Break in On Kalama......Update/Guilty

Firedog · 07-05-2003, 10:11 PM

My wife and I decided that it would be a nice day(July 5th) to take a day trip up to the family property on the Kalama and check on things and spend the day. So we take off and head on up there, Property is about 15 miles off I-5. So I pull up to the gate and go to unlock it and the lock is gone and another one is laying there that had been inside the house. SO I am trying to figure out what is going on and open the gate and head down the hill, it is a few hundred yards off the road down to the house. So I get to where the house is and there is a piece of garbage Ford Bronco II parked by the pump house. Now I am really irritated wanting to know who is here. Property is split House site up on a plateau looking down at the river and down below is a nice big grassy flat then the river. SO I walk over to the house and look down to the river and I see a whole village set up. I think there were five tents, I never did count them. Some guy standing in the river fishing. and a Women with a Baby sitting at a camp fire they had built in my yard. I yell down asking them what they are doing here and how did they get in. The woman says yells back my Wifes name and says that is who gave her the keys I tell her BS. So by now I am wishing I had brought a gun with me and I will never head up there without one again. I tell them I don't know who told them they could stay there but to pack up their stuff and get out. I then go inside and call the Sheriff. I left my pickup parked in the middle of the road so they couldn't leave if they wanted to.

So they go about packing up there stuff and I am looking around my buildings and they have been into all of them. Broke the lock and hasp off one of my out buildings and found an old set of keys in her that my grandfather had and used them to get into the rest of the place. They drank all my beer, my bottle of whiskey and ate every bite of food in the place. There story was they met this woman who gave them my wifes name and said that they could stay here and camp out. Actually the guy was pretty stand offish and the woman was doing all the story telling, we found that to be a little odd. Well the sheriff finally shows up and he goes down and chats with them for a bit. Comes back up and runs the vin number and tags on the bronco that they were driving and low and behold it comes back as stolen. So he tells me to stay up top and he heads down below to the camp. At gun point takes the guy into custody. Keeps a pretty close eye on the woman and brings them all to his rig which is parked up by the buildings. So they are still spouting there story that someone gave them a key and said they could stay here, never mind that the lock is missing off the gate and the buildings have been broken into. Sheriff takes pictures of everything they took out of the buildings and also where about a cords worth of wood was that they burned and is also going to charge them with burglary.

Sheriff waits for a bit more info on the radio and then says he is sorry about all the stuff down below but since it is on my property it is now mine. Well I don't want all this Crap. SO the woman is saying that if we call her friends they will come get it since some of it is theirs and they are expected back up here in a few days anyway. So the sheriff hauls them off and I go call the "friend" Well his name is Arf, yeah you read it right Arf. I ask Arf if he had been camping with some friends on the Kalama and he says yeah, so I tell him he needs to come gets all of the stuff. He says OK.

SO My wife and I head down and start loading all this stuff in my truck, I don't want all these crack heads on my place so I am going to haul all of the stuff up to the road and they can pick it up there. So we start loading stuff and checking inside things for any of our stuff. First bag I open has a carbon of one of my wifes checks and also an expired Meier and Frank Card of hers. This stuff came out of my burn pile that they had to dig through to find these items. So now I wait a minute and open another bag, it has photo copies of Social Security Cards and laminating paper. SO now I run back up to the house and call 911 again and tell them I want the sheriff back up here and tell them what I found. We look through a few other things but decide to leave it for the Sheriff. This day just keeps going like a bad dream.

Well I had called Arf to come get things so I go up and lock the gate so that no one can drive down, knowing that when the sheriff got there he would have dispatch call. So eventually they call and when I get up to the gate He is there as well as Arf and his friends. Sheriff tells them to stay up there and we will let them know when they can come down and get the stuff. So the Sheriff comes down and goes through everything looking for evidence. He takes a few purses and other things that I am sure had more ID theft stuff n them and also a bit of drug paraphernalia. Once he was done we had Arf and his friends come down to load things up. Sheriff ran them and was amazed that none had warrants, they also had Bronco II's and loaded as much stuff in as they could and the rest we loaded into my pickup and took up and left along the road fro them to pick up later. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't come back and get it.

I couldn't believe the nerve of these people. I had been up three weeks ago and mowed the lawn and did a few other chores. They tried to tell us they had been there a week but by the amount of wood they went through and other signs they had been there at least two. That was also the time it had been since the second deputy had run them off some warehauser land.

SO that is my venting about a lousy day, I am here drinking a few beers now to relax and dreading having to work tomorrow. SO any one up on the Kalama be on the look out for a bunch of dirt bag drugies getiing into peoples stuff.

[ 09-09-2003, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: firedog ]

1pump · 07-05-2003, 11:11 PM

I can't advocate anything illegal on this board, but I'll say this:

Buy a backhoe, and a few bags of lime. You can probably guess the rest.

RvW · 07-06-2003, 12:06 AM

Sorry to hear this FD. I hope you dont have to worry about the ID theft, but with "ARF" gone from the group for a while, you might consider the possibilty that something with your wifes name made it out of "camp"...take whatever steps you should to prevent anything from tarnishing your wifes name and credit. Prolly a good time to cancel all credit cards and keep a close eye on her credit report for a while. search for "ID theft" on "google" lots of good advice.

Firedog · 07-06-2003, 05:24 AM

COTR, we are already in the process of getting fraud alerts put on the credit reports and ordering credit reports to monitor. Luckily all the paper work that was in the pile was old accounts that have been closed for a while so that will help a bit. I think the worst part is having to listin to the I told you so's from the wife about the burn pile. When I burnt it the first time it didn't burn well. SO I said I will get it when I have more time to tend to a bigger fire and everything will be all right. Wife said she wasn't comfortable leaving it partially burned. I told her we are a long way from anyone it will be fine. Live and learn.

1Pump, belive me I know what you are saying. My buddies and I have been known to show up at the Cabin with an arsenel of guns for target practice. Unfourtunately yesterday wasn't one of them. This property means a lot to me it has been in my family for over 60 years and my family has had property on the upper Kalama for close to 100 years. It is one of the prettiest spots on a beautiful river.

I also have to say that the Cowlitz County Sherif was great to deal with. We ended up with two different deputies, the first one who hauled in the people that were there when we got there. and the second guy who came up and colected the eveidence. Both great guys.

crabbait · 07-06-2003, 02:11 PM

As far as I can tell, you did as well as anyone can expect without resorting to using a firearm or a backhoe and lime!

Don't get me wrong, I am all for going armed into places that don't have regular police patrols (and many that do). I know you would have been more comfortable with a good weapon within reach and out of sight. If you show a weapon, you better be very familiar with the law (brandishing?) or have a strong case for feeling that your life was threatened.

As for the backhoe and lime, think of it this way. That whole crew of deadbeats is now a fading memory. If you had resolved the problem "permanently" you would be living with it for the rest of your life, even if the "solution" was never discovered.

1pump - I suggest that your post was in jest, or bravado, and that you would never seriously consider such action. It may be fun, in a testosterone induced "macho" way to say such things. But anytime there is a need for a backhoe and lime the crime is murder and there is no statute of limitations.

[ 07-06-2003, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

1pump · 07-06-2003, 04:30 PM

Yes, it was in jest. I should have put in a :grin: or a

but my blood was boiling, and I assumed Firedog knew I wasn't serious. I don't endorse killing anybody unless it's in self defense, and since the perps in this case had no weapons, and weren't in his house or threatening him or his family directly, it's a property crime and not worth killing anybody over. If I was serious, I wouldn't advertise it here.
But I will go out on a limb and say this-- it sounds like these scumwads have made a career out of this, and it probably won't stop until they get a lengthy prison term or one of them meets a violent end, either at the hands of an enraged property owner or one of their "colleagues". This situation could have easily ended tragically if somebody made one wrong move. I'm not promoting anything, just speculating on how these things turn out. Career criminals and drug addicts rarely die in bed, and for good reason.

Bendman · 07-06-2003, 09:13 PM

Man I'm glad you caught them. So many times they simply get away. It had to be nice to see them hauled away in the wagon. Any civil recourse for your broken / stolen property?? Restitution?? Hope so.

manchu49 · 07-06-2003, 10:16 PM

drugs bad... you get the picture

1pump · 07-06-2003, 11:14 PM

Well, I'm glad the cops took it seriously. If this happened in Oregon, they'd probably tell you to deal with it yourself, then give you a lecture about violating their civil rights.
OK, I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.
Maybe, in hindsight, you should have confiscated all their crap so you could go through it and get a better idea of what they stole from you, and anybody else. Plus, if they lose their equipment, it might prevent them from squatting on somebody else's property, at least for a while. But I don't blame you for wanting those vermin off your property ASAP.
You showed more restraint than I would have. I'd probably be in jail for assault and kidnapping right now.
Hopefully, with the woman in jail, the baby will go to a social service agency and get adopted by upright citizens. I hate to see a kid brought up in that kind of environment.

