• 818-758-4076
  • office@legit.com
  • 3146 Koontz Lane, California
Shop
Shop

Ransacked and Robbed

Over a month ago my home was ransacked and robbed.  The picture above is just one of many.

I thought long and hard about whether I should share this news here on the blog.  After all, this blog is my happy place and there is nothing happy about a robbery.  It’s an awful feeling having your personal items rifled through and your personal security shaken, but when you let go of the anger and the fear you’ll be surprised to find that you have much to be happy about – at least that’s been my experience.

I’m happy that no one in my family was home when this happened.

I’m happy that I learned a few things from this awful experience.

1. You as a homeowner need to be diligent in making sure that any worker who does work in or around your home has had a background check.  You are entitled to know that employees that are sent to your home to do repair work do not have criminal records. 
2. A homeowner’s insurance policy may not provide enough coverage to cover replacement or reimbursement for stolen goods.  You may need a rider.  
3.  It’s probably not a bad idea to have a safe for special items that aren’t replaceable – like the sterling silver Barbie charm bracelet that your mother gave you for Christmas when you were 9 years old or the locket your mom gave you for your 13th birthday when your parents were going through a divorce. 
4.  An alarm system is never a bad idea, even if you have a dog, an alarm system would still be a good thing.  Especially one that has cameras –  cameras that can record what workers are doing in your home when you are in another room – so if they unlock a window from the inside in order to be able to come back to easily get in and rob your home the cameras would have recorded it. 
I’m happy that I’m able to share what I’ve learned with you.
I’m happy that I do not need to be afraid. 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  
Psalms 23:4
I’m happy that I still have the memory of sitting at the breakfast table eating cereal before school, as my mom gave me a small box and said, “Here’s one of your birthday presents.”  “I thought you might want to wear it to school today.”  I remember opening the box and seeing the locket.  I remember her saying, “Open it up.”  As I opened it she said, “Your dad and I might not be together anymore, but we’ll always be together where you’re concerned.”  
They kept their promise.  
I may no longer have that locket but what it represented I will cherish for the rest of my life. 
I’m happy that I’ve already given forgiveness even though it was not sought.  Jesus died on the cross for them too. 
I’m happy that my mother -in-law came to my home to clean things up so that my kids never had to see our house like that. 
I’m happy that I’m not at a place in life that would make me feel like I need to steal. 
I’m happy that I’ve never been addicted to drugs. 
I’m happy that I now have a clear vision where God is leading me to serve Him.  Missionary work in other countries is great and truly wonderful, but there are people right here in our own backyard that are desperate for God’s love, grace and forgiveness. 
I’m happy that I’m happy – that what fuels my happiness does not come from stuff  – that happiness itself is in fact a diy project and one that can not be taken away.  

Share this

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

you might also love

  • I'm sorry this happened to you. Thankfully, we have never had to go through this and I can just imagine the fear and anger you felt….I hope you can find some peace soon!!

    I love your blog and your ideas….keep up the great work!!

  • Carmel, what a great perspective on a horrible situation. I admire your grace and vision. So sorry you and your family had to go through this.

  • So sorry, Carmel. How awful for you! But I love your perspective, and I'm thankful you wrote about this, because I've been thinking about an alarm system since my kids are sometimes home alone. I'm definitely calling today after reading about your experience. That story about your locket is so touching….what a great momma you have!

  • I know the feeling. My home was ransacked while we were having a neighborhood block party. A friend had invited a friend, who we knew, who in turn invited another friend who left me and my family with our privacy seriously invaded. Thankfully, they didn't take anything too precious, but still that feeling of being completely taken advantage of is one that was hard to shake. For me, forgiveness took a long time, even to forgive my nearest and dearest friend who essentially brought this person to my home. Four years later I'm more cautious than ever and have learned how to protect myself and my belongings before something more serious could happen.

