Somebody tried to break into my apt!?

Question

So apparently somebody's been scoping me out. I went to the gym and visited some relatives today. I come home and I had this funny feeling. So I looked at the deadbolt and it looks like someone stuck a screwdriver in the top and bottom. On the other side of the door the wood looks like it's starting to give. It looks pushed inward.

My question is, what can I do to prevent them from getting in? I'm pretty sure they're going to try again. I'm calling the landlord tommorrow morning, but there are two holes in my deadbolt!

Answer 1

You should call the police tonight, so they can take a report of the attempted break-in, and they can do extra patrols of your apartment entrance tonight.  You'll need the police report, or the landlord might make you pay for the damage.

The wannabe burglar probably was interrupted in the midst of trying to remove your deadbolt.  They can also advise you in regard to temporary measures you can take to secure your door, until you contact your landlord, and he/she repairs the damage.

For tonight, I'd set booby-traps at the front door, and any other entry points, just so you'll be able to sleep.  Depending on how lightly you sleep, how far away your nearest neighbors are, and how angry you are that someone would invade your home, let your conscience be your guide as far as whether or not booby-traps are set to only make noise, or do bodily harm.

Answer 2

buy multiple locks to hold door closed. always lock dead bolt.

i know a home eviction guy...and he says if you dont lock your dead bolt, i can get in your house in about 5 secs with common garage tools. If your dead bolt is locked, it takes a lot longer but i can still get in (((without freaking just nailing the door over))))

but get more locks

hide your expensive stuff. get cameras...contact police.

Answer 3

First you need to try to indentify this thief. Several times you need to leave your apartment and then come back a few minutes later where you can watch the activity around your apartment. Thieves know when you go to the gym you don't take your wallet or much of anything else, they also know you will be gone for a while.

If you trust anyone else in your building- let them know of your attempted break in also. Someone is watching your moves as you leave - try to make a note of suspisious people you see or pass by as you leave-have you noticed them before?

Have your landlord install a double cylinder deadbolt with a 1" throw on the bolt. Also have him take the interior trim off and put solid shims in behind the frame at the deadbolt.

If you have a camcorder aim it at the inside of the door and hide it behind some books,etc. just enough so the door is in the field of view.

Set it on slow record and you just might get a video of your breakin should it happen.

Get a good deadbolt like Schlage, Kwikset - the cheap ones the big box stores sell as their econo brand aren't very strong. Get a good one.

If you do have some friends in the complex I would advise each other when you are leaving and watch each others apartment when you can.

Answer 4

I have found that my pair of rottweilers are a strong deterrent to this type of activity.