suspicious visitor last night

[blacktail]

Last night at about 12:40am I had just shut off my computer and was about to go to bed when there was a knock at my front door. My house is about 100 yards from the road and my driveway is gravel, dark, and lined with trees. I didn't hear a car come up the driveway so I assumed it must have been one of the few neighbors I have. I went to the door, turned on the porch light, and asked who it was. A woman's voice responded and said her name was Susan. I don't know any Susan. Without opening the door, I asked what she wanted and she gave me some BS about trying to find the store. Hmmmm. The nearest store is a few miles away on a different road. And it's sure not down a dark gravel road in the woods.
I had the pocket pistol that I normally have on me when I'm home. Thinking this was a potentially bad situation, I told the lady to hang on a minute, then I went to the bedroom and got a larger pistol.
When I got back to the living room and looked out the window there was nobody around. At that point I turned on all the outside lights and turned off all the lights inside.
In the end, nothing happened. I did call 911 and got a call back from a deputy. He said they'd have someone drive around the area and that was the last I heard.
Pretty odd stuff. It definitely kept me up longer than I planned. I think it was 3:00 when I finally went to bed.
I'm giving a 50/50 chance of two things.
A. She was drunk or high on something else and wandering around lost.
B. She had some associates with her and they were waiting for me to crack the door open.

 

[hossthehermit]

I'd lean toward B

 

[fishingpol]

"B" as in bushwhack. Maybe casing your place out. I'm glad you kept a clear head through that.

 

[raybonz]

I'd hate to get lost in your neighborhood lol..

 

[midwestcoast]

Unsettling. I've had similar happen even later at night (twice), but I live in town and it was my neighbor wanting to use the phone. I know this neighbor so there was NO way I was opening the door for the likes of her.
Good time to keep your cool, armed or not.

 

[blacktail]

On my way to the hardware store to buy a peephole now.
This is a pretty low crime area, especially for those of us who live back off the road a bit. From what I've heard, most of the problems with theft over the years have been at the houses right on the road where people can get in and out quickly.
In hindsight, what I should have done is gone into the bedroom nearest the front door. It's a good spot to see who is at the door and talk to them.

 

[sheetmetaldan]

You did all the right things! When you own a gun the lock on the door is for their protection!

 

[raybonz]

You did all the right things! When you own a gun the lock on the door is for their protection!

Think you're the 1st Acushnet guy I've seen here Dan.. I drive through Acushnet when I visit my dad in NB. My sister and brother-in-law live across the street from Roseland and have been there around 30 years.. I know many people there..

Ray

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Blacktail, it sounds as if you had the situation well under control. We had that happen once when we were in our motor home. I opened the window and told her to get lost, then I lifted the persuader. lol Never heard any more.

 

[Hills Hoard]

That would have freaked me out!

 

[velvetfoot]

We put a farm gate on the end of our driveway.

 

[flyingcow]

I'd lean toward B

I agree.

 

[Pallet Pete]

You will love this one black tail ! When I was driving semi over the road 48 states I pulled off in Georgia one night and put my window down. About an hour later I heard hey you hey HEY HEY ! I climbed out of the bunk very tired too and found a lot lizard. She said you want some ? Me being young and inexperienced with these sort of things I said some what ! It's 2am for crying out loud ! Then it hit me I said no go away she started to climb though the window I pushed her out and started to roll up the window but the lady would not let go. She managed to get about half way in before my foot hit her face and out she went thump. I quickly put the window up and locked the doors. She stood there yelling for about 5 minutes then I watched her stumble away. Truth be told I was terrified and was not sure what to do or think when I told the truck stop manager the next morning he said o you mean Jess ! My response was WHAT ? ! Apparently she would get arrested then get out and come right back and do it again over and over. I am glade your ok those moments are really scary they do make good stories for later though. Maybe a driveway sensor would help as well cheap and effective.

Pete

 

[BrotherBart]

She managed to get about half way in before my foot hit her face and out she went thump.

So driver, you are the one that kicked Jess. She told me about you good buddy.

 

[Lumber-Jack]

I have had a 8 camera surveillance system installed at my home for several years now, nothing or nobody comes or goes without it being recorded on a video file.
I can even check what's happened, or happening, at my home while I'm away. It's a very comforting feeling. Not only that, it's a great deterrent once the word eventually gets out around the neighborhood, through my kids and neighbors, that we have a video surveillance security system watching our home, trouble makers just stay away.
For a few hundred bucks they are well worth the cost.

 

[ChipTam]

I agree.

I would suggest a third scenario. Scenario C has been happening regularly in rural areas around here in Michigan. Person or persons knock on the door. If they get a response they say they're looking for Fred, Ralph, Harry, Barbara, or a local business. If they don't get a response they break in. This has been happening in the middle of the day as well as at night.

 

[blacktail]

I would suggest a third scenario. Scenario C has been happening regularly in rural areas around here in Michigan. Person or persons knock on the door. If they get a response they say they're looking for Fred, Ralph, Harry, Barbara, or a local business. If they don't get a response they break in. This has been happening in the middle of the day as well as at night.

I know that's a popular method. But in my situation, I was probably the only house around with signs of life at that hour. I had lights and the TV on. The light of the TV would be obvious from the front of the house and I'll bet they could hear it from the porch.
It's possible the lady WAS inebriated and lost and picked my house because it was the only one around with lights on.

 

[blacktail]

I like the idea of a driveway alarm and always thought it would be something I'd get when I got a house. After getting my house I felt it was pretty safe here and kind of forgot about the alarm idea.
I would get a gate but I share my driveway with one neighbor and I'm sure they wouldn't want one. We keep a close eye on each other's places and it's unlikely anyone can get down the driveway without getting noticed.

 

[ironpony]

Glad it turned out well for you. I also live back off the road quite aways, if someone knocks on my door at any hour, my friend Sig (Sauer) and I answer the door.
Not sure how many might have tried to come up the driveway but the 120 lb Rottie is the first deterent.

 

[DAKSY]

...the 120 lb Rottie is the first deterent.

Teeth are definitely a good deterrent...

 

[lukem]

Not sure how many might have tried to come up the driveway but the 120 lb Rottie is the first deterent.

HA. My buddy has one of those at his house. When I knock on the door or ring the bell it sounds like a stampede then he barks so loud it shakes the windows. I've known him long enough I'd have no problem going in the house without knocking, and he wouldn't have a problem with it either, but I'm not going in there without him escorting me through the door.

 

[ironpony]

funny thing is he NEVER barks, just gives you the "Go ahead and make my day" look.
If on the very rare occasion he does bark, it gets you on full alert, quickly

 

[lukem]

This dog is the same way. The first couple times I would come over he'd sit there with this "As soon as the boss tells me it's OK, I'm gonna #$%$ you up" look on his face. We're cool now though.

 

[JDC1]

We had the a similar occurrence happen around thanksgiving. I saw him twice creeping around. Caught me off guard both times as we have the Glock twins locked safely away from our small children. Our lab didn't wake up until the sheriff came to the house. We now have a 5 month old german shepherd as an extra set of eyes and ears.

 

[DAKSY]

We had the a similar occurrence happen around thanksgiving. I saw him twice creeping around. Caught me off guard both times as we have the Glock twins locked safely away from our small children. Our lab didn't wake up until the sheriff came to the house. We now have a 5 month old german shepherd as an extra set of eyes and ears.

Wow...I'd say something about the SIZE of those ears, but I'm afraid I'd be heard...