Teen at home when thief kicks down door

 

SAN ANTONIO -- Every week, the News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooters track the crimes that happen in your neighborhood. This week, we're looking at home burglaries and what you can do to make your home more secure.

Ben Cantu was still a bit shaken up when he spoke to News 4 WOAI about the call he got from his 14-year-old grandson around 9:00 a.m. Monday as someone tried to break into the teen's home on the South Side.
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"What happened was the car apparently drove into the driveway, parked right here, and the individual started beating on the front door. As he was walking to the back, he heard him start beating on the back door, " explained Cantu. ""When he couldn't open it, he started kicking it. And, at that time, my grandson went into the bathroom and shut the door."

He called 911, just as the guy kicked down the door.

"He had completely busted the door," Cantu added. "We had to replace the whole frame."

The burglar ended up getting away with a laptop computer.

His grandson wasn't hurt, but it hit way too close to home for Ben.

"This was terrifying for me," Cantu told News 4 WOAI.

 

 

What you can do to secure your home

News 4 WOAI's crime prevention expert, Gilbert de la Portilla says there are things we can do to make it very hard for burglars to get in.

Windows. Gilbert says you should make sure your windows are locked. If possible, replace older, single-pane windows with double-pane windows. It will take more than a tap to break them.

Bushes. Gilbert also recommends you trim down the bushes next to the windows. Don't give a crook a place to hide while they try to break into your home.

Lighting. Adding outside lighting is also a good idea. Thieves don't want to be in the 'spotlight' when they are trying to steal your belongings.

Locks. Gilbert says you should use deadbolt locks on your doors with strong strike plates. He recommends you take out short screws and install 2.5 inch to 3 inch wood screws.

Peepholes. It's best if you can look before you unlock. If you can't see who is at your door from a window, then install a door viewer. Gilbert recommends you get one that has really wide view, such as

Door Scope.

 

Reported by:

Delaine Mathieu
Email: DelaineMathieu@woaitv.com
Last Update: 10:56 am
 

 

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Sales up; prices aren't

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Long- and Short-Term Mortgage Rates Fall Again This Week

WOW!

McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.84 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 20, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.93 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.82 percent. Once again, the 30-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending December 10, 2009, when it averaged 4.81 percent.

 

The 15-year FRM this week averaged 4.24 percent with an average 0.7 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.30 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.50 percent. The 15-year FRM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started tracking the 15-year FRM in August of 1991.

The 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.91 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.95 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.79 percent. This breaks last week's record and, again, the 5-year ARM has not been lower since Freddie Mac started tracking the 5-year ARM in January of 2005.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 4.00 percent this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 4.02 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.82 percent. The 1-year ARM has not been lower since the week ending October 28, 2004 when it averaged 3.96 percent.

"Mortgage rates eased back once again this week to the lowest level of the year," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. "Low mortgage rates, coupled with the homebuyer tax credit, helped strengthen the housing market in the first four months of the year. New construction on one-family homes rose for the fourth consecutive month in April to an annualized rate of nearly 0.6 million units and represented the strongest pace since August 2008. Three of the four Census regions showed increases, led by a 14.8 percent jump in the South.

"Moreover, homebuilder confidence rose for the second straight month in May to the highest level since August 2007, according the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index .

Published: May 21, 2010

 

 

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Facebook | Carol J Higdon-Woodward

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