Well I'm back from a short trip to our pond property. I must say that this trip was one of the more disheartening trips we've had.

Remember when I told the story several months back about JWHAP and I getting stranded in the snow? Neither do I but it's here somewhere. Anyhoo, we got stuck in the snow and our new neighbor pulled us out. He seemed like such a nice person. We were able to chat for quite a while and I liked him immediately.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday. We arrived at our property and since we needed some gasoline and other supplies we headed out towards the store. On the main road we ran into our neighbor. We exchanged pleasantries and during this process he mentioned that his nephew had been fishing our pond every day (permission was never given for this to happen, apparently he just had decided that it was). The neighbor then brags "yep my nephew is quite the fisherman just look at these two bass he caught at your pond." He then proceeds to pull out an Iphone and show me a photo of his nephew holding two large LMB hanging from a stringer. He boasts "yep, those bass were 6 and 7 pounders." While I have no proof of the size of the LMB they appeared to be significantly bigger than anything we have caught so far on our own pond, the length and girth was much larger than the 4 pounder that I caught a while back.

And there were my LMB, in all of their glory, hanging from a freaken stringer.

At this point I stepped slightly to his left, rapidly brought up my right hand and using a perfectly executed knife hand strike I hit him in the throat and watched him collapse into a pile, I then knelt beside him, slid my right hand behind his head used his hair as a hand hold while simultaneously placing my left hand on his face against his nose, with a rapid twist to the left I calmly snapped his neck...

..all in my mind. Fortunately I am not quick to anger and I let wisdom dictate my actions.

Needless to say I was not a happy camper. We proceed to the store and as we are returning we discover that he had removed an entire section of fence between our property and his so that he could ride his ATVs onto our place. Presumably to make his fishing easier.

Think that the bad stuff ends there. Not so fast my impatient friends...

On Thursday we decided to go over to a trailer on our property that we now use primarily for storage. This trailer was completely ransacked. So many items have been stolen we are still trying to remember items that are gone. The list includes: Reels, fishing gear, all of Ricki’s kitchen cookware, silverware, two leatherman tools, three Remington BB/pellet guns, lots of craftsman hand tools, two pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses, boots, jackets, the list goes on and on. Easily 2 or 3 grand worth of stuff gone.

We also discover that the "No Trespassing" sign that we put on our main road, that ironically faces the neighbors front porch, was shot to pieces with.... you guessed it BBs.

Down at the pond we find our Aluminum boat floating in the pond (we keep in out of the pond, upside down and tied to a tree) with the neighbor's fishing gear leaned against the boat.

The kayak is floating off the reeds at the far end of the pond. (Which we also keep out of the pond and tied to a tree).

So on Thursday, prior to returning home we had another "chat" with the neighbor. I told him to immediately replace the fence and stay off the property. I calmly explained to him that we wouldn't tolerate trespassing and that the reason that his nephew caught 6-7 pound LMB was that we were managing the pond towards that end. Admittedly a minor fabrication since the actions that I take at the pond don't rise to the level of pond management but when we bought the place almost 5 years ago all of the LMB were skinny and stunted...obviously not so today...not so much from my actions but he doesn't know that.

I have no proof that he was involved in the theft. He freely admitted that he removed the fence and he and his family were ATVing and fishing on our property. If I had proof that he was the thief I would have immediately called law enforcement. At this point all I have proof of is that at some time in the past six months some one entered our property and stole an bunch of stuff that I can't even prove we had.

I have emailed Greg Grimes about game cameras and I intend to strategically place several around the property.

I'm also researching 12 volt surveillance systems (we don't have 110 at the property). I have found 12 volt "Time Lapse VCRs" that will record for 40 days straight on one T-120 video tape. I'm considering putting together a system that includes a couple of cameras tied to the Time Lapse VCRs powered by 12 volt batteries and solar panels.

Does anyone have any experience and/or suggestion regarding this type of system? Any recommendations?

