House Breakin Alert Alsancak area

[journey1]

It is with deep regret I have to alert you to the fact that I have just been informed that our home just above Riverside roundabout before the Black Olive Café has been broken into and the situation worse as we are in the UK.
We built our home in 2002, not a holiday home but more an extension our a family place where we could all enjoy some precious time together. It was just me and the kids following the loss of my husband.
Its not that items have been stolen its more to do with the fact that thieves intentionally have targeted our home and desecrated it! I have no idea what the sum total is of what has been taken but I do know that 2 antique Cypriot chests that were some of our first purchases there have gone.
The police have been and the house was really well secure and checked frequently by our super property management company - but as I have said it is this awful feeling of someone invading your privacy and 'safe environment' that is the huge overriding feeling.
Please be aware - we always enjoyed being safe and so welcomed locally but I have seen so many changes recently that I no longer feel safe.

[Marions]

So deeply sorry tyo hear tha.t Would your house be one of those on the corner on the right hand side with the cemetery behind? If so were any others broken in to, and if not then it has to be someone who knows that yours is empty while others may be occupied. Although I have a feeling these houses were built after 2002. Am trying to t hink which is your house. It would help everyone if there is anything further form the police, and also who to contact if there is any other trouble in the area. I assume it is Lapta police.

If there is anything any of us living in the area can do, then please ask. yu must be feeling gutted. It is terrible when one is burgled - it is almost like a property 'rape' but even worse in your case being so far away.

This place is changing, but so is everywhere else.

[journey1]

Thank you so much Marions for your reply. My house is just above those you describe which in the past we always referred to as the Santa Fe complex. My home is a wee bit further up set back and secluded which has always been a great pleasure but now seems to be its downfall.
I just hope folks are taking note - to be vigilant and if you are not always there to ensure you secure your home and have it checked regularly. Although I always have done so and it still happened.
We are just so sad after all the years and super times we have shared there.

[Marions]

I know the one you mean. Didn't anyone see anything. There is a reasonable amount of traffic on the road, and one would think that someone might hav enoticed activity. Very worrying. It also makes one wonder how many other places they will strike.

I guess we all need to watch out for each other. Just hoe the police can find who these people are. And what will they do with any goods they have stolen I wonder? Maybe a description of them might help them to be spotted at any market etc. Just a long shot.

Again so very very sorry, but unfortunately times change everywhere. I wish North Cyhprus was as it was 25 years ago. I loved it then. But where doe s one go to regain the past?

[Lottidotti]

Journey1,have you got a timeline with regards the Burglary.In relation to the antique chest it might be worth contacting 'Ronnies' as he tends to be an authority on Cyprus antiques and if the scum that has stolen the chest know that,they might try to sell them there first.Also the very old chest are worth quite a bit of money now so if someone hears of one or two going cheap it's likely they are stolen.
The Police are very good in TRNC and do seem to catch people very quick.

[journey1]

Thanks both
The 2 chests were treasures to me as we all bought them together and you are right they were not mass produced nor were they cheap at £400 such a long time ago - I will do as you suggest - do you have contact details at all please? I do have photos and also I have all the instructions of the electrical items that were taken.
But more than anything I am still reeling that it has happened so at the end of the day 'stuff' is not that important but to be abused in such a way.
The police think it happened during the night and certainly they knew what they were doing when they managed to gain entry through closed shutters then double glazing and without any finger prints. Obviously not readers as they scattered the multiple books I had in the chests around the lounge! Yeah I know easier to transport out of the house!

[Lottidotti]

Journey1,just as an addition to the above.The scum who broke into your property would have needed a van to carry the chest which would suggest they have targeted your property for these items as most scum are just after money.Have you had any work done in recent months,has your property management company taken on any new staff recently.
Would these items have been visible through the windows or were they out of sight.If they were out of sight it would suggest it's someone who knew they were there and knows there value.
I am sure you have heard that old saying 'trust no one'

[Lottidotti]

Hi again no I don't have Ronnies number but I am sure someone on the forum does.
I notice you said the shutters were closed which backs up my suspicion that it's someone who,1 has been into your house recently,
2,knows you were away.
I am sure the Police will be looking at it in that way,I hope so anyway.

[Marions]

Almost sounds as if they had a key which does rather point the figure at someone who knew the property etc. I think the queswiotn about new staff etc, is a valid one, but equally I am sure the police will be on the ball on this one.

