Cable drop break in
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12399
Printed Date: 18 Apr 2024 at 3:49pm
Topic: Cable drop break in
Posted By: BRoss
Subject: Cable drop break in
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2012 at 7:20pm
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Heads up about cable drop. We were careless and left stuff in the car. They took wallets and valuables, left our gear. Had already finished our run, went down to the putin for a swim and a beer. Saw the car as it peeled out burning rubber - light blue 1980s El Camino with two younger dudes in it. SnoPo (sheriffs) came, so they know about it. Left the car for 45min max. Might be safer at the confluence, who knows. There were 5 or 6 other cars there, mine was the only one with a boat on the roof. ------------- "That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't." |
Replies:
Posted By: doggievacation
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2012 at 8:18pm
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Ben, that totally sucks! I ran the Sky on Friday and we did exactly the same thing as you guys: after the run, we went back to the put in for a beer and a swim. Just lucky we didn't get broken into, too. I hope they didn't damage your car much. Just dealing with stolen credit cards is bad enough. John ------------- Don't waste water! |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2012 at 11:55pm
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I wouldn't say it's part of why I have a dog, because it has nothing to do with why I have my dog, but a fringe benefit is that nobody will try to get into my car.
Dog rental fees are related to a beer vs. experience equation. Not responsible for paper products left in your car. Excellent theft deterrent. Honestly, sorry to hear that, Ben. Some people suck. ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: Mr.Grinch
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2012 at 11:56pm
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Oh, just to be honest, I've had my own dog eat my wallet while I was on the water. Better to k ow where those cards went than to wonder. Just sayin..... ------------- nnln. |
Posted By: Blair
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2012 at 1:05pm
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Grinch's dog is a scary mutha f*cka too when you approach his harmless looking white VW Bug.
That sucks Ben. Thanks for the heads up. Nice that you saw the car and it being such a rare one, maybe it'll be tracked. I mean, how many blue el caminos do you see a year!? ------------- |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2012 at 9:24pm
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Thanks for the hedz up, Ben.
Now that the hot weather is here an increased number of Washington residents are flocking to our river accesses, and with them, an increased number of sh*theads. |
Posted By: LisaF
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2012 at 9:25pm
| Be sure to check the pawn shop(s) in Monroe for your valuables; likely they're somewhat local and would turn it over right away. Damn, too many meth-heads around here! |
Posted By: BRoss
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 8:01am
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Thanks guys. Lisa, thanks for the tip. We called PawnPros about the one thing that was a real bummer. Luckily we called to block all our cards while the crooks were likely waiting to turn onto highway 2, so no worries there. The officer did make a point of telling us very clearly "it is all about meth". Not sure if that was meant to be comforting!
Chris that is pretty funny about your dog eating your wallet! ------------- "That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't." |
Posted By: huckin harms
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 11:12am
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I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled back for that el camino... seems like I have seen it around here before. Real bummer, sorry to hear about your loss Ben.
------------- |
Posted By: SPerillo
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 12:41pm
| Sting operation...Curb stomp em |
Posted By: ellsw121
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 3:32pm
| Ben, I live in Monroe and can check out the pawnshop and gold and jerwlery buying shops for you. Do you have a picture of any of the stolen stuff? Both shops are just around the corner from my house. |
Posted By: BRoss
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 3:46pm
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Thanks Leif, I'll PM you!
Mike, thanks for keeping a look out for the car. They tried to use one of our cards at the sultan chevron ------------- "That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't." |
Posted By: osmelendez
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 5:35pm
| man... that sucks to hear that you got broken into, but super thank you for letting us know. |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 7:24am
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Sweet the sultan Chevron has Cameras. Now all you have to do is get the police to pull up the footage. It will show the car and everything. I would make that a priority, and not just for your sake, but the sake of everyone around! |
Posted By: Jimmy
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 7:32am
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Originally posted by James Sweet the sultan Chevron has Cameras. Now all you have to do is get the police to pull up the footage. It will show the car and everything. I would make that a priority, and not just for your sake, but the sake of everyone around! Courtney was paddling with the Canoe and Kayak folks at the Green some years back and their van got broken into. They called the police and the credit card company to report that the security cameras at best buy showed the people using the credit cards, but no one cared and wouldn't bother taking the information down. Of course, this is a different county so things may go differently. |
Posted By: BRoss
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 7:43am
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Dude, that is great news, thanks James!
