As many members here know since retiring from law enforcement, I've really gotten into watch collecting. My most expensive watch is a Rolex Deep Sea Seadweller, but I've got a number of lesser valued/high quality watches including a few made by Grand Seiko, Sinn, and Hamilton Khaki, and a recent acquisition (limited edition) by Hanhart. While I take extra care to cover these with insurance and keep the best locked securely in a safe, yesterday a special watch was taken from a display box I have in plain view in our bedroom that's also used to store some "beater" watches I wear only occasionally and don't want to clutter up the safe with. The night before the theft, I was swapping out straps on a couple of watches and since this particular watch stands out both in appearance and for personal reasons, I knew it was where it belonged. Anyways, we had a father and son team of window washers come to the house and couple hours after they'd left, I checked the watchbox and noticed ONE watch was missing. It was the "special" watch: An imitation ("Fugahzi") of a Rolex Presidential (the real deal is made of gold and worth $$$$$$), that my mother had bought for me in the 1980's and which I'd used during undercover "Sting" operations as a police officer.

My city had experienced regular victimization of inebriated visitors of our local pubs and after watching a "60 Minutes" story about officers from the New York Transit Authority Police targeting those who prey on such victims, I convinced my crime suppression unit's supervisor that we might have similar success. Though skeptical, my sergeant said we could give the operation a try and after dressing up as a "tourist", splashing a liberal amount of beer about my face and clothing, I slipped out of our parked undercover vehicle and stumbled across the street to a bus bench in our business district and sat/slumped down. My sergeant had proposed we give it an hour or so before calling the operation off, but within less than five minutes I felt someone nudging my shoulder and heard the unseen stranger (I was keeping my eyes closed as though unconscious) ask, "Hey buddy! Are you okay?"

The transit police sergeant I'd talked to in preparation for our sting, had emphatically told me that the "UC" should act completely out of it and to let uniformed officers do the takedown for maximum safety, as in most cases the predators would rely upon stealth to get the valuables rather than force or weapons, so when I felt the watch being removed from my wrist, I did NOTHING. A minute or so later, my uniformed backup was loading me (still acting drunk) into the backseat of their patrol car and while laughing hysterically, described how another pair of uniformed officers had descended on the offender a short distance away and taken him into custody for the felony crime of "Grand Theft-From the Person of Another."

My sergeant who'd witnessed the event from across the street in the UC vehicle (as my backup) was dumbfounded. The tactic had worked with amazing success in only a few minutes from start (when I left the UC vehicle) to when the bad guy was taken into custody. The suspect had an extensive rap-sheet, with not only property crime arrests, but convictions of violent crimes too. The next day, we tried the sting again a couple blocks away and as before, I was "hit", only this time it took the thief less than 60 seconds to recognize an "easy mark" and he took the bait. This time the bait was a non-functioning SLR camera donated by our Property Room, after it had been found abandoned and was destined to be auctioned off.

For the next couple of months, several other officers and I played the "drunks", using my fake Rolex given to me by my mother (she paid about $20.00 for it in Honolulu), the non-functioning SLR camera, and a wallet with a few dollars in cash, which we'd photocopied to record the serial numbers. During the sting, I'd personally been targeted more than twenty times and as a team we'd arrested over fifty offenders. All but a couple were charged by the District Attorney with felonies, none of these arrests required the use of significant force to effect the arrest, and none of our UCs were significantly injured. In one case, a guy had apparently heard of our program as he'd approached me and repeatedly asked, "Are you a cop?", while kicking me as I lay on the ground. I was ok, but the guy went to jail for battery and the left-leaning City Attorney refused to file misdemeanor counts because, "That's (getting attacked by those who believe you're the police) what you get paid for!"

Although our program was a success and reported cases of "drunk rolling" dropped significantly, my supervisor decided to discontinue the sting after a transient was found dead on the bus bench of a neighboring jurisdiction, with his throat slit and pockets turned inside-out. It was good while it lasted, but none of us wanted to take the chance that our backup couldn't get to the UC in time and we did have a couple of close calls where the threat was too high to let the charade continue.

