Burgled

[Aldo]

I am disappointed to report that my villa was burgled last night. My daughter is over in CVO and woke up to find a guy in her bedroom. He had been through all our belongings and even reached under her bed to organise a bag for his swag.
We have shutters, gates, locks, alarm system.
She had been up watching a film until 4am and incident at 5.45am

Leaves a very bitter taste, she now wants to come home and I dont want to go next week.

I know it happens in the UK, but that WAS my little piece of paradise

GNR were brilliant with her.

[pointersister]

That is a terrible experience for your daughter to go through. I hope the GNR manage to catch whoever it was and make an example of him. I live in a small town in Ireland and burglaries are taking place worryingly often here too. It just seems to be the sign of the times hope you didn't lose too much personal stuff.

[Farol]

Sorry to hear of your problem but it is a fact of life anywhere in the world now. Alll you can do is take reasonable precautions and attempt to de-personalise it.

Out of interest how did the burglar gain access given the controls that you have?

[Matryx]

It's a terrible thing, and a personal violation, especially if you are in the house when it happens. I would think that It's pretty unusual in CVO for a house break-In whilst the occupants are actually in, especially when alarmed and shuttered etc?

[cumbria sue]

It happened to us in 2009,we were also in bed and still can't believe we never heard a thing, they came right up to the bedside table and took the bit of loose change that was on there as well as every thing else they could lay their hands on, as it was only our 2nd night fingerprints were everywhere but the GNR didn't want to know. I am convinced to this day we were sprayed with something as we are both light sleepers yet never heard a thing

[laserblazer]

Out of interest how did the burglar gain access given the controls that you have?

Good question. Most of the cases like this tend to be through an open door or window. We always lock the front door, even when we are in.

[mardi]

Thats a coincidence as we were broken into yesterday afternoon . Sometime between 5pm and 7pm. I don't want to go into all the details but the guy was pretty brazen as someone was in the house. Fortunately nothing was taken as we don't have anything of value. Also really upset me as this has never happened to me before and i always felt so safe here in Carvoeiro.

[bruce]

Hope your daughter is ok Aldo, what a shocking experience for her.

[Aldo]

Hi
Thanks for all your kind responses. I am coming over on Thursday and would love to catch the scoundrel !!

All doors and windows and shutters were locked. My daughter has OCD so checks the house, windows, doors, underbeds and in wardrobes etc 5 times before going to bed. Sadly, they stayed up watching a film until 4am and this occurred c545am.

He had started at the far end of the villa and worked his way around, brazen enough to go under her bed and find her bag, he also took 2 week old iphone from the bedside table of her boyfriend.

As with mardi, dont want to give too many details, but really worried now to be honest as shouldnt have gained entry.

I have booked my daughter and her boyfriend into a hotel for now until we arrive as they are very upset and shaken by events and although we have had all locks changed etc, she is scared of going back at the moment.

Lets hope its an isolated incident

[DVBRO]

Aldo.
So sorry to hear about this. Just don't understand as to how they got in. We too have been burgled a couple of times and shutter everything and put the alarm on, prior to retiring to bed. Property is secured with high fence and Electronic gates with spikes!
Whereabouts in Carvoeiro did this happen?
Could be time to install Cameras. I even have a Baseball Bat by the side of the bed!
Very frightening for all and caused a lot of worry!

[Aldo]

Hi
We are in Vale Covo.
I accept as we are not full time residents we are more likely to be burgled as house is empty more than most, but to be hardfaced enough to come into the bedroom and rummage around whilst you are in there. Enough said
The house is alarmed with the photos being taken when the alarm is activated.

Its a very distressing and strange situation, but I am sure I am not the first and will not be the last

My daughter survived her ordeal and thats all that is important
I have posted the incident to ensure that other forum members are aware of the potential threat in our area and can take care.

[pato]

sad to hear about the break-in, it sounds like an inside job, someone must know the security code for the alarm not to have sounded and for no sign of damage, I'm sure some of the cleaners sell information and keys to the scallies, it's the only way possible for them to break in. you can, although I haven't, fit a hasp and bolt to all inside doors it may deter them and slow them down, I sympathise with your dilemma, but you've got to accept the situation and get on with things otherwise they'll ruin your lives.

[joeysoap]

Sorry to hear of this Aldo. Terrifying experience for your daughter and bf, I do hope she regains her confidence and feels strong enough to holiday in the villa again, easier said than done. Don't know what more you could have done to prevent the burglary. Some world where owners have to take such precautions to defend what they own. (and from possible assault.)

[bazza]

Hi Aldo and Mardi, this sounds very strange, if I were in your position I would speak between yourselves to see if there is a link. Such as ! if any of these are relevant, rental agency, gardener, pool man,security company, car hire company,and anything else that links your two properties, only the both of you can compare and judge.

regards
Bazza

[laserblazer]

I accept as we are not full time residents we are more likely to be burgled as house is empty more than most

I'm not sure this is the case any more. Household items don't get sufficient return to warrant the effort and risk. They want phones, money and portable computers and take often strike when the victims are returning and put their stuff on the kitchen table and open the windows.