Jimmy, that sucks. This Sno County Sheriff Deputy seemed like a real good guy and when I called about the cards yesterday he told me he would pass that info along to Sultan Police. I'll contact them again today. ------------- "That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't." |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 9:11am
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Ben... Look I know I can get all amped up about this stuff. But allow me to digress. Don't loose your steam on this issue because (and I don't mean to be-little your loss) this is a much bigger problem than just your theft, as Jimmy shows. I have had the same thing happen, and no matter how hard I tried I could not get the Renton, PD to pull the video tapes from a local business where my cards had been run. The local shop even told me they did not need a warrant, court order or anything. They just said they wanted a uniform to come down, review the footage, confirm it would help and they would make a copy and give it too them. The police refused because they were busy, and even with the footage it would not help with a conviction or real big "penalty" or "community news worthy collar". The bottom line is that we don't have police to only act when they see it is a worthy opportunity. I hope you get your footage, but I will not be holding my breath. PM me if you would like to know how I got the footage and then tracked down the person responsible for breaking into my car. |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 2:42pm
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What James and Jimmy are describing is more of a King/Pierce County issue. Down there theft is so rampant that they can't keep up with the volume and still do the things they are legally required to do. A few years ago KCSO changed their policy to basically state that a theft of goods less than $10,000 does not merit investigation, and a lot of departments in that area followed suit. They only take the complaints because they are required to track that information for the FBI yearly crime statistics. This was before the economic down turn and layoffs that cut their manpower. The limits might be even higher now.
Sno County that far north is likely a different ball game. Not only is it more likely that they will have the time to follow up on it, but it is more likely that making the arrest will have a large effect on crime in their area as it tends to be small localized crews doing most of this stuff. These are all good things for your case. Now for the bigger issue. STOP LEAVING SH!T IN YOUR CARS WHERE IT IS VISIBLE!!!! We can complain about the lack of police response all we want and blame that for the problem, but the bottom line is that these guys go where they know they can get what they want. We see this pattern play out at work all the time where they stop frequenting areas when people stop leaving crap in their cars due to the theft problems. It is extremely rare that they break into a car if a)it is locked, and b)they don't see something valuable inside it. If you don't like thieves then don't attract them. This means taking simple steps like leaving your electronics you aren't going to use at home, not leaving massive purses in sight (or better yet leave them at home for the day to), removing you dash mounted GPS from view, locking your doors, don't use your car to store your mail, folding up clothes left in cars so that it is not apparent that there is something in the pockets, not believing that covering your valuables with a blanket to form the obvious "mystery hump" in the back of your car protects anything, don't keep a check book in the car, don't keep the title to your vehicle in your car, and having enough situational awareness to wait until sketchy tweaker dude leaves (or at least is not looking) to stash your stuff. ID's, debit cards, credit cards, and cash all share one remarkable thing in common: they all fit in pockets under your drysuit or in a small drybag around your neck. This is something that I have noticed boaters getting pretty lax on over the last few years. It has come to the point where I have also noticed that people give me snide looks when I take the crap they leave in the open in my car (thus volunteering me for the broken window) and hide it. Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: BRoss
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 3:51pm
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Kyle, you mean if I hadn't left stuff in my car, it wouldn't have been taken? no sh*t?
Sorry for the sarcasm, but seriously. ------------- "That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't." |
Posted By: irenen
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2012 at 4:06pm
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I don't think Kyle was pointing out the obvious to everyone, I know you said in the beginning you knew your stuff was taken because you left it out but plenty of people don't think along those lines sometimes - I've had to do what Kyle does and hide peoples' wallets, iPods and purse-type stuff that they leave on the floor of my car or somewhere else completely visible because I don't feel like having my car window broken - which I have had happen, way back when I was less careful and left a laptop bag visible in a high end area of rural Woodinville because I really thought it would be safe for the 10 minutes I was gone. (My purse, which I had covered up with a coat, was not taken even though when they grabbed the computer bag they dislodged the coat and the purse was visible through the broken car window when I got back - but they were in such a hurry they didn't stay to grab it.) Like Kyle I sometimes get the odd looks from my passengers when I hide their and my schwag, like I'm so uptight I can't relax and enjoy the goodness of humanity or something. :) I can, but meth-heads are meth-heads. When I wrote an article on car theft a few years ago the main thing I got from all the forum posts I found researching it is that many people got robbed when they left stuff in their cars for just 3 minutes while they got a coffee or something - I had not been aware that this was such a common thing.
------------- It's all fun and games until someone loses a paddle. |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2012 at 12:12pm
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I reported something to the cops in Tacoma.. They gave me a web site and told me to stick it there. :(
I called back and told them I had a gun and I'd take care of it myself. They sent a cop to take my report. That's as far as it went. If you can get their licence off a gas station camera you should be able to call the dmv and get their address. If you do I know I'd love to be a part of going down to say hi! ------------- why not! |
Posted By: tiziak
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 6:39am
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The cops in Seattle took down a report when my truck was broken into on Capitol Hill. They had me estimate the value of all my boating gear that was taken. Thats about as far as that went.
