I think someone was just attempting to break into my house!

I'm a bit calmer since I posted in another thread before starting this one, but my hands are still shaking and I'm still holding my breath. I think someone was just attempting to break into my house! Eek !

I'm sitting in the main living area of the house. I wasn't feeling well and so I didn't want to head upstairs just yet. Besides, I napped earlier and am now not quite sleepy. Maybe about a half hour ago I heard a bang on the window in the front room (it's the room you walk into when coming in the front door (we have an enclosed porch before coming into the house) of the main part of the home and sits directly next to the driveway). My toy fox terrier heard it as well and barked a couple of times before deciding that all was safe. When she quieted down, I figured it was just an acorn hitting the window. The house is quiet and so I didn't think too much of it. But, a few minutes after my dog settled down, I heard a series of five distinct knocks on the window. The window is not one a person would come to if they were, say, just at the wrong home. It's set a ways back from the front door and one would have to come up around the car in the driveway to get to the window. Of course, my dog started barking again and I, and I don't know what I was thinking, ran over to the window only to see at least one man (there may have been another individual with him) hop over the fence to the backyard. I ran into the kitchen to see if I could still see him and saw a guy scale the back fence and run off of the property. Needless to say, I'm scared out of my mind.

I called my roommate's cell to tell her and to ask her about what she thought we should do and she told me to leave well enough alone. I don't live in the nicest neighborhood, but it is generally very safe. But, based on stories of crimes on the news, I have no doubt that the person or people knocking on the window were testing to see if anyone was home or awake. And, had I not been, I suppose them breaking in would have been a distinct possibility. My roommate told me to quit worrying and she went back to bed, but I'm still anxious and frightened. At the very least, I feel like we should have called the police. But, she was against it and I don't know what good it would do now -- especially since she specifically told me not to call them. The guy (or guys) are probably now long gone and that is relieving to know, but I still can't relax. How she could roll over and go right back to sleep is beyond me, but I'm just not that kind of person. My dog has calmed down and I've made sure all of the windows and doors are locked and that the alarm system is set and armed. If I hear anything or see anything the cops will be called immediately, but I feel like my roommate should be more involved. Instead, I am still sitting downstairs...shaking and afraid -- not only about what happened, but by what could have happened.

There's no doubt in my mind that we dodged a bullet (perhaps literally) tonight. I shudder to think about what would have happened had my dog and I been upstairs as per the norm. It's obvious someone or something was looking out for us tonight and, while I'm still afraid, you can bet your bottom dollar that I am grateful.

It's a good thing I napped earlier because I don't know how I'll ever be able to go to sleep tonight...

How frightening! Honestly, I would not listen to your roommate! You pay your part of the rent and you have a right to feel safe in your home. You most definietly need to call the police dpt's non-emergency line and ask for a patrol car to come do a drive through around your house- explaine to them what happened. (see if they'll walk around your property as well). If for some reason those people were still sticking around, that would be a huge deterrent if they saw a squad car patrolling your area. It honsetly sounds to me like maybe it was just some drunk idiots goofing around...if someone wanted to break into your home, they wouldn't knock and draw attention to themselves like that,they would just break in. So, while I don't think you're in any kind of danger, I would still have the police dpt patrol the area and act as a deterrant for any funny business. Besides, it would put your mind at ease a bit.

Another suggestion- make sure that any bushes/hedges where someone could hide are trimmed back and add automatic flood lights around your property if you haven't already. That will make you feel more secure I hope you're able to get some rest tonight!

Oh no, thats terrible hun, hope you're feeling a little better now, a similar thing happened to me a few years ago and its not nice. You definetely need to call the police though as I would be worried that they would come back. The police will advise you and there may have been similar happenings in your area, the person that tried to break into our house when my dh caught him ran up the road and broke into an old ladys house, he was caught as we alerted the police so they were already on the lookout for him.I feel your roommate is trying to brush it under the carpet, take no notice, your safety comes first. I am lad you have an alarm.xx

That is not awful, i used to live in an upstairs flat and someone tried to break in there, happened twice once from the front of the flat and once at the rear it was really frightening, its one of the reasons why i will have a dog when we get a new place.

With your dog barking to will probably of scred whoever it was away to, I hope you manage to get some sleep

Your roommate is wrong.....always call the police when someone tries to break in.

It flies in the face of reason to tell someone not to call the police when their house is being broke into.

I hope this was just a one time thing. Thank goodness you were up.

I'm glad you're OK. Next time, call the police. Even before you call your roommate and before you post on the board, call the cops!

Those guys were probably gone once they realized that you had a dog and that you were up and around. But they may also think you're alone.

Call the police. Better to be safe.

Sounds to me like you may want to consider investing in a DIY home security system. They have affordable wireless systems that you can buy now for less then $200 that include panic buttons which will set the alarm off if your home in this type of situation again.

I also agree with everyone else that you should have called the police right away. Criminals look for people who are complacent and by not calling the police you send a message to them that if they try again, there may be no consequences.

