Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, May 29, 2009

Family misses stolen images more than camera

Be aware that thieves watch for families to leave their homes during vacations.

By Julie Muhlstein
Herald Columnist

 John and Laurie Turral took their four children to England in April. On their once-in-a-lifetime trip, the Marysville family celebrated the 85th birthday of John Turral's mother, who lives in Yorkshire.

"It was a really happy, special time," Laurie Turral said Thursday. Her husband added quietly that they may never again see the children's British grandmother, who has Alzheimer's disease.

Their memories were captured on a new camcorder, a JVC Everio. "We hadn't even watched it yet," Laurie Turral said.

Over Memorial Day weekend, they took another trip, a 24-hour getaway in their RV.

They came home Monday to find a bedroom window had been smashed by rocks taken from their backyard landscaping. Their camcorder and other cameras were gone, along with a laptop computer, a new TV, a Wii game system, heirloom jewelry including a watch Laurie's late father had given her husband, and cash.

Most things can be replaced by insurance coverage, but not their irreplaceable images. On the slim chance someone might come across their camera, the Turrals have put up a big reader-board sign in front of their house offering a reward.

"Memorial Day," the sign says. "$1,000 reward for return of laptop and cameras with family pictures." It shows a phone number for John Turral's rental business, 360-659-1248.

"We're hoping someone will decide that $1,000 is more than a pawn shop will give them," Laurie Turral said. The camera also has pictures of the family's new dog, a Labrador-poodle named Samantha. "She's a great big love. All the puppy pictures were on there," she said.

"Even if we don't get the camera back, we want people to be aware of this," said Laurie Turral, who's convinced the thief or thieves saw them packing and perhaps leaving. Since the sign has been out, neighbors have stopped by to share stories of other burglaries in the area.

Because they live just outside Marysville city limits, the break-in was reported to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. A deputy came to the house twice Monday and was thorough in looking for clues and dusting for fingerprints, John Turral said. A culprit left behind a package of kettle corn, which was bagged and taken by the deputy, the couple said.

They're seriously considering an alarm system. Laurie Turral never imagined they'd need one.

"This is an ordinary split-level home," she said. "I grew up in Marysville, and we never locked our doors. We didn't think this would happen."

Unfortunately, there's nothing unusual about a break-in, during vacation season or anytime. In the year 2000, there were 4,297 burglaries in Snohomish County, according to data collected by the FBI as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said prevention measures start with the obvious: stopping mail and newspaper delivery when you leave town. Electronics and other valuables can be marked as part of an Operation ID program, helping owners identify possessions that end up in pawn shops, Hover said.

The sheriff's office no longer provides vacation home checks because of high gas prices, but Hover said it's a good idea to ask neighbors keep an eye on your house when you're gone. Asked about alarms, she said, "it's a personal decision."

"You're talking about a lot of money, but it certainly is another tool. I have one," Hover said.

For John and Laurie Turral, it's jarring to think of strangers in their house. They're nervous about thieves possibly returning after their lost items are replaced.

"They came in here, there were pictures of the kids everywhere. How can someone do that?" Laurie Turral said. "They just don't care."



Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, muhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Prevent crime during vacation

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office offers online tips for crime prevention while you're away. Click on "Vacation Checklist" at http://sheriff.snoco.org/ Sheriff_Services/ Crime_Prevention.htm

Anyone with information about John and Laurie Turral's JVC Everio camcorder can call 360-659-1248.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA