About a month ago our truck was emptied of any portable valuables, including a very nice Kahr CM40 pocket pistol. Since then, after application of a couple thousand bucks, I’ve replaced all the stolen items. Oddly, he even took a spare set of keys to our fifth wheel, so that necessitated changing all the locks. That alone was $700, because of course I have wireless entry. Then another $500 to set up a new security light dedicated to the truck, and $750 for a new wireless 8-camera security video system with 4TB of memory. I replaced the pistol with a new Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 40cal S&W pocket pistol with Crimson Trace designed into the frame. Sweet! Tomorrow, another $500 leaves my piggy bank to install an alarm system on my F350 that is compatible with the OEM electronics and comes with a pager with a 1/4 mile range that will let me know if anyone even breathes on my princely ride.
The event and its sequelae took an unusual turn two days ago. Received a letter from a PD about two hours down I-5 that informed me that they have my Kahr pistol in their property room as evidence against the guy who robbed me. Apparently he finally hit a police trip wire when he stole one too many vehicles, and upon confrontation he reached for my gun with nefarious intent. So he’s behind bars.
The reason for my new video system is that the older analog one had grainy video, especially at night. Even so, I found the robbery on the hard drive and it showed the unidentifiable perp arrive in front of my house at 5:09 am in a white pickup truck that matched one of his stolen vehicles.
Now I get to help the prosecutor put this guy on ice for a good long time, the turd thankfully failed to shoot the cop, I get my pistol back after adjudication, and I have an interesting story for guests at our Christmas party. Film at 11.
The perp’s going to go to jail?. Must be a legit citizen, eh?
Bwahaha.
I hope your prosecutor and judge are competent. Most crimes are committed by only a handful of career criminals who need to be locked up for lengthy sentences.
Even if you get most of your stuff back, you are out money and time. What a hassle. Then the time involved in pursuing the theft charges on top of that.
Do every thing you can to help the prosecution.
We’ve had a lot of these type thefts in the Raleigh area lately. Most of the perps here have been punk kids. I haven’t followed it through, but I can bet they only got a slap on the wrist and are back out to continue their work in short order. We had gotten lax about locking our detached garage, but I make a point to do that now. I’ve also started locking the camper, too. The only vehicle that sits in the yard doesn’t have anything in it to steal. We’ve also had a sheriff’s deputy move in up the street. Glad they caught your perp. Hopefully he will get what he deserves.
TW, Are you going to be on the Wed. conference call? I literally came to this post just after researching enhanced alarms for Fords after my 15 Mustang with factory alarm got vandalized without setting it off.
Was looking at Ford Perimeter Plus FT4Z-19A361-A
Back when I had a Viper alarm on a 96 Probe, the Ford dealer falsely blamed every problem on the aftermarket alarm.
I haven’t been on a call yet, but would like to. I’ll attempt Wed. Don’t know yet the model info for what he’s installing tomorrow, but I’ll let you know.
The S&W M&P Shield 40cal is hardly a pocket pistol unless you have big pockets.
It’s a single stack 6 round 40 S&W, so it’s as small as a real pistol gets. My brother carries a .32 caliber Ruger popgun. Not for me.
I carry my Shield in my pocket all the time. There’s a nice (cheap) DeSantis pocket holster for it. I DO have the 9mm, which I prefer to .40 cal, but small difference.
Trinity, since you’re investing cash, spend some on the Apex trigger enhancement and 10-8 rear sight (the .156 one). They will make your pistol so much better to shoot. You can have it installed with a lighter or heavier trigger, as you desire (I’m a light trigger type but YMMV). I have 4 or 5 friends who all carry Shields, and all have installed the Apex kit after shooting mine.
I had that holster too for my Kahr. Bought another for the S&W. Will be looking into Apex. Thanks.
You will like the Apex kit. If you have the Apex spring installed, the trigger pull is about 5#. If you reinstall the original trigger spring you get one about 4#. In either case, there is almost no overtravel and the reset is a lot quicker. Smooth, too. The kit replaced the sear, rebound spring, trigger spring. You have to have the rear sight taken off to pull the spring under it (sear spring) so if you go to the 10-8 site you will find a Shield rear sight which can then be installed instead of reinstalling the original one. The 10-8 sight is wider and curved at the bottom. Allows faster target acquisition in combat-type shooting. I really like it. I painted the front dot with plastic model gloss white paint so it is easier to see.
My gunsmith will install the Apex kit free if you buy the kit from him. Yours might also if you dicker with him. Else if you’re good you can drift the rear out, but it’s tough. Gotta have a really good vice that holds but doesn’t mar. Helps to have a rectangular brass punch (which you have to make from round).
Great story TW, and hope he’s out of commission for a good long time.
Thinking of investing in a front and rear video cam system for my truck. You have convinced me.
TKC, I got a Prestige model APS-596E installed this morning that has a dedicated pager with a 2,500 foot range that will alert me if anything occurs and it tells me exactly what. The electronics are compatible with OEM Ford electronics. Roger @5033091549.
TW, What is the pistol symbol on the remote:
http://www.voxxelectronics.com/prestige/security/?sku=APS596E ?
I don’t know! I have barely looked at the system so far. I’ll find out though. Intriguing.
My security is a manual transmission.
Yup, M! Yiiikes, TW…Glad you’re safe – and that the perp’s been caught.
Except that a perp looks in, sees the stick and just knows you have a carbine under the seat.
Am I in the car?
*
Whoops. That was aimed at this:
“My security is a manual transmission.”