A couple discovered tiny metal fragments in the doorway of their home, initially mistaking them for “mini razorblades.”
They shared a photo of the pieces on Reddit under the username @PerspectiveLatter181, seeking to find out what they are, writing: “They look like mini razor blades but are not sharp. They are tiny, less than an inch long.”
The strange discovery set off a sequence of events, including a police investigation, an intruder in the attic, stolen personal items, and underwear. And reportedly, ICE raids were a contributing factor.
Adjustable wafers from a lock cylinder
After sharing the picture, several comments, including one from Creative_Shame3856, identified the objects as components from a lock cylinder. “I am a locksmith. Those are the adjustable wafer bits from a Kwikset SmartKey lock cylinder. Someone demolished the lock on a front door, probably yours,” he explained. Following the identification, local authorities were notified, and the police investigated
In an update shared by the original poster, the man said officers examined the lock, interviewed the household, and filed a report. Detectives soon arrived to conduct a more thorough investigation. According to the man, they discovered that the front door lock had been tampered with from the inside while the family was away.
Signs of an intruder
The investigation revealed a hidden corner in the attic, concealed by a makeshift plywood barrier and insulation. There, authorities found blankets, a camping heater, green bottles, a notebook, food containers, an iPad connected to the home WiFi, and several stolen items, including the wife’s jewelry, clothing, including undergarments, and framed photographs.
“The detective showed us how the intruder likely accessed the home through an old-style garage door opener and helped us reprogram the remote,” the man said. Officers recommended changing all remaining locks and hiring a security company to install a full monitoring system.
The couple, shaken by the discovery, decided to stay at a local hotel overnight. “My wife is beside herself,” he said. “We will not be staying here until a security company installs a full system.”
The suspect hid in a neighbor’s shed
Authorities later located the suspect hiding in a neighbor’s shed. The officer told the man that the individual had been avoiding ICE, which had been attempting to locate him at his residence. The couple said they had never met the suspect and had no prior connection.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the man expressed gratitude for the Reddit community’s assistance. “We are very relieved he has been caught but are still shaken up. Thank you to Reddit for identifying the lock pieces. We would have never known otherwise, and who knows what could have happened,” he said.
Police continue to investigate the case. Authorities emphasize the importance of home security, recommending that homeowners regularly inspect locks, secure hidden entry points, and consider professional security systems to prevent similar incidents.