Well I don't know how it works over there.
Here I would have to report to the police, to make a incuranse claim, wich I would do.
Then it would be up to the police to investegate, and the insurance company put presure on the police to do so.
I would not have to prowe nothing, the insurance company operate on a trust basis so even if the police comes up with no proof to prosecute any, it would be in their records, and the scrambeling they make by interweving suspects gives preventiv results (future), and ewery so often people admit, or point out the offender.
I can choose to drop charges on the trespasing/poaching, but the insurance company would prosecute on the theft.
The stolen goods might be kept at their house so if you can describe it and it's found at the nephew's house well he would be in deep shit in this country.
REPORT I say but you make the calls on this

Wow. And I thought I had issues with trespassers.

When we were having lots of problems with the drug dealers who inherited the house across the road from our previous residence, I bought all kinds of security equipment. But, we had electricity, telephone, and DSL. And, it was several years ago, and I know things have changed a lot -- for the better.

I still have one of the VCRs you are talking about. I bought mine at COSTCO. However, at this point in time, I think you might be much better looking at a system that records to the hard drive of a computer or video recorder. An inexpensive laptop or netbook could run directly off 12 VDC.

Cameras are far more important. Most of the cheap ones don't have decent lenses, and they are meant for indoor or close range use. You would be hard pressed to identify someone more than about 25 feet away with most of them. For your application, you really need cameras with telephoto capability. I have a switching system that I bought on e-bay that allows me to switch four cameras in sequence, it can automatically switch to a camera that senses motion, and it can put all four cameras into one frame. I think some of the newer wireless systems that work with computers and DVRs have this function. Most of wireless camera systems also will work from 12 VDC.

I feel your pain.

Didn't it just snow up there also? I thought that I saw on the news yesterday that the ski resorts near Tahoe were back open this weekend because of a freak snowfall. Did you have anything to do with that?

Thanks for the feedback so far guys!


Although, the GSA is a force to be reckoned with at this point we don't have the ability to control weather....as far as you know.

***********

It rained everyday at our place and hailed rather enthusiastically on one day but no snow at our elevation (approx 2,100 feet).

JHAP, words can't express my feelings.

In regards to the game cameras, there are some units out there that will send a signal via cell phone tower to your computer. I don't think they are cheap tho.

I'd send Anthony an e-mail at chasingame explain the problem and the situation and I think he should be able to recommend a camera or system.

I'm pretty sure that he works for the Georgia Fish & Game, and he tests game cameras on the side.

I hope you catch the dirty sum *#^^!

Jeff

My fists are literally clenched I'm so jazzed. That does it - you need to move to the land, permanently - and we can set up razor wire and strategically placed machine gun nests - to keep folks OUT, of course, not IN...[yet]. We have plenty of time to set up the mission statement for our new church.

Bro, I'm so sorry. I can say I wouldn't have demonstrated your level-headedness and I'd be in all sorts of additional trouble right now in your position.

Insurance claim will replace everything. Additional locks for your cabin are needed. Game cameras also - I know guys here will be able to help direct you. I know my time is coming...I hope I can exercise your coolness and deal with things in a mature, productive manner. Call me if you need to vent.

I'm just boiling over after reading that.

We all have ups and downs with land ownership, but it still sets me off.

You've got a real weakness being an absentee land owner, so factor that into how you deal with the loser/neighbor. He probably knows how far away you live.

You need someone who can keep an eye on things for you, at random times, and report back to you.

Sunil,

That pretty much sums it up for me too.

Some people can be so damn dense!

I hope you catch the scumbag Jeff. I wish there was something I could do.

JHAP I commend you for taking it so well, I know in my heart that a powerful and dangerous rage would have filled me and likely exited in a stream of profanity that would put the "Christmas Story" swearing scene to shame and likely still be flowing, my dark side would have shown for sure. Can't say enough about how this pains me and disgusts me to hear you have such inconsiderate neighbors. I loathe people who don't respect others private property, who do they think owns the pond anyway?? Do these people park in handicap spaces too?? The break in and thefts are just turd icing on a crap cake, people having no respect yet again. At the very least I would have notified the police of the theft to get it on record, perhaps there were some figerprints to be gleaned as well. I don't know much about surveillance cams and such, I would be lurking in the bushes with rock salt specials in a 12 gauge, when I got done with them they wouldn't come back, some may not get away.

