SIERNS AND THE ER

August 13, 2012

The morning of my scheduled 2 PM flight home I awoke vomiting and dizziness at 7 am. By 1 pm my son was taking me to the doctors since I was getting dehydrated and could not stop vomiting. He also cancelled my flight. Next thing I remember was a ride in an ambulance and getting stuck with IV's as we raced to the emergency room at a very popular beach resort. In the ER I noticed all the hospital gurneys around the nurses' station where parking spaces were numbered. I was amazed since it was a Wednesday afternoon. I asked one of the nurses what was going on. His response was it is always this crazy.

About 10 pm I was admitted to the hospital. I had been administered anti-nausea and anti-vertigo medicine so I just slept the first 24 hours. It took a couple of days to get my appetite back. I was glad I did because the food tasted really good, especially the seafood. After being seen by three different doctors the diagnosis was vertigo. There are different types of vertigo. I have a vestibular neuritis. This is an inflammation of the inner ear. I also had a Migraine Associated Vertigo. Since I had not really had a migraine since I was divorced I asked why! I rarely get the "sick" headache where I need a cold cloth or low light level room. According to the ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor even a history of migraines can be an under lying trigger. About 35% of migraine patients have some vestibular syndrome at one time or another.

Vestibular dysfunction and migraine headaches can be caused by the same environmental and food triggers, hormonal fluctuations and weather changes (biometric pressure) can exacerbate both conditions. Symptoms of vertigo that I experienced included dizziness involving room spinning, intolerance of movement around you (people, television) sensitivity to light and noise. I was in a room by myself across from the nurses' station. I was grateful for the earplugs someone brought. Medication controlled the nausea and vomiting.

Balance was a real issue so I had to use a walker. Another issue was brain fog. I was not having any headaches but my brain felt like it had blown up like a balloon.

My son brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers and my grandchild a sweet get well card. After three and ½ days in the hospital I was transferred to a rehab center. About this time my grandchild became ill with similar symptoms of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sensitivity to light. My son decided that we both had the same thing----- a viral infection.

All I know was that it took me another 3-4 days before I could tolerate light or watch TV and not feel nauseous all the time. Plus I was at least 12 hours from home and my car was at my brother's house. Then I had another 2 ½ hour drive home.

I was treated well and worked hard in Physical Therapy because being couped up in a room 24 hours per day sucked. My bed was next to a window and I could see some grass and a pine tree. But there was no air conditioner in the room. My roommate was 97 years old and would talk your ear off. She had some deafness so she would blast the TV. The aids got her to turn it down. I quickly discovered she talked in her sleep. I lost one of the ear plugs during the transfer from the hospital. Rehab did not have any so I stuck the ear plug in one ear and my pillow in the other ear. My son brought me some clean clothes and my favorite grapes.

By the third day in rehab I was being pressed by my son to get out of the place. He said I didn't belong there. The day before he had told me to make a list of things I needed and he would bring them to me. Then my son determined I did not have migraine associated vertigo but a virus. Since my grandchild was better I should be better. He told me I just wanted to stay in the Rehab center and have someone take care of me.

A WEEK IN SAND AND SURF

August 1, 2012

I closed my eyes and let the back of the seat on the airplane start to absorb the stress of the last four months from hell! In a couple of days I'd be walking on the beach playing tag with the waves while my granddaughter scampered back and forth fearlessly grabbing shells and smooth colored stones. One evening we went to one of the nicest ocean beaches. I joined some other beach goers watching the seals swimming back and forth along the beach. Everyone would try to guess where they would pop up their heads next. I enjoyed watching some people as they ran up and down the beach trying to get a picture. It was so funny because they kept running over to the place where they last saw them. They didn't seem to get that the seals were constantly moving and swimming up the beach and then 10-15 minutes later swim back down the beach.

I got to watch my Granddaughter at her swim lessons as she discovered she could swim on her back the length of the pool. She was excited enough to put her face in the water and use her arms and legs and swim back. I think she was excited to have me there as well, and wanted to show me what a good little swimmer she has become at age four. She even leaped off the edge of the pool and discovered how much fun that was. Later we got some great pictures of her diving off the rocks into the lake.

