ETex2
E. Texas
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Joined: 05/09/2005
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A few weeks ago I bought a home to rehab (and flip). One week ago, someone stole the gas stove. Funny thing was - there was a brand new microwave and dishwasher in the garage ready to be installed, but they only took the stove. I did have a lockbox on the door, due to the large number of workers going in and out. I reported the theft to the police.
Last Friday night, I saw it on Craig's List. I confirmed it was the same one; I had taken lots of high res photos of the project "before" to show my absentee partner. Sure enough, even the little scorch marks on the burners were in the exact same place on this one. So, I called the police and they told me that perhaps they could impound it, but without the serial no., no sure thing, and there would have to be an ownership hearing, etc. Could take a couple of months. I told them I was thinking of going and seeing it, then showing the thief my pics and laying it out. They "HIGHLY advised against this", but admitted it wasn't against the law. But it was what I did.
I showed the thief and his wife my pics, and told him I was positive it was mine. I even found a tiny piece of wallpaper stuck to the back of it that just happened to match the old kitchen wallpaper in my pics that my painter was tearing down the day before it was stolen. He still balked, and I explained that I was trying to do him a favor by not bringing the police there, but they would show up if I called them. And that "I believed" his story that he was an innocent victim too, since he told me he bought a bunch of stoves from a guy closing his used appliance business (right). I also mentioned that I hoped he didn't have any warrants, and the police would be interested in those other stoves as well. As I raised my cell phone to call the police, he stopped me and helped me load it up.
* This post was
edited 03/03/10 03:37pm by an administrator/moderator *
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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Joined: 11/30/2000
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Caught him red handed did ya. Good
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008 Type C
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fotosleo
USA
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Joined: 11/14/2008
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So, you let him go so he can continue to rip people off?
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ETex2
E. Texas
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fotosleo wrote:So, you let him go so he can continue to rip people off?
Nope. I made a police report and told them I got my stove back. The police were just hesitant to go over and impound the stove without a serial no. A detective called me yesterday and asked me if I wanted him to question this guy about the burglary (like this should be MY option). I told him I'd like to see justice done, and the guy had other stoves that were probably stolen.
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fotosleo
USA
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ETex2 wrote:Nope. I made a police report and told them I got my stove back. The police were just hesitant to go over and impound the stove without a serial no. A detective called me yesterday and asked me if I wanted him to question this guy about the burglary (like this should be MY option). I told him I'd like to see justice done, and the guy had other stoves that were probably stolen.
Good Job! I hope you were armed when you approaced the guy, although you don't have to volunteer that here...
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Fish 'n ' Grits
Hollywood, SC , USA
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Joined: 01/22/2005
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I had the same thing happen with a 6hp outboard. We were in the creek and saw a little boy cruise by with my motor. It was a Johnson(green) that had an Evinrude lower unit(blue). Easy enough to identify. We followed the boy to a dock and were asking about the motor when his dad showed up and wanted to know what the problem was. When I told him it was my motor, he first said he'd had it for years, then when I said I had the title, he said he'd bought it recently. I told I would take the motor and leave or call the cops. He said to call them, I wasn't going to disappoint his kid. I asked him if it would disappoint his kid to see him in handcuffs. I took my motor and left.
Billy & Dale
'99 F350 DRW Superduty
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Hammerhead
Moon Base 5
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That's why I never buy anything on Craig's list and only buy items on e-bay that you can't find in any store.
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campin4kids
Indiana
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Some times you just have to take the BULL by the horns and take back the stuff.
2003 Avalanche
1992 29S Wilderness
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3D
Tennessee - but have itchy feet
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Joined: 03/20/2004
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Pity is that more and more police don't want to get involved. Personally, think it is because they catch the bad guys then the judge and lawyers let them off (judges and lawyers, the dain of our society).
Good for you that you didn't just let it go. Maybe you got the bad guy's picture and would post it  .
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campin4kids
Indiana
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When my little brother was about 9 he was mugged by kids he knew, at knife point, for his Cubs jacket. He told my Dad where the kid lived. My Dad called the police but they said it was his word against theirs. So my Dad knocked on the door where the kid lived. His parents wouldnt even go look in the kids room for the jacket. So my Dad just went into the house, found the jacket and walked out!!!!! No one even tried to stop him. Imagine that!
Glad you got your stove back.(and motor)
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