And sometimes the report could complete a pattern of previous incidents that would tie an individual(s) to the crime.

You guys don't know the half of it. I had both my Smith & Wesson 38 Special and my Winchester 30-30 with me at the time. And no I'm not kidding about that. But a few possession are not worth prison time.

I seriously debated contacting law enforcement. The trouble is nothing that was stolen has serial numbers or any other particularly identifying characteristics and it is all fairly common stuff. Perhaps I should have reported it but I had no idea when the theft had occurred or any proof as to what exactly was stolen.

DIED graciously checks in on my place but he has his own life to deal with.

I am hoping to figure out a surveillance system and get back up there ASAP to install it.




I could have reported the neighbor for trespassing but he lives there I don't and we both know that fact. I reasoned that if I caused legal trouble for him then he might retaliate. I did tell the neighbor that I was going to install a surveillance system in the next couple of days and would not hesitate to file charges against anyone caught trespassing, let alone stealing. He also is not aware that I have left the property as I told him that we would be coming and going quite a bit the next few days and he is not always home.

You are so correct Sunil, right about now I feel more vulnerable than Brettski's prom date.

JHAP

Call Law Enforcement - they need to take a look at the area of theft. While making their report have them dust for prints. Why the heck not? If your neighbor WAS involved watching police cruisers drive up will leave a very permanent impression upon him. You need to file a claim anyhow. Again, can't tell you how sorry I am to hear this.

One a brighter note, congrats on the huge LMB. You will grow them that large again...no worries.

JHAP, I agree with what's been said. I'd call the police and report everything, fence, ATV riding, the whole works. Let them figure out if they want to persue it. You just might be the nail in the coffin that stops it from happening to someone else.

Well, I don't think your neighbour did the stealing, he would be tremendously stupid, showing you the pic. on the iphone admiting atv driving if that was him.
So if you don't press charges on that, it should not be a problem that he lives there and you don't.
But if you report the story to the police, it would be natural that they question him and his nephev as posible vitneses to the brake and entry theft.............
In my head you are cool with him not acusing him, at the same time you show that you mean buisnis.
And lets say his nephev didn't do it either then you have mutual interest in the police looking in to the matter.
If it is his nephev he will still be around and I gues he notices that nothing happens????????
He probably didn't brag about stealig to his uncle, might be friends off him kids shooting at signs usualy do that when they are in numbers to play tuff guys.
I don't know the age off this nephev,but stopping a potential criminal career is importante in my mind.

Jeff I too am so sorry and burning up for you hearing about it. Ditto what others have said. I agree with TJ about getting in touch with the law and telling the whole story. They have ways of investigating that don't come to the common folk's minds.

JHAP, so sorry to hear about this. I agree with everyone suggesting that you call the police and file a report.
You might ask them to stop by the neighbors house and see if they have any information about recent break-ins.
Any reason that you can think of to get the cops over to the neighbors house might send them a message...

Whatever you do with the cameras -- make sure they are either hidden from plain view or you have them with overlapping coverage so one camera sees another...And your DVR/VCR is physically secured and out of sight.

Jeff, I am with everyone else on this. 1) I'm pissed, 2) call the police, and 3) report the loss to your insurance carrier.

Regardless of when it happened, what was taken, whether or not you can identify things dispositively, just do those two things and don't waste any further time. No need to repeat what's been said, but you've been given a lot of good reasons to do both things and I agree with all of them. And continue to work on your surveillance system for sure. And move there sooner than later. And then create a cult that you can be the leader of and recruit armed guards to patrol your compound. And then just have them gradually expand your holdings and start taking over the neigbhors, and then . . . well, you get the point!

Jeff, I am slow to anger myself, but I would have gone violent under similiar circumstances.

Hire a sniper, or take off a couple weeks and do it yourself (since you aren't a surfing anymore.)

Man, that really sucks. How in the world he felt that was ok... Wow. Might make nice with a local cop who likes to fish to keep an eye on the place...

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I guess I should have filed a police report. I was just thinking that it would be a waste of law enforcement's time since I didn't know when it occurred (it could have been months ago) but now I see your points.