When my camera, passport and wallet were stolen back in 2010; they did even less. The credit card company told me all the locations and times that my credit cards and check cards were used that afternoon, before the cards were turned off. I wrote everything down and called the cops back. They were uninterested.
I guess it comes down to workload, but I have a hard time believing that statement when I drive down to make the report at the police station and I pass 2 or 3 different squad cars writing moving violations...
Good luck man, hopefully everything taken was replaceable. ------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. Daniel Patrinellis 360.434.4616 |
Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 12:18pm
| If the police are going to make it a low priority to investigate and what not then they should make it a low priority when I deal with the situation myself. I will be frank here. Surfers in certain areas don't get broken into because they have a way and reputation for dealing with it that will have any tweaker praying to be arrested and dealt with by the authorities. Loggers and foresters in my area enjoy much of the same reputation. If boaters had that reputation it would serve them well. Unfortunately that involves earning it and a hard hand. I personally hate thieves and could give two cents for what ever happens to them. I am not suggesting anyone do a anything they are uncomfortable with but boaters and others I know of have set a bait car other areas and let's just say the problem stopped. Once word spread throughout the dirtbag circle in that area it ended for a time. Problem is be careful as the law trends to be irritated when citizens do their own policing which is total crap. If the cops don't want to get involved then don't especially when someone deals with it themselves. |
Posted By: Blair
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 12:40pm
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We need to Break Bad! We need to crush a methhead's head with an ATM machine! That's respectable right there. ------------- |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 4:16pm
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The stupidity of what SOPBOATER is suggesting should be obvious to most, but for those who don't get it I'll lay it out for you.
Here is a sampling of the last four vigilanty calls I have dealt with. They are typical of vigilanty calls. I think SOPBOATER's assessment that I found them irritating is fair! Hero number one decides he doesn't like his neighbors driving "too fast" on their shared private road. He posts a 10 mph sign, and starts terrorizing his neighbors who he suspects of violating it. This culminates with him dragging a young mother out of her car at gun point and threatening to kill her while her very young children watch because she was driving 15 mph (his perception of her speed) in a fake 10 mph zone. He is looking at 8-10 years in prison now unless a attractive plea agreement comes his way. Hero number 2 is a concerned neighbor who assaulted a off duty federal agent who was picking up something the fed had loaned to a friend. The friend was going out for the night and left the item on the steps to his tool shed. Hero number 2 took his swing at the fed after being told the fed's identity (name, relationship to the friend, and profession), and why the fed was there. Fed declined to press charges after it was explained to him that since he was not acting in a official capacity we could only arrest Hero 2 for a minor assault and not assaulting a officer. A posse consisting of Heroes 3-8 decided to patrol their neighborhood at night because they were upset that the cops were not responding with gusto to a rash of daytime burglaries and prowler problems that were largely unreported to the police. They attacked a mentally ill juvenile with beer bottles after he cut through his neighbor's backyard to get to a friend's house (something he did every day according to the neighbor who's property he went through). No charges were brought after a unnamed hero intimidated the family into not cooperating with police. I am assuming that this was one of the heroes 3-8 so I have not adjusted the following hero numbers accordingly. Hero number 9 was trying to save his cousin from a rape that he assumed was occurring because his cousin was screaming inside a strange man's residence. It turns out the cousin was freaking out after Hero number 9 got her drunk and high, and broke into the house of a man who was almost 90. Old guy was on the phone with 911 and in a different part of the house the entire time. Hero 9 kicked in the door, ran past his obviously not raped cousin who was still freaking out, found the old guy in the back of the house, pointed a rifle at him, and ordered him to get on his knees so he could kill him. Old guy decided this sounded like a bum deal and decided to run. He made it to a gun in another part of the house and a shoot out ensued. Old guy sustained life changing and life threatening injuries, but managed to wing Hero number 9. Hero number 9 ran away firing blindly in the general direction of the old guy's house as he "retreated" through the neighborhood. He later took a plea for 5 years. Think these people sound psychotic, sociopathic, and/or just a little unreasonable? What was just being advocated here (whether he is willing to admit it or not) is no better. Setting up an ambush to seriously injure someone because you find the idea of shoving your IGidget in the glove box intolerable is worse than deciding to steal said IGidget by any reasonable person's measure of morality. If you rationalize it by telling yourself you are better than them and they deserve it you have just adopted the mindset of numerous serial killers, Enron executives, and kids who set up bum fights. Enjoy the company. It is also ineffective. I have gone to plenty of logger vehicle prowls. As long as they leave crap in their cars thieves keep targeting them. Just ask Heroes 10-14. Their plans for a logger/thief beat down ended abruptly when they ended up looking down the barrel of Hero 10's shotgun that he left in his car. If loggers with axes, chainsaws, chains, and a whole bunch of impressive (albeit primitive) weaponry aren't enough to scare them why do you think they are going to be scared off by boaters with paddles and skirts? I have no problem with people working their own cases when I can't for whatever reason. This does not include setting someone up for a beat down. Like many other cops I know I have also decided to not arrest property owners who took things a little too far in the heat of the moment. That said setting up a bait car to manufacture a situation won't get you much sympathy. While most thieves are like roaches and will flee as soon as the light hits them some are not. Some are truly dangerous, insane, unbelievably violently, and unbelievably good at being violent. Trust me when I say you don't want to ambush the later. Blair: that was a domestic dispute. As attractive as dropping an ATM on a tweaker's head may seem, getting into a domestic relationship with one to get it done is horrifying in its own right! Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: Ellingferd
