Sightseeing thief

[Lelandwelds]

My dad and I didn't know Master padlocks are such low security padlocks. I count just over a hundred across the ranch. We bought them keyed alike in multiples of twelve ( 0r whatever). There is quite a variety but none are re keyable.

For years, we have found items missing, tools used and left out, gates left open, padlocks locked up in the wrong place, etc. Dad was blaming me. I though Dad was losing his marbles.

We moved some game cameras to new locations and picked up a guy avoiding the old cameras. Cant recognise him but he is on foot . So, i suspect a local.

None of the locks were damaged. Some are on chains or hasps. Others have hoods welded around them.

I've spent a week on YouTube and the internet. Wow! The world has changed. I'm a bit freaked.

[Lelandwelds]

Since we have so many locks, is there a smarter option than just buying better locks?

I've read about adding tougher driver pins and welding Master padlocks back together. I'm interested in Commando and Paclock. Abus has some interesting locks. I'm leaning to limiting access to the lock with better hasps or hoods.

Is there a better lock for outbuildings, tool boxes, water valves, etc. Is there some stategy like master keying that ive never heard of?

I'd hate to eventually replace a bunch of padlocks when some other option would have been better.

[gumptrick]

There some Master locks which have a replaceable core, but most of the "classic" models do not have a replaceable core. Theoretically you could grind the rivets off, change the core, and weld it back together, but that's an enormous amount of effort in my opinion. In my opinion if you want to upgrade the locks then it would make more sense to replace them with something better like American, Abus, or Paclock.

[Squelchtone]

If you can afford it, get a bunch of American Lock 5200 Keyed Alike with serrated security pins and at least put them in the places most often broken into, but if this guy has picks or bump keys, the American Lock may not stop him for long. Any chance he got one of your keys somehow (ex employee, handy man, key left under a rock or "hidden" next to a door under a watering can or something that a bad guy would check for?)

Abus No.41 is tricky to pick, $6.95 if you order 30 or more from http://www.mrlock.com/abus-padlock-41-30-ka-ee0115

or

Here's an ebay seller who has 40 of these "high security" "disc detainer" Abloy mechanism knock off padlocks that normal picks dont work on (unless you're a member here, we can still open these
$2.55 per padlock, smallish, but close to the size of a Master No.3 padlock

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182657128980

[Lelandwelds]

SQUELCHTONE That's a quick response.

That American 5200 looks like the Paclock 200. I liked it because the square body would make it easy to modify tool boxes to lock on the body like a Job box . Is that Paclock a SFIC?

That eBay lock is tiny. Suspiciously inexpensive. Do you own one?

Most of our locks have 3/8 or 7/16 shackle. The 1/4 shackle are kept in vehicles and junk drawers for temporary use. Never had any employees here. We have 22 different keys total. Six are used " regularly". I'd like to reduce the number of keys. I probably wont replace all 100 . Just about 20 important ones.

This is the politest thief you could imagine. He's building or repairing stuff while we're at work or out of town. He mostly cleans up and steals just enough to almost not notice. I think this has been going on for years.

[Lelandwelds]

Are those just simple rivets, GUMPTRICK? Anything tricky inside alignment wise?

I might try one just for grins but I think you might be right.

[gumptrick]

Yes, they're just simple rivets. However often times the main shaft of the rivet is a very tight fit into the laminations that make up the body of the lock so don't think you can grind off the rivets and have the lock fall apart. You should expect a certain amount of prying, or perhaps drilling out the rivets. Once you get the bottom off the lock then the core will just fall out.

As for Paclock, they have several different models, some of which are basically copies of American designs. I think they have three different types of replaceable cores (SFIC, LFIC, and KIK). I have bought a few locks from them and I have been very happy. They are easy to deal with over the phone, their locks are good quality, and they offer your choice of keying, master keying, etc. The locks I have are actually quite challenging to pick. They are 6 pin (all security pins--they alternate serrated & spools), and the bitting was nasty on all of them. They are also ball-bearing locking so they cannot be shimmed either.