Greg Grimes got back to me and he has a game camera that I think will fit the bill nicely. BTW, Greg has great prices on game cameras. Contact him before you buy one. Sounds like advertising? It is, how can you lose by supporting a PB Vendor and getting a great deal!

I'm still learning about 12 volt surveillance systems - this might be a part of the solution as well.

If cost is no object (which certainly is not my case) then you can have a super high tech solution. Either game cameras or security cameras that use a built in cell phone data connection to beam photos to either a website or to any email address that you choose. Those systems start at about $2,000 for 1 camera (additional cameras are over $500 each) and the cost goes from there, plus a monthly data connection of approximately $80 per month. The system that I would need would run about $4,500 plus the monthly connection fee.

I'm thinking 3 or 4 game cameras and a two camera 12 volt Time Lapse VCR surveillance system.

Dang this is so much more expensive that 30-30 rounds.

JHAP:

I'd lean towards infrared game cameras. No flash at night. Also look into the bear proof steel cases for the camera, and use a MasterLock Python lock to attach the steel case to the tree. The cameras won't do much good if they get stolen too.

I bought my Cuddie from Greg. Really good prices and tremendous service!

We had grate sucsess at woork puting up fake camaras, then we had hidden camras focused at the fake ones.
We got really sharp good pictures at the guys tearing them down.

Ande,

That's pretty clever! I love it!

I plan on putting a few of these at the main entrance to my property, along with the signs. All will be in clear sight of anyone coming down the drive.

http://www.hughessecuritysolutions.net/Fake_Security_Cameras_From_Hughes_Security_Solutions_s/4.htm

Scott, I'm definitely going with infra-red and a security cable.

Paul, I agree with Cecil, very clever idea!

Jim, fake cameras may play a part as well. I really want to catch an idiot trespassing on camera. There is one group of losers that live down the road. They have been raided multiple times for drugs (Meth). The "neighbor" blamed the activity (except the fence cutting, Atv riding and fishing) on them. Perhaps it is true, perhaps not. One way or another I want to get proof and the prosecute them.

JHAP, the camera will have a looped area that a security cable can be passed thru and locked to the tree, but it's only thin plastic and probably be cut with a pair of wire cutters. That's the reason for putting it in a steel security box. Look at that link that I posted. They have security boxes. Make the fake camera harder to steal as well, the longer they are trying to get it, the more pics you will get.

Like Paul, we used fake cameras out in the open when we were having our serious problems. They were up high where nobody could easily fool with them. The real cameras were very well hidden, as was the VCR.

I'm placing an order for some of the signs and stickers now. Thanks for the link.

That is a sad statement of the world we live in today. Sadly I had this discussion with DIED when visiting his pond for his boat vandalism. He mentioned he was at your place checking things out. I said I am shocked that your place was not being raped and trashed. Absentee ponds are just victims these days unless you have absolutely trustworthy neighbors. You do not.

10 maybe 20 years ago these were not even issues. People were just a bit more courteous and respectful, drugs were not prevalent. I would have come unglued if some idiot showed me some photo of my precious fish being hung out to dry. Cutting down fences and atv'n would have been fuel to the fire. That's just inconsiderate garbage, not neighbors.

Just like with DIED if I can be of any help you let me know. I can drop some LMB in there to grow out. I could also make an occasional visit and maybe get someone in the act. I caught an Oxycontin dealing trepassing no good at another pond I manage. He was also responsible for many burglaries and property thefts. I personally wanted to let the air out of his tires, have him arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Have his vehicle towed, impounded. HOA were afraid of retailiation and just had him tagged and identified with threat of all of the above if he returned. Was mixed feelings among the residents, many wanted the Frog plan implemented. I just want along the the HOA.

Like I said, I am busy as hell, but I do make the rounds up there. And any presence, especially if people know someone shows up unannounced to check on pond fairly often is not only a way to catch someone, but a deterent as well. I respect the self restraint you showed. You have my heartfelt sympathy and Pond Boss brother support.

Thank you PF. I will discuss this with you in more detail. I'd love to have you stop by our place anytime.