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 5:22pm
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No offense to anyone who has had things stolen from their vehicle. I have had my car broken into three times in Seattle and lost anywhere from 400 to 1000 dollars worth of stuff each time. If my entire paddling kit was stolen, that would probably only amount to 3000 dollars worth of loss. Given the wide breadth of crimes perpetrated every day, particularly violent ones, I would rather the police focus on these instead of worrying about small thefts such as this. Does it suck when it happens to you? Yes. Does it deserve the same attention as all crime? No. Its called triage and it happens everywhere. Hell, the last time my car was broken into was a month ago in Everett, and I had to file the report myself online. Last piece of advice: get renters insurance. Costs next to nothing and will cover this kind of theft in most cases. |
Posted By: JayB
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 5:34pm
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Kyle:
Your post was pretty consistent with my own thoughts on the matter, for a couple of reasons. The most important reason is that I've got an average to small build, know that I'm not particularly good at fighting, and I've got way too much to lose to risk getting into a totally avoidable physical confrontation with someone who is desperate, irrational, and potentially armed and/or contagious over theft of what amounts to a lost day's pay.
The other reason is that whenever these threads come up - as they do often in any forum dedicated to sports that are dude-oriented that involve leaving vehicles at trailheads - there are usually combat vets and/or active-duty LEO's that will chime in to talk down the posse before it forms up.
The main take away I've gotten from their input is that if you walk down that path, you should have the arms, the training and the will to administer lethal force, and the means to deal with potentially massive criminal and civil liability even if you can establish that you were acting in self defense (which sounds like it's tougher if you have basically been waiting in ambush). E.g handguns, lots and lots of range-time, regular close quarters combat training with said handguns, invest lots of time in a grappling oriented martial art - etc, etc. Even if that's only partly accurate - thats tons of time and money that I'd rather spend on stuff related to paddling.
Since I don't have any of the above what I *have* considered - in addition to stashing the goodies - is picking up one or two of the camouflaged, motion-activated cameras and bringing them along when I head into tweakerville. Not a perfect solution - but at least there's a chance that it would provide some evidence that might help identify the perps and build a case if nothing else.
*None of this is intended to be a diss to the folks who do have the stones and the drive to detain and beat the hell out of tweakers that they find ransacking their cars and stealing their stuff. I just don't have it in me. Unfortunately - I don't think most of the boaters that I know have it in them either - so we're probably stuck with the way things are for now. ------------- -Jay |
Posted By: Blair
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 11:28pm
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I hate Mosquitos. They steal my blood and leave me with an itchy red bump. If I ever catch them in the act, I murder them! ------------- |
Posted By: SOPBOATER
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 11:45pm
| Look Wiggins I know u must view me as a redneck uneducated asshole so let me set the record straight. One I am none off these things. Two my post was as a matter of fact and experience, or perhaps an anecdote food for thought. I just don't appreciate your tone and inference that anyone that sticks up for themselves is stupid. I have no desire to work my own case our become a case at all. Further I would not suggest anyone pull off one of these shenanigans. also the the cases off example u must amit are a little far of the mark. The real police work I assure u is not in my hands our any other sane member odd this community. I merely wanted to illustrate that boaters are seen as an easy mark. "They are rich bums with spendy toys parked in the woods". (not my words). Like I said it its unfortunate that bad reputations are earned. So cool out. I assure u when someone its breaking into my rig I will call the cops after all without victims and crooks they would be out of a job. So I will play the victim and u can tell me my case doesn't matter while the crooks enjoy the fact that there are bigger fish to fry. It is only when a police force is seen as complacent that these evil thoughts of self reliance even arise after all. So alas here we are. In all seriousness though I am not trying to be difficult our combative. I an sure in your profession you see the sh..y side of folks and I in no way envy that and appreciate that u are out there as a boater and an officer so don't take this in any way as contrary, combative, our insulting cause its not meant to be. Just food for thought. But I digress and must get back to my Charles Bronson death wish marathon on tbs. I love the brons you know, the way he smokes those creeps makes me smile. (just kidding wink wink, oh and my phone spells like a dumass so it is the true uneducated one) cheers. |
Posted By: Wiggins
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 1:03am
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SOPBOATER I know you are not a redneck, uneducated, or an asshole. I also know you are not trying to take a jab at me. If what I said came across as an attack on you personally I am sorry. Your post could be construed as a suggestion. What I was trying to point out was the foolishness of taking such actions.
Being a victim and sticking up for yourself is one thing. Handling the situation and then deciding to make an example of someone, or going out looking for trouble is another. I have no doubt that thieves have been scared off by a good beatdown. I also know of a lot of them who have not blinked twice about stealing from Bandidos, Nortenos, cops, loggers, soldiers, etc (we don't get many surfers where I work!) after they were caught stealing from them the first time and taken a good thumping for it. The examples I gave are not extreme or off the mark. All of the people involved were normal citizens who just got carried away in the heat of the moment and are not at all atypical once people decide they have the moral high ground. A couple of better known examples of the same type of behavior are the Teyvon Martin shooting debacle, the Rodney King beating, and the Seattle cop who decided that kicking a handcuff suspect while using racially inflammatory language was appropriate (just to show that cops aren't immune!). Moral outrage, pack mentality, or just being flat out sick of dealing with crap seems to supplant reason in these situations. When that happens all bets are off. I get frustrated by the "bigger fish" syndrome as much as anyone. I have handed off some rock solid felony cases to other agencies who just could not be bothered to file the charges. For the record I have the time to do the follow up on vehicle prowls and many minor thefts. If I couldn't be bothered to pick up video evidence or follow a obvious lead I would get my ass chewed out by my sgt. Every day my email is filled with video stills of shoplifters in the stores in the local towns, gas and go suspects, people using stolen credit cards, etc from other cop's cases from all the agencies in Skagit County. What a lot of people have experienced is not the norm everywhere. Charles Bronson kicks ass! Kyle ------------- I smell bacon |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 9:43am
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Not to take this discussion even further off track, but wiggins most of your examples are just as far out in left field as the meth head getting crushed by a fridge and should not be classified as Vigilante calls. There are also plenty of examples of the vigilantes getting it done right too, I could list some of mine and others I know but as both wiggins and SOP suggest the police are not going to arrive warm and fuzzy when you are functioning outside their interpretation of the law... which is why a solid foundational knowledge of the law is ideal. Rather than open that can o worms, I would rather let this thread simmer and see what type of assistance Ben gets in the resolution of his property theft. Oh and bigger fish to fry, is BS. Don't get me started on County and City police time usage. I bought Starbucks Stock just because it seemed like the best way for me to recapture some of my tax dollars. |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 10:17am
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I think we can all suffer from a little too much bravado at times. Right after I posted I saw some flaws in my knee jerk reaction. However, dismissing the whole thing and calling it stupid is... not appropriate.
It's easy to take a person and throw them in a group of ill fated people who made poor choices. Before I go much further, I'd like to say I have respect for the law and people who chose to serve it.. These public servants I'm going to use as examples of "public servants" I hope are the exception Public servant #1 and #2. My friends neighbor was an officer. I'd parked legally on the street in front of his house to visit my friend. He approached me very gruffly and threatened trouble if I didn't move my car. I told him to F off. I went to my friends and pounded a couple beers waiting to see what happened. An on duty police man showed up and told me to move my car. I informed him I'd been drinking and would not be responsible for moving my car if I was made to. In my head I was worried I might lose control and drive through the front of the neighbors house. The on duty officer may have read my thoughts, he decided I could move it on my own time. As a teen I was with a group of friends and two officers showed up saying that we'd harassed a woman that walked by. No woman had walked by. They told us to disperse. I told them I believed this was harassment, and public servant 3 started to draw out his night stick saying you want to see harassment? Public servants #4 and on ... can't be bothered with theft and give websites to report things on. Oh, in the mix .. I live in Hilltop in Tacoma. I crossed the vacant street against the light. On the cross street a motorcycle cop used his p.a. to announce that the light was red and it was illegal to cross it. I was wrong, however with the crack dealers on the corner down the block I felt my crime should have been the least of his concerns. It did give me a great idea though.. I'm getting a pa for my car so when an officer drives by with a cell to his ear I can inform him it is illegal in Washington to drive that way. I see this on a regular basis and it seems like blatant disregard of the law from the ones we trust to uphold it. Also, I drive a wagon. It's impossible to have all items stowed out of sight. I've had cars broken into that just had junk visible... As kayakers it's pretty hard to leave your car immaculate and free from anything that might appear to be of value. A pair of pants might hold a wallet.. So, let me lay it out for you. Police may have better things to take care of, like violent crimes. Yet, if the car prowlers go un checked, as you know, they will get more and more brazen and continue un checked. Thus, If the address is able to be discovered I would still be willing to go say "hi!." I would not use a shuttle vehicle that might end up in the same area. With a valid concealed weapons permit I would carry a gun.. perhaps without I might just strap one to my side.. If I wanted to play it "safe," I might call the local authorities and let them know what I'm doing. I would knock on the door and ask about the vehicle and inform them of the information I had. It's not quite as satisfying as clubbing them or torching their car.. but it lets them know they are being watched and perhaps they should figure out a softer target. I'm not really sure there is a blog for criminals where they share info. For a good beat down to work it would have to get into the news and have it be attributed to a reason and group. I'd also approach the house knowing it's a strangers house and I could be walking into anything, like officers and Avon sellers do on a daily basis. I'd like to see a group of 20 or 30 people just come up to the house to see what the story was, it's hard for me to imagine that just that sight wouldn't detour the culprits from... breaking into cars, or perhaps letting someone use the car who might be enrolling them in those kind of situations.. Hell, it might even be news worthy. Without an address, what I will do is be very vigilant and not be afraid to stop and talk to folks who hang about the put in, especially if they seem suspicious. Wiggins, I generally like your posts and you seem like a good guy. It's just if the problem is too big for the authorities to handle, then citizens without training and perhaps not always being rational will lash out and try to do something. I really don't see any good reason police wouldn't follow a lead as easy as video tape. Oh, and about your comment on people with paddles and skirts.. Perhaps it's not the paddles they have to worry about, it's what's under the skirt. lol :) I actually just thought that was funny. A friend who probably has very few trespassers has this on a sign on his gate; Trespassers will be shot! survivors will be violated. He makes me look liberal. Also, why wouldn't the authorities follow up on crimes under 10,000 dollars. It seems like a person stealing over 10,000 dollars of worth is far less likely to be threatening peoples life and limb. Isn't it the petty criminals that tend to resort to force? Remember all: if your going to rob a woman on a bus at knife point, you might as well rob a bank with a shotgun. They are both armed robbery. I'm wasting river time on this, so I'll jumble up some last thoughts and get gone. Evil succeeds when good men stand by and do nothing. and... A person who gives up freedom for security will get neither.. (hopefully those counter each other a bit to come up with the right answer.) Not attributed because they are not exact, just know they came from minds much better than my own. ------------- why not! |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 10:34am
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I took so long writing I missed several posts... for the record, I am un educated, an asshole and a redneck, it doesn't make me wrong.
and, wiggins you make a good deal of sense, your well spoken... and Charles Bronson does kick ass! I hear what you'all say. I don't own anything worth my life, yet... I'm small in build and have taken many a blow standing up for what I believe. I hold my life dearly, but not so dearly that I can't live it. I think we all share that. ------------- why not! |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 10:42am
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Bronsen was a big blogger in deathwish.. lol ------------- why not! |
Posted By: Scott_H
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 11:57am
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I think I need to hang out at the take out longer and offer beers - you all have some great stories. ------------- “The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” |
Posted By: JayB
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 4:27pm
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Cross posted an alert about car break-ins on the upper Sky at the local fly fishing message board and this info cropped up: "Released one lost one, then lost my lure near Cable Hole. Decided to head to the mouth of the Wallce for Kings. When I got there. There were two cars with the windows busted. Blanking aholes. Please Read this & Beware of Thieves! This is not exactly a 5 fishing day! But a 5 to make all fishermen aware of the thief at Reiter pond are back. 8/5/12 between 6:30 - 7:00 PM, about 3 or 4 theif driving a red dodge diesel get away truck, one was a girl (they did not fish but came to break into people's cars)...these people broke into someone's truck and stole their wader. Total of two vehicles had their belonging broken in and/or stolen. They even got guts driving pass the gate all the way down to the rearing pond stairway! Come on who is running the Reiter pond facility? To make things worst, they practically ensure no fisherman was coming to the parking lot while two guys broke the truck's window, and make a clean get away. I can't believe the facility guy running the pond did not even see these yahoos racing down the pond restricted grounds. The break in sound "Bang" could be heard from the river & the revving of the truck's engine to get away. The red dodge truck revved engine roared back to the parking lot to pick up the two thieves and they drove off. Fish n Game faility can't even enforce that place...they're hopeless, they don't even install cameras or lights on the parking lot. You have to call 911. I apologize for this long story, but long story short, you need to be aware of a couple of thieves roaming at Reiter. If they not fishing they should not be in the parking lot loitering. I don't want you to be in the same situation. Pass the word to your fellow fisherman friends - these idiots are back stealing sh*t again. If you see the red dodge truck (older model diesel w/ big wheels hi lifted), call 911 if you're suspecious. It is a real SHAME! If you see a skinny tall white male driving a red dodge, he and his buddy & a girl are the culprit thieves. They have no business fishing around Reiter. Thank You" ------------- -Jay |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2012 at 7:18pm
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Unchecked.
