What would you do with a thief. When you catch them. I have one and have set up a camera to catch them. just a matter of time.
New Guy
What would you do with a thief. When you catch them. I have one and have set up a camera to catch them. just a matter of time.
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Punch him in the face.... What else?
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
Thomas Jefferson
Over the last three years, I've actually caught 15 of them. It's best to get to know your local police and get them on your side. The first ones we caught, they didn't really seem to believe us. As we got to know them and let them know that we were serious and would hang in there all the way to prosecution, they began to help us out more.
It's a good idea to take pictures of all your stuff as well as the video. Knowing that the items are the exact ones that are transferred into their possession helps a great deal. Also, when you find out what is missing, provide the police a record of the value.
As tempting as it is, don't shoot them. There are laws that will get you in trouble.
My advice, get all the evidence you can, turn them in as soon as possible and ride it all the way through court. When the other thieves know that you're serious, they will start to steer clear.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
First make sure the police go to the local scrap yard and order them not to buy anything from this jerk.
A scrap yard in my area was knowingly buying from a thief and was encouraging him to steal.
If the yards don't buy from crooks-the crooks won't steal our stuff!
When all else fails-wellllll.
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Still photo or video, I would post the footage to Youtube. Anything to further the ruination of a worthless thief's rep.
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By me, down the other street last year a couple of young men stole from a guy who had a lot of stuff sitting outside his home from a catering business. At first they just drove up to his home and stole bags of cans. Eventually they started taking the other stuff and also broke into his garage for more stuff. The guy stayed home one day to catch them and when they pulled up to his garage he called the police and they were caught. All they got was a fine and probation. I know the truck and have seen them back on the road again.Originally Posted by bullion
It seems like the punishment didn't fit the crime even though the man called the police each time and reported what had been taken. Sad, and they are out on the road again and who knows if they are still stealing. I remember reading about this in the paper and the guy actually told me more of the story in detail himself.
I'd set up cameras and take any film of them in action straight to the police.
Scrapper, Scrap Yard Worker, Horse farm worker, Cooler Puller and just plain ''tired''
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I agree with all of the suggestions so far. The law has been cracking down on yards buying illicit material, so if the yards in your area all know about this goon, chances are they will "blackball" him and refuse to buy anything from him. Not worth the risk for them. There are a few of these types in my area who I will not buy a dollar worth of anything from. In fact, the law here in PA requires that anyone selling certain materials or anything valued over $100 sign a written statement that they A) are the lawful owner of everything they are selling and B) have never been convicted of any theft involving metal items. No ID, no signature = No sale. Here in this state at least, a metal theft conviction on this guy's record would cause him major problems with legitimate scrap buyers. "Convicted thief" is just not a good reputation to have anywhere, and it would be easy to prove and quickly destroy his credibility with anyone you talk to. Getting a conviction on his record would be my first objective.
Thieves suck, whether they steal $100,000 in cash or a dollar worth of cans. It's not theirs, someone else worked for it/saved it, and it really p**ses me off any time I hear about it. I hope you get some results with the law that will make this guy very sorry that he stole from you.
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If he's on private property shoot him with a pellet gun with pointed pellets or either that dump a clip on a 9mm in the air and then shine a light on him saying next time you won't miss..... I had huge problems with theft when I was in high school for all my car audio equipment and I learned fast to buy extra long screws that where a funky square head. Usually thief's only brought a phillips and flat head. Also Id spot weld to a meal bar on the radio all razor blades so when someone would grab the radio they would slice their hands open pretty good...Another option in a attack dog? Or just sneak up on them and violently express the anger they have caused you... The ONLY prob. is with todays criminals they steal from you. You beat them up and they sue you and they own your property? The judicial system is all wacky and criminal defense attorneys make money no matter what.
Good luck buddy
DayV
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in jersey you need to take the advice above and get friendly with the gestapo. here in Fl I garantee I would shoot them if I caught them on the property.
son shot at one already, did't hit him but he had to change his under wear when he got home.
three I didnt catch
one we ran out of the community.
we have gator ponds here
"anyone who thinks scrappin is easy money ain't doin it right!"
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Be careful when considering causing harm to a thief, as it could get you in trouble (no matter how much they deserve it). My HVAC contractor told me a story about a thief that climbed in through the large return vent outside a building. The owner installed wire mesh and such to discourage thieves from access, but they broke through it and got him again. After a few other situations, he rigged some wire in the vent and hooked it up to an electrical source. The thief was electrocuted and the owner of the shop was charged with manslaughter. Nobody likes a thief but it would be worse to be thrown in jail for taking the wrong approach.
*note..i believe this is how the story went, but it happened awhile ago so i might have some details wrong. But i do know he was prosecuted
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I don't know about where other folks live, but owning and/or carrying a pellet gun requires a permit where I live. Just a heads up for folks who otherwise might think about using one for protection.
