Ever been robbed?

It happened to us 7 years ago. I have no neighbors, and one way in and one way out and my road is 1/2 mile long. Daylight burglary is the new "thing" around home.
Someone backed a truck up to my barn tied a strap to top of the metal wall, and pulled the back of my barn out. They loaded the truck up with tools and drove away. My wife didn't see or hear anything.
A week later I was repairing the barn with my daughter (who was 7 yrs old at the time). She asked if we could go get a milk shake, and I said "lets' go to town and take a break".
When I got back home she went in the house while I unloaded some tools from my truck. She came back out with a scared look on her face. I'll never forget the confused look and and strange thing she said, "Daddy the back door is hammered"
I walked around back and the french doors were destroyed. I immediately ran into the house and stopped cold when she started yelling. I ran back to her and locked her in the truck with a cell phone and waited at the drive way until the police arrived.
The group of people who broke in took high-end electronics and jewlery. They didn't touch a single gun, or take time to look for anything except what was in plain view.
We have the 10,20,life rule here in Florida. These were seasoned veteran theives, and knew not to take firearms. The group was in and out during the time my daughter and I went to town. No one was there, but the feeling of having one of my children (almost) walk in on a robbery was too much for me. That's the only time in my life I have truely considered killing another man. My mind was made up if they were there I intended to kill them. Thank GOD it didn't come to that, but that's how it feels whe nyour home and families safety is violated.
That day I learned a few things.
1. Always carry a weapon and a phone. (Firearm, axe handle, hatchet, pipe, pocket knife.....whatever)
2. Never assume that people you know are basicly good.
3. If you have an alarm use it. If you don't have one, get whatever you can afford.
4. If you have a gate, take the time to close it.
5. Lock your doors, leave lights on.
6. A neat and orderly house and yard are less desireable to thieves for some reason.
7. Never leave a young child home alone. Your time and money are not worth your childrens lives.
8. Barriers such as lights, fences, gates, locks, alarms, signs, and a dog WILL deter about 95% of break-ins. The rest is up to you.
That other 5% are more desparate, and probably not there just to take money, and property.
9. Video tape all of your weapons, and valuables (including zooming in on the serial numbers) and save a copy to your email or phone.

I am truely sorry this happened to you. Do anything you can to prevent it from happening again. It takes a long time to bring back the feeling of safety and security to a home after a thief visits. I have probably spent $10,000 since then to help secure my home and property.
Contact your local Sherriffs dept. they will have an officer that can come out and give you some real recommendations based on facts, that will help deter a large number of criminals.
The person who stole from your house is probably not a habitual offender. I don't know you and not passing judgement on anyone, but look close at family, neighbors, and friends, for this thief.