Actually, that active in a small town like sultan they should be caught soon. (if it's the same people.) It won't get anyone's stuff back... but it will stop the rampant break ins. ------------- why not! |
Posted By: TastyWaves
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2012 at 12:45pm
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Sounds like Washington is in need a of a new group of vigilante superheros.
Breaking News: "Group of spandex-clad musty water enthusiasts beat vandals into submission with blue and red paddles, forcing the criminals to then drink beer from a rubber shoe"
------------- Wise men say forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza. |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2012 at 11:00am
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Yak man and Paddle boy? armed with paddle of fury and throw rope of death. Take that car looting land lubber! (practicing ninja moves as we speak.) Now, only if I'd rather sit in an out of the way put in waiting for car prowlers rather than being on the river... :(
:) I actually would like to know the outcome of the last car prowling.. and I hope the controversy that was sparked doesn't detour people from posting break ins. It helps everyone know where the worst security issues are. A special forum for break in and destruction of property might be helpful. ------------- why not! |
Posted By: BRoss
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 12:03pm
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The total loss was nearly $10K, so this is not a small break-in, and in fact would be a felony if the sheriff manages to use the information we gave him about transactions, etc. against video footage.
Also, we have renters insurance, and specific insurance for items stolen, and it isn't covering it all. Just an FYI that insurance companies have negotiated rates with specific vendors, but if you choose to use the vendor of your choice, they may only reimburse you for half the value you insured your items for. ------------- "That boated a lot better than it looked." "It always does until it doesn't." |
Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 10:59pm
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That sucks man. Real sorry to hear it. If you need a boat or gear to get you by let me know. ------------- "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 11:13pm
| Ben what ever came of the Security Camera Footage, were you able to get a copy for yourself, what about the police? |
Posted By: James
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2012 at 11:52pm
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I only ask because alot of these smaller gas stations tape over old footage each week or month. Most just don't have massive servers or even cloud storage so they just re-run the tapes unless something happened or is requested. It is always ideal to contact the gas station or business so they are aware of the evidence request and able to hold on to it. Just a heads up. In one of my first experiences that was the route it went. Officer refused to do anything and the local store taped over it. Second time around after getting brick walled by the officer the desk sgt on duty and then his LT, I decided I would write a letter to my local district rep. and then I took a Evidence Request Form, Affidavit of Intent (stating I was not impersonating an officer and that I was there to request evidence to tender to the police dept, which had not contracted or requested my collection service. Then took two "copies" of the tape and I requested that they maintain possession of the original until the court had at a future time released the right to dispose of., explained that the original very well might be required for further inspection by a forensic specialist. Took one copy with written statements of the shop owner and gal down to the Property and Evidence Custodian whom I was not allowed to see, I waited for about an hour until finally the LT that was responsible for the case popped out to ask me what I thought I was doing. Read me the riot act and quoted a bunch laws that I had violated, that I was lucky they were not going to press charges etc.. Then asked for all the evidence and paperwork I had. I explained that I was going to personally check this into evidence and wanted the signed copy by the Property and Evidence Custodian. I also added right before he was about to cut me off that if he wanted to detain me, arrest me or seize the property I was in control of he just needed to state what he was going to charge me with and I would fully comply. I also allowed them to view copies of my letter to my district rep, the mayor and the chief of police for Renton, who had called me back to let me know earlier that they were doing everything they could which they were not. Finally I checked it all into evidence got my signed copy and told the LT that I was a very capable resident and would be more than happy to help out further if they needed it. Of course I was laughed at and told to get lost. I stopped by the Gas Station to give them a copy of the evidence form and explained everything to them... they just thought I was the craziest person around and told me that I had wasted all that time because still nothing was going to get done.... Guess what about one month later this Gal saw the same guy come into the store, recognized him because of all the times we watched the tape getting the right part copied. Called the police and then me.... The kid and his friend got arrested with over 20k worth of stolen property and in a stolen car... I never recovered any of my money, time, or property. Quite a few local police really dislike me now and that just began to prepare me for the future work that was in store! How is that for a read Scott! You don't want to hear some of my other ones, or some of my on going ones... Whoa dogs! NE WAYS Ben - Don't give anyone an inch and don't take any of my advice unless you do your research because you can get yourself into trouble... Certainly more so when Police are looking to screw with you... Which is the subject of my next midnight rant....  |
Posted By: thad2000
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2012 at 9:00am
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Makes me mad to hear about those crooks.. and the ones that broke into your car. Too bad you can't call the police on the insurance company.
