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Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: TAB on June 28, 2019, 05:50:21 PM

Title: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on June 28, 2019, 05:50:21 PM
Had a break in at my shop last night.  Got away with my enclosed trailer loaded up with tools.   Got great video of them and thier truck.  Which of course was stolen also.   Cops showed up in 9 mins( 4 from the time they were called by the alarm company.)  The guys were in and out in 1:38.   Judging by how fast they hook up the trailer they are very experienced in doing it.  Insurance guy showed at 9 am on the dot.  We went thru every thing I knew was in the trailer.   

Only the 5th time in the last 17 years I have had theft that was well in to 5 didgets...  we need to start hanging thieves
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Solus on June 28, 2019, 06:11:26 PM
Hmmm....sounds like they knew exactly what to take and exactly where to find it.  1:38 is not even enough time to look around to spot something.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on June 28, 2019, 06:17:08 PM
Hmmm....sounds like they knew exactly what to take and exactly where to find it.  1:38 is not even enough time to look around to spot something.
  yep, I didn't recognize any of the people that broke in. It very well could be an inside job or it could be anyone else at any of the businesses on the street. The fact that they knew it was full of tools means they were at least watching the building. As it's almost always empty. The guys were only here about 20 minutes last night after putting it away, so there was no time to unload it.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: crusader rabbit on June 28, 2019, 08:31:26 PM
It is an evil thing, stealing from another.  Not only does the victim feel the monetary loss, which in this case was likely quite high, but there is a sense of being personally violated.

And to likely make it all even worse, these b@st@rds will probably sell it for pennies on the dollar.  Used tools don't bring all that much at the pawn shops.

Tab, I hope in my heart of hearts that Barney Fife pulls off a miracle and finds these cretins before they dump your stuff.

Crusader Rabbit
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Big Frank on June 28, 2019, 09:27:02 PM
If thieves were hanged it would be a deterrent to other thieves. But even if it wasn't, it would stop those thieves from victimizing anyone else. Having been a repeat victim of grand theft (vehicles), I say hang 'em all.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on June 28, 2019, 10:25:13 PM
It is an evil thing, stealing from another.  Not only does the victim feel the monetary loss, which in this case was likely quite high, but there is a sense of being personally violated.

And to likely make it all even worse, these b@st@rds will probably sell it for pennies on the dollar.  Used tools don't bring all that much at the pawn shops.

Tab, I hope in my heart of hearts that Barney Fife pulls off a miracle and finds these cretins before they dump your stuff.

Crusader Rabbit
I see stealing another man's tools as taking his ability to feed his family. That's something I take very seriously
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Pathfinder on June 29, 2019, 10:05:50 AM
Hmmm....sounds like they knew exactly what to take and exactly where to find it.  1:38 is not even enough time to look around to spot something.

This!!!  ^^^^^

Tab, you fire anyone lately? I'd have the police start looking there.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: MikeBjerum on June 29, 2019, 11:03:05 AM
Several of us on the same train of thought.  The list of suspects should be every employee you have or that has left for any reason since you set up this shop with the trailer in it.  It has to be someone VERY familiar with your set up and operation.

These are the times that try the relationship between employer and employee, because you need to get very quiet and removed while investigators treat everyone, regardless of how you feel about them, as if they are the one.

When, if, they find the crook, you may be shocked at who the backstabber is.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on June 29, 2019, 01:03:53 PM
1st thing I handed the cops was a list of all current and former employees.    Don't forget my last day of owning the company is August 31.  There are a couple businesses  not far from my shop that are in a word shady.  If I was a betting man, I would guess it was some one from the auto body shop.  They have more then over then you can shake a stick at.  They also are there all hours of the night.  Not uncommon too see some one getting high as you drive by.  I am having lunch with my ex neighbour  the local sheriff tomorrow. 
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Rastus on June 30, 2019, 05:45:26 PM
Your lunch will accomplish much.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on June 30, 2019, 06:41:47 PM
He said what was expected, pros, they will find the trailer soon, but it will be empty. He said there was a few more like this in the surrounding countys.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: DianneB on July 01, 2019, 10:46:36 AM
I use a hitch lock, locking hitch pin, and a Brahma wheel lock.