I do so hope you get your property back, but I know wha tyou mean when you say you feel abused'. It happened to me on the evening that I went fo rmy wedding rehearsal (long time aog now0 but it must have been someone hwo knew I was out. I have my suspicions as to who it was, and so di dmy Mother, but all a long time ago and I never got anything back , but it was London (central London) so not much chancel but out here I think you have a good chance of the goods beign found. Maybe someone like Dippers Girl on the Karpaz could spread the word. YOu never know these 'toads' may have tried to take the stuff ot Famagusta.

[davidthomas]

So very sorry for you journey1.

Ronnies contact details are:

By Phone:
Office: +90 392 816 0648
Tel/Fax:+90 392 815 5722
GSM: +90 533 860 4973 (M.Rauf ÖZDEMİR)
+90 533 867 2974 (Kadir ÖZDEMİR)
By Email:
info@ronniesfurniture.com

[JoandJelly]

If you have any photos of the items it may be worth posting them on the sales sites to alert any unsuspecting buyers. I'm very sorry this has happened to you, must be dreadful.

[RAZR63]

There is an antique chest for sale on facebook sales?

[carol16]

We got broken into on xmas eve
They stole our safe which had 2K in money
and 2 solid gold coins that were given to us by my mother inlaw
who died in Nov its these things that are the worst also a watch that
was my husbands grandfathers
If anyone gets offered solid gold olympic 2O12 coins let me know
the gold value is 2K so they may have been melted down by now
It has taken us this long to be able to sleep well at night or to have
anybody we do not know to the house We do not expect things like
this to happen here but things are changing

[paulc]

Hi All, I fit security locks, over 600 so far, please be pro-active and have them fitted before you get burgled, i am recommended by 2 insurance companies and a lot of estate agents, i will come to your home and give a free quote, i also fit household locks, call outs for keys left inside or lost to get you in, please put my phone number in your phone under locksmith 0533 848 3939 Thanks

[puppylover]

Journey1

Really sorry to hear this news. Not easy when you're so far away.
I agree with JoandJelly's suggestion.
As the owner/admin of Facebook Sales North Cyprus Group, if you would like to send me a list/photos of items that have been taken, I will keep an eye out if any appear on the group.
Happy to PM you my email address if that would be easier.
Or if you/family, are facebook users, perhaps you would like to join the group.

Just for info, the chest that a member has posted has been advertised for sale on the group since July 2014.

[journey1]

Thank you everyone for your replies and support.
I am now aware that the break in was done with tools and involved taking off the outside shutters and breaking through the bathroom windows! The doors were not touched and I did sometime ago change and reinforce all of the security. I guess that when 'they' decide to do such a crime they do it whatever way they can. They certainly must have had a vehicle to take away my items and there is a private driveway to the house with gates - non of which made any difference alas.
I will let the forum know how things progress.
many thanks again folks for your suggestions.

[journey1]

Sorry if this is beginning to sound like a blog but what is taking place is important for all to know. I have received pics from the house now to aid us in determining what is missing and it struck me that it is really important to take clear pics of your house contents. - I know we should all know this an do it but we don't do we? Well not me to be honest - so I am trawling through pics from all different times to get photographic evidence and also relying on memory of the exact house layout and contents.
just thought I would share this with you as a 'live' experience. Hope you never do need to use your pics though!
cheers

[Marions]

Journeyman1, do not complain about this being a 'blog'. As you quite rightly say this is important to everyone, and maybe 'everyone' can help towards solving this . Anything you share on the Forum could help to bring these scum bags to justice. So do post pictures if you have of missing items, and we can all keep a watch.

It is O.K. to keep this going as long as you need. We are all happy to be involve,d but I am sure all equally are sad that they can do little.

Keep th e info coming. The Forum is here to be a useful tool in whichever way is necessary.

I just hope that justice is done, because these 'toads' obviously will strike again and again until they are caught.

[journey1]

thanks Marions
just spent more time trawling through more detailed pics to see where possible what is missing - all I can say is the list is growing and becoming stranger by the moment.
I say that because certain items have been taken and others disregarded and also items kept in obscure places.
First of all I thought that was someone perhaps who knew the house but I have been reliably informed here by experienced policemen that thieves think in a very different way and do go for odd areas.
Anyway, cant say its of any comfort - just been through the range of emotions from sadness to anger/fury/ spitting blood/tears etc etc.
larger items include:
water filtration hoover
combi oven/microwave
2 cypriot hand carved chests
newly laundered pillows , kingsize duvet & single duvets
printer Epson
large storeage boxes filled with spare light bulbs (energy saving from Uk)
stroreage box with small tools
2 very large navy blue suitcases filled with my clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and worse still 3-4 boxes with my shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - I suppose there has to be humour somewhere!
As I have said before - its not about the loss its about strangers rifling through your 'life'!

