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NFT: Family forced out of $1.3m dream home by stalker

ron mexico : 6/24/2015 5:05 pm
fucked up story, what would you do?

A Westfield, New Jersey family had just bought the six bedroom home when three days in they received their first letter from 'The Watcher'
The letters threaten the family and their children and 'The Watcher' claims to be from a family who have stalked the home and its owners for years
The family is suing the previous owners on claims they withheld their knowledge of 'The Watcher'

Link - ( New Window )
show  
Nitro : 6/24/2015 5:45 pm : link
down with just a knife, mud and my wits
Link - ( New Window )
That looks like the Amityville  
AnishPatel : 6/24/2015 6:23 pm : link
horror house. Plus that house looks kind of creepy with woods around it.
So before this family  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/24/2015 7:14 pm : link
bought the house, not 1 police report was filed over 90 years?

O'tay.
maybe it was  
spike : 6/24/2015 7:15 pm : link
a fellow buyer who was outbid on the house in this competitive seller's market.
Just moved to Westfield  
Existenz : 6/24/2015 7:24 pm : link
in April. The house in question is around the corner from the house I rent. Not sure why the national media is picking up on this now when the letter is from a year ago with none reported since.

I've read that they have no shot of winning the case that's in courts now because you're not legally bound to report this kind of stuff in NJ. More than likely it's someone who got outbid on the house when it was on sale or it's some kid in the neighborhood. Nothing especially 'creepy' about it, IMO
RE: Just moved to Westfield  
spike : 6/24/2015 7:25 pm : link
In comment 12341236 Existenz said:
Quote:
in April. The house in question is around the corner from the house I rent. Not sure why the national media is picking up on this now when the letter is from a year ago with none reported since.

I've read that they have no shot of winning the case that's in courts now because you're not legally bound to report this kind of stuff in NJ. More than likely it's someone who got outbid on the house when it was on sale or it's some kid in the neighborhood. Nothing especially 'creepy' about it, IMO


so you are saying it wasn't you. lol
My son bought a house in Westfield  
Headhunter : 6/24/2015 7:35 pm : link
for that number over a year ago on .3 acres . It is all big homes on very very quiet streets. Westfield is one on the best places to live in America
My first  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/24/2015 7:35 pm : link
thought was if you can afford a $1.3 million house, you can afford a damn good security system or security.

can't the cops do something?  
mirwin : 6/24/2015 7:39 pm : link
put a camera to see who's dropping the letters in the house. Just something.
RE: can't the cops do something?  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/24/2015 7:42 pm : link
In comment 12341248 mirwin said:
Quote:
put a camera to see who's dropping the letters in the house. Just something.


See my post above yours.

He can't afford a monitored security system?

The heck with the police. Why spend tax dollars on someone so dumb?
RE: Just moved to Westfield  
ron mexico : 6/24/2015 7:43 pm : link
In comment 12341236 Existenz said:
Quote:
in April. The house in question is around the corner from the house I rent. Not sure why the national media is picking up on this now when the letter is from a year ago with none reported since.

I've read that they have no shot of winning the case that's in courts now because you're not legally bound to report this kind of stuff in NJ. More than likely it's someone who got outbid on the house when it was on sale or it's some kid in the neighborhood. Nothing especially 'creepy' about it, IMO


Is the house still vacant or did they move in?
is the house  
spike : 6/24/2015 7:43 pm : link
for sale again?

Someone is set to get a bargain.
Taxes on that house  
Headhunter : 6/24/2015 7:44 pm : link
should be 31k with an appeal around 29k
RE: Taxes on that house  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/24/2015 7:47 pm : link
In comment 12341259 Headhunter said:
Quote:
should be 31k with an appeal around 29k


less than 3% in NJ?

When the hell did that happen?
RE: RE: can't the cops do something?  
ron mexico : 6/24/2015 7:50 pm : link
In comment 12341252 ctc in ftmyers said:
Quote:
In comment 12341248 mirwin said:


Quote:


put a camera to see who's dropping the letters in the house. Just something.



See my post above yours.

He can't afford a monitored security system?

The heck with the police. Why spend tax dollars on someone so dumb?


If this were me and I was convinced it wasn't a prank, I wouldn't trust my family to slomans shield

And a security system doesn't protect you when you are outside the home, so unless you want to be a shut in you are out of luck.


That said, this sounds like a prank
I wonder how much a house like that  
AnishPatel : 6/24/2015 7:51 pm : link
would sell for now. 1.3 million to what now? 200K?
.....  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/24/2015 8:06 pm : link
They have this new technology called video that you can watch when you aren't at home.

