It can happen to anyone and at any time

  • Published
  • By Jim Raabe, AEDC Chief of Safety
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  My wife's Jeep was broken into sometime between 3-5 p.m. June 14 by a meth user described by local police as a "known menace to society."

We got home at 5:15 p.m. from a shopping trip and were taking the dogs out when I noticed glass on the ground behind the Jeep. A brick was clearly visible inside the vehicle and was believed to be the tool used to break the window. The police were then called.

At the same time police were investigating the break-in, a call came in to investigate a person acting suspiciously just down the road a few blocks. He was described as under the influence and disoriented. An officer stated he was known to be dangerous, in and out of jail, and an HIV positive meth user.

The initial investigation showed the offender cut himself entering and exiting the vehicle through the busted back window leaving blood throughout the vehicle and contents.

One officer brought the offender to the scene and checked his pockets for petty cash removed from the vehicle. He appeared confused but had the exact amount we stated was taken from the console plus some papers with my wife's name.

When I asked if he would remember this event, the officer stated the offender would not have any memory of the incident and that his brain was already "mush" due to years of meth use. One of the officers also stated he thought the police were "taking him out for a joy-ride."

After the police completed their investigation I traced the path he took from the house to the point where he was picked up and found unwanted contents stolen from the Jeep that were discarded along the way. It was mostly personal information such as vehicle paperwork and receipts.

Amongst the items taken were a Garman GPS, various cellphone chargers, CDs, prescription glasses, sun glasses, vehicle paperwork, a garage door opener and some petty cash, which were all located out of sight in the center console and glove box. He had most of the items in his possession when he was arrested.

The material things really don't matter to me but the event reemphasized the need to be aware of my surroundings, and to always lock the car doors and the house. Although we always lock vehicle doors and use the home security system, this event could have ended much differently if he attempted to enter the house when we were home or stumble upon him while he was breaking into the Jeep.

We are thankful that the event transpired the way it did and no one was seriously injured.

I'm sharing my story with hopes that other people remain aware of their surroundings at home or anywhere, lock vehicle doors and don't leave anything visible in a vehicle to tempt a burglar, and lock house doors at all times.

This proved to me that an event such as this could happen to anyone and at any time, even an overly-cautious safety guy.
-AEDC-