[JoandJelly]

It does sound odd but tools, clothes, shoes etc can all be sold very easily on the various markets and sales sites

[sophie]

Having looked through your list of stolen things (I really am sorry and feel for you, having had this happen to us back in the UK) So much of your stuff is easily saleable at car boots and markets (clothes and shoes in particularly) Have you got friends who would recognise them? Some thieves are actually as thick as short planks and nothing would surprise me if they were to spread them on a market table for all to see. We were lucky in that the low lifes who did our place "dumped" in the loos and didn't smear all over the walls, which is a favourite pastime of theirs!! Came back from our hols to find our stuff gone.

[journey1]

Thanks for all of your replies and I am indeed so sorry to hear from those of you who have suffered at the hands of horrible people.
I have now managed to identify as much as one can, all what I can see that is missing by digital photos and it is now in the hands of the police to make their report and I hope a lot of detective work!
Some say the police in North Cyprus are really good at catching criminals so I will wait and see. I do think it was a person or persons who knew the house - there are no windows that can be looked through owing to the outside shutters but they even found the printer that was stored in a wardrobe and covered with other boxes etc! I'm not sure but I get a feeling this was done during darkness - they certainly must have had plenty of time to go through our lifes!
So folks don't get complacent - if it happened to me after all these years - it can happen to anyone.
I so hope it does not though.
cheers

[Marions]

Don't let the rotten taste linger too long in your mouth over this one! We have all had a good run of the goold old fashioned Cyprus, which is now sadly catching up with the 'civilised' lives we left behind, and the good old days when we did not need to lock our doors and when there was a freedom of movement and life that has largely been eroded in the big cities of Europe etc.

But one good thing is that we are still a small community, and the police are pretty good. So let's hope this rotter (s) is found, and duly punished and hopefully some if not all of your goods returned.

I for one believe very firmly that you are correct in your assumption that it was someone who knew the place, so that narrows down the potential list of suspects, and I am sure the police wil quickly work through that list.

Good luck.

And thanks for keeping us in the picture. My home is not too far away and it does make one a little more cautious. But I (and I am sure many others will join me) wish all is well soon.

[Ragged Robin]

What worries me about this is that it sounds "professional" . Previous thefts from houses have been, as far as I can see, opportunist, that is one or at most two people, probably dirt poor themselves and not particuarly intelligent or educated, taking advantage of a lapse in security to pick up money or small valuables from someone they saw as having more than enough! This sound more organised (transport,use of tools to gain access, getting in without trace, no fingerprints etc.) and probably some preplanning and watching to check when security visits were carried out! Plus maybe stolen to order, its an odd list assorted items stolen and suggests the thieves might have known where they could dispose of them.

My sympathies in any case.

[Retired]

I agree with you RR. My thoughts go back to the start of the year when a few people, myself included, observed a man wandering around residential areas, and when confronted, said he was looking for a place to rent. I cannot get this person out of my mind, especially when I hear of burglaries like this one. I did inform Lapta police at the time. His trousers were a point of interest then (red cord) although I would imagine they have been changed by now! There was definitely something suspicious about this man, presentable, spoke good English, but made me feel afraid. People had encountered him also as far away as Catalkoy, or even further I believe. I know I could very well be barking up the wrong tree, but thought it best to mention it.

[journey1]

Hi Folks
many thanks for all of your messages and support - it is all so appreciated.
The latest is that the police now want all the items listed and described that were in the large suitcases - my mind is working overtime!
More concerning is that although recently I have had a lot of work done at the house they do not need to take statements from anymore people as there were no fingerprints! So much for detective work then!
I am somewhat at a loss with it all.
However, just want to pass this on to forewarn people - it cant (sadly) only happen to me
regards

[WotNoDeeds]

After reading about recent burglaries we had a new lock fitted by Paul (0533 848 3939). He did an excellent job at a reasonable price.

Hi All, I fit security locks, over 600 so far, please be pro-active and have them fitted before you get burgled, i am recommended by 2 insurance companies and a lot of estate agents, i will come to your home and give a free quote, i also fit household locks, call outs for keys left inside or lost to get you in, please put my phone number in your phone under locksmith 0533 848 3939 Thanks

[JoandJelly]

My thoughts go back to the start of the year when a few people, myself included, observed a man wandering around residential areas, and when confronted, said he was looking for a place to rent. I cannot get this person out of my mind, especially when I hear of burglaries like this one. I did inform Lapta police at the time. His trousers were a point of interest then (red cord) although I would imagine they have been changed by now! There was definitely something suspicious about this man, presentable, spoke good English, but made me feel afraid. People had encountered him also as far away as Catalkoy, or even further I believe. I know I could very well be barking up the wrong tree, but thought it best to mention it.

