Man charged with attempted burglary

April 17, 2009

http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2009/04/17/news/06man.txt
Not quite a home invasion, but it was close.

An 18-year-old man tried to break into a Winona apartment Wednesday night, threatened to kill the occupant and fled when officers arrived, police said.

Melvin Earl Kimp of Winona was charged Thursday with attempted felony burglary, harassment and fleeing police.
Kimp broke a window just after 8:30 p.m. at a residence in the 250 block of Orrin Street and threatened to kill an occupant of the apartment, police said. He also broke the window of a nearby vehicle and ripped off its rearview mirrors, according to reports.

...

Kimp appeared in court Thursday morning, walking with a limp, and asked the judge to release him on his own recognizance. Judge Mary Leahy refused, saying she knew Kimp from past encounters and set unconditional bail at $30,000 and conditional bail at $5,000.

Death threats and burglary, and he wanted recognizance? It's possible there's a reason his life is the way it is.

Security in Your Home, Part 4: Alarms

When most people think of home security, they think of monitored alarm systems. Alarm systems don’t have to be monitored and they don’t have to be a “budget buster.” There are too many options both for installation and monitoring to fit within the scope of this primer.

Unmonitored, wireless security systems can be had for as little as $100. These can be programmed to turn on your lights and trigger an audible alarm. These alarms serve primarily as an "early warning system". They prevent an intruder from entering your home unannounced. Some of them can dial outside numbers, to ask a neighbor to check on your house.

Monitored security systems can make sure the police are summoned, even if you are unable to use the phone. If you avoid the big name alarm companies, it is possible to get a monitored alarm system installed for under $500 and pay less than $10 per month for the monitoring service. Some of these systems monitor for fire or water, too.

Consider getting a dog. Dogs won’t provide effective and reliable protection, unless specifically trained for it, but they make a great early warning system, if you are willing to investigate when they bark. Smaller dogs often provide a better “bark alarm” than big dogs. Big dogs, however, prove a better deterrent to a potential burglar. Any dog will provide some deterrent to burglars. Do not get a dog with the intention of assuming it is a guard dog, unless you are willing to get a dog professionally trained to guard. Dogs should be considered an early warning system and potential deterrent. Beyond that, dogs should be treated as family. If you can’t commit to properly caring for a dog, don't get one.

In short, lock your doors, lock your windows, and do whatever you can to keep someone from getting into your home unannounced.

"Botched Home Invasion," Homeowners Shot

April 2, 2009

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_12056656?nclick_check=1

A man and his wife were shot in their St. Paul home this afternoon, in what police say was a botched home invasion robbery. Their five children were home, but not injured.

The couple, who are in their 40s, were each shot once and are believed to have non-life-threatening injuries, said Peter Panos, police spokesman. They were taken to Regions Hospital, have had surgery and are recovering, he said.

The pair recognized the shooter and police are looking for him, Panos said. It wasn't known if there was more than one suspect.

A man knocked on the front door of the Frogtown house and, when it was answered, forced his way in, Panos said.

A frantic woman called 911 at 12:07 p.m. and reported a home in the 400 block of Blair Avenue had been broken into and two people had been shot, Panos said. The caller was in the home at the time of the shooting, Panos said.

Panos said he didn't know if the children, who range in age from 2 to 15, had witnessed their parents' shooting.

WCCO has a few more details in this article.

It was just after noon on the 400 block of Blair Avenue in St. Paul when police said an intruder forced his way into the home.
...
Shooting sounds rattled this St. Paul neighborhood when the family living in the home was overtaken by a gunman who opened fire.
...
Police said the couple recognized the shooter and believe the motive was robbery.
...

It sounds like the intruders were known to the homeowners in some way. I wonder if we're going to see "not random" mentioned.