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How a fed up carpenter found his stolen power tools — and 15,000 others
Washington Post via MSN ^ | June 1, 2024 | Paul Duggan

Posted on 06/01/2024 10:25:44 PM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?

Twice before, this Virginia carpenter had awoken in the predawn to start his work day only to find one of his vans broken into. Tools he depends on for a living had been stolen, and there was little hope of retrieving them. Determined to shut down thieves, he said, he bought a bunch of Apple AirTags and hid the locator devices in some of his larger tools that hadn’t been pilfered. Next time, he figured, he would track them........

The storage unit, stuffed with purloined power tools, led detectives to similar caches in other places in the next four months — 12 locations in all, 11 of them in Howard County — and the recovery of about 15,000 saws, drills, sanders, grinders, generators, batteries, air compressors and other portable (meaning easily stealable) construction equipment worth an estimated $3 million to $5 million, authorities said.......

Though none of the prolific thieves has been arrested yet, Der said, “we are investigating several suspects for their roles in this massive theft scheme and expect charges soon.”

“Yes, yes, I hope they do,” said the 43-year-old carpenter in Sterling, Va., who helped crack the case and spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his safety. “Jail for them.”

Howard police provided contact information for the carpenter, who said his home remodeling business employs 14 workers. He lost about 50 tools in the January theft and has gotten back a half-dozen of them, he said. He is hoping for more.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Conspiracy; Local News; Society
KEYWORDS: carelessness; corruption; crime; donutwatch; incompetence; theft; virginia
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

I doubt that the thieves are citizens of this country.


21 posted on 06/02/2024 5:49:15 AM PDT by TalBlack (I We have a Christian duty and a patriotic duty. God help us.)
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To: Gaffer
That’s a revolving cache of ‘product’ that could be sold to surrounding pawn shops.

Or fill up a container and export them. Although most of the world wouldn't be a good market for the power tools due to voltage and frequency differences.

22 posted on 06/02/2024 5:56:50 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: Phoenix8

I agree with your basic concept where punishments must be so severe that most people would think twice about committing an offense.

My understanding of many Asian justice systems is that they treat drug users as harshly as the sellers. Imaging, heavy jail time or execution for using hard drugs. And actually enforcing this type of justice nation wide and on TV.

Imagine, a meth dealer and a meth user side by side on gurneys getting the needle.


23 posted on 06/02/2024 6:09:26 AM PDT by redfreedom (Joseph Stalin: "It does not mater how anyone votes, how votes are counted is what matters.")
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To: MikelTackNailer
"This made me wonder what a very famous carpenter would have done if he had a similar problem back in his time."

He probably would have knotted up a cord and flayed the hell out of them! LOL
24 posted on 06/02/2024 6:10:52 AM PDT by oldeguy (you can take my firearms when you find the creek I lost them in.)
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To: PAR35

There are some manufacturers that use chargers, etc. that can handle the ranges of voltages and frequencies in most of the world.


25 posted on 06/02/2024 6:12:19 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: MikelTackNailer

So....is there a Craigs List Tool Shop? Ha!


26 posted on 06/02/2024 6:13:31 AM PDT by Gaffer
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

So I missed it. What did the thieves plan on doing with 15,000 used power tools?


27 posted on 06/02/2024 6:21:41 AM PDT by antidemoncrat
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To: Gaffer

I know almost all electronics are that way now - easier to carry some adapter plugs than the heavier converters. Didn’t know about power tools, but it would make sense for the ones with re-chargeable batteries.


28 posted on 06/02/2024 6:43:41 AM PDT by PAR35
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
"...in the next four months — 12 locations in all, 11 of them in Howard County — and the recovery of about 15,000 saws, drills, sanders, grinders, generators, batteries, air compressors and other portable...construction equipment..."

Obviously, the police don't have enough evidence to pursue convictions. They should enlist Alvin Bragg to help with filing charges.

29 posted on 06/02/2024 6:45:16 AM PDT by moovova ("The NEXT ELECTION is the most important election of our lifetimes!“ LOL...)
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To: roving

“The story says they have suspects, and they will be arrests soon.”

Cops always say that. And it sounds like you believe them.


30 posted on 06/02/2024 6:47:46 AM PDT by moovova ("The NEXT ELECTION is the most important election of our lifetimes!“ LOL...)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
“Jail for them.”

Good luck with that. /s

31 posted on 06/02/2024 7:30:49 AM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: roving
The story says they have suspects, and they will be arrests soon.

That's a good 'story', isn't it? /s

32 posted on 06/02/2024 7:32:04 AM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
And worse, the police can't figure who did it.

You would think that storage renters would have to show photo ID, and that the storage lot would have cameras all over the place. This is disgusting.

Sounds like the thieves are real good at the crime end of the business, but not so hot on the sales & marketing end.

33 posted on 06/02/2024 11:12:30 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
While I applaud the ingenuity of the carpenter, he doesn't really understand the purpose of police and he legal system ("justice" has nothing at all to do with it). The primary purpose of the police, first and foremost is to protect their political masters. Secondarily, it is to generate revenue for the government (at whatever level it operates). This is why police spend so much time doing nothing but attempting to raise money from those on the public highways. According to the article, though they have already seized 15,000 tools, no one has even been arrested yet, though the minions of the state "expect charges soon".

So far he's gotten back 6 of the 50 tools he's lost. The rest will be held by the government until whatever trial(s), if any, eventually occur. Then they will be sold at auction.

The carpenter that allowed the governent to confiscate all of this property might be informed of the auction, whenever it is held, though it won't do him any immediate good, because he can't wait for years to buy replacement equipment.

The people who will profit most are, of course, the lawyers and all the associated government drones that will facilitate the trial and everything else. The police who did nothing until he took the bull by the horns and handed them the thieves on a silver platter will continue to collect their salaries during the entire process will likely be the primary beneficiaries of then auction whenever it is finally held

He'll end up poorer because he'll probably end up having to obtain legal counsel during the process to protect himself from any insanity that the legal system may come up with to further victimize him.

Bottom line: the police exist to generate revenue, and the courts exist to make sure the legal profession keeps rolling in the dough.

34 posted on 06/02/2024 11:21:08 AM PDT by zeugma (Stop deluding yourself that America is still a free country.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
WTF is he paying taxes for?

To keep the minions of the state from imprisoning him of he doesn't.

35 posted on 06/02/2024 11:23:10 AM PDT by zeugma (Stop deluding yourself that America is still a free country.)
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To: redfreedom

“My understanding of many Asian justice systems is that they treat drug users as harshly as the sellers.”

Nope.


36 posted on 06/02/2024 11:27:50 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: zeugma

“Bottom line: the police exist to generate revenue, and the courts exist to make sure the legal profession keeps rolling in the dough.”

Both are losing money. You rant but provide a false opinion.


37 posted on 06/02/2024 11:29:57 AM PDT by TexasGator
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To: LegendHasIt

BEN CRUMP TERRITORY


38 posted on 06/02/2024 1:43:16 PM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: TexasGator
Both are losing money. You rant but provide a false opinion.

As a staunch supporter on the police state, I would expect no other opinion from you.

please feel free to ask exactly what your opinion is worth to me.

39 posted on 06/02/2024 8:00:36 PM PDT by zeugma (Stop deluding yourself that America is still a free country.)
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To: redfreedom

Interesting, our founding fathers felt the opposite. Cruel and unusual punishments are forbidden under our constitution. However, there are deterrents no longer utilized that are quite effective — unpleasant but over quickly, and minimal cost to the taxpayer.


40 posted on 06/02/2024 8:07:32 PM PDT by erkelly
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