Saturday, August 29, 2015

The Good Guys Won

I had quite a bit of excitement here Friday afternoon.

I had just come downstairs from taking a nap when the front doorbell rang and then several hard knocks on it.  I looked out and didn't recognize the car.  Stupidly I opened the door a crack to see a younger man standing on the steps with no shirt on.  He asked if they could camp behind my house.  No, it's private property.  Then he wanted to know if they could camp behind the house next door.  That's not my property.  I can't give permission to do that.  A guy driving the car in the driveway, also shirtless, leaned over and yelled out if the house next door was for rent.  No.  He then said they were going to see if anyone else would let them camp behind their house.

I watched as they pulled out of my driveway, and noted it was a dark gray sedan with no license tags.  They turned towards town.  I thought about it a minute and decided to call the police department in my little town.  The dispatcher took the info and said she would get it out to her patrol vehicles.

About five minutes later there was another knock at the door.  This time there was a patrol car in the driveway.  The officer asked me for a description of the men, their vehicle, and what they said.  Another patrol car pulled in, and the first officer repeated everything I said to the second officer.  That officer left to go look for the vehicle.  The officer told me that I had done right by calling the police, and to always call if I feel something isn't right.  I wondered all night if these guys were found, and, frankly, didn't sleep very well.

This morning, the police officer came by to give me an update.  He said shortly after he left the car was seen, followed, and it was trying to evade the police.  They were able to get it hemmed in and approached the vehicle with guns drawn.  The two men in the car were high on meth, and had a shotgun on the seat between them with a round in the chamber.  They were arrested for a lot of things and are now in jail.  One is out on parole and will be returning to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.  The other one also had a record.

Wow.

He again emphasized that I should always call the police if I see something unusual or if I am uncomfortable with anyone who comes on my property.  He gave me some good safety tips, one of which was to get a recording of a ferocious sounding dog that will bark and growl when the doorbell rings.  (He said this after he caught a glimpse of Penny who was hiding behind the door!)  And I am never never never to open the door unless it's a relative or someone I love.  I thought that was funny.  Certainly eliminates the pizza delivery guy!

Anyway, this could have been a bad situation had these guys pushed their way into my home, or if they had pulled that gun on the police officers when they were stopped.  It's too scary to even think about that.

A huge thank you to the police force for their quick response and especially for following up with me.  The good guys won!

23 comments:

Vikki said...

OMG, girl, you were so lucky!! I too have opened my door to strangers, altho none as creepy as those you had at your door. Kudos to you for following your instincts and calling the police. Heaven only knows what horrible incident(s) you may have prevented!! I've enjoyed following your blog and wish you continued success in your new home---good health and good quilting :)

Jo said...

Oh my! Do be careful! You are right, that could have gone so differently for everyone.
Thank you for your prayers and support when my mom passed away a few months ago. I didn't see your post until recently. Wish I could figure out how to fix this whole blogger bouncing deal because it's so frustrating that posts do not go to email.

Love the part of your story and can totally picture Penny behind the door. Many hugs friend. Enjoy your weekend!

Paula, the quilter said...

One of the gals in my quilting bee told me that when she lived in Las Vegas she always kept her storm door locked so that when she opened the front door, she still had a locked door between her and whoever was at the door. I now do this, and one time had someone try to open the storm door when I had it locked. Because I had it locked it gave me a chance to slam the door and lock it. Self preservation.

Darlene said...

That's too much excitement for me. Do not open the door to anyone! I'm glad you're ok.

Please take care of YOU!

Kristie said...

Wow! It's sad that this happens. Thank God you were not hurt and they were arrested. I live in a rural area and I am home alone a lot as hubby works. I don't have close neighbors so I try to keep my eyes open and I have occasionally had people stop and ask to use the phone or something and I say no but anymore I don't even open the door.
Blessings...
Kristie

Anonymous said...

Oh my GOSH! Thank goodness you are okay! Drugs make people do absolutely crazy things.... Good advice from the police to you and smart move on your part calling them!

Karen said...

How scary! I am so glad that they didn't try to enter your home. You did the right thing by calling the police. Good that the police did not get shot!

Anonymous said...

WOW!! That was a close call. Your guardian angel was certainly on alert for this one. So happy it all turned out and it did because you called the police right away.

Mary said...

Holy smoke girl! You are one lucky person. Call the cops first. lesson learned I hope for your sake. I am so glad it turned out the way it did!

Mary

Miss Jean said...

I have heard that if someone knocks to yell, "who is it?" If you look out and don't recognize them and don't answer they may think no one is home and try to break in. Always, always, always keep your doors locked when you are home. I am so thankful you are safe!!!

mascanlon said...

So scary!! And such a good lesson to always follow our instincts and call the police. You saved someone else or their home from a bad ending. Hugs!

barbara woods said...

they are really needed but now they have a target on their backs because of some other crazies

vickiroma said...

You are SO lucky! I'm so glad you called the police and are OK! What a story!!

Lindah said...

Wise choice to call police (but maybe even wiser to have called them when you looked out window and didn't recognize the visitors.) I once invited a toothless little old man into my house and made coffee and a sandwich for him --but not in this day and age! Which is sad.

Now about that ferocious dog recording. Where on earth would one find such??? Poor Penny would die of fright.

Thank the Lord you are safe and perps were caught.

Looking forward to seeing more photos of your lovely new home.

Rebecca said...

Thank goodness you are safe. Very wise to call police. All ended well with you but someone at the next stop may not have been so lucky. I have been thinking about you this past week, wondering how the leg is doing. Hugs to Penny, she needs comforting too. LOL Stay safe!!

Laura said...

Goodness sakes, that's scary! Just goes to show that whether you're in this LA or the other one (or most points in between), you can't be too careful. Glad you're OK.

Kate said...

Um, the pizza delivery guy definitely counts as someone you love. Duh! ;) I'm so glad the ending of this story is a good one, and you got some ideas to make it safer next time...the what ifs are scary!

suz said...

holy mackeral! You and the police were very fortunate! poor Penny!

crazy quilter said...

How scary! I don't live in a small town but since I live alone I never answer the door. Too much meanness in this world anymore, so glad you are safe. I like the tip about the dog barking and growling, if you find something with those on it, maybe a cd or something let us know I would love to scare off some of these people who randomly knock on my door! Glad to know the good guys won!

Anonymous said...

Vicky, so glad you are safe and sound. Listening to your instinct is always good.
Laurie

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

I am so glad you are safe! That *feeling* ... good thing you acted on it!

badlandsquilts said...

Sooo glad you are safe and all ended well!

the ark said...

Goodness! What kind of world are we living in now?! I am so glad that you, your little dog, and your quilts are now safe and secure! Although, with all your fabric, you definitely shouldn't open the door to any women with threads on their clothes and wild looks in their eyes, either!