I was actually held up at gunpoint in my own home a few years ago here in Costa Rica. The thieves had ski-masks and broke into my front door. I was working in my office in the very back of the house. The thieves had to have been watching the house as it was around 6PM and still light out. My wife and step daughter took our Rottweiler for a walk around 6PM.
5 minutes later I was busy typing when I looked up to see two crooks in ski masks, one had an automatic pointed at my head asking me where my money was. I only had a measley 2,000 colonies (about $4 in my billfold) as luck would have it, this was a Sunday night. They had a walkie talkie and told this to a third party who I assued was in a car nearby and was calling the shots.
He was watching the street outside to make sure the girls and dog didn't return early I assume. From what I could catch (by now the had made me lay face down on a couch in my office and covered my head with a small blanket that was already lying on the couch before the broke in).
After some chatter on the walkie talkies they made me go into my office bathroom and get in the shower which has a frost colored plastic sliding door that they closed behind me when I entered the shower.
For the next 20 minutes or so they started lugging amything that looked to have any value out of my house and into their car. I could only hear the activity.
They took my work PC, all of our TVs (maybe 3 or 4 nothing special sets) my wife's jewelry, that hurt, mostly costume stuff but valuable in my wife's eyes and finally and most unfortunately a brand new laptop I had just bought for my step daughter who was in her third year at the U of Costa Rica, that hurt the worst because she was so proud of her new laptop, it really angered me they found it in her bedroom in the front of the house. They also took her 19 inch TV I picked up for her but that was easily replaced.
I can honestly say I was never really scared during the entire robbery as I had the sense if I didn't try anything stupid they would leave me unharmed which is what happened. They was more chatter on the radios and they split with quite a bit of stuff. Turns out the girls and my dog were walking towards the house so they took off with what they had.
My wife called the cops and the Costa Rican version of the FBI something called OIJ - Judicial Investigating Organization. Soon the house was crawling with police from different jurisdictions. Prints were taken but in the end nothing ever happened. Sooner or later I know these three yahoos will get nailed.
I called my boss while the cops were still there and he had a new PC delivered to my house the following morning so I missed less than a days work because of no PC. He also had a months pay wired to my account here in CR. this happened in November of 2006 while I was in my second year as Head Mod here at The Rx..
Today we live in a virtual fortress that offers me piece of mind as I work. My main concern during the entire time of the robbery were my wife and step daughter.
I believe the fact that they were out for a walk was the reason I was robbed in the first place but that did not matter all I cared about is was their safety, you would to if you have ever seen my step daughter and my wife isn't bad looking either. Had they been there and been molested I would have been forced to take action and rush the piece.
In the end all we lost was replacable household electronics and my wife's jewelry. Definitely could have been worse, I escaped unscathed without a mark.
wil.
5 minutes later I was busy typing when I looked up to see two crooks in ski masks, one had an automatic pointed at my head asking me where my money was. I only had a measley 2,000 colonies (about $4 in my billfold) as luck would have it, this was a Sunday night. They had a walkie talkie and told this to a third party who I assued was in a car nearby and was calling the shots.
He was watching the street outside to make sure the girls and dog didn't return early I assume. From what I could catch (by now the had made me lay face down on a couch in my office and covered my head with a small blanket that was already lying on the couch before the broke in).
After some chatter on the walkie talkies they made me go into my office bathroom and get in the shower which has a frost colored plastic sliding door that they closed behind me when I entered the shower.
For the next 20 minutes or so they started lugging amything that looked to have any value out of my house and into their car. I could only hear the activity.
They took my work PC, all of our TVs (maybe 3 or 4 nothing special sets) my wife's jewelry, that hurt, mostly costume stuff but valuable in my wife's eyes and finally and most unfortunately a brand new laptop I had just bought for my step daughter who was in her third year at the U of Costa Rica, that hurt the worst because she was so proud of her new laptop, it really angered me they found it in her bedroom in the front of the house. They also took her 19 inch TV I picked up for her but that was easily replaced.
I can honestly say I was never really scared during the entire robbery as I had the sense if I didn't try anything stupid they would leave me unharmed which is what happened. They was more chatter on the radios and they split with quite a bit of stuff. Turns out the girls and my dog were walking towards the house so they took off with what they had.
My wife called the cops and the Costa Rican version of the FBI something called OIJ - Judicial Investigating Organization. Soon the house was crawling with police from different jurisdictions. Prints were taken but in the end nothing ever happened. Sooner or later I know these three yahoos will get nailed.
