Is Your Power Wagon the Next Victim?

[MoparNorm]

That is exactly correct, my Dad taught me the same thing.
Shooting to wound has many more consequences...

[OLD DODGE]

Update

I made up a bunch of flyers with a picture of a PW radiator on Monday and started to hit all the local recyclers. At stop #2 I found my mangled up radiator in the pile with only one other one on top of it.

The yard allowed me to buy back my radiator/evidence for $60.00. They told me that they couldn't remember who brought it in as all the radiators look alike. I couldn't pick out a radiator for any of my vehicles except the PWs as they are so different and totally stand out from the rest. A visit from the Michigan State Police quickly refreshed someone's memory which produced a receipt for a 35 pound radiator. I know this yard has fully co-operated with the police in the past on other theft cases so I respect that and have no bad feelings towards them. The suspect confessed to the police and said he wanted to talk to me to "work things out".

This should be going to the prosecuting attorney's office next week. They will be going for malicious destruction of property and theft while seeking compensation.

I will keep you guys informed as to how it goes.

[rickt4498]

stolen rads

KEVIN...that is good news... nowadays it seems crooks get away...

the MICHIGAN STATE POLICE are a no nonsense, professional LEA

if the crook is a first offender put the fear of GOD in him...
if he's a repeat offender...put him away.

p.s. funny how the memory improved when the MSP were asking the questions...

p.p.s. cat conv's are an easy target on high road clearance trucks (4wd)
also newer trucks with ALUMINUM driveshafts are getting a lot of attention...

[Doc Dave]

Due to the high price of scrap and the low moral standards of some people, two of my trucks where butchered up this weekend. They used only a hacksaw blade and a pry bar. These items where left behind. They couldn't even figure out how to open the hoods.

Truck #1 Hood bent, hood hinge broken, radiator cover mangled, shroud broken to pieces, radiator stolen. This truck also has a 6 volt alternator setup on it with the original fabric covered wire. They apparently needed the wire.

Truck #2 Hood bent, radiator cover mangled, radiator mangled and pried loose from the brackets.

I believe I interupted them and thats why the tools were left behind and the one truck still has the radiator in it.

All this so they could steal some brass. I cannot tell you how angry I am about this. They did so much damage to the trucks I am very saddened.

The attached picture was sent to me and shows what happened to a copper thief who tried to steal some of the copper at the top of an electric pole!
One could say he got justice!

[Cheyenne Dave]

Theft on the rise here too

Wire thefts are common here along the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) rights-of-way here. Sometimes the crooks/junkies tie into some mega-juiced lines and it really lights up their lives. My neighbor is a signalman with a huge territory so I hear about it often. Last week they actually caught a pair in the act...in the daylight!

Another big target are the ranchers. Their center pivot irrigation systems are almost irresistable in the rural areas, which is to say most of the state. It costs $5K -$8K to replace those cables after the bad guys get done butchering things up. On the bright side, sometimes the rancher catches someone in the act...but those occurances aren't highly reported...

A copy of the picture of the cooked crook should be posted more widely...or not, depending on your position on "fair warning".

C.D.

[Doc Dave]

That is interesting Dave.
These people must be addicts to take such a risk, it seems to me.
ON another note, one of my cousins is an engineer on the North Platte to Cheyenne U.P. run, another cousin does the Marysville to North Platte run.

[KRB64]

Glad you got him. Your dilligent efforts paid off, I'd say most get away. Glad the State Police backed you up too.

Sounds like we need to be investing in bullets!

The next rash of theft is going to be fuel, then food I fear...

[MoparNorm]

...
Another big target are the ranchers. Their center pivot irrigation systems are almost irresistable in the rural areas, which is to say most of the state. It costs $5K -$8K to replace those cables after the bad guys get done butchering things up. On the bright side, sometimes the rancher catches someone in the act...but those occurances aren't highly reported...
C.D.

When I had my place on the Western Slope of Colorado, the Coroner was called out more often than the Sheriff....

Not to say that there is no crime out there, just that there is more justice.
The crime of the "white trash" element seems to be meth. Tweakers from the city don't last long in areas where people still value hard work, honesty and trust. But I am still shocked at the numbers of them. Anyplace you find petty theft and strange compulsive collecting, you'll find tweakers....uh except for Dodge Trucks that is....ha! ha!

FYI Doc, I was eating breakfast when I pulled up that photo....= )

[Doc Dave]

FYI Doc, I was eating breakfast when I pulled up that photo....= )

Sorry Norm,
After I posted I thought, maybe that is a little too graphic.
But, in my line of work you get immune somewhat to certain things...I forget others are not as tolerant of gross out images.
My career selects for people with an iron stomach I guess! ;)
I think back to the time the farmer said the cow had been trying to have the calf for 3 days but nothing was happening?!...

[74w300uteline]

suspect wants to talk to you?

I HOPE its not someone you know. I can't describe the feeling when anger at theft is compounded by betrayal from somone you know. Its an ugly painfull emotion .

[OLD DODGE]

Nobody I know. He is just trying to avoid prosecution and maybe work out compensation on the side. Not a chance!

[MoparNorm]

Sorry Norm,
After I posted I thought, maybe that is a little too graphic.
But, in my line of work you get immune somewhat to certain things...I forget others are not as tolerant of gross out images.
My career selects for people with an iron stomach I guess! ;)
I think back to the time the farmer said the cow had been trying to have the calf for 3 days but nothing was happening?!...

Ha! I'm a Vet, I've seen worse than that, I just wasn't expecting it at breakfast time...= )
Tina, works late, she always comes home for dinner and watches TV at just about the time CSI comes on, with a graphic intro....ha! ha!

[John Waak]

Truck #1 Hood bent, hood hinge broken, radiator cover mangled, shroud broken to pieces, radiator stolen. This truck also has a 6 volt alternator setup on it with the original fabric covered wire. They apparently needed the wire.

Truck #2 Hood bent, radiator cover mangled, radiator mangled and pried loose from the brackets.

Congratulations! I hope the judge is real interested in seeing the itemized cost for repairs.

Guys like this need to be held accountable, whether it is a first offense or repeat. If the guy has any sense of manhood about him, he will recognize punishment as a favor, and own up in every way to what he has done.

I hope you can get your trucks repaired to similar or better condition than they were in before the crime.

Best to you.

[maineSS]

Perhaps a taste of Muslim Justice?

A friend of mine helped the Royal Family of Dubai with their offshore powerboat racing engines for a year. His boss was the Minister of Justice- they don't mess around with thieves. 1st offense is amputation of the left hand- with a sword. 2nd offense is amputation of the head. They don't have much thievery there- he left his camera equipment on the roof of his car all night in a public parking lot, and it was still there next morning.

[OLD DODGE]

Update!!

Yesterday the DA's office issued a FELONY warrant for the thief. The Trooper told me the thief had a new address but he thought he knew where he could pick him up. If he gets tossed in jail on the weekend he would have to wait till monday for arraignment.

Question. Which is faster, our justice system or a Power Wagon?