Another new technology is called dogs. Pretty friendly if you train them right.

You don't think a security pro can't fix you up if your laying out that much $$$$ for a house?
they should  
spike : 6/24/2015 8:14 pm : link
also put up a fence.
Again  
ron mexico : 6/24/2015 8:31 pm : link
None of those things help when you are out of the house

you want to go through life thinking anytime you are out in public this maniac could be "watching"
RE: Again  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/24/2015 8:34 pm : link
In comment 12341318 ron mexico said:
Quote:
None of those things help when you are out of the house

you want to go through life thinking anytime you are out in public this maniac could be "watching"


If your that paranoid, selling the house ain't going to help you.
RE: Just moved to Westfield  
Boy Cord : 6/24/2015 9:48 pm : link
In comment 12341236 Existenz said:
Quote:
in April. The house in question is around the corner from the house I rent. Not sure why the national media is picking up on this now when the letter is from a year ago with none reported since.

I've read that they have no shot of winning the case that's in courts now because you're not legally bound to report this kind of stuff in NJ. More than likely it's someone who got outbid on the house when it was on sale or it's some kid in the neighborhood. Nothing especially 'creepy' about http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dre/capital-business/top-workplaces?tid=HP_businessit, IMO


Not creepy? The letter sounds like something Lizzy Borden would have written.
Guns not allowed in Jersey?  
bradshaw44 : 6/24/2015 9:50 pm : link
??
Not saying there is no truth to the story ....  
short lease : 6/25/2015 4:08 am : link
But, the Daily Mail (British tabloid) is horrible. Makes the American Tabloids seem down right Pulitzer worthy.

How does 1 family "stalk a house ..." (A HOUSE ???)for 90 years????
RE: Not saying there is no truth to the story ....  
steve in ky : 6/25/2015 6:26 am : link
In comment 12341551 short lease said:
Quote:
But, the Daily Mail (British tabloid) is horrible. Makes the American Tabloids seem down right Pulitzer worthy.

How does 1 family "stalk a house ..." (A HOUSE ???)for 90 years????


From the article:

Quote:
'My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time


On the plus side about 60% of second generation businesses fail while 3rd generations fail at aprox 90%. So odds are they will be safe.


RE: RE: Not saying there is no truth to the story ....  
I Love Clams Casino : 6/25/2015 8:03 am : link
In comment 12341562 steve in ky said:
Quote:
In comment 12341551 short lease said:


Quote:


But, the Daily Mail (British tabloid) is horrible. Makes the American Tabloids seem down right Pulitzer worthy.

How does 1 family "stalk a house ..." (A HOUSE ???)for 90 years????



From the article:



Quote:


'My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time



On the plus side about 60% of second generation businesses fail while 3rd generations fail at aprox 90%. So odds are they will be safe.



And I think that British tabloid targets stories in the U.S. Of course, I could just be seeing the U.S. edition of what they publish and not the U.K. edition....still irks me a little though....kinda like "if I want to pick on my brother, it's O.K., but if YOU go near him, I'll mess you up"
RE: RE: can't the cops do something?  
MetsAreBack : 6/25/2015 8:10 am : link
In comment 12341252 ctc in ftmyers said:
Quote:
In comment 12341248 mirwin said:


Quote:


put a camera to see who's dropping the letters in the house. Just something.



See my post above yours.

He can't afford a monitored security system?

The heck with the police. Why spend tax dollars on someone so dumb?



You really come across as being jealous and hating on rich people. Just sayin'. These people are "dumb" because they are getting threatening letters against them and their children? SMH. It's disturbing to say the least.

And obviously a security system isn't going to protect your children from someone who may want to kill them. Cmon already.

Anyway - prank or not hopefully they find the fucker. That's just a bullshit thing to do to people.
wow  
giantfan2000 : 6/25/2015 9:20 am : link
this is a made for TV Movie !

i bet it is the real estate agent
who convinces people to buy the home and then sends then creepy notes so they will sell again

making a ton on the continual flipping of the house

case solved by Bookie Newton!

RE: My first  
BMac : 6/25/2015 9:41 am : link
In comment 12341244 ctc in ftmyers said:
Quote:
thought was if you can afford a $1.3 million house, you can afford a damn good security system or security.


Or at least a mean-ass dog!
mean ass dogs  
MetsAreBack : 6/25/2015 9:44 am : link
are more likely to kill your kids than strangers
RE: .....  
Giants2012 : 6/25/2015 9:50 am : link
In comment 12341281 ctc in ftmyers said:
Quote:
They have this new technology called video that you can watch when you aren't at home.