    I'm very glad to hear that your children did not have to experience this and that your family is safe 🙂

  • Carmel, I'm first and foremost happy that this horrible event is in the past for you and your family and that you all came through this safely. Perhaps because you feel it has helped you further identify how you are being called to serve, this event has strangely enough been a positive force in your life. Your thoughts on home safety, caution, and attentiveness will benefit many. And your insight to losing a cherished item … "I may no longer have that locket but what it represented I will cherish for the rest of my life" … can be such a profound and healing moment for anyone who suffers a loss of "things", be it from theft, flood (oh, Denver), other natural disaster, or fire. I struggled for a while after our house fire getting a grip on how I feel about the loss of things, and although I've finally arrived at where you are now, it would have been so helpful to me to read your lovely words back then, so another thing I'm happy for is that your words are out there now to serve others. Thanks, Robin

  • This made me cry. I'm so sorry you were violated this way but, clearly, you got this. Your priorities are in order lady. Much love.

  • Carmel, you are such an inspiration to so many people. I'm sorry this had to happen to you, but I'm so thankful that you and your family are safe and sound.

    You mentioned having cameras in your home and I wanted to let you know about DropCam. You can get one from amazon for $150. The best part is, you can see everything on your iPhone or computer & you can do all the set up yourself. There is a monthly fee to have things recorded, though. I'm sure you have something already set up by now, but just incase you haven't heard of it, I wanted to make sure you knew 🙂

    Janice

  • Carmel, so sorry to hear this happened to your family. And yes, thank God no one was home at the time. While things can be taken (sometimes replaced), no one can take away the memories. Great tips, and truly an inspiring post.

  • I'm so glad everyone is safe and no one was home. I'm so sorry you had to experience this and thank goodness for family! You have such a positive outlook, its inspiring!

    Jenn@HomeStyleReport

  • I am so grateful you and your family are safe. And I'm inspired to read the positive things you are taking out of this experience. I know it's always said that things are just things and they can be replaced, but we do grow attached to our material possessions, especial those that contain memories we hold in our hearts. I'm glad you realize that while the physical memento is gone, no one can take your memories. This is definitely a good post and I'm glad you've shared b/c other people can take something out of this if they share the experience.

    Our house was broken into on Christmas last year. Nothing was taken because we have an alarm system and they ran as soon as they heard the blaring alert. Even though nothing was taken, I felt violated that someone was in my home uninvited and malicious intentions. It was hard to sleep after that. But I did the same thing you did. I found peace in knowing that at the end of the day, the people and animals that mattered weren't there when that happened. We are also grateful that we aren't in a place where we feel the need to take what doesn't belong to us. I felt sad for them.

    Thank you for sharing.

  • Oh my god…I'm so sorry you had to go through this! How devastating that you lost precious items (I'd care more about my grandmother's necklace being stolen than our TV) but you have a really good perspective on the experience – much more graceful than I would be, for sure.

    We live in the city, in a nice area that's just a few blocks away from a very troubled area. Our neighbor, and our neighbor's dogs have twice caught someone casing our property. Very scary. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice.

  • I am so sorry you had to go through this experience. I know what it is like. My house was robbed and trashed 3 years ago while I was in the hospital with a broken ankle.

  • Oh Carmel, I'm so, so sorry this happened to you. I hate that this happened practically in my back yard. You have such a positive outlook. So happy you have come through it and have forgiven. Not sure how I would react. We just sold our house, so will have inspectors and appraisers going through it. Now you have me thinking.

  • Oh this is awful, Carmel! I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family. I had a robbery incident at our last house, but it was to me personally outside of the house, and my purse was taken. I however had a hard time recovering and was terrified. Therefore, I'm soo glad too that no one was home at your house when this happened. However, having someone in your own space and taking your own belongings leaves you feeling violated and unsafe, which is just a terrible feeling. I'm glad you've already dealt with this so well, and prayer definitely gets us through anything. You are absolutely right that we are very fortunate not to be in a place that obviously others are when they resort to these sorts of actions. We are blessed.

  • Oh my gosh, that's horrifying and heartbreaking. I'm so sorry you had to go through that violation. Although I realize you've had a month to ponder it, and I'm sure you've had moments that weren't so clear, your attitude and outlook that comes through here is refreshing. I'm not sure I would/could see it the same way. Again, I'm so sorry. I hope they're being punished for their crime.

  • I am sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing. A reminder for us all to stay secure. My mac-daddy camera was stolen from my house more than likely by a photographer who was photographing our house in Louisville as we prepared to put it on the market. I felt completely violated and we were unable to prove it. A video camera would have been the answer. We also should have had a rider ?sp? on the camera. Live and learn. The only thing that helps for me is to think of karma.

  • Carmel, I've been reading your blog for a while now, and I am truly upset that this happened to such an inspiring and uplifting family. Just like with most things I've seen here, you seem to be dealing with this horrific situation with grace and tact. I can't imagine how awful this experience was, but please know that you have many fans here who are grateful for your posts and want to see you happy (and safe)! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I hope that justice is served.

  • i am so sorry. when i was a kid our neighbor broke in to our house a few times and took pretty much everything. i remember coming home from school and seeing a broken window and realizing that almost all of our stuff was gone. i am so glad your kids didn't have to go through that and see your house torn apart. it's really hard but you will get through it.

  • I am so sorry this happened Carmel. Praise God that He has given you peace and that you can rest in His promises. Thank you so much for sharing, I know that there are so many people that needed to hear your words today. Blessings to you and your family.

  • So sorry this happened to you. My parents were robbed the night of my wedding in Lex. They live in a small town a couple of hours away so the people who did it knew they would be out of town that night. They arrived home to find out the next day then held it together every time I spoke to them on the phone until we were back home from our honeymoon. They didn't want to tell us and put a damper on things at such an exciting time for us. They, too, lost things that can never be replaced and unfortunately we have a big reminder every year of when it happened. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

  • I am so sorry this happened to your family, but thanks for sharing. We are trying to sell our home right now (by owner) and I have been too lax about letting people in that I don't know well. I am a naive person to a fault and want to trust that everyone is good. Obviously, this isn't true.

    I hope you have some peace and comfort knowing you have helped others hopefully prevent something like this.

  • OMG Carmel. Im so sorry sweetie. I cant imagine all the emotions you and your family must have been feeling. Though they may have taken your THINGS they could never ever take away your wonderful memories surrounding them. Sending you positive thoughts and hoping you'll soon be able to see this through.

  • This is heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time…I think it's amazing that you've turned an event that is awful into a stepping stone to do things for others. I can't imagine having to go through a violation like that, but if I ever do, I will certainly think back to your take on how to deal with it <3

  • Oh my goodness. Carmel I am so sorry to hear this. But you are awesome! Love how you turned this whole ordeal around. I like you a lot for this. Such a powerful post and know I'm thinking about the workers that will be at my house in a few days. I usually don't have time to read blogs as much, but wanted to pop over to yours for the Paleo diet I asked you about. You were meant to write this post… Maybe it was meant for me to read it. Thank you. Sending you a hug my friend:-)

  • So sorry this happened to you and your family. Thank God you weren't at home. It's hard when you have to deal with things like this but I commend your spirit! Don't let anyone steal your joy! Love your pointers and they are all things we had to consider a year ago. There were a lot of break-ins in our neighborhood and someone was snooping around our back porch and tampering with my husbands motorcycle. Very scary, very.

  • add my sorries to this. somehow or another it feels a bit worse when it was someone invited into your home and being well paid for work they are doing. just seems like a double or triple invasion, somehow. It is good to be able to forgive and get on ones life so they have no more power in your life. you have managed this so very well and inspire us to tuck this away in our hearts in case we need it.

  • How very sad something like this has to happen to any of us. As written above, I and others,like yourself, have had this invasion of our home. We were lucky, only piggy banks full of coins were taken,but more than several hundred dollars, but thankfully, our safe was locked. Our cat, laying on the steps, as the thief went up the stairs, tripped the robber, and scared him away. He was later caught, and that's how we know that, he said he was attacked by our cat. funny in a way…but he was in other homes, near us, and when the officers finally caught him, the guy had bags of coins and change from everybody, that he robbed. He did get caught, and I thank my cat, for proving he was in our home. We couldn't prove the amount he took from us, but he was at least caught. Still, what a terrible feeling, knowing someone is in your home, touching and going through your personal items. I have no sympathy for this person.

  • Oh my goodness, at first when I saw this post of my feed I thought it was going to be a story about how you were cleaning out your closet and it looked like your closet was ransacked, or that your daughter decided to play dress up and broke a closet pole down and left your closet a disaster. Needless to say I'm shocked and terrified for you. The fact that you had to go through this, keep your kids from it, but have come out "on top" is amazing. You should also be thankful that you are strong! That totally stinks about your locket, but you're right, you have that memory and no one can ever take that from you. Thinking of you Carmel.

  • Sigh! Oh goodness, my heart hurts for you and your family at what you have been through but thank you so much for sharing. Your attitude towards all of this makes the world that much better!! HUGS!!!

  • SO very sorry that you had to endure this, my mother (77) was held up in her own home about 5 years ago and was put down on the floor with a gun to her head and the man's hand over her mouth and told not to look at them or make a noise. They proceeded to remove all the electronic equipment and left without doing any further harm. All my Mum could say was "thank goodness your Dad is deaf and was sleeping" she was scared he would wake in the middle of the whole thing and they would be shot.
    He of course carries the guilt that he didn't know any of what was happening until it was over and he couldn't protect my Mum.
    Mum has just triumphed over breast cancer, the Docs reckon that this incident triggered it.
    We will never know for sure, but we have all the security measures in place now to keep them safe from this happening again and we have an abiding faith in our Lord that takes away the feelings of anger.
    God Bless and keep you and your family in the palms of His loving hands always.
    With love and hugs from Cape TOwn, South Africa. xx

  • I'm the quietest daily reader of your blog..I've never commented. I am for the first time today to pass on my thoughts. This is horrible & makes me sad that you had to go thru it, I'm glad you can learn something from this 🙁 xx

  • I'm so very sorry you and your family had to go through this awful time. So sorry there are people in this world that think it is okay to invade and steal. Sending positive thoughts your way.

  • Carmel, I'm so sorry this happened. My childhood home was broken into twice when I was younger, they destroyed the door, stole stain glass windows, used our own pillowcases to load up with stuff. They even sat and ate a salami sandwich and left the fridge wide open. Stole the penny jar, my moms wedding ring, class ring, etc. I can close my eyes right now and see images of the wooden door busted right down the middle by a sledge hammer. I can remember the police dusting the penny jar for prints. I still harbor resentment over the violation of my childhood trust in people, I am a brand new reader to your blog and your comments are far above grace, they are setting you free. Kudos to you for your strength and kudos to you and your mom for cleaning things up to not let your children have those same haunting images that I still have. Much love and peace.
    Rory Reding

  • I'm very sorry this happened to you and your family! Unfortunately I know the feeling as well. A few years ago while I was in class (at UK) one day someone broke into my home off campus, and I was only gone for less than 2 hours!! I'm still cautious to this day, but your post makes me feel better even after all this time. More power to you on your vision and perspective on all this, and thank you for sharing!!

  • I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. You certainly show God's grace by forgiving the person(s) who did this. I don't think I could be so forgiving.

  • Oh my God!!! I am so very sorry, but so very happy the kids did not see that. I know exactly how you feel. My parents home was robbed at night with my and my little brother inside. We never understood how come we did not wake up. Next morning my brother started screaming: 'My fishes! Where are my fishes?? My mom reassured him they were ok. We still laugh at that.

