Camera stolen, NOT hopeless, need advice!

[Techhie]

Ok, I'm just going to lay the story out right from the beginning, because I truly need some advice here. (sorry for the long post)

Basically, I buy and sell things on craigslist for a small profit margin, in addition to have the privilege of using some nice things while before I sell them. I view things like this as a good investment, and people would be surprised what kind of deals show up (ex. the $1,500 '09 Mac Pro I'm typing on). Of course, doing this kind of "business" also comes with its disadvantages:

I am into photography, and I found myself buying a Canon Rebel XSi at a good price about a month ago. IT wasn't long until I set up a great deal basically to sell the XSi and then immediately buy a Canon 40D (both people were to meet me at the same place to do a "swap" if you will). I met these two African American boys who looked to be in their late teens and at first was suspicious, but that was all forgotten once we started talking in photography jargon. The other guy with the 40D shows up, and while I am talking with him, the two guys take the XSi and run. I chased them for about 3 blocks until they jumped a huge fence, and then I called the cops. Filed a police report, was told the situation was basically hopeless, blah blah.

The point is, the kids were stupid enough to give me their real phone number, which after a google search when I returned home revealed that they had used it on many craigslist ads for (obviously) stolen items such as multiple sets of furniture, rolexes, and 70" TVs. The phone number also was tied to both of their myspace accounts, with which I found out addresses, real names, and that the main kid is running a makeshift photography "business" (hence why he actually knew about cameras)

I printed all of this out, included the original transcript of the email conversation between us (the plaintext version with IPs), and turned all of it in to the local police dept. under my case file. Problem is, the investigator talked to me about three weeks ago saying it was promising and telling me he would go to the kids high school and talk to him, but now he hasn't called me back and won't return my phone calls.

You can understand why this is frustrating, there is nothing stopping me from going to the kids house and confronting him. Can you guys offer me any advice that doesn't deal with me wading through a sea of red tape? I just want my camera back before the kid sells it.

Thanks for the patience of reading all of that :rolleyes:

[Sun Baked]

If you think the kids were under 18, and have traced the camera to their parents home ... filing a lawsuit against their parents is always an option.

The parents allowing a criminal enterprise to happen in their house isn't a winner on their end. Though you can and probably will get death threats.

[Techhie]

If you think the kids were under 18, and have traced the camera to their parents home ... filing a lawsuit against their parents is always an option.

Wouldn't filing a lawsuit be more expensive than just buying a new DSLR?

[epicwelshman]

Wouldn't filing a lawsuit be more expensive than just buying a new DSLR?

Of course, but it depends whether you want to just stand back and allow them to continue their criminal lifestyle.

Sorry, let me get off my hypocritical soapbox.

It depends what you value more. If you merely want to replace your stolen equipment, then just buy a new camera and chalk it up to a learning experience.

If you feel personally wronged on many levels than you can sue the parents / the kids themselves and try to recoup not only your loss, but other damages as well.

[Techhie]

Of course, but it depends whether you want to just stand back and allow them to continue their criminal lifestyle.

Sorry, let me get off my hypocritical soapbox.

It depends what you value more. If you merely want to replace your stolen equipment, then just buy a new camera and chalk it up to a learning experience.

If you feel personally wronged on many levels than you can sue the parents / the kids themselves and try to recoup not only your loss, but other damages as well.

Do you know how much something like this would cost? I don't know much about law, but I've seen a couple Judge Judy episodes =)

[sl1200mk2]

If you're not easily intimidated, I'd simply go to the house and knock on the door at a time when you know it's likely the parents or whatever adults are home. Worst that happens is that you're told to go away and you're in the same position you are now. Best case, you actually deal with decent people who have delinquents for kids and you get your camera back. Obviously, be sensible and check the place out first. Bringing a friend isn't a bad idea.

Good luck -

[Techhie]

If you're not easily intimidated, I'd simply go to the house and knock on the door at a time when you know it's likely the parents or whatever adults are home. Worst that happens is that you're told to go away and you're in the same position you are now. Best case, you actually deal with decent people who have delinquents for kids and you get your camera back. Obviously, be sensible and check the place out first. Bringing a friend isn't a bad idea.

