SO YOU HAVE BEEN ROBBED, NOW WHAT

May 1, 2012
AFTERMATH OF THE ROBBERY
The aftermath has taken up a lot of time and energy. I have put these posts in a chronological order as I have been able to remember them rather as they have been happening. At first I was extremely angry that someone had broken into my home. Now I am just exhausted. Dealing with the aftermath is hard work. The state troopers are very busy because there are not enough of them. I learned that before you pursue a head hunting mission you will need a case number from the police officer who is investigating your case.
I started checking the pawn shops to see if they had received anything from my list. I had a substitute teaching job in another town. After work, I went to the pawn shops there without any luck. I was headed out of town when I saw a sidewalk sale for flowers. When I stopped I saw the sign in the window of a "Not New Shop" saying "Buying gold, and silver". I gave the owner my list. We started talking about my robbery. The owner suggested checking out a gift shop in a neighboring state about six miles from my house.
It took a couple of attempts to find the shop open as it was closed on the weekends. The owner took my list of items taken and my list of suspects and showed me that he follows state regulations for buying gold etc. The store pawn shop has to get a photo ID, record the type of item and description and weight of the gold. All of this goes into a computerized system or a "rapids system". The items are listed under the name of the person who sold the stuff and would be liable. About an hour after I visited the gift shop, the owner called and left a message that he found some of my stuff in his "rapids system". When I called him he advised me to contact my police officer ASAP and have him call the owner. I could not access the "Rapids System" myself. The state regulations fall under "The Secondhand Precious Metal Object Dealers and Pawnbrokers Act". Just a quick internet check and I found the following states have regulations for buying gold: Wisconsin, Oregon, California, Arizona, Florida, New York, and Connecticut. The regulations vary by state and even jurisdiction. Check these web sites for help: State of Washington; http://www.scribed.com/doc/49120787/Washington-Gold-Biometrics, Ohio; http://codes.Ohio.gov/orc/4728, Flordia; http://law.justia.com/codes/flordia/2005/titlexyylll/cho538
minneapolis: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/licensing/business-licensing-docs-precious-metal-dealer

How Did I come Up With My List of Suspects?
When the police officer first came out to investigate, my tenet "Jake" (not his real name) started acting really sketchy. e He came to the door for the key to finish mowing. After the officer left Jake wanted to know what the officer said and what was taken. The state trooper said "there was your suspect #1", along with his sister #2 who had been staying at the apartment. I had told Jake and his girlfriend "Emilie" (not her real name) when I was leaving to go out of town and when I was returning. Plus I told them who was watching the house and feeding the cat. There apartment was over my garage which is attached to my house.
While I was out of town I had called my pet sitter to mail me something I had forgotten. She told me the State Police had come to my house the evening on the day I left. "Emilie" (not her real name) was hauled out of my apartment in handcuffs. Suspect #3.
The sister had been staying in the apartment for extended periods after being evicted around Christmas. I'd learned a new term for living arrangements called "couch surfing". About a month later I almost tripped over the fourth person and also freeloading in the apartment. This was the boyfriend, suspect #4, of the sister.
My list of suspects included some prior tenets that had drug issues and/or poor life choices. Family members must not be ruled out. Fortunately the couple of family members with drug issues or prior arrests live far away. I also included a former "lawn-yard" kid who had stolen his mother's medications and sold pills at school. This resulted in a year's suspension. I do not have any sketchy neighbors that I know about. In most cases the robber who breaks into your home is someone you know.
It was about a week after the gift shop owner called me when the State Trooper came knocking at my door. He had a small brown paper bag in his hand. He removed the contents and there was my gold watch and chain and my mother's 1927 class ring which had been stolen. He said he was sorry but all the other items were gone to the smelter where they are melted down. I was glad to have something recovered but it made me sick to my stomach all over again because all the jewelry had been gifts from family who are all gone now.
The next thing the State Trooper showed me were some papers with pictures of photo ID's and a copy of checks and a picture of some coins. It did not surprise me at all to see that one was the tenet and the other was his sister. The trooper's next stop was "Jake's" place of work. Jake works for his father and grandfather in a family owned business.
Emilie's Excuse
Well "Emilie" thought she had an excuse having been taken to jail the day I left. But the evidence of when "Jake" sold the stuff was prior to her arrest.
Sounds like a happy ending. Robber caught, arrested and goes to jail. I wish. The State Trooper continued with his investigation with interviews of two tenants and two wanna-be tenets. He was trying to obtain a confession but all he was getting was finger pointing. So the case seems to be stuck someplace.