DIED speaks very highly of you and that is a golden recommendation in my book.

Would be my pleasure. I know I come across as an opinionated jack ass at times but that is just forum fun. In real life I look out for my ponds, their owners and everyone near and dear to me. I'm not looking to make money off of you, DIED can vouch for that. Maybe we can do some business, maybe not. But I'll be there for you when I can if you need me, no matter what. The line has been crossed, I would think it will be recrossed but now you know.

I very much appreciate that PF.

We are going to do business in the future, I've got a shopping list.... lillies, perhaps some LMB, I'm considering Sacramento Perch, you get the idea.

Having multiple people stop in at my place at random times will IMHO be a real deterrent.

I look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Multiple people at random times letting it be known the party is over. I'll talk to you at length in person for privacy concerns. No worries about the future, immediate concern is security. Talk to you soon. Next time your up maybe I can visit you at last and finish fixing DIED's Jeanie. I'm up in Lotus Wed for tint and Apple Hill week after for follow up lilies and marginals. And I work heavy El Dorado Hills and Latrobe. Just let me know.

Think about sending the neighbor a bill for the two large LMB that he stole.

$100 per fish. Heck, maybe $200-300 per fish if they were over 5 lbs.

That also allows you to start getting the monetary values of his crimes into more toothy legal matters.

Neighbor's nephev I think would be the right adress if you where to send a bill.
You can't bill a man for reciving a mms picture.
Anyhow this neighbor dosen't sound to clever, so I can totally understand JHAP's reservation to not get deeper in to a war with him.
You can win a lot of batlles, still loose the war because you are not on the batllefield (not living on sight).
So you keep wining all the legal batlles, but gaine nothing but frustration.
So you have to find a way to win their respect out off court, wich is a long time solution.
Thats my experience with stupid people anyways.

A very wise statement Ande!

On a similar vein I have a retired cop behind me that is quite the whiner. He's whined about the sound of one of my diaphragm compressors, and the sound of a trash pump I left running after sunset. He must have quite an ear as he lives at least 300 feet behind me!

I could have told him tough *itties, but I didn't. Instead I listened to him and assured him I would take measures to stop the noise. The diaphragm compressor wasn't a big deal as I was going to change it out for a rotary vane compressor, which is much quieter. And there really wasn't a need to run the trash pump at night so I only ran it in the daytime from then on. Actually I use electric sump pumps now for draining the back three ponds so no more noise at all.

But here in lies the advantage: It's possible if someone tries to cross his property to get to mine (trespassing) he'll question them and put a stop to it. Also one never knows if you will need your neighbor as an ally so it's best to keep them happy. I.e the county or someone comes up with some bullcrap tax or something, or someone wants to put a nasty trailer in next to my property.

Of course I know Jeff's situation is different to some extent. IMHO his dumb neighbor is not the thief, and can be dealt with diplomatically as Jeff as done. I would make a WAG that the thieves are the meth dealers. But then again the nephew sounds a little suspicious too.

On another note someone brought up fingerprints. My brother had a break in where his laptop computer was stolen. When the cops came my brother pointed out it was obvious the blinds were parted, probably because one of the thieves was a look out. Anyway my brother asked if they could get fingerprints off the blind. The response with a groan was, "This isn't CSI," and they didn't bother. Either prints are not as easy to get as they are portrayed on CSI or these cops were very apathetic.

JHAP can go many different routes. To either extreme. He can forgive and forget, be a friend to the neighbor, get welcome tattooed on his back and lay down and get walked on.

Or he could go postal/rambo and visit his neighbor with guns a blazin.

I'm sure he has had many soul searching hours thinking of the best solution in a truly can't win situation. I guess the best cliche hear it's hard to fly like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys.

There is a probable best path, and that is where I will point. And you can say well, he does not live there, but DIED lives by his pond, what good did that do? And JHAP doesn't live there, so you have to deal with what is here today.

With every law enforcement agency getting gutted and budgets slashed with manpower following, you need a major crime just to get someone to consider fingerprints. That is not real life either. Nor is sending a bill for fish.