Good luck -

Already considered this, but the simple fact that I found craigslist ads under his name for items like Rolexes makes me think this isn't the first crime he's committed. That, and the pics of him with "gangsters" on his myspace profile :p

[luminosity]

Go to the parents. They may be unaware of what's going on, and you just happen to be the first person able to make a difference.

[ChrisA]

Wouldn't filing a lawsuit be more expensive than just buying a new DSLR?

No, because you can add the cost of the suit and your time to the cost of the camera. The kids parents can have wages garnished and assets sold. You can add time off work, mileage, postage and most expenses to the claim

The problem is that lawers want to take cases where some real money is involved. A few hundred bucks is not worth their time. So you will have to go to small claims court. It's not hard to do and you can bet the kids or their parents will not even show up. They likely will ignore the default judgement you get and then yo will need to file more paperwork and jump through more hops but you can force them to pay eventually, that is if they have a job

Try pestering the police. Tell them about the Rolexes and so on. Make the case bigger and they might be more motivated. The trouble is that in some cities if you call the cops about a shooting they ask "is anyone dead?" and it not they just take a report over the phone. Attempted murder take time any from their work on speed traps and illegal u-turns.

[Techhie]

The problem is that lawers want to take cases where some real money is involved. A few hundred bucks is not worth their time. So you will have to go to small claims court. It's not hard to do and you can bet the kids or their parents will not even show up. They likely will ignore the default judgement you get and then yo will need to file more paperwork and jump through more hops but you can force them to pay eventually, that is if they have a job



Do you have to have a lawyer for small claims court? I'm just trying to get this resolved in the easiest way possible, and without getting shot by a gang :rolleyes:

[daflake]

Do you have to have a lawyer for small claims court? I'm just trying to get this resolved in the easiest way possible, and without getting shot by a gang :rolleyes:

Why not give the police that information so that they can follow up on it? If you have good information they will act on it. You still may not get the camera back, but at least it won't happen to someone else.

[Kronie]

Worst that happens is that you're told to go away and you're in the same position you are now.

Um no. Worst that can happen is the parents listen to your story then give you a beat down or even shoot you.

[Techhie]

Why not give the police that information so that they can follow up on it? If you have good information they will act on it. You still may not get the camera back, but at least it won't happen to someone else.

I already said that I printed out a 50 page report of all the info I have about him and gave it to the police. I think I may sue him in small claims court for around $1,500 for the camera and damages. The only problem is, after looking through my folder I have on him (the I gave the originals to the police, and made a copy for myself) I don't have his address.

Is there a way I can get it? I have basically every other piece of info on him, including his high school.

[Techhie]

Um no. Worst that can happen is the parents listen to your story then give you a beat down or even shoot you.

Thats what I want to avoid :D

Hopefully small claims court will help me without revealing my address.

That said, can anyone tell me how I can get his address? It's required to file the claim.

[Sun Baked]

Is there a way I can get it? I have basically every other piece of info on him, including his high school.

If he was past high school you'd be able to go to school and get them kicked out due to their violation of the schools morals code.

With high school and public funds, they'd like congratulate him.

In college with the money likely coming from a criminal enterprise, colleges have been burned in the past when victims went to them asking for their money back.

[Techhie]

If he was past high school you'd be able to go to school and get them kicked out due to their violation of the schools morals code.

With high school and public funds, they'd like congratulate him.

In college with the money likely coming from a criminal enterprise, colleges have been burned in the past when victims went to them asking for their money back.

Since I'm not 18 (until next October) I have talked my mom into filing a suit against him in small claims court. All I need is his address to write him a formal letter demanding payment before I file. Can anyone help with that?

On a side note, I googled his phone number again, with interesting results. Yesterday, he posted an ad wanting to buy a Verizon touchscreen phone. Today, he posts an ad for a Blackberry Tour which he "can no longer use" because he "switched networks". Conveniently, he also doesn't have the box or charger because of a "mail in rebate" :rolleyes:

[daflake]

I already said that I printed out a 50 page report of all the info I have about him and gave it to the police. I think I may sue him in small claims court for around $1,500 for the camera and damages. The only problem is, after looking through my folder I have on him (the I gave the originals to the police, and made a copy for myself) I don't have his address.