  • I, too, am so sorry your family had to endure this tragedy. My mom, who is 83, was robbed about a month ago. She had been shopping, came home and fell asleep in her chair leaving the garage door and kitchen door unlocked. I am thankful that she slept through the entire thing even though the robbers took electronics, checks, and many personal items. They have not caught the person/persons who robbed her, but we know that she will never see her stuff again. You are so right about the rider on your insurance – she didn't have one for those personal items and she will not get any reimbursement for them (and they were quite expensive). Thank you for this post as it might encourage others to have riders on their insurance policies and an alarm system installed.
    Hugs to you and your family!
    Carol

  • oh my goodness Carmel!! thats is awful but I am so glad to know that no one was home & that you are able to see good in such an awful situation. And thank you for the reminder- I would have never thought about doing background checks on workers. And now I will also go through & check all my windows after they leave my home! Thank you for sharing this with us!!

  • Wow. I am so sorry to hear that, but I'm glad that you turned a negative into a positive. Last year, someone took my daughter's birthday money right out of her birthday cards, can you believe it? That's never happened before, and the only new face at her party was a neighbor of mine. Unbelievable…Needless to say, my daughter's birthday was very low-key this year. It can be so difficult to trust people…Thanks for sharing a very personal story. Be encouraged. 🙂

  • I feel like i want to cry, for you, and for the person that did this. I would hate to be in such an awful position in life where i had to steal from others.

    I hope you managed to get the house straight again, and the culprit is caught. such a horrible position to be in, your home is your sanctuary and for someone to come and do this its just plain mean.

    thank you for raising awareness x

  • I read your post from yesterday with a heavy heart…thank you for sharing with all of your readers and for your gracious, kind and well grounded expressions on what you and your family have learned from this experience. I always enjoy reading your blog and value your input, but I also have gained tremendous perspective into the kind of person you are through this recent unpleasant situation…I hope that the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice.

    My wallet was stolen last year and the process of closure and seeking restitution for myself and my peers has been very growthful 🙂

  • Wow, that is so scary! Glad you all were not home either. This happen to me when I was little. Came home to a big mess like this and I was the only one home after school. It is just scary to visualize someone in your home like that but these tips you shared are all good things for everyone to consider and to also remember that this kind of stuff happens and it can happen to you!

    Thanks for sharing
    Laura
    House Envy

  • So sorry! That is such an awful thing to have happen. Thanks for sharing such a sweet testimony of true happiness. It's true that real happiness doesn't come from things and it is a constant DIY project. One that is entirely up to us and no one can ruin unless we allow them to.

  • oh Carmel, I'm sorry this happened to you and your family…but what a beautiful perspective you have after this happened, especially when you said that what fuels your happiness does not come from stuff…and i'm really happy to have the opportunity to read this & to learn from your experience…
    huggies♥

  • My parents were robbed last year. My dad came home while they were still in the house. That scared me more than anything. That and the fact that my parents left in separate vehicles and the house was only vacant for 20 minutes and the robbers did loads of damage. My grandmother passed away about 2 months before the robbery and they stole her jewelry. We still have our memories but it's nice to hold something when you're missing someone special. I'm beyond thankful nothing happened to my dad and no one was hurt; that's what is really important.

  • Very true, the most important thing is that no one was hurt, but it is such an invasion of privacy. Hope your family is doing well now – it's hard to lose those special things you inherited from a loved one.

    • Be the first to know!

    Want to be a Fifth House Insider?

    Get the latest updates, exclusive content and behind the scenes photos delivered to your inbox weekly!

    Privacy Policy

    2025 © Our Fifth House

    made with love by LBD

    Shop

    Want to be a Fifth House Insider?

    Get the latest updates, exclusive content and behind the scenes photos delivered to your inbox weekly!