Last night one of the local young lads, broke into our yard to steal horse tack and assorted tools. Unfortunately he is the best friend of one of my neighbours so we know him quite well and the dogs didn't bark. Fortunately our other neighbour saw what was happening and phoned the police, whilst her very large son stood outside our gate ready to grap him. The theif managed to get away without our belongings, thanks to our neighbours. Who were amazing.
The police were extremely professional. They came within 10minutes of being called last night took statements and went round to arrest the theif. Who is still in police custody. Then returned this morning to finger print and photograph the crime scene. We have been told that the theif will definately be prosecuted. The sad thing is he's a generally nice lad who's got in with a few undesirables lately and now he will have to live with the reprocussions, as he is one of the local herders and were told he's just lost his job.

Shame for the lad, but you can't just go helping yourselves to others belongings if you fall on hard times.

Congrats to the neighbours and Police for acting as they did.

tricky one, its difficult to feel for the lad who knew what he was doing was wrong, but one mistake can as you say have lasting consequences in his future.
some comfort in knowing you have vigilant neighbours and support from the police.

One has to wonder about the mentality of these thieves..18 months ago, a 17 year old lad spent the afternoon fishing with an older chap from the village over from me..just after dark, when the fishing was over and everyone had gone home, the older man heard a noise outside and went to investigate..it was the lad, breaking into the outbuilding, trying to steal his fishing rods etc..upon being challenged, the lad stabbed the old man, in plain view of the neighbours who were responding to the disturbance. The old man died within minutes and we have a situation where a life has been lost, a young man has been banged up for 25 years (his sentence)..all over some cheap fishing gear, probably worth ten pounds, maximum.

bgbazz your post made me cry :shocked1:It is so sad to hear stories like this here or any where else for that matter.
Sorry to those who have had break ins and congrates to the neighbours for their help in all these matters.
God bless them all

So sorry for your toruble BFA and truly wish you did not have to get involved in this matter. Sincerely hope they do no put this boy in prison as at this vunerable age all he will learn is even more bad way. Hopefully they will give him community service which will be worse for him having to face his family, frineds and neighbours. ::

Thanks for your kind thoughts. The police have gone for an early court date and it isn't looking good for him. There has been a spate of unsolved burgalries in the village this winter and although they dont think he did them, they look to be making an example of him. Were told the best he can hope for is a very large fine.
I know the problem in our village amongst the young lads is there are severalfamilies who have basically told there young teen age sons ur adults now ur on ur own. It wasnt such a problem in summer when they could walk to other villages n find work. But in winter its not possible. So i guess a few are getting a bit desparate. A couple of the empty houses got burgled with no come back as the local police have said they can't do anything with out the owner being present. But everything sellable has gone from those houses so i guess theyve had to expand. Sad thing is we're friendly with most of them and have helped out many times before, so its upsetting to thing they thought robbery was better than just coming round.

Just a quick update, our wouldbe burglar appeared in court and plead guilty. as its a first offence they added up the value of the stuff he tried to steal (unfortunately for him this included two expensive pieces of tack) and he has been find 450lv. Got to admire thespeed and efficency of popovo police and court.

Saddest thing about this case is that he, or a member of his family will probably have to go out and steal stuff he/they can sell to pay the fine! May be that it's the beginning of a downward spiral, because having this offence on his record, down is the only way to go..and I have no worthwhile answer to that.

I think the lad should be punished by the court which has happened.

However I would not wish him to lose his job. Just my option but I would be tempted to ask his employer to keep him on. I think we all do stupid things we regret when we are young. Maybe he should take his punishment but be given another chance ?

And before anyone asks I am not a 'do gooder'. It's just we all make mistakes (I know I have) and hopefully he will learn from this one.

I have to respond to this. Sadly 'biting the hand that feeds them' springs to mind. However, we as priviledged Brits can have no comprehension of some of Bulgarian lifestyle. They are not like us or we like them. After many years we have come to understand this if nothing else. I am in the middle of a village dispute and I feel powerless to help those who have helped us. In the past I thought that we had a great Community Spirit. Now it appears that was largely down to 'sponsorship' by wealthy individuals who have done well in life but still support our village. A younger generation has seemingly taken over, the sponsors have disappeared and life appears to have changed and not for the better. This is nothing to do with us and we cannot solve the problems which have arisen but it seems villagers that we thought all got on together are now in separate camps. Money is involved somewhere along the line as ever whether by the paying or withdrawing from those now in control. Previously happy villagers now seem very downcast. This is something I never knew existed in my rosy village world and it saddens me but in view of the seemingly stupid burgleries may cast some light on village thinking. There are cover ups and maybe the young man pleaded guilty and will be compensated by those who are controlling him - the gang. I am not mentioning the M word but anyone who has lived here a while will know what I am talking about. This subject is never addressed on forums for obvious reasons, but today I feel very disappointed to find out just how blinkered I have been over the years and actually may have been used. This is all part of life and I will just let those who now have the power get on with it and sit on the sidelines and watch. I know it is being dealt with in the villagers and the Mayor's way and it is not for me or any expat to interfere.

Sorry to hear about your villages problems. We have a similar problem as formentioned with the youth of the village but in my opinion its the same atitude problem that appears to have hit youths all over the world. They expect to have everything whilst expecting to do nothing and crime for many is easier than getting off there backsides and getting work. This has become apparent this week in our village as four labouring jobs have come up. Two have been filled by older gentlemen and the other two by peoplewho previously worked in the village. The reason for this im told is the young lads cant be bothered to turn up every day. I feel sorry for how difficult some people lives are but my sympathy ends when oportunities appear and they don't even try to take them.