Another new technology is called dogs. Pretty friendly if you train them right.

You don't think a security pro can't fix you up if your laying out that much $$$$ for a house?


So a stalker can't identify a child beyond the house and try to lure them? Apparently you didn't read the article as the nut job said he would learn the kid's names and lure them to him. Safety goes beyond the technologies you mention.
of course it does Giants2012  
MetsAreBack : 6/25/2015 6:20 pm : link

but CTC threw all logic aside because "hey... fuck rich people.... they arent allowed to have problems"

RE: of course it does Giants2012  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/25/2015 8:58 pm : link
In comment 12343010 MetsAreBack said:
Quote:

but CTC threw all logic aside because "hey... fuck rich people.... they arent allowed to have problems"


BS

Actually google is your friend.

My point is that a man has the resources to takes care of the situation is running away from the problem. Sounds like buyers remorse more than anything else.

Why isn't the community stepping up? Have abductions been prevalent in the area? There aren't parents that watch every kid on the play grounds, bus stops, etc and know what adults should or shouldn't be there?

So this guy, regardless of his financial situation, doesn't seem to have a clue.

You really think I'm picking on the rich?

That is rich.
The story itself sounds like it may not be true  
Matt M. : 6/25/2015 10:22 pm : link
and the reporting/source is questionable. But, if it is true, you can't tell me that letter isn't creepy and scary, especially if you were the recipient.
I know the guy who bought the house  
LG in NYC : 6/26/2015 8:44 am : link
Can't say I am all that familiar with the details, but the guy in question is great dude with a nice family. There is nothing fake or opportunistic about what he is going through right now.

And no one with kids would consider this situation "no big deal".
I think ctc might have just gone one step too far  
jcn56 : 6/26/2015 8:57 am : link
Why waste tax dollars on it? Because someone is threatening bodily harm to a taxpayer. IMO, that's a pretty good spend of tax dollars.

Now - the rest of the sentiment I can get behind. Don't cut and run - put in a state of the art security system, maybe put in some money for some private protection for a few months. Not cheap and it shouldn't be needed, but trying to sell the house and sue isn't exactly inexpensive either.
Someone who buys a 1.3mm house in this area isn't as wealthy as  
ron mexico : 6/26/2015 9:08 am : link
you think they are.
RE: Someone who buys a 1.3mm house in this area isn't as wealthy as  
BurberryManning : 6/26/2015 9:45 am : link
In comment 12343901 ron mexico said:
Quote:
you think they are.

Exactly. At $1.35mm this home probably is not in the top 20% of Westfield single-family homes. Not to mention that this entire premise of the wealthy having to shoulder some additional burdens because some arbitrarily determine that they "should" have the means to afford means of recourse is just ridiculous.

RE: I think ctc might have just gone one step too far  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/26/2015 9:49 am : link
In comment 12343877 jcn56 said:
Quote:
Why waste tax dollars on it? Because someone is threatening bodily harm to a taxpayer. IMO, that's a pretty good spend of tax dollars.

Now - the rest of the sentiment I can get behind. Don't cut and run - put in a state of the art security system, maybe put in some money for some private protection for a few months. Not cheap and it shouldn't be needed, but trying to sell the house and sue isn't exactly inexpensive either.


Should have qualified that no more than for any other in the same situation. "Mayor Andrew Skibitsky said at a town hall meeting Tuesday night: 'Our police have conducted an exhaustive investigation into the threatening letters. Our police went the extra measure and left no stone unturned."

If the previous owners were getting letters throughout the years, why just reported now?

It would have been common local folklore if it was going on for 95 years.

Why would the sellers get a letter a few days before closing?
RE: RE: Someone who buys a 1.3mm house in this area isn't as wealthy as  
jcn56 : 6/26/2015 9:52 am : link
In comment 12343972 BurberryManning said:
Quote:
In comment 12343901 ron mexico said:


Quote:


you think they are.


Exactly. At $1.35mm this home probably is not in the top 20% of Westfield single-family homes. Not to mention that this entire premise of the wealthy having to shoulder some additional burdens because some arbitrarily determine that they "should" have the means to afford means of recourse is just ridiculous.


I don't think ctc was heading there though - the police did an investigation, and didn't turn up anything.

