Makes answering the door at odd hours a little more stressful
 

Is that really a cop knocking?

LINK

Three sought in home invasion
By WILLIAM F. WEST
Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Law enforcement officials are seeking three suspects in connection with a home invasion in Pasquotank County Tuesday that involved one armed suspect breaking into the residence after claiming to be an FBI agent.

No one was seriously injured in the incident, although the resident of the Millpond Road home did suffer a cut to his head while leaping through a rear window, Pasquotank Sheriff Randy Cartwright said.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance video footage shot by cameras at the man’s residence for clues to the identities of the suspects.

Cartwright said the incident began about 5 a.m. when the Millpond Road resident awoke to the sounds of someone kicking in his front door.

The resident told investigators that a male carrying a rifle entered his house and claimed to be with the FBI, Cartwright said. The resident told authorities that he asked the intruder to show him credentials proving that he worked for the FBI but the intruder refused.

At that point, the resident went back into his bedroom and locked the door, Cartwright said. The resident then jumped out a rear window, slightly injuring himself, he said.

Surveillance video shot by cameras on the front of the house showed two suspects on the porch of the house prior to the break-in. The video also apparently shows the suspects, one of them holding the rifle, running away from the residence, Cartwright said.

Investigators believe a third suspect was involved because the video also shows someone in a vehicle dropping off the two other suspects prior to the incident.

Cartwright said he wasn’t able to provide a description of the suspects right now. His department is trying to enhance the video so that descriptions can be released.

We can make this the home invasion thread
 

One for victims rights. I was surprised as this is the PDRM...(Peoples Democratic Republic of Maryland).

Broadsword,
Any law enforcement official, be it federal or local, also has to carry an ID with them. When I was an LEO, not only did I have my badge but I had a photo ID. Most LEO's also carry the ID and badge in a special style wallet specifically made for that. And as far as I know, most LEO shops that sell that stuff require proof that you are indeed what you say you are.
You are allowed to ask them for identification. Just like if a women who is suddenly being told to pull over on a dark and desolate road...go to a well lit, well populated area or the local station.

Home Invasions happen so often (about everyday) in the Phoenix area it doesn't make the front page nor does the major media cover it...... most are illegals and most target the elderly. Oh and it happened (AGAIN) last night....... and people wonder why we want to target the illegals???????

(Note to the bad guys, I always answer my front door with a gun in hand, always.;))

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news...asion-07082010

Police: Suspects Invade Home, Take Prescription Drugs
Updated: Thursday, 08 Jul 2010, 6:19 PM MDT
Published : Thursday, 08 Jul 2010, 2:15 PM MDT

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Police say two men forced their way into a home belonging to a retired couple in Surprise and stole prescription drugs.

It happened about 1 a.m. at a home near 174th Avenue and Loop 303.

Police say two men forced their way into the home and burglarized the home. A retired couple was inside the house and woke up to banging on their front door.

As the woman walked up to the door, the two men broke in and knocked her to the ground, breaking her wrist.

The two men apparently knew exactly where to go and what they were looking for, so they probably had cased the house before and knew the couple took medication.

Police are looking for two men in their 20s or 30s. One is Hispanic and the other may be Hispanic or white.

If you have any information about this case, contact the Surprise Police Department.

They are becoming more and more common. D.C. is a big one for that...as a criminal you are pretty well assured that your designated target is unarmed. A neigborhood barbeque was "held up" in D.C. over the 4th of July weekend. One elderly gentleman killed because he would not "lay on the ground and empty his pockets". He struggled with one of the scumbags and the other scumbags shot him.

Perps got away with less than $100.

Good job D.C.....gun control is working....

I posted this for consideration is it goes beyond a normal invasion (how normal can that be) in which you know that they are bad guys coming in. By these guys declaring to be police, it makes the victims hesitant to react and will work in almost all cases. In this case, the victims are very fortunate to not be harmed.

The problem arises when, especially after so many reports of LEO entering the wrong house, the homeowner has a much more complicated situation. Are these guys really cops? Can I defend myself? Can I determine what they really are before it's too late?

And it seems that in most cases where a confused resident defends themselves against what turns out to be police entering the wrong house, the resident gets killed when LEO shoots back or they face attempted murder charges.

The cases are rare but they do happen and it's a no win for the resident.

If your worried about the police serving you a "no knock" you need to take a few precautions.

1. If you live in a crappy part of town CLEARLY marking your address on the front and back of your home.
2. Do not break the law.
3. Get to know your local lawmen (prior to the "no knock" meeting).

May I respectfully add, a BIG problem is that samples of real identification are all over the web. Google (image) variations of the words "credentials", "police ID" "police badges". That sort of thing. You'll find lots. Here are a couple references.


http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/Blott...08.pdf#page=58

(go to the samples included)

Also, this guy is a piece of work - but the badge/ID are legit:

http://www.tedgunderson.net/photo_album.html

With all of the home invasions, you simply can't be sure. Agents are taught the wisdom of having local uniformed LE accompany them when executing a warrant - not only for you but so that the "locals" don't get surprised and drive up on a raid in progress. Also, they are taught to wear lots of blue wind breakers with big badges and agency letters displayed (over their body armor).

v/r
JAGO

Call 911 and ask them if they have a unit at your address, if they can wait that long.

If not, you have the rest of your life to make a few important decisions.

TR

Said it before me, call 911 and ask if you have real cops at your front door.
Knowing I've done nothing for a cop to be at my door, if someone stated they were cops, at night, I'd say "I'll be right there!!" and go get my 12 ga. Competition Master, it's loaded with 00 Buck, goes through front doors like butter.......:D

Unfortunately there are cases of police getting the wrong house even clearly marked. Even though the odds are small it happens.

And if criminals start mimicing the police..

(Note to the bad guys, I always answer my front door with a gun in hand, always.)/quote/TS

I'll bet you must scare the s*#t out of the pizza boy............;)

Big Teddy :munchin