Also, setting up booby traps is not a good idea, as noted in the post above. It's actually illegal and can turn on you if the thief gets hurt. Like it or not, that's just the way the law reads.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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What if you dumped a bucket of razor blades on your shred pile? The thief comes in, and when he grabs something and gets caught, would you still get in trouble? You could argue that it is just metal and not your fault, or would it get turned back on you and they would say you did it on purpose?
Experienced Scrapper
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Where do you get a bucket of razor blades?
Experienced Scrapper
One of the problems is getting the prosecuting attorney to actually prosecute the case. They don't want to prosecute these cases since it is "only scrap metal." Often they they have "bigger fish to fry" and don't or won't prosecute. Elected officials really don't like business owners asking why they aren't prosecuting these crimes and being soft on crime. It may take a visit or two to educate individuals that theft is theft regardless of the item, especially if you can show a large loss.
When you file a police report try to get multiple charges involve, for example theft, trespassing, breaking and entering etc. that might help.
It might be more worthwhile to file civilly against them and get a judgement to pay for damages, losses, time etc. Then if they don't pay you have options for liens, contempt of court etc.
Probably most important follow up and ask why it wasn't prosecuted, having someone asking hard to answer questions may help.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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I try and not have anything tempting, lying around or in view. All non-ferrous scrap is stashed in bins under the house, with only tubs of light gauge ferrous under the car port. It looks like very slim pickings around my yard, and I am sure this discourages opportunists from even bothering coming for a closer look. I think they wouldn't bother stopping at my place, and would try the guy just down the road with a nice boat parked on the front lawn. If they can't see it, they won't think they need to steal it. I try and put effort into prevention, nothing worth stealing at my place.
New Guy
well most of my items are car parts sheet metal and such but I do get a tone of engine cradles,diffs, transmissions and suspension parts. Lots of heavy
I set up a camera but have yet to capture anyone on it but my self. Time will tell. I have spoken to the local POPO and they just rolled there eyes. well see what happens when I have the POS in my photos.
Been cleaning out my mother in laws place for sale and sorting out the contents into family items, trash, scrap, yard sale.
My wife had a for sale sign out front and a family came knocking on the door, told us how much they loved the location and wanted to look around to determine if they wanted to buy it.
After about ten minutes it became clear they were more interested in the items in the house and yard.
A couple days later, in between hauling off loads, sure enough, some items ran off.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
Had one it took me a year to get his plate, as it turned out he was sitting across the street at a bar watching us watch for him. The camera would show him loading up a few minutes after we left. Finally he put a For Sale sign on his truck, which helped identify his truck. (camera was up on a roof). Took 3 months to get the police to go after him, then he was ordered to pay $1000.00 to me. Couple of years later caught him again at another location, charged him again, have not seen him since.
New camera's are better now, have one that will text me a pic as soon as it see's motion, but from a distance it takes awhile till you can catch up to them. If they are in a plain truck with a hoodie covering them up, you have to wait till you see their truck at a yard or driving around to nail them.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its called a "Man trap" and will get you a LOT of prison time. I will explain why.
Read this (from above) {
My HVAC contractor told me a story about a thief that climbed in through the large return vent outside a building. The owner installed wire mesh and such to discourage thieves from access, but they broke through it and got him again. After a few other situations, he rigged some wire in the vent and hooked it up to an electrical source. The thief was electrocuted and the owner of the shop was charged with manslaughter. Nobody likes a thief but it would be worse to be thrown in jail for taking the wrong approach.
*note..i believe this is how the story went, but it happened awhile ago so i might have some details wrong. But i do know he was prosecuted }
This same situation happed in NZ, The guy, sick of getting broken into, wired up the window grill to 240V AC...........
Later, a theif, getting chased by the Police during darkness, jumped the fence & as the officer followed him over the fence, the officer touched the grill & got a tingle.
So he follows it up next day & notices the electrical wire joined to the grill, investgates, charges owner with wilfull endangerment & setting a mantrap. Got over a year inside.
Whats happening is the the Police have a right to chase a criminal over property, if you set a trap, you are setting a trap for the Police & interferring with the Police investigation.
If the officer was touching the ground at the time, he would have been killed, but as he was in midair, he got a 240 volt AC tingle. (don't believe the stuff about needing to be 'earthed to get a shock.)
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Last week, at 2 am, I hear the trees rubbing aginst the house. The wind musta got stronger as the sound got louder, then a tree coughed...............
So I walk outside & see 3 hooded guys loading compressor cases into their car boot & I go "WTF are you doing?. Its not even worth your time".
Wanna stop a crim? Tell them its not worth their time, they know what 'Time' is... But suddenly someone thinks they are actually worth something.... Up till then, all they got told was that they were worth a 'bunch of s....'
They stopped still for about 10 seconds and then one slipped into the car, the others had to follow.
If they had stopped & chucked the cases back I woulda given them a 55 drum fulla ali cans instead. I sorta know the guys, they probably didn't know it was my house either.
Sometimes people get into situations they are not in complete control of & the right words and actions can make a big difference.
We don't have cocaine or crack in NZ, less meth & opiates too, its a slightly different enviroment.
Last edited by eesakiwi; 05-26-2014 at 02:33 AM.
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