I got up very early this morning.
I had nothing to do so I turned on my computer and decided to watch videos on YouTube. I also turned on my TV and put it on security camera monitor mode. I usually do this when I'm on my computer and not watching TV.
At one point just before seven, I turned to see the monitor. I noticed a dark SUV blocking our driveway. I thought about going outside and saying something to whoever was in it but decided not to. There was no doubt in my mind it was probably just a tweeker who had come over to visit the dope house next door.
We have new neighbors. They moved in about a month ago and the first thing I noticed is the constant in-and-out traffic in that house. All day, but mostly at night from around 10pm to around 6am. I can't stand it. They have people coming and going at all hours of the night. I have been woken up many times by their constant chatter.
Well I've got a couple of Aces up my sleeve and I'm playing them. If all goes well they'll be gone in about a month or two.
Anyway, to continue with today's story. I noticed the SUV blocking the driveway and decided to just wait and let them leave on their own. And so they did.
A short while later I heard about three or four gun shots. I immediately looked at my monitor. I have four cameras connected to it. Two watch the front of the house in both directions and two watch the back yard in different angles.
As I watched I saw what looked like the same SUV drive by the front of the house in a hurry. I decided to review the footage to see what was going on and this is what I discovered:
I saw two people exit the front gate of the dope house next door. A woman who looked pretty much like a common hooker and a guy who was wearing a hoody and matching pants that looked like cow's hide. You know, white with black patches. Except that the guy's outfit was white with light blue patches.
As they walked past the SUV out front, patches stopped to talk to whoever was in the SUV, he evidently knew them. The woman continued on her way down the street.
A few minutes later another guy walked up the street and stopped to talk to the group at the SUV. He was wearing all dark clothes. To me he looked pretty much like a common crack-head. They exchanged some words. I then saw patches repeatedly look down the street. After a short while he took a walk down the street.
While patches was gone Mr. Crack-head also continued on his way and went directly to the dope house. Yep, I knew it. He was eventually let in through the gate and into the house.
Patches returned and went straight to the driver. Patches evidently saw something exciting because the driver got out of the SUV and they both walked down the street. A few moments later they returned. Now, Patches, the driver, and the SUV passenger who had been sitting inside the SUV were all behind the SUV rummaging through the cargo area.
Eventually I figured out they were getting their tools ready. I saw the passenger get a car jack out the back and set it on the rear seat. Then they all got into the SUV. The driver made a three point turn and headed down the street. At the intersection down the street he made a U-turn and returned back up the street about half way up the block. There they stopped. I could see them get out of the vehicle and I could see they were up to something but I couldn't see what it was.
It was at this time that the shots rang out. I saw all three of them get back into the SUV and hurriedly drive up the street and past my house. This is why I had seen the SUV drive past my house right after I heard the shots fired earlier. (Remember, I'm watching surveillance footage at this time.)
After a while of watching the footage I put the monitor back on "live" mode. Now I could see police vehicles down the street. In the same area where the SUV and those three guys had been when the shots were fired.
I decided to take a walk over there just to rubber-neck. I asked a cop if someone had been shot. He answered that he didn't know. I didn't like his answer. I felt he was just brushing me off. I also heard some cops talk among themselves and say, "There's a camera over there" (referring to the cameras on my house). Right at this point I decided to simply walk back to my house. Nothing to see here.
So, to summarize it all. The guys in the SUV and the guy who walked out of the dope house were all catalytic converter thieves. They had spotted and targeted a car down the street from my house. They had already jacked up the car and were going to cut off the car's catalytic converter but were caught in the act by the owner. As to who fired the shots I do not know. Remember the cop brushed me off when I asked if someone had been shot. So I asked no further questions and simply walked away. Evidently the crooks left so rapidly they even left their car jack still underneath the car and the car jacked up.
Yes officer. I saw everything and I also have surveillance footage. But just as you brushed me off when I asked you a question, I will brush you off also. I don't know!
P.S. I did see the police searching the ground near the vehicle as if looking for bullet casings. So it's probable that the crooks fired the shots to make a hasty getaway.
