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Tom in Nogales

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #1 of 14 (1014 views)

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House broken into in Nogales over the weekend

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Quite an unfortunate matter, but this past weekend while we were visiting friends in Hermosillo, our house got broken into. All of our electronic/electrical items were stolen. TV, VCR, DVD, Microwave, Computer, and Stereo were taken. Things that can be quickly sold.Fortunately, no sentimental value items were stolen. All pictures, ornaments and such were thrown on the floor, but not taken. Which is good, which means the place wasn't ran-sacked.It's quite devastating to be a victim of crime while only being in Nogales for a couple of months. Leaves you with a sour taste.Many folks have advised us to move to a better secured area. Others to move out of Nogales. Others, out of Mexico all together.I tried calling the police, but people said it was a waste of time.Oh well, life goes on.

alex

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #2 of 14 (1003 views)

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go to the tianguis closest to your home,

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thats how we recover our stuff.
Alex

Joel Ruiz

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 14 (1004 views)

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House broken into in Nogales over the weekend

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You must know that in Mexico home insurance policy premiums are very high compare to other countries because the second major peril to take care is theft. It happens to mexican and to foreigners, rich and poor people, single and to families, inside a building complex and outside complex, in small cities and big cities.If you notice in most parts in Mexico you will find house and properties with steel bars and high fences, the more security systems you can use will reduce the possibility of theft and if you combine with a home owners policy, it will help you to recover part of what was stolen and/or damaged.I help foreign residents in Mexico since 1995 looking for their coverage needs, specialized on health, life and home, placing insurance with major Mexican insurers like New York Life, ING Comercial America and GNP Seguros.

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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A question...

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Do you have metal doors and bars on the windows? If so, how did they get in? If not, now's the time...My house has metal doors and window bars, and it is surrounded by a 3 meter high wall with a metal gate in front. I also have a Pit Bull (bad reputation) and a German Shepard (big teeth, loud ugly bark). I have an “Hola” relationship with my neighbors. All this helps.

Tom In Nogales

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #5 of 14 (1003 views)

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A question...

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Well, most of the windows has bars, but only the living room doesn't. The back door is metal, and the cover door had no latch, but that is being fixed today. That is how they broke in, cracked the glass and slipped their hands through and opened the door. It wasn't hard to do. All this is being rectified. My next project is getting a dog that barks loud.Thanks for your comments Rolly, you always seem to care about the posters.
: Do you have metal doors and bars on the windows? If so, how did they get in? If not, now's the time...: My house has metal doors and window bars, and it is surrounded by a 3 meter high wall with a metal gate in front. I also have a Pit Bull (bad reputation) and a German Shepard (big teeth, loud ugly bark). I have an “Hola” relationship with my neighbors. All this helps.

Tom In Nogales

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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Dead-bolt lock

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Rolly,
We have purchased a lock for the cover door of the back door and are rekeying the bolt lock you showed. The owner didn't give us the key, and we were waiting for it. All that has changed, lock for the cover door has been purchased and in place and the bolt lock is being rekeyed today.Also, we will be acquiring a dog this weekend.Thanks Rolly!: Tom,: If the bandits reached inside and opened the door, you have the wrong type of lock. You need a dead-bolt type, one that can only be opened with a key. Most homes that I have seen here have such a lock as pictured above. It can be left unlocked to act as a regular easy to open latch, or it can be used as a dead-bolt. It is not very elegant, but it works well. There is another version for wooden doors.: Rolly

Rolly

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #7 of 14 (1002 views)

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Dead-bolt lock

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Liz

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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We have a large dog and love her

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I insisted on a dog here. You may want to look into various dog rescue organizations. There are some great dogs out there. Ours is a total pansy but she is big so she scares people. If I believed everythign I read here, I'd think there was no crime, but it is an issue. Just like at home take the same precautions as the locals and you will do better. I have always gotten to know my neighbors everywhere I live and that helps. People are more likely to watch the place closely if they know you.