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Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on July 01, 2019, 04:28:45 PM
They found the trailer, left at a rest stop about 40 miles away, empty and from what I was told pretty badly damaged on the passengers side.

If will be in impound until at least next week. Mainatance called it in this morning.  My friend the sheriff  put out a bulitin in it the other day.

I keep telling everyone  it's not what you know, it's who.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Rastus on July 01, 2019, 09:25:38 PM
They probably have a good idea of who is responsible.  Pinning it on them...that will be another thing.

Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Big Frank on July 02, 2019, 01:05:24 AM
Sometimes trailers are stolen even when they're completely empty. Enclosed aluminum cargo trailers are worth their weight in scrap at junkyards that don't ask any questions. Some very nice, expensive trailers are scrapped out for pennies on the dollar and gone without a trace.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on July 03, 2019, 02:48:03 PM
Got too see pics of the trailer, they must have hit something with it going around a corner.  I could see it needs a complete new side, the wheels/ axle are bent.  Which is good as it will be a total. 
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: MikeBjerum on July 03, 2019, 04:39:47 PM
That should be a help to LE.  Very common for people with trailers to catch the posts in gas stations.  If they stopped in for fuel and hooked it on the way out, there is a chance at security video of the crooks.

Trailers total easy, and this is a good thing for you, because now you'll have no quibble over repair costs.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Big Frank on July 03, 2019, 10:01:19 PM
That should be a help to LE.  Very common for people with trailers to catch the posts in gas stations.  If they stopped in for fuel and hooked it on the way out, there is a chance at security video of the crooks.

Trailers total easy, and this is a good thing for you, because now you'll have no quibble over repair costs.

What Mike said. That's another layer sometimes added on to a nightmarish situation. Now there's one less thing to lose sleep over.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on July 04, 2019, 04:05:28 PM
only lost sleep the 1st night as I had to wait until the next day to get the correct door for the side of the building.  they took a grinder  and plunged cut into the door/jamb gap and cut the dead bolt.  that's why you have insurance.   even my agent tells me I am way over insured.  I hate giving them money, but I am at a point where I have way too much to lose over something stupid.

the other bad thing about it, is as soon as people find out what the limits are the scumbag lawyers come out.  a couple years back I was hit  from behind and bumped the car in front of me.   the smallest of nicks in his bumper( my insurance est was like $250 or is a no fault state)  as soon as he saw my insurance paper work, he dialed 911 and had the ambulance and cops roll... which ofc he refused treatment.   every one on scene said the same thing he is going to sue you... sure enough about a  2 months later I was served for about ~$450k   my insurance denied the claim, it was thrown out of court in about 10 mins.  it was a simple money grab. 

I can't stand that shit.
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: Big Frank on July 05, 2019, 11:52:35 PM
People like that should have their feet tied together and hung on a trailer hitch, then driven around town until they REALLY need urgent medical care. Then when they're bandaged up like a mummy after their punishment, they should have to sit in front of the courthouse 8 hours a day for community service, with a sign letting everyone know what they did.

This crappy cellphone video shows how easy it is to break off some trailer hitch locks. The same kind, but with a 180-degree end, snap off just as easily, and the matching coupler locks to those can be snapped off in an instant. A good coupler lock takes longer to get off but doesn't stand up long against cordless angle grinders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAiwsaa3SyQ
Title: Re: I hate thieves
Post by: TAB on July 09, 2019, 06:27:36 PM
Well they found the truck, dumped on the side of the road.  Apparently  out of gas.  With "large quantities " of drug paraphernalia in it.   

I am not shocked at all.  I have a very good friend that was in charge of a multi county meth task force in .ca.  he use to say all the time, one large bust and they could close 90% of the property crime in the county