Really hate thieves

[Rick S]

A 16 old boy come to the door and wanted to know if I would sell him some parts off my van. I talked to him a little and got his name and address then told him I wasn't interested.

Today the parts he wanted were missing off my van and when I went to his house they were on his van.

Really hate being in this situation. I keep what few firearms I have in a Vault to keep kids from stealing but just don't have the room to lock up my van.

Any advise on how to handle this. Want to nip this in the bud. Hope all young people aren't as stupid as this one.

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[joem]

I'd talk to the police and his parents. But, can you prove that those are your parts from your van? This isn't the first time he has stolen something.

[BruceV]

First, make some notes. Put a time of day and date on the notes. Indicate what was discussed, what he asked about, how you responded. Note how you came to have the conversation with him and how you came to know his name, address, etc. Then, pick up the phone and call his parents... fax to them a copy of the written notes. Politely ask that they speak with their son about this matter. Politely let them know that while you would not want to have to pursue the option, if they can not resolve the situation you will contact the police and provide the same information to them and request that they step in and handle things. This is a time when either the parents can intervene proactively in the life of their son or they can step aside in which case it will be necessary for law enforcement authorities to act. Whatever you do, document everything. If you have any conversation with the parents or their son, have third party witnesses present... record the conversation (be sure they clearly state on the recording that the conversation is being recorded with their permission... indicate time/date/reason/have everyone present clearly identify themselves, etc.), take notes that are timed and dated. JMHO. Sincerely. BruceV.

[Ramboueille]

A 16 old boy come to the door and wanted to know if I would sell him some parts off my van. I talked to him a little and got his name and address then told him I wasn't interested.

Today the parts he wanted were missing off my van and when I went to his house they were on his van.

Really hate being in this situation. I keep what few firearms I have in a Vault to keep kids from stealing but just don't have the room to lock up my van.

Any advise on how to handle this. Want to nip this in the bud. Hope all young people aren't as stupid as this one.

Rick,

He should be able to provide a source for his newly "acquired" parts, whether he says he bought them, went to a recylcle yard or were "given" to him by a buddy. This usually provides some inconsistencies very quickly if you contact the police or his parents.

[pdh]

I'd suggest reaquiring them.Moonlight requisition we used to call it in the boats!

[conductor]

Call the cops. Let them handle it. Swear out a warrant charging the kid with larceny, if necessary. Nip this kid's thievery in the bud. Now.

[Youngblood]

What conductor said!

[JB White]

The kid is obviously an experienced thief, albeit not a very bright one. Contacting the kid and parents would be the ideal moral way to do it but....

If the parents are lax in parenting and the kid is usually in trouble, all your personal intervention will do is give him time to fabricate an alibi. He may even yank the hot parts and say "What parts?" when the police do finally get involved. Then it's "he said she said" and the only thing you'll gain from it is the disrespect for the punk which you already have.

List the stolen parts, report the situation in its entirety, and let a police investigator handle it. Be prepared to press charges, but you have the option of going easy on him if you wish.
If you don't persue this, all you're doing is letting the kid know he has a free hand to steal again.

[albud3]

Don't even think about telling his parents that their "little angel" would ever do anything like that. Go directly to the police and let them handle it.
More "little" incidents like this can quickly snowball into a physical confrontration without law enforcement present. Call the police, get a report, swear out a warrant and let those who get paid to handle stuff like this do it...willing to bet this isn't the first time "junior" has done something like this.

[Emri]

A 16 old boy come to the door and wanted to know if I would sell him some parts off my van. I talked to him a little and got his name and address then told him I wasn't interested.

Today the parts he wanted were missing off my van and when I went to his house they were on his van.

Really hate being in this situation. I keep what few firearms I have in a Vault to keep kids from stealing but just don't have the room to lock up my van.

Any advise on how to handle this. Want to nip this in the bud. Hope all young people aren't as stupid as this one.

Go get your stuff back in broad daylight and when someone asks what you are doing, tell them. Stick up for yourself.

I hate thiefs also,

Emri