On November 18, I drove down to Paola, 20 miles south of Olathe, to take a look inside our TT. I met with a detective and two police officers. The detective told me to go in. I was SO nervous. I walked in and gasped at all the mess. Clothes were strewn around, food here and there, our personal stuff moved around, our bed messed up (ewwww), the toilet filthy (another ewwww), etc. My jaw dropped to the floor. The first thing I looked for was a red toddler chair I got for our oldest son with his name on it 24 years ago. It wasn't there. My heart sank. I then saw my favorite picture which is of the waves from the Outer Banks. I was so relieved. I then spotted a hot pink make up case which I had saved really A LOT of nickels I use for our monthly tripoley games. I picked it up, and it was so light. I immediately knew they took the nickels which was approximately $75. That's okay. I went to our bedroom, checked the closets, and it looked like everything were still there. Then I checked the bathroom, and it was also a mess, especially the toilet. Shucks! I went back to the living room and picked up some clothes. A lot of them belonged to the boy. His two backpacks were there. His school work was scattered on the floor. One of them had his name, Hunter, on it. My heart broke for him. The detective pointed to a TV on one of our chairs, and I said not mine. He then pointed to a DVD player or something, and I shook my head. Then the police officer pointed to the top of the cupboards above the TV, and I looked. I recoiled in shock and gasped. It was a GUN!!! Damn!! The police officer took the gun away. My stomach turned over, and I was ready to throw up. I started to clear the couch with my fingertips, and the detective laughed. He gave me latex gloves, and I created a pile of clothes, shoes, movies, etc., in front of the door, ready to dump them on the grass, but then realized I couldn't leave them. The detective then asked if my husband was coming to take the trailer home as the tow company is ready to charge me for the day. I decided to go back home to change vehicles and pick up my husband. Before I left, I checked the storage underneath the U-shaped dinette and was delighted to find the red chair!!! I screamed and practically climbed inside the storage as it was really deep inside. When I took it out, I hugged it. The detective smiled. I told him I had planned to pass it on to my grandson. Looking around, I realized we had lost several things -- ice maker, 7 cu ft Black & Decker white refrigerator, 6 foot white foldable table, University of Alabama patio lights, a little dipper/food warmer inside a red helmet, and a canvas picture of two Adirondack chairs on the beach. I told the detective. He said to make a list after I clean the TT up. I took pictures and then left. An hour later, we returned and settled the tow bill. Then my husband went inside and was shocked to see the mess inside. A friend of ours met us, too, and was appalled. My husband then hooked up the trailer to the truck, and we returned home. I immediately bought a padlock for the tongue lock, put it in, and felt a little better.
Wednesday, November 19, I took our TT to a RV dealership 30 miles away as they had a lock kit available in stock. They changed the lock, and I felt much better. On my way back home, I stopped at a RV dealership to take a look at a travel trailer I had been keeping an eye on.
Thursday, November 20, my husband bought a
tire boot lock. The store only had one so we will need to get another one. We also got a
coupler lock. I also plan to add a GPS tracking device (thanks to you who provided me the links). That afternoon my son and I went back to the RV dealership to look at another travel trailer. This one was better than the one I looked the day before.
Last Friday, November 21, an adjuster with our insurance agency came to appraise the damages. During lunch, I took my husband to the RV dealership, and he saw those two travel trailers. Each trailer has its pros and cons.
Yesterday I drove out to the country where our TT was hidden and found the place. I took pictures. The day our TT was found, the owner of the property came and locked everything up. Driving back home, once again, I stopped at the RV dealership and took my time looking at each trailer. I finally decided on the
Heritage Glen 302FK just in case we might trade in our TT.
This afternoon I finally cleaned up our TT. Ugh!! The thief is a smoker, and our trailer smells!! Arrrghhh! It took me less than three hours to clean it up. I sorted the clothes, kept the boy's stuff (clothes, sheet, sleeping bag, and backpacks full of his toys, movies, school stuff, karate stuff, phone accessories, etc), put the thief's clothes in another bag, reorganized things, looked for anything missing, checked for the damages, and threw away two bags of garbage as well as a large laundry hamper. I went elsewhere and got rid of the thief's clothes. Screw him! I am going to send the detective an email to let him know I have the boy's stuff ready to be picked up. While going through his stuff, I found a picture of him and his full name. I feel so bad for him
๐ Tomorrow morning I will take the trailer out for a thorough check up. When I get it back, I will have it professionally cleaned up. I am sad that it is no longer our "home sweet home" anymore. I just can't camp in it anymore. I will always be reminded that the thief was in our trailer, sleeping on our bed, using our bathroom, etc.
2015 Heritage Glen 302FK
2012 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel
