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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think my neighbour stole my laptop?

568 replies

StarWa · 15/01/2022 19:35

This is going to sound a bit ridiculous, but I promise it's true, unless I've lost my mind.

I went away for three weeks. During this time I asked my NDN to look after my cat - I left all the food, litter, poo bags etc.

I offered them £10 per day to do this, however, they refused and said I could repay the favour one day. We are quite friendly, she's a teacher and he works for a bank - both late thirties. Not that it matters, just so I'm not dripfeeding.

I take in a lot of Amazon deliveries for them and they would do the same for me.

I got home today and my laptop is gone - I always keep it in the same place on my desk. It was 100% there before I left. Thinking they might have moved it for whatever reason (fine) I text her to ask.

She told me I better not be accusing her of stealing it because she would never do that. I said I wasn't saying that at all, just a bit perplexed as I didn't take it with me.

Now she hasn't replied, but she's read my message.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 15/01/2022 19:41

If you log onto Microsoft account you can track devices, I think

Original poster
StarWa · 15/01/2022 19:50

Oh really? I'll try that! Thanks

OP posts:
MsAgnesDiPesto · 15/01/2022 19:56

How about going round and asking her for details the times she came in each day, so you can add the information to the police report you’re going to make to report the burglary?

If it’s not in your house and she didn’t take it, then you must have had an intruder. Ask her if it’s possible she left the door unlocked on one of the times she came in. Do it in person so you can watch her face. If she’s not guilty you will need all this for a police report anyway.

lonelyapple · 15/01/2022 20:05

How has she still got access to your home if you are no longer away? Does she still have a key?

user1493494961 · 15/01/2022 20:10

Hope she's not on Mumsnet.

stuntbubbles · 15/01/2022 20:11

Are you rock-solid certain you didn’t hide it away before you left, in case of burglaries? Or put it somewhere to charge?

Sexnotgender · 15/01/2022 20:12

Why would she be able to access your house now you’re back?

Hugasauras · 15/01/2022 20:13

Surely they'd have to be bonkers when it would be so obvious it's them! Could they have left door unlocked one day and someone got in and took it?

Original poster
StarWa · 15/01/2022 20:18

@Hugasauras

Surely they'd have to be bonkers when it would be so obvious it's them! Could they have left door unlocked one day and someone got in and took it?
That's what I was thinking too. It just doesn't make sense.

There are no signs of a burglary or anything.

OP posts:
MayThePawsBeWithYou · 15/01/2022 20:19

She sounds defensive and I would expect someone.to say no.I havent seen it would you like me ro help you look. If she has taken it then she will get rid of it now anyway.

BooksAndGin · 15/01/2022 20:21

She's being very defensive but it depends how you asked her I guess, need more context.

Are you sure it's not just been moved? Have you looked?

LessTime · 15/01/2022 20:21

@MayThePawsBeWithYou

She sounds defensive and I would expect someone.to say no.I havent seen it would you like me ro help you look. If she has taken it then she will get rid of it now anyway.
I think most people would be defensive if they thought their neighbour thinks they stole a laptop.
ShinyMe · 15/01/2022 20:22

Are you sure you didn't put it away last minute? I've done that before, rather than leaving my laptop out where it's visible, but then forgotten I've done it because it's not my usual thing to do. I've put it inside the wardrobe and under my pillow before, and in the kitchen cupboard.

WonderfulYou · 15/01/2022 20:29

Surely they'd have to be bonkers when it would be so obvious it's them! Could they have left door unlocked one day and someone got in and took it?

I agree.

I would be fuming that you have basically accused me of stealing when I’d just done you a massive favour!

I would have thought if you were going on holiday you would have put the laptop out of sight.

I would look high and low for it and if you find it apologise and make something you that you thought you’d taken it and was worried you left it there.

Freecuthbert · 15/01/2022 20:30

Have you looked everywhere in your house? I think it's unlikely she has stolen it, though stranger things have happened. But it just seems a bit mad to go and steal your neighbour's laptop when entrusted with looking after their cats. She could have accepted the £10 a day if she was that hard up and it sounds like her and her husband's jobs probably aren't that low paid she'd take such a huge risk in stealing your laptop? Unless she's a klepto?! But surely you are familiar enough with her to have trusted her in the first place.

I think it's more likely that:
a) You put your laptop somewhere else and forgot.
b) One of the times she popped in something happened to the laptop by accident (e.g. spilt water on it and it broke) and she's mortified and hidden it away/thrown it away. Although still a shitty thing to do. Even worse if she broke it while snooping on it!
c) Someone else has come in and stolen the laptop, perhaps she didn't lock the door or leave the house as secure as you might have? Was your laptop left by a window?

Freecuthbert · 15/01/2022 20:31

Or maybe even d) she has let someone else, e.g. friend of hers, into your home while she was seeing to the cats, and that person stole the laptop

ParkheadParadise · 15/01/2022 20:33

I would be round your door pronto if you sent me that text.

notacooldad · 15/01/2022 20:36

If you log onto Microsoft account you can track devices, I think
It does! I didn’t realise this. I’ve just tried it and my lap top is nearby me!

Give it a go OP

Theimpossiblegirl · 15/01/2022 20:37

You're probably going to find it tucked away somewhere tbh.

Freecuthbert · 15/01/2022 20:39

The Microsoft account tracking sounds like a good idea, but does your laptop need to be turned on for it to work? Or will it show where it last was while turned on?

EskSmith · 15/01/2022 20:43

Sounds intriguing, do you live with anyone else that could have moved it, my dh would do this if we were going to be away..
Did you manage to look on Microsoft tracking, that's a great tip.

Skilovingmama · 15/01/2022 20:50

watching with interest...

BigYellowHat · 15/01/2022 20:56

I bet you’ve hidden it away. I once convinced myself that I’d dropped my wedding rings behind the radiator and they were trapped. DH was going to remove it but then spotted them on the dresser Blush

LoveFall · 15/01/2022 21:03

It seems to me very unlikely they would have taken it as it would be so obvious.

Something similar happened to me. We went away for three weeks and I did not take my engagement ring. I took it off and put it inside a sock in my sock drawer.

When I came back I did not remember putting it there, and searched all the other places I had hidden things.

I was convinced it had been stolen. I claimed on insurance and everything.

Just before I got my new ring I moved something in my sock drawer and it jingled.

Yup. My ring and another piece of jewelry in the sock.

I cancelled the insurance claim. I think they thought I was crazy.

No, I didn't have dementia.

I'll bet OP you put it somewhere safe.

IncompleteSenten · 15/01/2022 21:05

If it really is gone, maybe she got someone else to help her out one day and they took it.