To think my neighbour stole my laptop?

[StarWa]

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.

[WhereTheresHope4]

Did you check where it was located through Microsoft?

[StrangerThanSpring]

@StarWa

I'm really not being passive about it, even if it comes across that way on here. I am concerned and freaked out. I've ordered one of those ring doorbell things.

I think that is a good choice!

Don't worry about the people demanding drama. It's your life. Do what feels right.

[milkyaqua]

Being concerned and freaked out are mental and emotional states.

You have passively waited for your neighbour to not show up when she said she was coming over to talk. You have been busy working and doing other things and have not returned to the thread for days, meanwhile also letting things slide and not actively pursuing your neighbour for a face-to-face conversation. You have asked if you really need to change the locks. These are all passive behaviours.

Contacting the police was an active behaviour. The rest is incredibly passive. Your small attempts to pursue your neighbour for discussion on this have been... limp.

I would have changed the locks the day I noticed my laptop was gone, and my key-holding neighbour blew my concerns off.

[whynotwhatknot]

Whatever the police say tell her that theyre looking into it

might make her nervous

[RenGreen]

You may need to check your home insurance t&cs but I have read somewhere that giving your key to a 3rd party can invalidate your home insurance so perhaps do change your locks!

[GrannytoaUnicorn]

You just need to change the barrel, it's not expensive at all

[GrannytoaUnicorn]

@StarWa

I'm really not being passive about it, even if it comes across that way on here. I am concerned and freaked out. I've ordered one of those ring doorbell things.

You NEED to change your locks!!

[StarWa]

I'm really not being passive about it, even if it comes across that way on here. I am concerned and freaked out. I've ordered one of those ring doorbell things.

[LemonTreeGrove]

You can understand someone stealing money if they've got into debt, but a laptop that doesn't work very well?

[Mollysocks]

@LemonTreeGrove

I can't see people risking a banking and teaching career for the sake of a laptop.
When you didn't update for 2 days I assumed you'd found the laptop but didnt like to admit it

You’d think but I used to work for one of the main 4 banks in the fraud section and a colleague literally ruined his career by stealing money from a Christmas raffle was found out and sacked. People do do stupid things.

[DoTheyKnowItsLemonJuice]

OP, please don’t be so passive about the fact that someone unknown has access to your home :/

[LemonTreeGrove]

I can't see people risking a banking and teaching career for the sake of a laptop.
When you didn't update for 2 days I assumed you'd found the laptop but didnt like to admit it

[Emus]

I'd have thought if she had taken it, she would have quickly realised it was crap as it died every time it was moved so quickly returned it before you got back from holiday! I hate mysteries like this, they make you doubt everything.

[grapewine]

My mind is blown with how unconcerned you seem.

[Sparticuscaticus]

Change your locks OP

I would
You can go to b&q and get a cheap barrel new lock or you can pay £80 for locksmith to change it. I know it costs then another £40 ish to get duplicate keys but I would.

It's unclear how laptop was stolen but it was. And you have other valuables in the house

Can't believe a teacher NDN didn't want to chat nor help you .... sounds well dodgy

[firstfamhol]

You should drop it in that you found out you can look up the location remotely and see what she says?

Or even have a quick look on your local Facebook marketplace / eBay / gumtree etc to see if it’s listed.

[MsAgnesDiPesto]

@butterpuffed

I don't see how it could be anyone who didn't have a key . How would a burglar gain entry with no trace and why take only a laptop . And would a burglar bother to take the charger. Really !

My only other idea is that you maybe just took it with you on your three weeks away !

If the door was left unlocked by the neighbour on one occasion then anyone could have been in with no forced entry.

[butterpuffed]

I don't see how it could be anyone who didn't have a key . How would a burglar gain entry with no trace and why take only a laptop . And would a burglar bother to take the charger. Really !

My only other idea is that you maybe just took it with you on your three weeks away !

[IntermittentParps]

@MsAgnesDiPesto

I don’t understand why you’re not more concerned that someone has been into your home and stolen your property, and you still don’t know if it was your neighbour or a stranger. I would have changed the locks right away and reported it to the police as a theft, and be worrying about what else had gone and what might happen next.

Have you checked very carefully to see that nothing else has been stolen? Personal documents, passport, birth certificate - the sorts of things people could profit from?

Your (lack of) reaction seems odd to me.

This. What's going on, OP? Why are you seemingly unconcerned?

[Ikeptgoing]

I would change the locks.
You had something stolen from your house with no signs of a break in.

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

does she have children?

[HPLikecraft]

I haven't changed the locks.. do you think I need to go that far?

Not at all. People breaking into your house and stealing, or a thieving neighbour who has a key are no big deal.

Another (looong and ultimately pointless) wet lettuce thread.

Indeed.

[milkyaqua]

Another (looong and ultimately pointless) wet lettuce thread.

[Mollysocks]

@MsAgnesDiPesto

I don’t understand why you’re not more concerned that someone has been into your home and stolen your property, and you still don’t know if it was your neighbour or a stranger. I would have changed the locks right away and reported it to the police as a theft, and be worrying about what else had gone and what might happen next.

Have you checked very carefully to see that nothing else has been stolen? Personal documents, passport, birth certificate - the sorts of things people could profit from?

Your (lack of) reaction seems odd to me.

This!

[Mollysocks]

I told her I was going to call the police and she told me not to because it would be a waste of time and the laptop wasn't that great anyway.

I’m no AC-12 but 1. how does she know it’s not that great, she said she never saw it and 2. telling you not to call the police is just lighting up my 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