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Nob Hill Alert

Last week my neighbor had a break in, and someone stole their son's laptop. I live behind them, by the alley. I just came home and found a man standing in the alley by my apt., drinking a beer. He had a back pack, was wearing shades, a grey sweatshirt, and long dark pants. He has a moustache, a suntanned complexion, and his hair is a dark sandy brown. And he was talking on a cell phone. As soon as I drove up, he and his beer walked to Coal, heading westbound. After a few blocks, he cut into another alley heading north. This guy is scoping out homes for possible break in. I'm sure his back pack is for carrying the small items he rips off. And the fact he's on a cell phone would indicate he's probably not working alone. I called the police. If you see anything similar, don't hesitate to call APD.

1 member likes this

Comment by hettie on May 14, 2012 at 9:51pm: hey richard, what part of nob hill? was he closer to carlisle or girard?

Comment by Richard V on May 15, 2012 at 10:38am: he was about three blocks west of carlisle. when he realized i had come home and spotted him, he exited the alley and continued west on coal for about 2-3 blocks. then he crossed the street and headed north down another alley. he most likely has a spotter directing him to homes where no one is home for the day. when i called APD, they didn't seem too concerned. i never saw a police car in the area after i called. so if you see something, call them. they need to know what is going on. funny how you can walk around in public with a open beer in hand, and no one seems to mind. gotta love this town.

Comment by Another Mike on May 15, 2012 at 11:15am: 911 or 242-COPS? Cause if you're calling 242, they won't do anything about.

Comment by Another Mike on May 15, 2012 at 11:18am: PS. If you think you feel safe enough, and if you have a cell phone, you can always take a picture. But the cops will tell you to NEVER follow him/her/them.

Comment by jans1812 on May 15, 2012 at 1:52pm: Thanks for the heads up. It can be difficult to recognize these folks, when you live in a neighborhood with lots of foot traffic.

But I have had the police stop me in my yard, asking what I'd seen, AFTER a reported break in around the corner. Knowing what to look for helps me know where to pay attention.

Comment by Phil_0 on May 15, 2012 at 8:19pm: Beers in alleyways are hardly just an Albuquerque thing, nor particularly terrible on their own...

Comment by Richard V on May 15, 2012 at 8:28pm: right, phil. the guy was just taking a break from his afternoon stroll. silly me.

Comment by Phil_0 on May 15, 2012 at 8:53pm: I'm not talking about the guy, Richard...you may well be right about him. I'm talking about drinking beer in an alley. It's not necessarily an indication of deeper criminality.

Comment by Leonard Poareo on May 16, 2012 at 12:53pm: because i'm thinking of moving to Albuquerque i'm curious. are there any relatively safe areas? does a dog do any good? How bad is it? I used to conduct parent meetings and walk precincts in compton and southcentral (now just south) L.A..

Comment by Karmic Echo on May 16, 2012 at 2:34pm: Nob Hill, the neighborhood in question, is very safe. Just follow commonsense precautions, as with most places. But seriously, don't let this discussion give you the wrong impression.