is not what you need (anytime, but particularly now). Thinking of you.

That's really terrible. I hope they catch them. Glad they left the bikes!

Aw, that stinks. Hope the perps get what's coming to them. :mad::mad:

Don't forget to change your passwords for anything that might've been on those computers...

Thanks all.
You know just when you start to think that things are turning around, and it's going to be ok.... THIS happens! I just can't get ahead.
I have insurance, but with a 500.00 deductable, and only just over a 1k loss I'm thinking it's not even worth filing a claim for.
sigh.... theives just STINK!!

Do the burglars now have possession of your customer names, addresses, (homes of expensive bikes), and worse, credit card numbers? That's very scary.

Grrr..... I hope they're caught! :mad::mad::mad:

She said all the point of sale information was online, so it shouldn't be in the computer? It must be about identity theft, though, because anyone who has tried to hock a computer would know that you'd get more for it with the cables. (Or they're just stupid.) If they know how to mine the computer for information, they would already have cables.

Then it might be about the high-end bikes, too.

I'm sorry this happened. I would warn your best customers to be extra careful with their bikes.

Karen

Sorry to hear about this but you are lucky they didn't get the bikes. Same thing happened to one of our local shops, and they did take the bikes!

RM - How scary and frustrating. Glad the police realized they screwed up - though it really would be nice if they had checked in the first place. How'd they put the note on the door without looking inside?!

Here's hoping things turn around for you - we're rooting for you and your shop!

CA

yeah like I said, all the customer info is with the online POS people, so no customer info to be found. And the CC info goes through a little portable CC machine, so no info there either. They thankfully left those. Tho they would have been no use to them,as no info is stored on them.
I'm sure they were going for the customer info. That had to have been the reason for the theft. But HA they didnt get it!!!
Of course now I'm going to be extra paranoid! I had no camera system, but that is going to change.
I just hate the feeling I have right now!!
ugh

Sorry for the theft. That is terrible. they might try and sell the computers still. I had a friend who's lab was broken into and they just took the cables because everything else was locked down. I don't think that makes you feel any better but maybe your customers personal info may still be safe (CC#s or not).

will claiming the burglary raise future monthlies?

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, Have you considered setting up a hidden wireless camera system in you shop? They're not that expensive and can be purchased on sites such as Amazon

RM, sorry you have to put up with this sort of crapola! Fingers crossed for your business to only get better from here :)

The feeling of violation is the worst! I'm so sorry this happened!

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

The feeling of violation is the worst! I'm so sorry this happened!

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+1
I also have my own business and I'm glad that it hasn't happend to me yet. But it will. I'm sure it will.

I'm glad that none of you got hurt. But still, it's a horrible feeling that someone has entered your safe space. My thoughts are with you guys!

I'm sorry this happened to you. Sometimes people suck.

RM-sorry to hear of the news. How awful. Least the bikes were all ok. More headaches to dealwith when you do not need or want them. Good luck with everything.

Red Rock

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Running Mommy

One thing I am thankful for... No customer bikes were taken!

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That's what I was worried about.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. People like that rob you of the most important thing--peace of mind. :( I hope your insurance company responds promptly and hopefully you won't have to worry about cyber theft as well.

Hugs RM. That stinks. Sorry I don't really have anything consturctive to add, just know that I'm thinking of you and hoping you have better luck in the future.

I hope there is special palce in hell for thieves. Like they can look at all sorts of stuff, but if they touch it, they get electrocuted. :D

Veronica

Have a look around for smoke machine type release alarm systems that release fake smoke (like used at theatres). They take 20 mins to clear and the thieves are unable to see at all to steal stuff.

I had thieves attacking a chain of stores weekly with rams and vehicles to pull out doors etc and alarms and bars are nothing. The idea of them not being able to see anything to take appealed to me.