Thieving Scrappers!!! (Updated) - Page 2

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ScrapTheftAlert

I HATE the words thief and scrapper used in conjunction. These people responsible for this are not true scrappers, they are thieves, plain and simple.

I have had things stolen including a trailer, car hauler, copper, catalytic converters, etc but in neither case did I consider them stolen by a scrapper just simply thieves.

WE must drive these people out.

In and around my place the last few years, with the Florida castle, and stand your ground laws, thievery has become a very dangerous profession.

A thief generally doesn't have a gun hes too stupid and greedy, he has sold it for drugs or money and he is stupid enough to bring a knife to a fight with an AK.

you should have called the cops even a threat to do so would most likely gotten your stuff back no charge. That yard was dealing in stolen property, especially after you told them the hay fork was yours. chances are very good they will still buy from these creeps.

Originally Posted by jonnyjeb

I was robbed of much scrap (mainly unprocessed) by two former students of the high school where I teach. They knew when I was at work and took the metal in broad daylight. They bragged about it, neighbors saw them and could ID them so I thought the police could do something. WRONG.... BTW, these 2 are known addicts

Similar for me was I figured the car from wittinesses , the people , all the cops could do was ask them questions .
still they stopped thankful for that .
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When I saw one of my saws in the motor pile I had no cooperation - the saw was a no name rip saw from 1970's with the same tape on cord ,
I should of called the police.
So good for you ( the OP ) to be so persistent .
good luck you came as close as possibly to good fortune
with scrap industry , by me it would of been melted . ( there a full process company )

Really surprising in your small town how some one thinks they can steal and use in the very same small town with out getting caught
That is a dumb Thief

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Glad to hear that things are moving in the somewhat right direction. I hope justice is served. Take that how you will.

I'm glad you found out who it was, Steel, and also that you got a lot of your items back. That yard is just as bad as the thief, as far as I'm concerned. Here in PA, our State Police would have ruined their day, and it would likely have NOT cost you a cent to recover what was rightfully yours. They may not have been criminally charged if it could not be proven that they knew the material was stolen, but they WOULD have had to forfeit the material back to you.

I've seen it happen here, when one of our less-reputable core buyers bought stolen converters from a known thief. The rightful owner came with the police and identified exactly the ones that were his- The very same ones the core buyer had purchased from the known thief. No charges against the buyer (but the actual thief got nailed), but the material went back to its rightful owner. The buyer who purchased the stolen cats received ZERO compensation from anyone. I'm sure the thief was ordered by the court to pay the buyer restitution for the amount he was paid, but the rightful owner did not have to buy his own material back, nor should he have had to.

And if your out any money then take the thieves to small claims court. It's your word against theirs and you already have proof of their honesty.
A couple of strikes in your favor.

I had to take a person to small claims one time cause they had rented a game system from us along with games. Refused to bring it back and basically laughed at us in our small town. Filled out the paperwork, and he didn't show for the court appearance. The court rescheduled and again a no-show. 3rd time the court filed a warrant for his arrest, they finally found him and in the pokey he went. His bond was what was owed to me plus costs, and when he bonded out I had my money and he had multiple charges added to his record.

Stealing is probably the second oldest profession, as there are always going to be those that want "Money for Nothing". As a business owner for over twenty years, most of my losses have come from people on the "Inside". There's nothing that makes me madder than finding someone close to me, stealing from me. I've had both employees and family steal from me, even family that was drawing a pay check. When the employee is family/employee at the same time, it really hurts.

I have only prosecuted a couple of times, when and only when I have a 100% solid case. I will terminate for "simple cause", what is simple cause? Math, you have to know the people you work with. That takes time, but if you take the time to notice, "YOU WILL KNOW". How does math come in to play? You have to learn how to put numbers to everything, because that's where the money is! I can't think of a single loss, where the numbers when added up told the truth. Put the numbers with what you see and hear with your own eyes/ears you will know honest from dishonest people. I also always refer to a good friend, LA county sheriff who has always provided me with good prospective judgement and advise. His comment on thief's, a very poor occupation choice, not to many that are long term successful with that career move. There are way more remorseful and learned ex-thieves then those that continue to take what is not theirs. Another bit of wisdom from my friend, thief's almost always have inside information, they have more than likely been on your property before or know someone that has. So when looking for 'WHO DONE IT", start with those closest to you.

I hate labels almost as much as a crook, all crooks don't use drugs. There are a lots of causes for addictions and no single answer for preventing addictions. One thing for sure, it affects all of us and all of us have a lot of work to do in that topic.

There is one label I like, "SCRAPPER", nothing wrong with that label if one chooses to educate!

Originally Posted by msmoorad

good for you

wonder what will the reaction be the next time use that yard?
how will they treat u etc...

I would never go back there, ever.

There's a difference between an honest mistake and knowingly buying stolen property. These guys almost certainly did the latter and you all know as well as I do that this wasn't an isolated incident.

I would put in the letter that is being sent to their corporate office that you will not be a returning scrap metal dealer. These guys might not get much from the law but I'd be surprised if their bosses didn't nail them to the wall and send them packing

ask the yard for a printout of your business with them last year. then forward that with your letter so corporate knows what the lost