Milk has been spilled, you put it in a safer container. Horse has left the barn. You shut the barn door, try to secure it and get another. Maybe a younger, cooler donkey. You move on with attempts at safeguards to prevent reoccurance. You become vigilant. Not a vigilante. You inform all parties involved property is being monitored, and anyone caught doing anything will get prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. You don't blame anyone, start a war or do anything without careful consideration.

Once DIED calmed down, he decided to just bring his boat in and out for now. The best plan is the well thought out without anger plan. A plan for the future. Like it or not those neighbors might be around for some time. That is one of the bad cards dealt. Diplomacy is not one of my strong suits, but threat assessment and pond guarding is.

JHAP I just got back from the cabin and read about your tresspass problems, does the phrase "Punji pits" ring a bell.
It really frosts my shorts when I hear about these low lifes who should be hung from a tree by their cajones.
It appears that you have a plan to deal with it by all the good info that others have given you.
I would add a couple of things, like long target pratice every day your there so that the neighbors are aware that you are armed and ready, also here is a low cost sensor, maybe get a dozen and place around your property to spook any violators in addition to the infrared game cameras you will get.
Good Luck and shoot straight.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Home-Infrared-Securi...=item2a02902dec

Jeff, look at tihe bright side.... They haven't fenced off YOUR property, blocked all access to it, or enlisted the local prosecutor to charge you with trespassing, like my fine neighbors have............yet!!!

-- --

How did the guy take the news from you to stay off ?

Sorry I have been out. JHAP call the law and make a report but just the facts. Do not accuse the guy juat tell the facts and ask them to check around.

Paul and PF you guys have pretty much summed it up. It comes down to this, I have no proof that the neighbor was involved in the theft so on that front it would do no good to accuse him or confront him about it. He lives there and I don't, until I have a game cameras and a surveillance system I'm pretty much a sitting duck.

I spoke to him quite plainly that I wanted the fence repaired and that the property was off limits.

I also told him that I would be installing a security camera system.

As you stated PF, I shall be vigilant but not a vigilante.


To answer your question Eric the neighbor actually had a hurt look on his face when I told him to put the fence back up and to stay off the property. He did not argue and he assured me that as soon as the weather cleared (it had been raining for a couple of days and was raining on us during this conversation) he would put the fence back. I was not confrontational and I took the time to explain to him that the pond was in poor condition when we bought the place and that it took four years to get it to the point that it is today. I told him that the LMB that his nephew put on a stringer were probably dead by now. I told him that when bought the place we never caught any LMB larger that 14 ounces and now we have them where they should be at several pounds in size. I didn't owe him this explanation but I figured I wanted him to appreciate the effort that we have put into this place.

A mans land is his land, this property is not huge, the pond is not gigantic, but dammit it's my land and I'm not about to throw up my hands and surrender.

JHAP:

It sounds like you handled it very well, and you are taking steps to try and stop it from happening again.

Now call the sheriff and let us know what they say! No need to say who you thought did it, just tell them the facts.

There's no way in he.. that I would have been that calm in handling the situation.

That is the same attitude I had with DIED's boat. Never surrender. You handled perfectly so far. In fact you must be a freakin diplomat. Maybe the moron neighbor really did not know any better. I and you both know he does now. That is all you can do. He should have known better but maybe did not, what can you do if you are not the might Kreskin. I wouldn't trust a tweeker as far as I could throw him, into a bottomless pit preferably. That would be my odds on favorite for theft. Getting confrontational is counterproductive and not really very prudent. Get the word out as you did, place will be heavily guarded, under survelliance. People like me pop in that have never been there before and say if I catch anyone here I shoot first, then call the cops and prosecute to the fullest extent. You can put it off on a unfriendly third party. Me. I ain't no ones neighbor. And I take my duties very seriously. It does not matter if it is 1/100th of an acre with a kiddie pool on it. Your property is yours. Next time you talk you say, I have begin to hire people who are not as friendly and forgiving as I am. In fact, they scare me, but apparently that is what I need. The Mr. Rogers attitude and goodwill have been abused and are in the same place as the big LMB. Gone.