There was a boat ride around the lake with family and friends and their new black lab puppy and a friend's dog. One of the dogs kept trying to bite the waves as we splashed into someone's wake. The week was finished off with one of the largest lobsters I have seen in a long time. It was fresh off a friends fishing boat. I had tried to approach the week one day at a time in hopes that there might be an opportunity for discussions as to what is really happening to cause this adult child to become so hostile towards me. But it did not prepare for what came at the end of my week of vacation when I was scheduled to leave.

ARRESTS AND WARRANTS

July 25 2012

I finished up the last of the paper work for the Civil Suit and took it to the Magistrate to get it notarized. I found out the arrest warrants were finally in progress. I also booked a flight to go visit one of my kids and my granddaughter at the beach. Meanwhile the evicted tenets had moved just two blocks away. They could actually look down and see my house and yard and see when I was gone. I could see their apartment from my front door. It was only a couple of weeks before the sister's car showed up at the apartment building. I knew that the free loaders were back into their apartment. Finally, after a call to the Magistrate the third week of July, my former tenets and a sister were arrested and booked into the regional jail. The female tenet had been on probation in another state so she had to go back to that state and serve time. As of August 27, 2012 she was still in jail in another state. I sighed a loooong sigh of relief when I learned of the arrests. I wish I could have been there and seen their faces. Knock, knock who's there –the big bad wolf the officer said.

COPS AND ROBBERS

June 7, 2012

I've been playing a hide and seek game with the tenets. They would tell me they would be out by Memorial Day. I watch and look and listen and saw little of any kind of activity related to moving-no boxes coming in. Each day was the same "we'll be out tomorrow". They waited until the afternoon of June 5^th, which was the last day they legally could be there before I call the sheriff to haul them and their stuff out. They refused my standard "exit review" of the premises. Then they waited a couple of days before they returned the keys (after I called them and asked them to also bring the extra rent for the now six days they had possession of the apartment. I got the key and no rent. They refused to pay it and all I got was a lot of yelling and cursing in my front yard. So now I am out six days of rent, court costs for the eviction, which the tenets are suppose to repay.

The place was left really dirty. Thank heavens I had a deposit because all $440 went to cleaning and repairs. This was a non-smoking apartment and the tenets, a sister and her boyfriend were smoking. I had an estimate to clean the living room, including the walls, carpeting, windows and blinds to be a smoke free place. The estimate was almost $400. This has not been done yet. I have to recover this plus rent and storage of items left behind. This has resulted in a Civil Law suit and another $100 in court fees. Who knows how much if any I will recover from the robbers and their families.

DID YOU RECOVER ANY OF THE STOLEN ITEMS?

May 10, 2012

This is the first question that people ask me. Where do you look to recover stolen gold jewelry from your family? Around here the following items are being stolen in this order: money, pain meds, gold jewelry and old coins. These items are small and easy to "Grab and Go". Gold jewelry will bring in the most money at $1,584 an ounce.

So you had your jewelry appraised which is great for insurance purposes but won't necessarily help find grandmother's gold necklaces.

Since you discovered the theft and called the police, start making your list of stolen items as you clean up and put things away. The list will be one of the first things the police will ask for, in addition to the list of any suspects.

Remember time is of the essence if you are going to recover any items. The thieves you are dealing with are most likely drug addicts and will have sold your stuff within 24 hours. Now make sure you let the police deal with the thieves. You can keep the police informed. However, you cannot threaten the thieves to have to repay you, at least not until they have been actually charged. Use your insurance company.

The store or shop that purchased your stolen items cannot return them directly to you. It is stolen goods and has to be turned over to the police. Even after the state trooper showed me the recovered jewelry, he has to keep it as evidence. They take pictures for your file.

You may want to look up stolen goods regulations for Licensing of Second Hand Precious Metals and Objects Dealers and Pawn Brokers. Most states have them. See a few links in May 1 2012 blog "So You Have Been Robbed, Now What?"