You say that you don't live in the greatest area of town. A single female (or even with a roommate) can look like an easy target to thieves. Investing in some simple protection devices can go along way in keeping you safe. I have a friend who only put up a fake camera and got some ADT stickers from a friend and while several houses around her were broken into, her's was never even attempted. Most thieves want the easy route and if they think yours will be a hassle in most cases won't even try.

Im sorry but your roommate is an idiot. Calling the cops is always the right thing to do in this situation.

I would still call the police today, even tho' the immediate threat may be long gone. At the very least, they should offer to do additional drive-bys in your neighborhood.
Your home is the place you should feel most secure. Take every precaution you can to make it that way.
I hope you're feeling a little better in the light of day.

Why on earth would she be so against you calling the cops? They need to know about stuff like this! I agree with you pay half of the rent, you have the right to feel safe and do what you think is best!

If she is so against calling the police I would be worried.x

Wow, is it not better to be safe rather than sorry?!? I'm just glad you're ok hun. But yeah, I would have called the cops anyway.

I am glad you are safe. I would have phoned the police.

Well, shortly after I finished posting this last night, it happened again. I heard a couple of raps on the window, my dog started barking and howling, and I immediately called the police. There were no if's, and's, or but's about it -- the cops were called. My roommate was incredibly angry with me when I woke her again to tell her that the police were on their way, but, oh well, tough. In fact, she's still not speaking with me today...

The police came by and took a report, but not before first taking a look around the property. Again, whoever it was had run off. But, the cops did notice that someone had tried to break into the shed in our yard. The lock was damaged, but had been strong enough to withstand whatever was done to it. Also, below the window where I had heard the knocking and had witnessed at least one person jumping the fence and then running away, the police found a metal object that was likely planned to be used to break into the house through the window (it wasn't a crowbar, but was similar -- it would likely have been used to shimmie the window or to cut the screen and then break the window). Unfortunately, what they found could not be linked to anyone, but the police did say that there has been a string of small robberies not too far from my house. Thankfully, no one has been hurt and only one or two objects stolen from the homes burglarized, but it was enough of a scare for me to take up some suggestions offered here and get automatic flood lights set up. We already have an alarm system and so that is covered, but it certainly can't hurt to have something else in place to act as a deterrent. The cops think the other robberies were done by someone inexperienced (they think one or two teenagers or young adults) and non-violent, but it's still frightening and I'm thankful that I made the decision to call the police and have them come out -- even if my roommate is upset with me because of it.

It turns out, my roommate was afraid for me to call the police because she has a number of outstanding traffic tickets. She was afraid that they would arrest her. There was a bench warrant out for her, but the cops said that if she called today and made an effort to pay the fines, it would not be an issue. And, they did not even try to arrest her. I knew nothing about that and it's upsetting to me that she'd put herself first when we (including the pets) could have been harmed. Thankfully, in the end, everything worked out, but not without first being frightening. And, sadly, I went through it alone because my roommate was, in my opinion, selfish. I'll get over it, but I'm exhausted today and still quite shaken. The police will be doing additional drive-by's on my street as well as on neighboring streets. They believe it to be someone or individuals trying to support a drug habit, but it's still scary that our house could have been broken into last night. Thank God I was up and that my little dog comes with a big voice!

I can't believe I didn't go with my gut and contact the police immediately, but, gratefully, I did so when I felt I needed to. My roommate and I may need to talk to work this out, but I am okay for the time being. I should have called the cops first thing, but my roommate really threw me for a loop. I really defer to her since she is almost twice my age and our relationship is such that she has taken on a "motherly" role. But, I feel let down right now. And, that feeling, with my real mother, is all too familiar...

I appreciate everyone's support and suggestions here. Thank you for helping me get through last night (and many a night before that).

OMG! I'd still be shaking---from fear and anger both. I can't believe the would-be robber showed up again; thank heaven you called the police!

Thank goodness you're okay, and thank goodness you did call the police!

And... your roommate may be older, but you are MUCH SMARTER!

I'm really glad to hear you're okay! Maybe getting automatic timers for the inside lights as well would be a good idea, that way you're house doesn't look idle for too long. I'll certainly be praying these punks get caught soon and for your peace of mind!

The next, time, don't call your friend. Call the police!

Trust me, they want to help you. I've had to call 911 with a similar situation, and the dispatcher said, "Please don't feel like you're 'bothering' us! It's our job; we want to help you." In other words, better safe than sorry. I'd still call the police, and explain first that it's not an emergency, but you want to file a suspicious person report. This way, if something happens in your area, they have an idea that it could be linked. Do your neighbors a favor--call the police to report it anyway!

That must have been terrifying and I am glad you did finally call the police. You certainly need to have a long talk with your room mate and try to get her to sort her problems out - it could have escalated into something really nasty. I once woke up to find a man standing on the outside of my bedroom windowsill trying to pull down the top of the sash window. Even though my partner was asleep beside me, I was terrified. The man ran away when I jumped up, but I called the police at once. They found nothing, but at least in cases like that they know where people are trying to break in and can keep a watch.