Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations What would you do?

4:00 p.m. today, son-in-law surprised 3 poachers at the 3.5 acre pond, one tried to carry his (my) fish out with him as he ran. Son-in-law pursued down road got license number as they sped off. Unfortunately, I had the gun safe locked.

So, I called the local Sheriff's office who said there was nothing they could do. What would you do?

Can I find out who these folks are from the license number? If so, how? I'm thinking of hiring a Private Invest to find them. I tell you money is no object...and hell hath no fury like a Meadowlark that has been separated from his fish.

Why is it that the Sheriff's office can't do anything?

ML,

I'd be curious to know why the sheriff couldn't offer any assistance. If the sheriff's office can't help, what about the game wardens??

Russ

ML, you can run the number on the internet. I will ask my sister what the sight is. It use to be free, if you give your name and drivers #. I will check and get back to you.
Bob

Meadowlark,

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I know that here in Indiana we have a 1 800 number to turn in poachers and as long as it is not hunting season they are normally right on it. The poaching hotline for us is on the DNR website along with steps to follow to report a poacher. I hope you catch them and the law does there job to prosecute in full. Good Luck

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/wildlife_management/faq/law_enforcement/trespass4.phtml

This may help you if you have not already found and read it.

ML,

Can Son-in-Law I.D. any of the subjects involved?
If so, (be advised that he may have to I.D. them in court many months down the road) can you not sign a complaint of Trespass and/or Theft with the County Prosecutor? You supply the description of the subjects, the vehicle description they were driving with the license plate number and what took place and the Pros. can find out who owns the vehicle and go from there.

This event should give you clues as to when, where and how some of the jerks are getting on your property and maybe give you some ideas to discourage it. You DO NOT want to commit any, crimes that will get you into trouble but....
you've got your hidden cameras, tires have been known to go flat on getaway cars, sometimes rocks fall out of the sky thru car windows.

I have no idea what kind of relationship you have with the Sheriff in that area or why he wouldn't take any action with the license plate number of vehicle used in the crime, but perhaps hiring a P.I. might be your only option at this point.

You might also consider talking to a local Atty.
Not a Real Estate, Tax or Corporate Atty, but one who deals with Criminal Law in the local courts. Not only can he advise you on your legal "rights" to keep you out of trouble but also there mayee be other ways to get these jerks into court. They did steal, or attempt to steal property that you can put a real $$$ amount on.

I hope you can find a way to get the thief(s) into the court system and get some relief from that kind of nightmare.

Dan

First like Dan says, can your son in law identify anybody? No ID, not much of a criminal case. Second affix a price on the item(s) stolen, if over a certain amount the crime becomes a felony and the sheriff's job becomes easier and your getting cooperation from him much better. Not good for your reelection bid if you don't pursue felons. In California, as an example, any thing over 200 bucks, figure everything involved when calculating the price, everything. The sheriff is an elected official and maybe you need to talk to him not the person who answered the phone. Did they at least send a car out to talk to you or the son in law? The other avenue is a civil attorney and sue the sob. If you get no satisfaction from the sheriff I would spend some money on the other guys campaign fund. There is no hurry now, the crime has been committed, so take your time and look into your options.

ML, call the Game Warden. If that goes nowhere, call the Sheriff and raise HELL. Also the County Attorney. Ask who you should call when a crime/theft occurs. The Montague County Game Warden is pretty narrow minded about this kind of stuff.

Everyone's comments are right on. Sorry, ML, to hear about this.

Everything goes into the dollar amount of the theft (cost per fish, feed costs, your time, the kitchen sink, etc.).

The PA State Police told me that the getting pictures is critical, and that video is even better.

Now whenever I go to my property, my first duty is stealth mode. When in this mode, I am prepared to disable any vehicle I find, and take pictures (or video, the digital cam. can take 10sec. video clips). I also approach my property from different ways, and sometimes park further away and walk to the property.

Trespassing alone is an offense that the police must address. If they are totally swamped, that's one thing, but they should at least take a report.

Sounds like there are other ways to run the license plate. A private investigator will certainly be able to get the information.

Once you find out where the driver lives, your son-in-law can see if he recognizes any of the people that live there.

It's great that you got the plate number. Now you can take the battle wherever it needs to go.
However, we all have to be cautious about the moral level of those who trespass and steal from us.

I am going to assume that your son in law had contact with either a lazy cop or an ignorant one. I say that as it is the only excuse for what he was told. With a vehicle tag a suspect in a trespassing incident has been identified and should then be contacted by law enforcement and advised not to return. Despite signs and fences, a person will have to be given official notice not to return before he can be convicted of trespass; at least here in Florida, except for specific areas such as schools and designated construction sites.
I am in that line of work.
Call the Sheriff again and get another deputy out there.
Do not grab a gun. Under no circumstances is trespressing a capital offense. Although it certainly makes you feel like killing someone.
Toby