Is there a way I can get it? I have basically every other piece of info on him, including his high school.


Umm.. Well, if you gave the police the real number and it is in fact a real number (highly doubt it) then the detective will check into it. That would be an easy case to close, so I don't see why they wouldn't follow up on it.

That being said, you will have to prove that they actually took it and you would have to find the kids names and serve their parents.

[pukifloyd]

nuke their house:D


If I were you, I'd contact police and if they were helping, I'd go to their home and beat the crap out of them ;)

Seriously, go to their house and if they don't give the camera back then file the lawsuit...

I am wondering why the police isn't taking any action...:confused:

[Techhie]

nuke their house:D


If I were you, I'd contact police and if they were helping, I'd go to their home and beat the crap out of them ;)

Seriously, go to their house and if they don't give the camera back then file the lawsuit...

I am wondering why the police isn't taking any action...:confused:

You could imagine the police have more important business than an $800 theft in Las Vegas ;)

[Sun Baked]

You could imagine the police have more important business than an $800 theft in Las Vegas ;)

But, he also gave them info on a theft ring.

Right now they are doing snatch and grabs of electronics, and with the pictures of the rest of the gang.

They might decide to up the ante from snatch and grabs to robbing people of cash and cars, and possibly they may do it violently.

So the $800 theft is likely just the tip of the iceberg.

---

But the camera is gone, if you can track it you can get it easily from the person who it gets sold to. If you can find them.

[Techhie]

But the camera is gone, if you can track it you can get it easily from the person who it gets sold to. If you can find them.

my initial thought as well, until I found out that he likes photography as a hobby. Seems like out of all the items he would steal, this might be one he would actually keep. Regardless, I should be able to win at least the worth of the camera in small claims court, plus some emotional damages. I was thinking around $1,200-$1,400 ($800 camera plus emotional)

[compuwar]

Problem is, the investigator talked to me about three weeks ago saying it was promising and telling me he would go to the kids high school and talk to him, but now he hasn't called me back and won't return my phone calls.

Police are very busy. If the investigator is not returning your calls, it's because of one of three reasons. 1. He's busy with another case. 2. He's on leave or detailed elsewhere. 3. You bugged him too often.

It takes time to prepare a criminal case. He may be waiting on the results of subpoenas to phone companies, craigslist, whichever ISP the perps are using... They also may have stolen enough stuff that there's months of tracing who it was all sold to and tracking down the original owners. While an investigation is ongoing the police aren't going to comment on its status, even to victims.

You can file a civil case in small claims court yourself. There are books on how to do it, and there's probably some good Google searches too. However,
I'd give it three or four more weeks, then see if you can get a status from the person working the case.

Generally small-claims court judges aren't going to award emotional damages due to theft. If you had a trip comming up, and you had to get a camera to cover it, that might be possible to get as a part of the damages, it depends a lot on the statutes in your jurisdiction.

[sl1200mk2]

Um no. Worst that can happen is the parents listen to your story then give you a beat down or even shoot you.

Possibility? Yes, of course, but so is an airplane failing on my head as I type this. I personally wouldn't worry about that if I brought a friend along. Like I said, take obvious precautions and check out the neighborhood first. I'm sure the OP has a feel for the area considering he lives somewhere nearby. If it's in a sketchy area, don't go -- simple. Sitting around to find out isn't going to get the camera back.

If these were "gangstas" they would have pulled a gun on you right then and there and taken the other guys Canon as well. Fact they waited it out and ran says they are just opportunists who unfortunately played the OP.

You've got to handle it how it feels right to you. My luck the OP gets shot dead on the front lawn. ;) I've had my house broken into while on vacation, found out who did it, a "friend" of a friend and that's how I handled it. Did the same thing the OP did at first, filed a report, they knew the kid because he had a record and did nothing about it. I was able to recover about 3/4 of what was stolen. Had I let the local police handle it I would have gotten zero.

Best of luck however it's handled.