Liz

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

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In case you move back to the US

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The first thing we do in every new house is install good new deadbolts or re-key existing ones. We have been told by police friends that this is the #1 way to prevent burglary. At least your stay should be uphill from here. Please let ys know about your new dog.

Tom In Nogales

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #10 of 14 (999 views)

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Thanks for the encouraging words

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Looks like we'll be securing the house more and get a large dog.Thanks for the encourgement!

Marlene in Mazatlan

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #11 of 14 (1001 views)

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House broken into in Nogales over the weekend

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Hi Tom,
How unfortunate for you. It isn't nice anywhere, and is usually a random thing. I am glad you still have your personal keepsakes. Break and enters are very difficult to solve unless someone sees something at the time. The only way to get a police officer quickly is if someone advised that they thought the intruder was still in the house... That is a different priority, as you can imagine. I don't think that Mexico is any different than many places, really. I have found that the police here in Mazatlan attend quickly and for very small crimes. There was a big "bicycle theft" investigation on the street the other day. So, it all depends on the manpower, really.
Good luck in getting things in order, and keep enjoying your life in Mexico. Maybe get a dog. That works wonders here.
Marlene.: Quite an unfortunate matter, but this past weekend while we were visiting friends in Hermosillo, our house got broken into. All of our electronic/electrical items were stolen. TV, VCR, DVD, Microwave, Computer, and Stereo were taken. Things that can be quickly sold.: Fortunately, no sentimental value items were stolen. All pictures, ornaments and such were thrown on the floor, but not taken. Which is good, which means the place wasn't ran-sacked.: It's quite devastating to be a victim of crime while only being in Nogales for a couple of months. Leaves you with a sour taste.: Many folks have advised us to move to a better secured area. Others to move out of Nogales. Others, out of Mexico all together.: I tried calling the police, but people said it was a waste of time.: Oh well, life goes on.

Tio Rocky

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #12 of 14 (1005 views)

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House broken into in Nogales over the weekend

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Very unfortunate,,,, it happened to me in Ensenada about six months ago,,, stepped out for an hour and that’s all it took….. if you do not notify the police then it will surely be a waste of time for you and everyone in the future……. I was told by someone who runs a little electronics shop that the police come in and check the serial numbers on his stuff and he is not allowed to have anything without a number…. The police also told me to record all serial numbers and note make and model as well………..will it help? Hell I don’t know but I have everything in the house on a list with pictures now.
I also got hit in the US while in Mex….. don’t get to sour on Mex,,,, just be a little more careful.
Good luck.
: Quite an unfortunate matter, but this past weekend while we were visiting friends in Hermosillo, our house got broken into. All of our electronic/electrical items were stolen. TV, VCR, DVD, Microwave, Computer, and Stereo were taken. Things that can be quickly sold.: Fortunately, no sentimental value items were stolen. All pictures, ornaments and such were thrown on the floor, but not taken. Which is good, which means the place wasn't ran-sacked.: It's quite devastating to be a victim of crime while only being in Nogales for a couple of months. Leaves you with a sour taste.: Many folks have advised us to move to a better secured area. Others to move out of Nogales. Others, out of Mexico all together.: I tried calling the police, but people said it was a waste of time.: Oh well, life goes on.

Lucy

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #13 of 14 (1000 views)

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House broken into in Nogales over the weekend

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Sorry aboout the break in. I had my car radio and other items removed a few times. My dog was stolen in PV while I used the restroom at Mc Donalds. It is always a shock. Alarms are different in Mexico. Most areas, only the Alarm security people arrive if the alarm is activated. Most areas will not have the real police respond. Not too effective. Guess most Mexicans rely on a big loud dog. Seems to work the best. The more big teeth the better.. : I am very sorry for what happened to you. You should report it to the police even if they will not do anything about it. Do you have an alarm and insurance?

Ana

Nov 30, 1919, 12:00 AM

Post #14 of 14 (1000 views)

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House broken into in Nogales over the weekend

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I am very sorry for what happened to you. You should report it to the police even if they will not do anything about it. Do you have an alarm and insurance?