@ James... good job chasing down stuff without violating the law. Man, sounded like a bunch of work. I applaud your perseverance. ------------- why not! |
Posted By: Dale
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2012 at 7:01pm
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That sucks Ben. That's a tough hit.
James, I hear you on the cops thing. I've been around quite a few and I can tell you, they are just people. Good, bad and indifferent. As is often in life, the bad stands out in memorable ways and it can suck if you happen to rub against the bad ones, though, I would probably classify yours as closer to indifferent leaning towards bad. A poor example of an employee. There was a classic camera sting operation in the SouthEast that put an end to a series of breakins at one location. They caught the guy and he spent time in jail and when he got out, he broke into more cars at the same place and they caught him again. I don't think stomping him would have helped but putting him jail kept folks homes and cars from being broken into as long as he was locked up. This video just popped up on YouTube about a Portland guy that saw his stolen bike for sale on Craigslist in Seattle. Here's the story of their sting operation... http://youtu.be/9-GVpIaPEGM It's not terribly satisfying but it was this guys best chance to get his bike back and they kept their cool and did their homework on the legalities. The best part is when they be yelling, "CITIZENS ARREST!!! CITIZENS ARREST!!!"(think Gomer). |
Posted By: jP
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2012 at 10:58am
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Ok, ok, once again another good thread that has taken me awhile to get the time to catch up on. I like this thread and the detailed examples EVERYONE has provided about their experiences.
I like your spirit, Thad. Sopboater, who are you kidding? Sure, you are not an uneducated asshole by any means, and your phone most certainly is. But, you ARE a kayaking, fishing, redneck ninja. Be proud. And you can't watch some Charles Bronsen without being inspired to see some good 'ol vigilante justice. And while I felt like Kyle's "numbered hero" examples didn't quite fit into the puzzle, I have to admit I agree with the bottom line of his point. This I can relate by briefly touching on the example I have of my most recent vigilante experience: Many of my freinds round here know of the time I chased down a thief who broke into my house mate's car one night. During the heat of the chase I was exhilerated by it, and spurred forth with a feeling of having the moral highground Kyle mentioned. Yes it occurred to me I could be making a mistake (did this guy have a knife, a gun, or fighting skills? What if I was being lead toward his waiting accomplices? Ect.). Again concerns arose when I caught him, grappelled with him, ect. But they went away when I realized I had the upper hand, and that his fear was greater than mine. So I took my upper hand and started beating him with it. This is where I can say things had a potential to go baddly. No longer concerned about the consequences of the encounter since I was on top kicking his ass, I could feel a sense of satisfaction as I put all of the frustration I'd had in the past from being thieved into inflicting pain. I nearly broke his fingers, kneed him in the ribs, got several blows to his head, ect. WOW- I confess it felt great, and I felt vindicated for the times I'd been stolen from in the past even though this guy hadn't directly stolen from me. And later my housemate was grateful for the vigilante justice. But as this experience went on for a few minutes, I started (fortunately) to realize what thin ice I was on. I started to call 911 until I realized that by now I had done more harm to this guy than he had done to my housemate's car. Then it occured to me that a nieghbor could potentially call police after seeing me randomly beating the guy on their lawn in the middle of the night, that I would then be the bad guy. But what finally made me back off was the realization just before I punched him hard in the nose that I didn't know enough about what I was doing. That I was dangerously close to pushing this thing over the edge in a very, very bad way. All this occured in a matter of minutes during this skirmish, and I'm glad I had the sense to know when to stop and to pull myself back. The testosterone, adrenaline, or whatever chemical cocktail that took hold of me had quickly taken me to the edge of rational behavior. So for that reason, I'm inclined to agree w/ Kyle's post. You gotta safeguard against the onset of blind aggression, and thats why these situations are dicey and could get out of control. Still, I think there is a lot of creative room for sting opperations as some have suggested. But they need to be extremely well thought out and clever. James, as always, I admire your approach and your perseverence. Ellingeferd, I agree its a form of triage, but that's small consolation when its your finger that gets cut off. I don't have a conclusion or moral here. I'm just glad I was able to learn something from my own experience, and from all of your accounts. Hopefully I can apply it all next time something happens, and make the right choices, no matter what they are. As for Cable Drop, I bet a sting operation could be used to get the perps busted properlly, now or in the future. Just gotta be smart and safe about it... |
Posted By: firewater
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2012 at 3:49pm
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Time to "Get Jesse!" http://www.king5.com/on-tv/contact/64675492.html - http://www.king5.com/on-tv/contact/64675492.html
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