Does anyone believe that things would be different if this were a $200k home in Albany? About the only part of ctc's post that would change is the level of security system they could afford.
Not sure about your other questions  
ron mexico : 6/26/2015 9:57 am : link
but the recently filed law suit is what triggered all the media attention

RE: RE: Someone who buys a 1.3mm house in this area isn't as wealthy as  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/26/2015 9:58 am : link
In comment 12343972 BurberryManning said:
Quote:
In comment 12343901 ron mexico said:


Quote:


you think they are.


Exactly. At $1.35mm this home probably is not in the top 20% of Westfield single-family homes. Not to mention that this entire premise of the wealthy having to shoulder some additional burdens because some arbitrarily determine that they "should" have the means to afford means of recourse is just ridiculous.


At the low end, you need ~$350,000 income for a 1.3 million property. With 3 kids? Now how much?

That comfortably puts you in the top 5% in the country.

So 95% of the country disagrees with you.

That he chooses to live above his "means", if he is, in order to keep up with the Jones has no relevance.
RE: RE: RE: Someone who buys a 1.3mm house in this area isn't as wealthy as  
ron mexico : 6/26/2015 10:01 am : link

Does anyone believe that things would be different if this were a $200k home in Albany?

Probably the only thing that would change is that the people wouldn't be ridiculed for removing his family from shitty situation

can the authorities help with this?  
GMAN4LIFE : 6/26/2015 10:02 am : link
i mean its making the kids scared.
RE: RE: RE: Someone who buys a 1.3mm house in this area isn't as wealthy as  
ron mexico : 6/26/2015 10:04 am : link
In comment 12344000 ctc in ftmyers said:
Quote:
In comment 12343972 BurberryManning said:


Quote:


In comment 12343901 ron mexico said:


Quote:


you think they are.


Exactly. At $1.35mm this home probably is not in the top 20% of Westfield single-family homes. Not to mention that this entire premise of the wealthy having to shoulder some additional burdens because some arbitrarily determine that they "should" have the means to afford means of recourse is just ridiculous.




At the low end, you need ~$350,000 income for a 1.3 million property. With 3 kids? Now how much?

That comfortably puts you in the top 5% in the country.

So 95% of the country disagrees with you.

That he chooses to live above his "means", if he is, in order to keep up with the Jones has no relevance.


His wealth has no relevance at all, not sure why you keep bringing it up

mega wealthy stars cant get rid of stalkers

Im in next town  
Fish : 6/26/2015 10:04 am : link
crazy story. Sick people in this world. What next?
Ron  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/26/2015 10:19 am : link
Your the one who said he wasn't rich.

He is in the top 5% in the country.

No where Have I stated the anyone can't have problems with stalkers.
RE: Ron  
ron mexico : 6/26/2015 10:27 am : link
In comment 12344046 ctc in ftmyers said:
Quote:
Your the one who said he wasn't rich.

He is in the top 5% in the country.

No where Have I stated the anyone can't have problems with stalkers.


No, but you have indicated many times that he can buy his way out of the problem

ctc, you're a great poster on BBI so I respect your opinion..  
BurberryManning : 6/26/2015 10:32 am : link
My prerogative is...as a recent homebuyer in a town just a few miles away with similar socioeconomic circumstances, I'd be rather upset if I were in the position that this family finds itself.

A) all of the security systems that you could provide me with still would not lend me absolute piece of mind
B) Regardless of my income/asset base, spending upwards of $25k (estimate?) on security systems is not trivial
....  
yankees78 : 6/26/2015 7:20 pm : link
This story is fucking creepy
RE: ctc, you're a great poster on BBI so I respect your opinion..  
ctc in ftmyers : 6/26/2015 7:39 pm : link
In comment 12344070 BurberryManning said:
Quote:
My prerogative is...as a recent homebuyer in a town just a few miles away with similar socioeconomic circumstances, I'd be rather upset if I were in the position that this family finds itself.

A) all of the security systems that you could provide me with still would not lend me absolute piece of mind
B) Regardless of my income/asset base, spending upwards of $25k (estimate?) on security systems is not trivial


And it's not. I agree 100%

I grew up in Bergen County. Ramsey to be exact

Commonsense will tell you that practices I mentioned earlier would be a lot less expensive and more effective.

Westfield, I am sure wishes this would go away.

Several thing that strike me odd.

If this has been going on for 95 years, where are the other threats? There should be a history,no?

I don't see any except for the alleged letter sent to the previous owners just before closing without any revealing of that letter in the article.

A house with a 95 year curse? That makes for some well known local folklore. How can a perspective buyer not know that unless he has a shitty lawyer?

Something doesn't jive.

I happen to have always lived in communities where everyone watches out for each other and always have.

Guess that skews my views.




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