• Some states have stricter laws than others. A good example is Maryland: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/pm/pmadvisoryid.
  
• Some states require dealers to keep items for 24 hours to as long as 30 days. Best to Google your state plus regulations for licensing Second Hand Precious Metal and Objects Dealers.
  
• Remember the shops that buy gold and precious metals are in business to make money. So when they have x number of necklaces, they ship them to the smelter in batches.
  

Remember State Police and County or City sheriffs don't have time to go to all the places that buy gold jewelry. This is your chance to play detective.

• First check out all the places within five mile radius of your house. Begin with the jewelry and gift shops that have a sign in their window, "we buy gold". You will be shocked to see how many places do. Look at Pawn shops second unless you get a heads up about a place that gives good prices.
  
• You can call ahead but be prepared for a cool reception from some of them. A nice jewelry store does not want to get a reputation of dealing with drug dealers and addicts.
  
• You also need a case number from the investigating officer before they will talk to you. Get that as soon as possible.
  
• The most effective way is a face to face to present your list of stolen items plus descriptions, sizes, number of carat gold and any markings like engravings and list of suspects.
  
• Provide the dealer with a list of stolen items and possible suspects for them to keep. Also provide your own identification and contact phone number.
  

SO YOU HAVE BEEN ROBBED, NOW WHAT

May 1, 2012
AFTERMATH OF THE ROBBERY
The aftermath has taken up a lot of time and energy. I have put these posts in a chronological order as I have been able to remember them rather as they have been happening. At first I was extremely angry that someone had broken into my home. Now I am just exhausted. Dealing with the aftermath is hard work. The state troopers are very busy because there are not enough of them. I learned that before you pursue a head hunting mission you will need a case number from the police officer who is investigating your case.
I started checking the pawn shops to see if they had received anything from my list. I had a substitute teaching job in another town. After work, I went to the pawn shops there without any luck. I was headed out of town when I saw a sidewalk sale for flowers. When I stopped I saw the sign in the window of a "Not New Shop" saying "Buying gold, and silver". I gave the owner my list. We started talking about my robbery. The owner suggested checking out a gift shop in a neighboring state about six miles from my house.
It took a couple of attempts to find the shop open as it was closed on the weekends. The owner took my list of items taken and my list of suspects and showed me that he follows state regulations for buying gold etc. The store pawn shop has to get a photo ID, record the type of item and description and weight of the gold. All of this goes into a computerized system or a "rapids system". The items are listed under the name of the person who sold the stuff and would be liable. About an hour after I visited the gift shop, the owner called and left a message that he found some of my stuff in his "rapids system". When I called him he advised me to contact my police officer ASAP and have him call the owner. I could not access the "Rapids System" myself. The state regulations fall under "The Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act". Just a quick internet check and I found the following states have regulations for buying gold: Wisconsin, Oregon, California, Arizona, Florida, New York, and Connecticut. The regulations vary by state and even jurisdiction. Check these web sites for help: State of Washington; http://www.scribed.com/doc/49120787/Washington-Gold-Biometrics, Ohio; http://codes.Ohio.gov/orc/4728, Flordia; http://law.justia.com/codes/flordia/2005/titlexyylll/cho538
minneapolis: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/licensing/business-licensing-docs-precious-metal-dealer