Firedog · 07-07-2003, 07:38 AM

1Pump. all of there stuff did get gone through by the deputy and Beleive me he found a lot of my stuff. I was actually standing up at the cabin looking downwhen he opened one of my fly boxes. I spoted it and went back down and found the other two that I keep up there in the same pouch. The deouty opened every container they had, found weed in one peanut container and then some baggies with residue from other drugs.

I went down and looked at all the fishing gear for any signs as to whom it might belong to. No markings. I am positive it came out of someones car somewhere, since there were multiple small tackle boxes and other things. The only thing we saw that was marked was a cooler that had an Idaho phone number on it along with a name. The sheriff had that number called also.

Crabbait, the talk about killing people is in jest. I would actually never show a weapon in that situation. For a couple reasons first off it could make someone feel more threatened and do something irrational. Second it could be turned into me threatening them and get some liberal laywer going after me. If I would have felt uncomfortable with the situation I would have gone up and locked the gate then gone and called the sheriff. But if I had been armed and thretened with my life I have no problem with doing what has to be done to defend my wife and myself,and if that meant I had to shot someone had I been armed I could do that without remorse.

I am going to call and find out what they will be charged with today. I would guess thet the ID theft is fairly severe. Along with the stolen car and burglery charges for my place. Hopefully COwlitz county has the space to keep them for a bit. I will probably head back up tomorrow the lcean up the rest of the campsite they built and pull the nails out of the trees they had for hanging stuff up.

I also would like to say, if you are out camping make sure your stuff is well marked. I am sure the majority of the stuff these people had was stolen because a lof of it was newer and way to nice for a bunch of squatters to have. It is unfourtuanate that good upstanding citizens have to go to so much to protect ther own stuff. I am just glad that my wife and I decided to take a drive on Sat. and was able to catch these people up there.

[ 07-07-2003, 09:42 AM: Message edited by: firedog ]

AtWorkALot · 07-07-2003, 08:13 AM

Unbelievable!

I can't believe the nerve some people have. Impressive restraint, I'm sure you were ass-kickin' mad.

Bait O' Eggs · 07-07-2003, 09:19 PM

To bad Marty, the world would be a better place without that kind of trash.

I hope you get the place cleaned up. If you need a hand doing anything let me know.

Firedog · 07-07-2003, 11:52 PM

Got a message from the Deputy who took in the man and woman that were on the property when I got there sat. They are both in the Cowlitz county jail and will be for at least 60 days unless they can post $10,000 bond. Right now they are being held for Burgerlery, Possesion of Stolen good, and Car theft. I am waiting to hear back on the ID theft stuff and I am also goig to ask about a tresspass charge, I know it is minor but I want them charged with anything and everything possible.

Firedog · 07-08-2003, 06:59 AM

Thanks Roy, Clean up shouldn't be to bad. What we need to do is head up that way and do a litlle fishing. I am headed up today to really get a good look at things. Will keep everyone posted as to what the cops finally charge them with.

Firedog · 07-08-2003, 01:24 PM

OK Just got back form going up and taking a relaxed look around. Not mising a lot of stuff but a few things, my Kershaw Blade Trader. The big one with the kitchen knife and saw and fillet knife etc. A few small tools, hammers and such. I am still happy we were tehre to go through the stuff that was there and retrive our stuff that they hadn't taken already.

Found my cable and lock it was in the fire pit they had built, cable had been cut. Fire pit is full of glass and other debri I will shovel out next time I go up. Also will put all the rocks back down by the river. Washed the dished they left in the kitchen and brought home all the dirty towels. Contemplated just burning them.

Went up the road where the stuff that couldnt get loaded up on sat was left. There friends or someone took the stuff but left five bags of garbage so I will have to go load that up and either haul it home or burn it since it is still on our property, just next to the road.

Waiting for a copy of the report from that day. They are still working on the ID theft part and didn't think they would be done for a week or so.

This weekend is my wife and I's 1st anniversery and I am going to relax and not worry about these idiots.

1pump · 07-08-2003, 09:16 PM

Is your property posted as "private"? If it's not, is that a loophole for those bottom feeders to wiggle through? :whazzup: I've heard all kinds of weird theories about this.

Firedog · 07-09-2003, 05:31 AM

1Pump It isn't posted as private. But as far as I know as long as there is a fence there it is considered private. They aren't going to get charged with actuall tresspass. But they will be charged with residential burglery which carries a tresspass charge also. They also cut my cable to get into the gate and I found that in case the Sheriff needs a little more evidence. I also will be posting signs to keep out violaters will be prosecuted, but that is assuming these scum bags can read.

Firedog · 09-09-2003, 09:56 AM

Finally this is all done with, The guy pled guilty a month or so ago and ended up with a few months in county jail, The woman finally pled guilty today, since we were supposed to go to court tomorrow. She gets 17 months in state prison [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] . Her term is longer because she had a rap sheet as long as my arm. I guess the only thing the guy had been convicted of was attempted murder as a minor. :shocked:

It is all over and done with and they have to pay restitution to us, I wasn't even going to bother with submitting that but the prosecuter said it goes through the state and if they don't pay they go back to jail. So anything that might get them back in jail is a good thing. So after wasting many hours of my time dealing with this and cleaning up the mess they made it is finally done with.

[ 09-09-2003, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: firedog ]

crabbait · 09-09-2003, 10:09 AM

Congratulations, Firedog. And thanks for helping to get this refuse deposited where it belongs.

Steelie Steve · 09-09-2003, 10:16 AM

Firedog! I'm glad to hear that it has turned out well. Good news!!

Steve

Pitch Pocket · 09-09-2003, 10:46 AM

What a nightmare. Glad that it 'worked out'. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Just a suggestion. Buy a paper shredder and shred any credit card receipt that has your account number, name or signature on it. Some merchants still have machines that print all the necessary information for identity theft.

24 on/ 48 off · 09-09-2003, 12:22 PM

The system works.

--spud-- :smile:

Steelie28 · 09-09-2003, 02:09 PM

Firedog,

I had a situation when I was in college that ended with an arson conviction. We were having a Holloween party and some guys came in and lit some pizza boxes on fire in the basement. Needless to say, it didn't take long for the place to go up. Fortunatly, the Fire Dept. got there quickly and saved the structure, but the smoke ruined everything I had in there. Anyway, I claimed restitution against the guy that was convicted. I also was told that if he didn't pay he would go back to jail. That was in 1995, and to this day I have seen about $10 of the money he still owes me. Of the 5 of us that were living in the house at the time, only myself and one other claimed restitution. The others did not want this crazy guy to have any reason to look them up in the future. I've thought about that a few times since but have never found out if claiming restitution makes your name available to the convicted as long as they owe you money. Is this something that was explained to you?? I would hate for the low life to decide he is tired of the state garnishing his wages in order to pay me off, then decide to hunt me down and "take care of the problem."

Phil Layer · 09-09-2003, 03:36 PM

Sorry for the horrible hassle but a big thanks to you for sticking it out and seeing they ended up in jail.

HOGGEMIN · 09-09-2003, 07:34 PM

Sorry to hear about this horriable invasion of your property, Glad they actually will do time.

TundraIII · 09-10-2003, 07:05 AM

There is another victim here that everyone has overlooked, the squatters baby. Very sad thing to be raising a child like that. Hopefully the child is in a foster family now and being provided for in a safe and healthy environment.

Firedog · 09-10-2003, 07:32 AM

Steelie28, I really doubt your info is available to the person that has to pay restitution. I wasn't even going to submit the forms because these dirt bags never will be worth anything in society and so they wont have a legit income to pay with. But the prosecuter wanted one more thing that they could use to put them back in jail if possible. If they want to show up at my doorstep someday I take that as a threat and will deal with it acordingly.

Tundra, I am sure the baby is in a lot better circumstances now than it was with it's parents. When they were forst arrested it was put into a foster home and hopefully still there and in a good one. He wasn't going to have much of a life with them, learning to steal and do drugs.