Strange incident at home today

[FiremanBob]

I work in a home office. About 10 am today an individual came to my door and rang the bell. I put the dog behind me and opened it. He was holding a cell phone that was obviously turned on and showing the list of recently called numbers, and said he was trying to call his wife but his phone wouldn't work.

I told him that I would call the local police and ask them to help him, locked the door and did just that. He stood on the porch, looking in the window, yelling WTF and things like that for about 30 seconds, and then walked down the driveway. I have not seen him again, but about ten minutes later I saw a landscaper's truck that had been at a house across the street drive away around the corner.

What are the odds that this guy was legit? If he wasn't, what's he doing in a gated community?

[Rich]

That is what thieves are doing. They ring the bell to see if anyone is home. If they are....they use the "my phone doesnt work" angle.

[sigster]

Sounds pretty fishy to me. Did LE ever show up?

[OakRidgeStars]

What are the odds that this guy was legit? If he wasn't, what's he doing in a gated community?

It doesn't matter. Your safety trumps his hurt feelings.

[Reca]

You did the right thing even if he was being completely honest. I am pretty sure payphones are not hard to find these days.

[Reverenddel]

Payphones are going the way of the rotary phone, but the above commenter was correct. It's a ploy to see if anyone is home to attempt to burgle it.

And in a gated community? I would have been on even HIGHER alert!

[FiremanBob]

Here's a follow-up that really bothers me. I talked to the police a few minutes ago, was told by the dispatcher that an officer talked to the men (2) and determined that they were ok. Additionally, they had just been allowed back in the gate and were headed to my street. Sure enough, their truck drove by while he said this.

I am not a happy camper.

[Mindflayer]

Always trust your gut. Too many people are victims because they didn't want to offend someone. Criminals prey on guilt.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Definitively seems a little suspicious.

[Reca]

Have you called the security at the gatehouse to inquire as to where these gentleman are working & if they indeed have access to the community?

[newdovo]

He was holding a cell phone that was obviously turned on and showing the list of recently called numbers, and said he was trying to call his wife but his phone wouldn't work.
I told him that I would call the local police and ask them to help him...

I'm not even comprehending the "emergency" here, where someone would have a need to come up to my house and ask for help. "I can't call my wife" is not an emergency. It's barely an inconvenience. My comment to the guy is "Dude, you're at work, do your job. Stop by the payphone at 7-11 during your lunch break." Maybe there could be some emergency, but I'd think one would state the nature of that, rather than saying "I can't call my wife".
Fishy.

[davasmith]

Ya' know, I never get this kind of action. Most people see my guard dogs on premises sign and just leave. Titus and Athena would have loved to meet this guy! (my two large dobermans). glad your safe, keep your eyes up.

[FiremanBob]

Well, there was some resolution today. The chief came over this morning, because we own the same kind of motorcycle and he wanted to see mine. He said that they had checked out the crew and they were ok, regularly did landscaping for several homeowners in the neighborhood. He also said that the employee and his boss came over to apologize for "doing something goofy" and complained about my lack of hospitality (that's pretty brazen). They were removing a tree from a house down the street (this I saw).

This afternoon the head of the crew, perhaps the company owner, stopped by to apologize for his employee's behavior. Unfortunately I was on a phone call so I couldn't engage him in much conversation - I wish I could have. I like meeting good people, even if the first impressions aren't so great.

In my old neighborhood a crew of roofers (illegal aliens) realized that the house next door was a summer place and ransacked it from the beachfront side so nobody found about it until weeks later. And I've heard that burglars and home invaders often use the "can I borrow your phone" ruse to get in.

I am somewhat relieved today, although not 100% comfortable with the situation. Seems it's about to time to buy that shotty the GF wants for sporting clays.

[mk4]

...Seems it's about to time to buy that shotty the GF wants for sporting clays.

haha!
i shot clays over the weekend with a mossy m590a1. sure... not your typical sporting clay gun, what with a 20" barrel, 8 shot magazine, ghost ring sights, cylinder bore choke, bayonet mount and all. but, dang if it didn't knock down the clays as well or better 'n my brother's bird gun.

[SilentServiceVet]

Most people see my guard dogs on premises sign and just leave. Titus and Athena would have loved to meet this guy! (my two large dobermans). glad your safe, keep your eyes up.

Dava, "Titus" and "Athena" are awesome names for dobermans. Nice!! I'm getting a picture in my mind of the dobermans I used to see on Magnum P.I.

[Mindflayer]

I used to have religious groups knock on my door. That's all stopped since I answered the door wearing a bloody apron, a hacksaw, a .45 strapped to my waist, and a mallet in the apron pocket.

[ShadowByte]

I used to have religious groups knock on my door. That's all stopped since I answered the door wearing a bloody apron, a hacksaw, a .45 strapped to my waist, and a mallet in the apron pocket.

I can just imagine hearing: "...why hello, please do come in, I have been expecting you."

Followed quickly by the sound of feet running in the other direction.

[davasmith]

Silentservicevet, I posted pics of my two dobies awhile back on shtf scenarios. I know what you mean about the magnum pi show. My dobies are a bit bigger and their ears are not docked (my wife cried when I took titus to get it done, so both have their long ears), but other than that you cannot mistake them for anything other than pure doberman. They are excellent friends, protectors and guards.

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