How Did I come Up With My List of Suspects?
When the police officer first came out to investigate, my tenet "Jake" (not his real name) started acting really sketchy. e He came to the door for the key to finish mowing. After the officer left Jake wanted to know what the officer said and what was taken. The state trooper said "there was your suspect #1", along with his sister #2 who had been staying at the apartment. I had told Jake and his girlfriend "Emilie" (not her real name) when I was leaving to go out of town and when I was returning. Plus I told them who was watching the house and feeding the cat. There apartment was over my garage which is attached to my house.
While I was out of town I had called my pet sitter to mail me something I had forgotten. She told me the State Police had come to my house the evening on the day I left. "Emilie" (not her real name) was hauled out of my apartment in handcuffs. Suspect #3.
The sister had been staying in the apartment for extended periods after being evicted around Christmas. I'd learned a new term for living arrangements called "couch surfing". About a month later I almost tripped over the fourth person and also freeloading in the apartment. This was the boyfriend, suspect #4, of the sister.
My list of suspects included some prior tenets that had drug issues and/or poor life choices. Family members must not be ruled out. Fortunately the couple of family members with drug issues or prior arrests live far away. I also included a former "lawn-yard" kid who had stolen his mother's medications and sold pills at school. This resulted in a year's suspension. I do not have any sketchy neighbors that I know about. In most cases the robber who breaks into your home is someone you know.
It was about a week after the gift shop owner called me when the State Trooper came knocking at my door. He had a small brown paper bag in his hand. He removed the contents and there was my gold watch and chain and my mother's 1927 class ring which had been stolen. He said he was sorry but all the other items were gone to the smelter where they are melted down. I was glad to have something recovered but it made me sick to my stomach all over again because all the jewelry had been gifts from family who are all gone now.
The next thing the State Trooper showed me were some papers with pictures of photo ID's and a copy of checks and a picture of some coins. It did not surprise me at all to see that one was the tenet and the other was his sister. The trooper's next stop was "Jake's" place of work. Jake works for his father and grandfather in a family owned business.
Emilie's Excuse
Well "Emilie" thought she had an excuse having been taken to jail the day I left. But the evidence of when "Jake" sold the stuff was prior to her arrest.
Sounds like a happy ending. Robber caught, arrested and goes to jail. I wish. The State Trooper continued with his investigation with interviews of two tenants and two wanna-be tenets. He was trying to obtain a confession but all he was getting was finger pointing. So the case seems to be stuck someplace.

ROBBERY

April 26, 2012

I am back to blogging! I put off as long as possible doing my income taxes. I rushed them to the accountant the day before I left to visit family in New England. I got a call from the neighbor watching my house and feeding my cat telling me that the State Police had taken one of my tenants away in handcuffs the same day I left. When I arrived home a week later I saw that my home had been broken into. At first I did not notice as I was super tired and I thought the cat had gotten into things. I did notice a special ring was missing right away. The next day I found my jewelry in a mess. The linen closet had been raided. Someone was looking for drugs. The State Trooper came out and took pictures and assessed the situation. He told me to make a list of what jewelry was stolen. He came back and picked it up to send out to the pawn shops. There is a suspect. And yes it is someone I know. Today I am having Deadbolt locks put on all four doors. I was surprised to learn the insurance company will cover the cost. I found out that the few pieces of gold jewelry I had and was stolen were a lot more valuable than the $1,000 limit including the $250 deductable on my insurance company. I also had my mail box key taken as well. I had left it out for the pet sitter. So I had to pay to have the lock changed on my mailbox. There are more and more drugs in rural areas. Steeling gold jewelry is a fast way to get cash. I could recall all the pieces in detail because they were unusual plus I had some identification papers. Here are some suggestions to protect you.

• Pull out your insurance policy and look over your liability limits. Do you know the current cost per oz of gold? Might want to consider getting appraisals on your gold pieces. Than adjust your insurance liability limits. Check out what will be the increased cost to obtain the higher limit. Do you know your deductible?
  
• IF you do not have them - have deadbolts placed on your doors.
  
• Exterior motion detector lights are a good idea. I have them on the back side of the house but not on the front and sides.
  
• Make sure all your windows are locked when you leave. I believe the robber (s) gained access to the house via a credit card or picked the door lock in the garage door to the inside.
  
• You may think you have a good hiding place but the robber will know where it is. These people looked in every type of box in every room.
  
• Be careful of where you keep medications –including cold medications. The robbers made a mess of my linen closet looking for drugs as well. Basically they were after pain pills. Do as your pain management specialist says "buy a lockbox". I managed to pass basic robbery 101 and found a hiding place that worked. Depending on how observant they were they may or may not have figured out the kinds of meds I take. This has always been a worry.
  
• Purchase a handgun and get training to use it before you shoot yourself in the foot. This was my son's suggestion. I have to really think about this one.