Busted

[gkaiseril]

It also looks like only a UV flashlight or black light is needed to see were the item is marked, so the officer only needs a UV flashlight to detect a possible theft and if the stopped individual did not know what caused the illuminated spot the officer most likely has probable cause to investigate further if they know about the dots. If the department has a crime scene technician they already have the UV light.  It should be possible for neighboring police departments to share a reading kit, after all there are many police/fire departments that share a common communications center or provide mutual aid. So if one has their items marked and the tools are stolen, informing the police officer about the dots and how to detect them would give them more help in recovering your tools or the stolen goods that have been taken from others.

I would use these markers along with engraving and permanent tape labeling. Maybe the thief would remove the label or sand the engraving and miss the dots marker. You might also only want to mark your most expensive or prized tools.

 

[bkharman]

If I were traveling with my tools I might invest in an RFID system.  I used to be a data centre manager and had RFID tags installed in strategic locations within most equipment and if it went out any doors (all equipped with RFID antennae) I would get an alert on my Blackberry.  Now-a-days, there are more sophisticated systems that you can tie to your smartphone and get "active tracking" on things.

Either that or install this on your work truck if someone wants to steal your stuff.

 

[wow]

  or install this on your work truck if someone wants to steal your stuff.

I'd be worried about my Systainers melting ... but I totally concur with the attitude!!!

 

[tiralie]

Earlier this week I saw a local add up for a new festool of2200 at $525. I called the guy and talked to him. He told me he won it and that he only had the router. No sustainer or small parts. I made arrangement to go pick it up at a local bar . I then called the local dealers and Lee Valley seemed real interested. I gave them all the info.  A while later I got a call from a police detective. We'll long story short they busted the guy. LV got their router back and all is well. I went into the store yesterday and talked to the manager on duty and they seemed real happy and shook my hand a couple times. Feels pretty good.

Ian:
I keep forgetting to formally Thank you for doing this.
I tell everyone I know your story and everyone comments what a great thing you have done.
Thanks again.
Tim

 

[festnoob]

It's always fun to see non-thinking thieves get their due process.  I'm not at all familiar with Canadian law but it certainly would be a felony here in the U.S.

Actually, criminal possession of stolen property would be the charge and unless it's valued over $1000 it's a misdemeanor, at least under NYS law. Proving that he actually stole it is another issue.

 

[gkaiseril]

And the charge is for all identified stolen property in the possession of the individual not each piecer. And possession includes the individual's cars, trucks, houses, shops, outbuildings, rented storage spaces, etc. Not hard to get there with 2 or 3 Festools and accessories. Also you cite New York law, other states, provinces and localities could have different limits.

Since the tools are for making a living, I would be more interested in getting them back in good shape and let others dole out  the punishment or retribution as needed.

 

[Kevin D.]

Good for you.  You're a good man Charlie Brown!!!  [smile]

A friend of mine told me how one of his friends had bought a gas fireplace at some wicked price privately.  Shortly after it was installed, the fellow gets a knock on the door from the police.  Seems it was stolen and the unit has some kind of GPS transmitter in it.  Turns out that the unit was stolen from a new subdivision build.  Friend's friend did not get charged, but he ended up having to uninstall and give the fireplace to the police.

 

[evilcat]

Thanks again for all the nice words everyone. Like I said before I am sure most people on this forum would do the same thing. On a side note I received a very nice email from Rob Lee of Lee Valley today. I was very impressed with his thoughtfulness and taking the time to personally write me. Very classy.

 

[ShawnRussell]

Thanks again for all the nice words everyone. Like I said before I am sure most people on this forum would do the same thing. On a side note I received a very nice email from Rob Lee of Lee Valley today. I was very impressed with his thoughtfulness and taking the time to personally write me. Very classy.

I can not say I would have done the same thing. I have been reading this thread for a few days... and I can honestly say I would hot have had the wisdom to call local stores. I would have looked at the ad, thought that the price is too low or who buys a Festool and not keep the sustainer, and said this is a scam and moved on.

I think you had very good foresight in this situation and did a stand up job of alerting everyone.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

My brother was selling something online, and he got a call from some guy who worked at a big camera/electronics store.  My brother was asked if he wanted any high-end electronics, because this guy "could make it disappear".  He declined.

Another time, I posted a WTB ad for Festools online.  I got an email from a guy asking if I had anything to sell.  When I replied that I was looking to buy, it turned out it was my local dealer doing some detective work on some Festools that had left their store.

Lee Valley must have had a lot of theft problems with Festool.  I'd never seen video surveillance in their stores before, now there are prominent signs all around the Festool displays indicating that the area is under video surveillance. Every time I walk around that area I feel uncomfortable and, almost, guilty.

 

[cje]

Every time I walk around that area I feel uncomfortable and, almost, guilty.

Well, there you go. Isn't that what happens to you when you're givin' in to your addiction?