Though the watch didn't have any real significant monetary value to me, I had kept it all this time as a memento of those days and now it was gone. The theft from my watch box hadn't been witnessed, but we knew one or both of these window washers must have taken it. No one else had had the opportunity and though this wasn't a significant loss, I wanted that watch back! I called the father and told him that while he and his son had been in the house (the inside of the sliding glass doors had been cleaned too), someone had taken something of great value to me, but never described what the item was. The father denied taking anything and though his son had only recently started working with him (the "kid" was in his 20's), his father said he didn't think his son would do such a thing. I asked if he and his boy would be willing to provide a DNA sample and told him that DNA would most certainly have been left by whoever took my "property", and he said they would. I promised that if my property was returned, I wouldn't get the police involved. I just wanted my property back and to insure whoever had taken it wouldn't do such a thing in the future.

It's been more than 12 hours since the phone call and I haven't heard back from either of the subjects. I know that this case can't be prosecuted as it's a very low level misdemeanor (the watch is worth a couple buck at most), and even IF DNA was left on the watch-box or the oval fabric covered part that held it, no police department is going to spend the money it would cost to do a DNA analysis on a petty theft like this. If I do get a call and the watch is returned, I'll be pleasantly surprised and update this thread, but I'm not optimistic. Still, I guess the watch served me and the community well during the time I used it and even if the thing isn't returned to me, I suppose I'll have the memories I've shared here.

I’m sorry about the theft. Regardless of monetary value you have a personal attachment to the item. In my safe I keep several items that have little to no monetary value but are treasures to me and I’d be more hurt by their loss than the loss of items thousands of dollars.

But thank you for the story. It was an entertaining read. I sure hope you get that watch back.

I am sorry that your watch was stolen. Perhaps they will suffer an attack of conscience.

I got to say, that is one of the worst and most obvious fake Day-Dates I have ever seen, though.

When the thief takes it to the pawnshop, they are going to laugh him right out of there.

Cool story, hope you get your watch back.

Good luck! Cool history behind the watch.

Great story

I hope you get your watch back and the thief receives some needed karma

Sorry to hear of the theft.

Years ago a druggy boyfriend of our pet sitter stole my grandfather's watch which had a tiny diamond in the 12 o'clock position. It couldn't have been worth more than $50 but had emotional value to me.

I have a set of shelves with a lot of family history items on it. Things will little to no monetary value but which I would hate to lose. I am always nervous about strangers in the house who might be tempted to pocket something.

quote:

taken him into custody for the felony crime of "Grand Theft-From the Person of Another."

I'm asking a dumb question, but if the watch was fake, and it is a crime to sell a fake Rolex, making the fake watch basically worthless, how did the thief in the sting get charged with a felony?

^ Sorry, I can't edit my post. I realized that it being illegal to sell a fake Rolex has no relevance. But... you said the fake was worthless, so again, how is the crime a felony? And yes, I am a dummy.

You know why you wear a fake Rolex to Vegas?

So the hooker gets fucked twice.

Worse than losing the fake Rolex you gotta wash your own windows.

Misdemeanor in AZ? Where I worked, theft from an occupied residence in any form was felony burglary.
Ask the old man for a list of his clients. My guess is the kid has hit other customers too.

quote:

Originally posted by xd45man:
^ Sorry, I can't edit my post. I realized that it being illegal to sell a fake Rolex has no relevance. But... you said the fake was worthless, so again, how is the crime a felony? And yes, I am a dummy.

Not a “dumb” question! In CA (where I was employed) the taking of ANY personal property from the person of another or his/her immediate presence can be prosecuted as a felony, due to the inherent risk of a confrontation. If the taking involves the use of force or fear, it’s considered the crime of Robbery (which provides heavier penalties). The value of the item taken is irrelevant. The ownership only needs to be by a person other than the offender. If the watch, inoperative camera, or other property has ANY value (a dollar or less) to its owner, then the elements of the crime occurred.

Several years ago, a hardcore criminal was given a “Third Strike”, after he took a piece of pizza from some teenagers without their consent, through mere physical intimidation. The matter was mid-reported by liberal opponents of the “Three Strikes” law, as a poor man sentenced to “Life in Prison, for merely stealing a piece of pizza.”