Jeff,

Sorry I didn't see this sooner... And sorry to hear about this! These things really tick me off and I have been in your shoes before. No fun! You did the right thing by not lashing out on the guy. That would have gotten you charged and him with the high ground. However, a nice 30-30 round to the head might be good medicine for this guy! Being a police officer, let me give you the best advice I can.

First, I would report the incident to the local law enforcement agency that covers your property. Most likely a sheriff's department that covers what ever county your land is in. Even if you don't have proof that you owned the things that were stolen, nor serial numbers you still want to report the burglary. Not all law enforcement agencies are as service oriented as the one I work for, but if they're anything close to how mine operates, you will get a positive response. Keep in mind, many burglaries occur where there is no proof of the claimed property being stolen was actually stolen. Yours is no different and that shouldn't be a problem. If it is, at least you got the deputy or officer out there and as others have already said, allowed your neighbor to see law enforcement presence. If it was me taking the report, I'd be knocking on your neighbor's door to do a canvass and interview of him as a possible suspect shortly after I was done taking the report. If this guy is a big enough dummy to show you photos of the bass he stole from you and admit to ripping down your fencing, he may just say incriminating things to the deputy or police officers. Criminals are often pretty damn dumb...

Second, while the deputy or officer is out there taking the burglary report, you can also ask for their advice based on the laws of California and the code of what ever county your land is in. In order to prosecute for trespassing, most states require land to be posted a specific way. I would ask the deputy or officer what that way is and then you know what you need to do to get your land posted properly so that you can successfully prosecute this turd or any other jerk who is trespassing. My experience with different states shows that the laws can be very different about what is considered properly posted land. Most states have different forms of trespassing. Here in Virginia there are several types. The penalties are much less severe for unposted land and fairly severe for land that is posted(correctly).

If you just don't want to be bothered with reporting the burglary and subsequent theft, I would at least make contact with your local law enforcement agency and obtain advice from them for properly posting your land and what "proof" they feel would be necessary to make an arrest for trespassing. You may also be able to issue what we call a "trespass letter". Where I work, the process of going about doing this is fairly simple. You write up a letter with your turd neighbor's name and info in it. You then send this letter to him via certified mail and in that letter you tell him he is not welcome on your property and that he will be prosecuted for trespass if found on your land. When he signs for said letter, the post office will then give you a receipt giving you proof your turd neighbor received it. You then keep a copy of the letter and receipt for your records and deliver a copy of the trespass letter and the receipt of delivery to your local law enforcement agency for their records. Absolute best way to prove he knew he was not welcome and makes conviction much easier... I'd check with your local law enforcement agency first though to make sure of their policies regarding this.

One last thing to keep in mind is that most states do not allow warrantless arrests of misdemeanor crimes not committed in an officer's presence to be made. This basically means that unless the law enforcement officer actually observes the trespassing taking place, they cannot make an arrest. You would have to go obtain a warrant and then the officer could make the arrest with said warrant. Look into how California does this. Here in Virginia you'd have to go in front of a magistrate(special judge) and swear to the facts of the case to prove probable cause exists that your neighbor or someone else trespassed on your land. If the magistrate finds probable cause exists, he issues the warrant. Then you notify the local law enforcement agency of the warrant, then watch as your turd neighbor gets served said warrant and then prepare for the circus we call the American judicial system.

Read up on the trespassing laws and procedures. Most law enforcement officers want to help out people like you. Explain your situation to one and hope you get a good guy. Most cops are, but sometimes you get a slug or one who is burned out and they don't give their full effort. Being a absentee land owner can be a trick in a balancing act and getting into a giant peeing matching with your neighbor can lead to major heartache. There is only so much law enforcement can do. Stay positive and work with them and hope the laws of California work for the victim and not the criminal.

I hope some of this info helps you prepare for war with this turd and any other jerk who wants to trespass on your land and abuse your hard work improving it and your pond. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions...