[zuma022]

I'd leave it alone and move on. Granted I'm a girl, but you just never know these days. Who says these two teenagers act alone? Maybe the parents are involved, maybe the gangster pictures on myspace are real. I wouldn't take any chances. You reported it to the police, let them do their job.

[Rondue]

Why did you find it important to list the kids who had stolen your cameras ethnic background? :cool:

[Techhie]

Why did you find it important to list the kids who had stolen your cameras ethnic background? :cool:

What do YOU mean you people? =)

Just part of the description is all :o

[mtbdudex]

Try the local TV/Newspapers "crimebusters" section.
Show them the info/work you've gathered, notified Police and nothing is being done and you need their help.

Good luck, I feel for you.

[FX120]

If it's been three weeks, odds are that your camera is already gone.

Small claims court is probably your best (legal) course of action.

[projectone]

i live in vegas too! who are you?

well anyways, i'm stereotyping but first rule is don't deal with people who look fishy to begin with. you should of just dipped and tell them you got offered a better deal and couldn't say no.

secondly, since you like to do this craiglisting stuff, maybe do it inside a target where there is a starbucks inside them. reason for this is because there are cameras, its out in the open with alot of people and there is a security guard at the entrance and will probably run for them cause they ran out the store with merchandise(although its not even their products) or will go for them if you yell help or come back you f***in b*****d. -- do it in a place where there are cameras and security (even if it means at your bank... this ensures you get paid legitimately and not receiving counterfeit money). I am 110% if you do it in a bank where there is a security guard they will chase or maybe even taser them for you. And best of all, all this can be done at no additional cost unless you buy a drink at starbucks lol.

even though a small claim might sound good, dont bother. cause 1. you gotta go downtown to do that, then the process with take forever. 2. your gonna spend the same about of money doing that when you can go get yourself a new one.

otherwise if you do file a claim, hope to get your cash by black friday. im pretty sure there are gonna be good dslr deals at frys or elsewhere... wvwn walmart maybe. Whatever though, its your situation and your money (if you do get a claim) and i dont want to tell you what to do and what to do with your money. this is just my .02

[Techhie]

i live in vegas too! who are you?

well anyways, i'm stereotyping but first rule is don't deal with people who look fishy to begin with. you should of just dipped and tell them you got offered a better deal and couldn't say no.

secondly, since you like to do this craiglisting stuff, maybe do it inside a target where there is a starbucks inside them. reason for this is because there are cameras, its out in the open with alot of people and there is a security guard at the entrance and will probably run for them cause they ran out the store with merchandise(although its not even their products) or will go for them if you yell help or come back you f***in b*****d. -- do it in a place where there are cameras and security (even if it means at your bank... this ensures you get paid legitimately and not receiving counterfeit money). I am 110% if you do it in a bank where there is a security guard they will chase or maybe even taser them for you. And best of all, all this can be done at no additional cost unless you buy a drink at starbucks lol.

even though a small claim might sound good, dont bother. cause 1. you gotta go downtown to do that, then the process with take forever. 2. your gonna spend the same about of money doing that when you can go get yourself a new one.

otherwise if you do file a claim, hope to get your cash by black friday. im pretty sure there are gonna be good dslr deals at frys or elsewhere... wvwn walmart maybe. Whatever though, its your situation and your money (if you do get a claim) and i dont want to tell you what to do and what to do with your money. this is just my .02

1. I drove 45 minutes across town for the deal, and with another guy also on his way for a "swap" I wasn't about to just walk away.

2. I had no idea the address he had given me was a public park (there happened to be many people around, but I digress)

3.While the process of small claims court does take time, the fee is only around $60 and I don't have to pay for representation. Either way, I know I won't have the money for black friday. Henderson courts say avg. is 90-120 days to get a hearing.

[r1200mike]

Call the news people and tell them what is going on. How the police were GIVEN the crooks name and ALL the info they could want and they do NOTHING. You can do this with out showing you face too. It will get alot of bad attention and that is what the cops dont want for sure. Maybe even get them off of their A$$ too. Me personally I would go to their house and.... well I guess I cannot say that. I would not take it sitting down for sure. My .02