In today's edition we ask: Is a guy dumb enough to steal an expensive piece of camera equipment, and then try to sell it on Craigslist in the same city a week later?
The answer, it turns out, is yes, a guy is that dumb. His name is [redacted], and he (or an associate) swiped a lens from my bag while I was shooting around Aria a week ago. I was quite bummed and thought at the time that I'd be shelling out another $700 to replace it.
Well lo and behold, what did this dummy do but put it up on Craigslist the other night. How many people in Vegas are selling a Tokina 11-16 2.8, "like new, no box"? Not a whole lot, I guessed.
I arranged to meet the seller at a Starbucks near my house, and wrote the serial number from my warranty card onto a small slip of paper.
Pleasantries were exchanged, and he produced the lens. Well f--- if it wasn't mine. I read the serial number on the lens aloud, and handed him the small slip of paper. "Quite a coincidence, don't you think?" I said. "Do you want to just give me the lens, or should we call the cops?"
To cut to the punchline, the guy let the cops come and gave them a story about buying the lens on Craigslist for $500 and hoping to sell it for $600. Not likely, as his ad was the first for a Tokina that had come up since the theft.
Anyway, I produced the warranty card for the cops, and I'll have my lens back after a few days of processing and paperwork. As for [redacted], he lost a payday but is otherwise free to return to his life of thieving and merriment.
Ride on, [dude], ride on.
3 comments:
Why you redact? Dude should be outed.
He called and gave a long plea of innocence. I also remember the face of the guy who I think stole it, and this isn't that guy.
This guy's story doesn't really add up either, but I don't want to hassle him too much just in case.
Great story.
Ibrahim
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