Travis

PS Don't hold your breath of dusting for finger prints or any of that television BS you see. Fingerprints are very hard to lift... Throw in the scene of the burglary is fairly old, probably exposed to weather and with few surfaces that give up good prints, the odds are low. CSI has made my job a nightmare... All these citizens see this made up crap and think it can be done. Some of it can, but that is for murders and violent crimes. The amount of man power it requires is not going to be expended for a simple property crime. Just the realities of the world.

love ya jhap.

pondfrog and jhap, i'm gonna send you both an e-mail today, look for it later.

happy memorial day all....

Hey Buddy, I will come out and take care of the guy/guys anytime you want me too. I have very little tolerance for any of the culprits in this sordid story. They can't pick on my little buddy like that without consequences.

I've always taken the "try to be nice approach" first.

Then, when that fails, it's an absolute no trespassing situation.

And, you usually then have a scapegoat: "I tried to be nice about it, but then I caught Joe Blow poaching/stealing from my pond. Now, nobody is allowed in at all, and you can blame Joe Blow for it."

Sorry to hear it Jeff.

When I first bought land, I wanted to be a good neighbor. Then a predator/prey relationship developed and I was taken advantage of. Then, I decided to become an AHole. I found that I didn't like it but was good at it. Now, I am respected but not all that well liked by some of the neighbors.

JHAP, just catching up on this. Been too pissed to type. You have been wisely advised. The amount of responses shows how much you and your greenies are respected on the forum. I sincerely hope this has a positive ending. Being also an absebtee owner; I will continue to follow this closely. good luck.

Thank you all for the support.

After reading the responses we have decided to file a report with law enforcement. Our property is covered by the County Sheriff's office. In the past we have had one contact with them and they were very helpful and courteous. We are compiling a list of the missing items and will file a report.

California law is interesting in regards to trespassing. A property does not need to be fenced as long as it is posted at intervals not less than three signs per mile along all exterior boundaries and at all roads and trials entering the land. Our property was completely fenced and we placed no trespassing signs about one every 50 feet along the fence line and every road and path had multiple signs along them as well. In addition on every compass direction surrounding the pond there were signs. Basically you could not access our property without going by multiple signs.

For simplicity sake I decided to go the game camera route. I emailed Greg to place an order for a bunch of game cameras. We have looked at the aerial photos of our place and decided locations that would best cover all of the areas that we needed to cover.

DIED and Pond Frog have graciously volunteered to stop in at our place on a random basis, thus there will be much more of a presence on our property.

Thank you all for the feedback, I truly appreciate it.

Dave we can all become an Ahole if we need to.

BTW did I ever tell you, you remind me of TBone Pickens? Younger looking of course.

Jeff,

I wish you the best of luck. I'd be a nervous wreck if I didn't live next to my ponds. One day I freaked when I found some trash stuffed under my pier. Turns out my dad had picked some up that had blown in from the the highway and temporarily tucked it under the pier. I was so relieved!

I'm not making light of your situation one bit but I do have to share a funny story I heard from a trout farmer in Ohio that involves tiny two legged trespassers.

He's got a trout farm out in the middle of nowhere, but there are a few residents around. In his area they have what are called "blue holes." These are old wells that have collapsed continually (kind of like a sink hole) and produce pond size holes that go straight down about 60 feet possibly more. If you fell in you'd never get out.

Anyway one day he pulls up to the farm and two cute little boys only about five or six years old with their little straw hats and mini fishing poles are fishing the blue hole. Of course the trout farmers main concern is if they fell in they'd drown. So he puts on a mean face (all pretend) and absolutely scares the hell out of them.) Mind you they can't be more than five or six years old. Even pretends he running after them (in slow motion) as they are so young they can't run very fast. They run all the way home (which is more of a slow jog for the trout farmer) crying up a storm. The trout farmer has a stern talk with the mother who had no idea where they were. He tells her if they had fallen in they wouldn't be coming back etc. etc. He really makes his point with her too.

Long story short the the boys never came back. It was pretty comical to hear the trout farmer tell it.

He also had some teenagers at the hatchery stealing fish out of the raceway for kicks. He had a backhoe parked nearby and when he got done with them he had them convinced he was going to bury them and no one would know what happened to them. His brother shows up later after they pull out and asks him, "What in the hell did you do to those kids that pulled out of the farm?" They were all balling and they were driving with a 4 flat tires!"