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Misdemeanor in AZ? Where I worked, theft from an occupied residence in any form was felony burglary.
Ask the old man for a list of his clients. My guess is the kid has hit other customers too.

He's never giving that to the OP.
Better, have a friend or three not in same neighborhood ask him for references, then call those.

That sucks, I'm sorry to hear it. The sentimental value is probably higher than would have been with the real thing.

I think if nothing else, if you don't hear back from the father, you might just send him that picture and tell him "this is what was stolen, and I'll be leaving reviews online for your business explaining that a gold Rolex Presidential got stolen from my house when you and your son were the only ones there." Might get you more of a response and faster than fishing around with the DNA stuff. The son is gonna hear "DNA" and laugh. Reviews like that could ruin the business and that would be more of a motivator than bluffing.

By any chance, are these clowns near me? I don't want to accidentally hire thieves who already ripped off another Sigforum member.

people who steal most often do it to the wrong person at the wrong moment and end up in a bad way.

quote:

Originally posted by pulicords:

quote:

Originally posted by xd45man:
^ Sorry, I can't edit my post. I realized that it being illegal to sell a fake Rolex has no relevance. But... you said the fake was worthless, so again, how is the crime a felony? And yes, I am a dummy.

Not a “dumb” question! In CA (where I was employed) the taking of ANY personal property from the person of another or his/her immediate presence can be prosecuted as a felony, due to the inherent risk of a confrontation. If the taking involves the use of force or fear, it’s considered the crime of Robbery (which provides heavier penalties). The value of the item taken is irrelevant. The ownership only needs to be by a person other than the offender. If the watch, inoperative camera, or other property has ANY value (a dollar or less) to its owner, then the elements of the crime occurred.

Several years ago, a hardcore criminal was given a “Third Strike”, after he took a piece of pizza from some teenagers without their consent, through mere physical intimidation. The matter was mid-reported by liberal opponents of the “Three Strikes” law, as a poor man sentenced to “Life in Prison, for merely stealing a piece of pizza.”

One of my college buddies had a vagrant break into his dorm room, not knowing my buddy was there. He stole about $75 worth of stuff as he fled. They caught him and tried him under a three strikes law. Aside from the fact that he committed a burglary (a felony and more serious crime, because of the risk of harm to people), the third strike earned the guy seventy some years in the state pen.

Great stories !!! Thank you for sharing. God Bless !!!

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
That sucks, I'm sorry to hear it. The sentimental value is probably higher than would have been with the real thing.

By any chance, are these clowns near me? I don't want to accidentally hire thieves who already ripped off another Sigforum member.

Thanks. It sounded like the guys son just started working with him and if the kid does have a problem (ie: drugs) dad’s not aware of it. I’m way up in Scottsdale, about an hour from Gilbert, so I doubt they’re doing business your way. If the father is legit (and from those who referred us to him, he is. The kid will screw up again and get caught. In the meantime, I’ll just chill. I kept this solely for sedimental purpose as it neither worked or fit. I just know they’re off our list and that of those who referred them to us.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
That sucks, I'm sorry to hear it. The sentimental value is probably higher than would have been with the real thing.

I think if nothing else, if you don't hear back from the father, you might just send him that picture and tell him "this is what was stolen, and I'll be leaving reviews online for your business explaining that a gold Rolex Presidential got stolen from my house when you and your son were the only ones there." Might get you more of a response and faster than fishing around with the DNA stuff. The son is gonna hear "DNA" and laugh. Reviews like that could ruin the business and that would be more of a motivator than bluffing.

By any chance, are these clowns near me? I don't want to accidentally hire thieves who already ripped off another Sigforum member.

Agree with Smudge ... and as an old retired big city LEO knew the DNA story would not hold water as already difficult to get DNA processed on homicide cases. I would of went with a story having a video ( no details ) and the window washers could own up or suffer.

This happened to me at my daughter's house with window washers when an inexpensive caliper disappeared. They knew I had video outside but was able to bullshit about the video inside. The story worked and it was returned sitting on the front porch ( no contact ).