If you caught a shoplifter at your yard sale, how would you handle it?
07.06.2025 00:00
I always have a sign that shoplifters will be prosecuted! I also have warning signs that video and audio is in use!
Then the Deputy rechecked the VIN Number and realized he got 2 digits backwards, then told the Impound Driver to put it in the warehouse because they were getting a warrant to search the car.
Pretty much people are honest overall. But I did have one guy which I recognized as a “dealer” that drives around a “junky car” and dresses like he doesn’t have much money (he makes a living off of “suckers” as he calls them) when in fact he does! He gets stuff cheap or free or stolen (!) and turns them around for profit!
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I couldn’t help it, I laughed so hard! She just LEFT him standing there! And he chuckled too, and just said “She’s running a bit late for her Bingo game!” They asked him the few items that were left, if he wanted any of them? He walked over and took some coffee mugs (those were Italian Stoneware), thanked them and handed them a $5 bill and left.
My son had already boxed their stuff up, but they didn’t want it, they told me to go whatever I wanted to drop them off to Charity. They also paid me $200 instead of $100, and gave my son a $50 bill.
The heirs called me and they already had a buyer for the house, cash up front, and they were going to have a closing on Wednesday (really excited) and was curious to know if anybody bought anything and if the guy was arrested. I told them “C’mon down and see for yourself, I will be closing up shortly myself too.”
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He went berserk! It took 2 Deputies to place him under arrest, he did, in fact, push a Deputy! (BOOM! Another Charge!) and then resisted arrest! (BOOM! Another Charge!) He then demanded to talk to his attorney (they told him he can phone one up once he’s been booked). He went nuts when he found out his car was “tire locked” and threatened to sue me.
Thankfully the CSI was nearby so the had the CSI to take photo of each one and document. A couple of people were waiting for them to buy it! Yes, the price was below its value since the Heirs wanted a quick sale. So the CSI had me to affirm the actual value of each item. (They know I am a long time appraiser and a long time seller.)
The constant questioning where he acquired them from he repeatedly said “I don’t know.” or “I don’t remember.” (There’s a reason why because they would need to contact that person to find out where they got them, so they can do a back-track to find the person who stole them.)
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My son went to put a tire lock on his tire (so he couldn’t get away), he began blowing up and arguing (but my son at this time went inside and called the Sheriff’s). When the Deputies arrived, they KNEW who this guy was.
One of the item was in mint-condition (never used) Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Pen. I had it priced $200 Firm (the actual value was $450), there was the original dated receipt tucked inside. That was the most expensive item he stole off the table! The other items were the 10k gold pierced earrings (they were inside of a glass container and you could see he opened it when the sign said “Please ask for assistance”) also brand new never used, priced below actual value! There was also a pocket watch, that one wasn’t in the estate but the Cops didn’t like his attitude said “YES IT DOES! I SAW HIM TAKE IT!”
Once she arrived, she looked at the glass and told him “It’s German” (as I said) but she really liked it and asked how much? The Heirs said $10. (HUH? I had them marked for $15 each), and he said “NO NO! She’s the Seller not them!” I then told him, “They own the stuff, it’s their late mother’s estate.” So she handed them a crisp twenty bill and took them. Literally putting them in the car and drove off.
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I introduced the Deputy to the heirs, since it was their late mother’s estate. The Deputy went on and on and told them all about this guy. One guy who stayed behind was waiting for his wife, there were two glass bowls (I said they were NOT Italian, NOT Belgium but German). They weren’t marked and I could tell the difference and was familiar with the designs, but yes, they were vintage. I estimated them to be made in 1950 - 1955.
The Deputy there handed all three heirs his business card with the case number and gathered their information. Because the State Attorney might call them. He was somewhat surprised to find one living in New York and the other 2 were living in Canada. I said “They’re dual citizens.” They all confirmed. The Deputy just grumbled.
I went inside to change shirts because it was very muggy outside, and placed the pocket watch in the drawer (and from that stand point - completely forgot about it)!
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Anyway the younger heir asked what charges was that guy going to be charged with? That Deputy gave them a laundry list! My son got my attention and told me that guy wouldn’t stop kicking the Deputy’s windows and car door, they had to shackle him! The Impound Driver lost his master key, so we had to wait for the master key to come so we could remove the tire lock!
*BING!* Went my head. I immediately told her “Good news, I still have it. Since it wasn’t part of the estate sale, I had put it in my drawer and completely forgotten about it. Could you please tell me who’s it is and I will personally go to them and return it right now, you can put me on hold and call the person or have that person come to my house to pick it up.”
I allowed my son to hand it to him, he really clutched that watch close to his chest and tears were shed! They still cannot figure out how this guy managed to steal that watch in plain sight!
They requested to see the video of the items he had stolen (or “rather - pocketed”). They were literally shocked how he was just “taking stuff” and putting them into his pant pocket (run down cargo pants). He was “arguing” with the Deputies that “I” had no right to “record him”.
I told them, I knew this guy, and he’s a dealer. He’s been banned from xxx and xxx Flea Markets. I encourage them to make sure the State Attorney’s office prosecutes the guy.
I told him, “Good luck with that!” They emptied out his pockets and he had stolen almost $700 worth of stuff, originally they were going to use as evidence, but I had to tell them these items belonged to the deceased and the heirs had me to sell it off since the property had an open house. So they phoned the heirs (I had their number) and they told them they needed the property sold.
I went to the hearing (so did a couple of other people whom he stole from their garage/yard sale), the Judge put him in prison for 40 years because he ripped off 4 Senior Citizens (who were 65 and older), the charges are more severe. Good news was, many of the items stolen were recovered and returned back to its rightful owners.
So she placed me on hold, she spoke with the people and she then put them on hold, and said “is it okay if they come to your place to pick it up?” I gave her my permission to give them my address and how to get there. She then returned back to them and then returned to me and said “They should be at your house within the next 10 minutes or less and gave me their names.”
The State Attorney called back to tell me the other people that reported their stuff stolen and were able to point him out in the mug shots and were able to identify stolen items. She also said the CSI that photographed the items on my property. She wanted to know where the pocket watch went?
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For the next 30 minutes or so - we were all talking about this guy. The Deputy almost forgot to check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), when the other driver showed up. He said “The tire lock key is right here!” My son turned beat red, where did he place the key? On the windshield wiper! DUH!
FAST FORWARD: A State Attorney was assigned and I knew who he was (we are not friends, we just know each other). The Heirs wanted an update, so I phoned him, and he gave me the update. I asked about the warrant, and he blabbered on “oh man! That dude was stealing stuff left and right. He won’t be anymore because of his priors, he’s gonna be put in prison for at least 33 -35 years!” I was completely quiet! I had to ask “WHY? 5 to 9 years is normal, but 33 years?” He went on to add, yeah, he had illegal firearms in his trunk and wasn’t licensed to own or have in possession of. He claimed he bought them from a yard sale, all 4 of them for $500 cash. I made a joke (okay folks, it was a joke) of stating “So he bought 4 sawed off shot guns?” He was quick to respond, “No worse than that!” And for some odd reason the line disconnected.
All I said was “You relinquished all your rights when you entered into my property. I have 3 signs in full view from the street as sufficient warnings.” (Other customers stood aside to observe this.)
He more than likely swiped it from another garage/estate/yard sale. I had to pocket it, as I couldn’t sell that. As soon as they became available (back in display) the people there began gobbling it up, all but one 10k White Gold Italian Horn ($35.00). I looked down (talking to myself) “Poor you, all by yourself. No one wants you!” And this guy heard me, and gave me $20 for it and said “I’ll give this to my granddaughter who’s turning 4”. (I admit, that’s the perfect size for a child, not an adult, way too small.)
The Impound Driver (tow truck) began to drive away when this guy’s wife finally showed up, all in all, he told her TEN THOUSAND TIMES how to get here, she wound up going to the other street about 6 miles away and got lost!
Here’s the funny part, my son lost the key to the tire lock! LOL! (It was his!) The Impound driver needed it off so they could impound the guy’s car, and the Deputy returned back because there was a problem with the car. The information in the system didn’t come up correctly and he returned to make sure he wrote the numbers correctly. They were getting a warrant to search his vehicle for additional items he more than likely stole (he had prior history).
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He came to my yard sale, and I summoned my friend to take care of the customers and I kept an eye on him. He started to pick up stuff and then “pocket” the ones he wanted. When my friend summoned me (waving), I guess he assumed he was caught and turned around smack into me! I told him he was NOT going anywhere!
The Judge also put him in jail for 145 years for having in possession without a Federal License or Class License of 4 SBR [Short Barrelled Rifles] (They were registered to someone, and got stolen, it was documented. They were documented as 1918, 1924, 1926 and 1929 with serial numbers matching. They were stolen from a private residence of xxxx (State) in 2007 in a break in. The Suspects were never caught. That person had all rights in ownership of them because they were family owned and they were grandfathered in before the law became in effect (I believe was 1930?).
They got here in 5 minutes! He were literally distraught, and the wife was very quick to state the watch was her husband’s, and he set it down on the table and it wasn’t for sale, it was his great grandfather’s watch, he was a Conductor for the railway. I already knew it was an 18k Yellow Gold Watch, those are very soft gold and harder to find.
They all told him to have the State whatever contact me and I would touch bases with them directly. Then he was on the radio, and he got another update, he started a fight in the waiting room (not yet booked) and was placed in isolation.
FAST FORWARD: The guy that shoplifted was charged with multiple charges and bond was denied, he was deemed a “threat to the public” and “flight risk”. I did follow up with the State Attorney, and they alerted me that a couple of people called to report theft at their garage sales so their local Police was handling it.