I called my boss while the cops were still there and he had a new PC delivered to my house the following morning so I missed less than a days work because of no PC. He also had a months pay wired to my account here in CR. this happened in November of 2006 while I was in my second year as Head Mod here at The Rx..
Today we live in a virtual fortress that offers me piece of mind as I work. My main concern during the entire time of the robbery were my wife and step daughter.
I believe the fact that they were out for a walk was the reason I was robbed in the first place but that did not matter all I cared about is was their safety, you would to if you have ever seen my step daughter and my wife isn't bad looking either. Had they been there and been molested I would have been forced to take action and rush the piece.
In the end all we lost was replacable household electronics and my wife's jewelry. Definitely could have been worse, I escaped unscathed without a mark.
wil.
Never been face-to-face with a robber. If it's just mano-e-mano I'd consider my options because I'm in relatively good shape and as a former hockey player in the peak physical years of my life, I'd probably be able to take him in unarmed combat. If it's like Wilheim's situation, cave to everything and hope they don't take your life. Only lost a bike (twice) and a gameboy (which was in MIDDLE SCHOOL - kids are 13 and already stealing). Very fortunate to grow up where I did.
Since Va Tech and Columbine I always think of the possibility of an ambush in class. Regardless of what school you are at all it takes is one wacko to waltz into the school with nothing to lose. About once a month I run through the scenarios. Do I play dead? Do I rush him hoping kids in my class with have the same thought? What do I have to throw at him that will hurt / distract him from shooting for x seconds as I rush? You know, that kind of stuff.
Last thing I want is for that sicko to off himself if he takes lives. I want to see him live with it behind bars and be there when the govt offs him against his will. If that makes me wrong, I don't want to be right. !~~~!
Since Va Tech and Columbine I always think of the possibility of an ambush in class. Regardless of what school you are at all it takes is one wacko to waltz into the school with nothing to lose. About once a month I run through the scenarios. Do I play dead? Do I rush him hoping kids in my class with have the same thought? What do I have to throw at him that will hurt / distract him from shooting for x seconds as I rush? You know, that kind of stuff.
Last thing I want is for that sicko to off himself if he takes lives. I want to see him live with it behind bars and be there when the govt offs him against his will. If that makes me wrong, I don't want to be right. !~~~!
Yep....Dallas Tx, brother
Here's about the most solid of many good Youtube clips...Best played Really Fucking Loud
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FWIW - A little advice.
Having seen 13 months of heavy combat in Viet Nam back in the late 60s pretty much made the robbery anti-climatic. Rescuing downed pilots in red hot LZs taking fire the whole time is enough to make a give me your money stick up not very worrisome. I have seen enough real combat for three lifetimes.
However in a situation where you are looking down the barrel of a 9MM automatic your best and safest reaction is to stay cool and be cooperative there is nothing heroic in getting killed over a $900 laptop, leaving a wife behind. Give the thieves what they want and stay quiet.
IMO Your best bet when unarmed against a loaded gun it to give them what they want and live another day. You can always replace household possessions. With family members in harms way things change to the point where their safety is paramount and you must do what ever is necessary to protect them. Circumstances dictate what response is called for..
I hope none of you ever find yourselves in a situation that calls for drastic action to save either your self or a loved ones life over a TV.
wil..
Having seen 13 months of heavy combat in Viet Nam back in the late 60s pretty much made the robbery anti-climatic. Rescuing downed pilots in red hot LZs taking fire the whole time is enough to make a give me your money stick up not very worrisome. I have seen enough real combat for three lifetimes.
However in a situation where you are looking down the barrel of a 9MM automatic your best and safest reaction is to stay cool and be cooperative there is nothing heroic in getting killed over a $900 laptop, leaving a wife behind. Give the thieves what they want and stay quiet.
IMO Your best bet when unarmed against a loaded gun it to give them what they want and live another day. You can always replace household possessions. With family members in harms way things change to the point where their safety is paramount and you must do what ever is necessary to protect them. Circumstances dictate what response is called for..
I hope none of you ever find yourselves in a situation that calls for drastic action to save either your self or a loved ones life over a TV.
wil..
if they had a gun pointed at me then its best to stay calm and let them take what they want, like wil said no point in getting shot over some electronics. If I heard what was going on then a sneak attack with the 9mm hollows or the 12 gauge mossberg pistol grip would be enough to scare them off, just remember if you are gonna pull it you better be ready to use it, then you better be able to justify it if you use it. Better off to just yell at them and hope they run off.
