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Original poster

To be a bit spooked by this.

63 replies

Avigeth · 14/02/2019 20:23

I was cooking dinner in the kitchen when I noticed a car parked across the street. The headlights were on so I thought someone just stopped to answer their phone or text back. But then every time I went to the sink I could see the car was still there. About 20 minutes later there was a knock on the window. I was still busy with food, so just shouted to DH to go get the door. He opened it to a youngish bloke (in his twenties he thought) wearing black tracksuit with his hood up. When the guy saw him, he started stuttering and said he was looking for 'Danielle and Shenaya' or something like that and his knees started shaking. At this point DH noticed, that there were 3 other blokes ready to get out of the car but when they saw him they closed the doors and stayed in. The guy at the door apparently couldn't get away quick enough. I made a joke that I hoped they didn't plan to rob the house, because the only thing worth stealing here is me but DH didn't laugh. He said that clearly they've been watching me since our kitchen doesn't quite look like wealthy people live here. I don't get easily scared but this threw me off balance. DH wasn't even supposed to be home - he finished work early - so it would be just me and DS at home if he didn't. I do have a big bulldog but even with him I probably couldn't do much against 4 grown men...
It could've been genuine ofc but it's a close knit community we live in and I know that nobody by those names and description lives in the area. And why did it take them whole half an hour to knock on the door and ask? I really hope I'm just overreacting but that's really creepy.

OP posts:
CrystalMethHog · 14/02/2019 21:20

We have a 'ring' doorbell. It records whenever there's movement outside your door. It's really good and if someone rings the door bell you can see who it is on an app on your phone. Poor you Thanks

BartonHollow · 14/02/2019 21:22

Very scary.

Agree with the Police Non Emergency line

And a smart doorbell

BessieBumptiousness · 14/02/2019 21:22

Around here it's getting quite common for criminals to stake put properties, watch who comes and goes, knock and have some bullshit story about selling something or looking for someone who he they're checking out locks, what's stealable etc.

I find this really, really scary. I've been saying for years that it won't be long before they just walk into your home and take what they want. It's here, isn't it?

I'm wondering whether to have a lockable decorative metal door to the external porch entrance when we remodel.

stiffstink · 14/02/2019 21:23

Why does your DH have to ring? Can’t you do it?!

Ginger1982 · 14/02/2019 21:26

Presumably because it was her DH who saw them and can describe them?

Kahlua4me · 14/02/2019 21:28

Poor you, that is very unnerving. I agree with getting a ring doorbell. I love ours. It records all movement and you can answer your door even if you are abroad!

You can always ring 999 at the time it happens. Then police may be able to come straight out, if around. Also others might have rung around the same time too.

DarkDarkNight · 14/02/2019 21:28

This has really spooked me. Poor you. Please do report to 101.

The suggestion uptnread of putting it on a local Facebook’ group is a good idea too just to spread the word.

spinabifidamom · 14/02/2019 21:31

How bizarre!
My mom called me today to tell me that all the schools in the area are officially on high alert following reports of suspicious activity. It’s waay worse than stealing however. I’m glad she informed me.
You can never be too careful. Call the non emergency phone number to report this. Did you get the registration number of the vehicle or not? I live in a apartment building near the town centre so I keep a notepad on hand just in case. I also have memorised the non urgent phone number to contact just in case.

Jaxhog · 14/02/2019 21:47

Definately call 101. It sounds very dodgy.

Shinesweetfreedom · 14/02/2019 21:50

Does not matter how long you have to stay on 101 ring them.
Did any of the neighbours see them.

tolerable · 14/02/2019 21:56

if you get no where calling 101..(and co my phone plan,i just cant)they have a website+contact us+email.that way it will be logged,and they'll get back to you..onetime. if happens when alone.no door answer just 999.ok

Bluntness100 · 14/02/2019 22:01

I'd have assumed they got the wrong house, prob looking to buy drugs or something, hence the reaction of thr guy at thr door, druggie, and the other three guys just realised it was the wrong house when they saw your husband. However I have a brother who did drugs, so the reaction doesn't seem odd to me.

Bluntness100 · 14/02/2019 22:03

And why did it take them whole half an hour to knock on the door and ask? I really hope I'm just overreacting but that's really creepy

Texting and sorting out a deal..

Strawberrypancakes · 14/02/2019 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Readysteadygoat · 14/02/2019 22:12

Did they have their lights on for 30 mins? That doesn't seem very stealthy.

I'm m glad your DH was there, sounds frightening

Ellabella989 · 14/02/2019 22:13

A similar thing happened to me a few years ago. I was home alone and could see a car parked across the street opposite my house with their lights on. I didn’t really think anything of it and then about an hour later I was getting myself a glass of water from the kitchen and there was a man with a hood up literally peering through my kitchen window. I almost died on the spot from fear and completely froze. He swiftly ran off to the car and drove off. It was too dark to see the car reg and I was too scared to take any details like that in anyway.
When the police came they said there had been a spate of burglaries in nearby streets. I still get creeped out being alone at night now

MrsEricBana · 14/02/2019 22:19

All of the above plus you must shut the curtains/blinds once dark outside and light inside or anyone can look in.

ThunderStorms · 14/02/2019 22:25

Lights on means you can’t see who’s inside.

naysayer · 14/02/2019 22:25

On the plus side they are obviously amateurs if the guy crapped it and started shaking and stuttering when your Dh answered. I would still report it though, while the details are fresh. And get a blind so you're not on show to nosey opportunists.

LuckyLou7 · 14/02/2019 22:27

I wonder if they were after your dog? Bulldogs are valuable.

It definitely sounds dodgy, I'm not surprised you're spooked.

ChesterGreySideboard · 14/02/2019 22:28

It’s odd that he asked for some people by name.

I wonder if they were sat outside texting some girls who had given them a fake address, yours, and they got confused when someone who clearly wasn’t the girls answered the door.

Elderflower14 · 14/02/2019 22:28

Why does DH need to ring.... You ring! So sorry it has frightened you. I have a dog that would eat a burglar for a snack!

oldowlgirl · 14/02/2019 22:29

So scary Op - you really should call the police.

GetYourRocksOff · 14/02/2019 22:31

I don't understand why your Dh isn't going to call 101?

MrsAJ27 · 14/02/2019 22:37

You need to be safe, call 101