Also I'm sure you're already on this, but I'd definitely see if you can catch the thief in the act via your gamecams!

[Shackle Jackal]

SQUELCHTONE That's a quick response.

That American 5200 looks like the Paclock 200. I liked it because the square body would make it easy to modify tool boxes to lock on the body like a Job box . Is that Paclock a SFIC?

That eBay lock is tiny. Suspiciously inexpensive. Do you own one?

Most of our locks have 3/8 or 7/16 shackle. The 1/4 shackle are kept in vehicles and junk drawers for temporary use. Never had any employees here. We have 22 different keys total. Six are used " regularly". I'd like to reduce the number of keys. I probably wont replace all 100 . Just about 20 important ones.

This is the politest thief you could imagine. He's building or repairing stuff while we're at work or out of town. He mostly cleans up and steals just enough to almost not notice. I think this has been going on for years.

Is the cost or what he/she is stealing greater than the cost of the repairs he/she has done ? because if not I would just leave them be, call it your ghostly handyman.

[GWiens2001]

Can recommend Commando locks for reasonable pick resistance. However, if you want to reduce number of keys, then some lock with a removable KIK cylinder may be a good idea.

Gordon

[mseifert]

It may be totally unrelated, but I once met this person who believed it was ok to take things they need as long as they did something or left something behind to ease there mind. the person was semi-homeless/transit. It maybe worth trying to make contact and just make a friendly arrangement that if the person helps out on the ranch you will help them out.

could just be someone who is trying to survive and the only thing they have to trade is handyman services..

[Lelandwelds]

This guy isnt working on our stuff. He is taking stuff with him but he's using up about 2 inches of the new chop saw wheel i put on or 500 psi of oxygen i put on only yesterday. Part of the new steel is missing. Welding rod stubs put in trash instead of scrap trailer. Tools left where the truck can back over them.

The dollar amount is between $200 and about $20k. I dont know how long he has been at it. In recent years, a hydraulic lift gate disappeared. We had two barrels of copper alloys vanish. The local radio tower had transmision lines pulled off. He might have used our Bobcat to do it. The crappy locks have left gates vulnerable and allowed access to buildings with the equipment and tools to lift, cut, disassemble any thing he wants.

I think every toolbox and building has been rummaged through. He could be planning on bringing a moving van and cleaning us out. We have stuff here that could be lethal. Many ways this could end badly.

[mseifert]

This guy isnt working on our stuff.

The dollar amount is between $200 and about $20k. I dont know how long he has been at it. In recent years, a hydraulic lift gate disappeared. We had two barrels of copper alloys vanish. The local radio tower had transmision lines pulled off. He might have used our Bobcat to do it. The crappy locks have left gates vulnerable and allowed access to buildings with the equipment and tools to lift, cut, disassemble any thing he wants.

I think every toolbox and building has been rummaged through. He could be planning on bringing a moving van and cleaning us out. We have stuff here that could be lethal. Many ways this could end badly.

I thought I read that he was fixing stuff.. Yes, if he is just using/stealing stuff then you should probably upgrade your security methods.

[Lelandwelds]

I can things disturbed mostly in the workshop but find things moved in other areas. Beer still left in cooler but two empties in the trash instead of recycling. I'm guessing we get a visit two or three times a year.

[cledry]

I can things disturbed mostly in the workshop but find things moved in other areas. Beer still left in cooler but two empties in the trash instead of recycling. I'm guessing we get a visit two or three times a year.

What kind of beer?

[Jacob Morgan]

Could stick a DVR in the workshop, just let it record continuously then rewind next time something is off.

Ever thought about getting some dogs? Years ago people would climb the fence at a fab shop where my grandfather worked. They would toss angle grinders over the fence. So he (he was foreman there) got a dog and let it roam the complex at night. Problem solved.

Some detective work seems in order. How does someone know, whenever he wants to know, that no one is there? Abrasive chop saws are crazy loud--he must know for sure that no one is there and no body is coming back.