I believe we were visited by this man last week in Karsiyaka. I was in the kitchen cooking and my husband was out so no car parked outside. I suddenly saw this man walking along the edge of the terrace out of the corner of my eye. I watched him for a moment or two then walked to the window and gesticulated at him and he motioned for me to come to the door. I walked around the back of the house and he said he could smell cooking and could see the extractor fan was on so knew someone was in and asked about the empty house opposite and said he wanted to rent it. When the conversation was finished he went to go back into the garden and so I motioned for him to go to the gate and he said that he thought it was padlocked. When I asked how he got in he said over the wall which has spiked railings on top! He was wearing dark trousers and a bluey grey patterned jumper.

[Retired]

Think it best that you tell the police. Similar situation, but I was on the front and saw him walking along looking into the place. I had previously seen something posted on this website about him (those days he wore red cord trousers), so I asked him what he was doing - told me the same thing he told you. I said that was not a way to rent a place, and that he shouldn't be wandering around people's properties and I also told him people were complaining about him. He looked amazed..and I told him to leave. I was acting brave, but my husband was out the back! We are off main walkways or streets, not somewhere people walk without a purpose. We didn't have a car on the drive at that time. I have a feeling he is surveying the loot! Scary though isn't it.

[Hedge-fund]

If you see strangers like this acting suspiciously don't hesitate to film them on your mobile phone - pretend you are doing it if you haven't got time to fiddle with the buttons. This will make these scum think twice about offending in your area as they know you could show the footage to the police.

[journey1]

Excellent idea Hedge- Fund
Please do report any suspicious folks going around properties to the police!
I'm so sure my property was given a good look over before the actual break-in - gut reaction though - no proof for my feelings.

[Marions]

Are the police aware that this guy is on the 'rampage' again. I really think that anyone with experience should report them immediately.

Surely anyone genuine about looking for a property would not sneak around the back, climb over railings, tresspass in a garden and do all those things no normal respectable person would do.

Secondly, why doesn't he go to estate agents, and
thirdly, if it is the same person, how come he hasn't found anywhere suitable to rent yet? plus of course, how come he does not have transport? One might assume if he doesn't have transport, it is pointless looking for properties in out of the way places. (unless he is going to start up a hermitage.

The whole thin k stinks of potential crime. Please rep0ort to the police, and they might catch him, question him and it MIGHT just be found that he is a criminal or a potential one.

If I see the guy, I certainly will, but we are on the main road. It seems he looks at out of the way places.

[journey1]

You would think the police would be aware of him by now - surely someone from the local population who is a 'cousin' would have put the word out?? Maybe I am just a bit subjective though at present!

[Marions]

You would think so, wouldn't you, but it is the old story of everyone thinking that somebody had done it, but in the end nobody did it. So I would not be surprised to learn that no one had reported to the police, or at least not enough for the police to give it real attention. That is why it is so important that everyone reports such 'mysteries'.

[JoandJelly]

We did report it in a roundabout way. A few days later my husband was walking the dog and spoke to a neighbour whose sheep had gone missing. He was with his friend who said he is in crime prevention at Kyrenia police station. He had a cctv image on his phone of a man who had been reported previously as coming into gardens etc. So they are definitely aware and are looking for him apparently.

[Marions]

Thanks for that, very reassuring. Maybe the rest of us can be on thelook out and do a similar thing. If any photos we take are of the same man, then that is a re-enforcement that he could be the suspect.

I wonder if he reads the Forum?????????????

[Retired]

Although, as I stated in an earlier thread on the subject of this guy, I did telephone Lapta Police, but they put me in touch with an interpreter, who turned out to be Kamal at the Garden Centre. I explained the situation to Kamal, but I'm not sure whether the Police took any action. I would feel much safer if I knew that they were doing something, as I'm sure people such as these would not hesitate to resort to violence if they were confronted in the act, should someone be on the premises when they decide to break in. Some of us are of a certain age, living alone at times, and being afraid of every noise is debilitating, to say the least.

Unfortunately, I do not necessarily carry my phone the whole time, especially when at home, so didn't manage to get a photo of him. I was able though, through a description of him on a previous thread, to recognise that he was the person who has been wandering around houses talking about renting for probably three months now.