Has someone or something stolen from you? Do you know who/what it was? Did it affect you? Do you care?
Doesn’t have to be serious.
Share your stories!
I crashed a friend’s house one night, and I woke up and $50 was missing out of my wallet.
I asked my friend, who I knew had stolen it, “how can $50 disappear from my wallet overnight?” and he looked me dead in the eye and said:
“I don’t know man. It’s a mystery.”
We aren’t friends anymore.
I wonder if your friend was an addict, an asshole, compulsive, or some combination of the set?
He was a pothead selfish asshole, thought working was beneath him.
Wanted a half ounce of weed more than he wanted my friendship.
I don’t like people floating weed as this innocuous thing. I’ve met some really shitty potheads. But I also know that I’ve more than likely met a bunch of grounded regular smokers too. I don’t think people should go to jail for it, but I def think it brings out some really awful characteristics in some folks. But that’s just me. I mean when it’s legal (cause it most def will be her cross-country at some point) I think people will start talking about it the same way they talk about alcohol. Because some folks will drown themselves in it. But also hopefully at that time, we might also start addressing our horrendous food situation too. Shrugs.
Or all be dead from global warming. Eh.
But yeah, fuck that dude.
I’ve got nothing against weed. Like I have indulged recreationally myself a time or two, and honestly other than the occasional giggles I don’t really see the appeal.
I think it affects everybody differently, for me it’s just usually too heavy and too strong to indulge in other than every once in awhile.
Oh for sure it affects everyone differently. And I know different strains for different things. I sort of forgot, but I tried a slew again like five years into my pain period. Just to try to figure out if I could fix stuff with it. Hilariously it always seemed to make my pain worse, so it’s probably outright just not for me. Shrooms? My jam. Weed. Eh.
I have just seen people basically neglect themselves, let alone others who depend on them - all in the name of weed. So ultimately I don’t care too much for it as a whole.
So did you ever solve the mystery? 😐
Must have been the wind
Maybe his friend’s wind 😐
Yes! Two days ago, someone stole my bike. That is, I had parked it (and locked it) in a bike garage monitored by CCTV at the train station where I commute and when I came back from work my bike was gone and only my broken lock was left. However, as I looked around a little the thieves had not moved it far, only down a floor into the premium “bike hotel” area that is an actual locked in area as well. So I just called the company, and they let me in and gave me my bike back.
Afterwards, I called the police to let them know someone stole my bike and that the whole ordeal was caught on cameras (they have to open an official investigation before the footage can be used due to surveillance laws). As I tried to report the theft (or attempt thereof), I had the following fun conversation with a policeman:
- Me: Explains the circumstances of what happened.
- Policeman: (Interrupts) “Yeah, maybe you should keep that in mind for next time.”
- Me: “Uhm what?”
- Policeman: “Yeah, maybe you should be a little bit smarter with regards to where you put your bike.”
- Me: “Uhm OK, I just told you I put it in the designated parking spot that, as pointed out, is monitored.”
I get that they do not really care about bike theft as they account for 30% of reported thefts, but I mean come on. They obviously moved my bike (along with others, I assume) to a nearby area so they could collect them all in a van later that night and drive off unnoticed. The police could have sent one patrol there at the right time and have them caught red-handed with video footage of the entire ordeal. Incompetence and unwillingness to actually do their work is precisely why there are so many thefts to begin with. Had I said I was a shop owner and had a bike stolen, I am certain they would show up in no time.
TL;DR: Bike got stolen and the police sucks. Thankfully, the thieves sucked marginally less, so I got my bike back.
a) Glad you got your bike back.
b) I know for a while they sold a thing for bikes to identify them and get stolen bikes back. But I am not sure the system really works and I think it’s on a sticker. And can’t you just peel off any sticker @_@!
c) Cops suck hard at things they find inconvenient to them. I didn’t know the reports were that high. I think it’s because you’re actively messing with a person’s means of transportation, that they get reported so much. But nowadays cops don’t show up for car accidents. So it’s really hit or miss in general.
d) I loved imagining this inconspicuous scrapper-esq van that whisks away all the stolen bikes with the little punk ass thieves thinking they got you so they moved on to the next one. Maybe in you figuring out their bs they might move their bike-hotel to another space.
In the UK I think there’s a scheme where you register your bike and engrave a serial number on the frame somewhere, so if it turns up stolen it’s easier to prove/legitimate sellers won’t buy it off thieves. Don’t know how well it works personally.
As far as I know all bikes have these. The number is definite proof of ownership, but can of course just be removed by the perpetrator (if they bother).
I was wondering if it was kinda like bullets (don’t bullets have serial numbers engraved on them? I suppose they do, but I am not sure if it really matters?) or like car parts. But I will say that for a lot of stolen electronics I’ve seen and heard about - individual indentifiers didn’t ever seem to mean much ultimately.
The value of my labor, daily.
The nominal “cost” of my healthcare, at every encounter.
Etc.
Yeah, that’s true. I once read an essay by a dyke who was a construction worker and wondered what life would be like if people just did the work they were interested in and everyone got paid a flat rate. I’m not sure it would work, but it is something to think on.
Yeah my new bicycle was stolen. Right where everyone could see it, and there were no other bikes. 250 euro lock.
I heard they use a spray to freeze the lock and then just break it.
Couldn’t have been happier because it was a piece of shit and my insurance got me a new one that I still have over a decade later! Karma is a bitch.
Yeah =D~! I heard bike locks are bullshit. I heard comboing can help, but tha tin general if someone wants your bike they’ll figure a way. Especially if they’re good at it.
For me, it was a punk ass who would steal stuff and call me his friend. Although I don’t really care (only in that indignant small child way), I did tell my partner just the other day that “I bet you his ass is in jail.” Well he is, in fact, he’s actually in prison for murder. So yeah, that was a thing.
When I was first on my own, I was living paycheck to paycheck and only ate ramen and oatmeal at home because I couldn’t afford decent meals.
The first Christmas when I could finally afford to buy presents for friends at work, I went shopping and carefully picked a gift for each person. Nothing fancy as I was still on a tight budget, but things I thought each person would enjoy. Then I splurged and bought gift bags and decorative tissue paper.
I left them all in the back seat of my piece of shit car to bring to work the next day. I figured it would be safe in the garage in a gated apartment complex. Someone broke into my car and stole it all.
They left fingerprints on my window, so I thought the police could track them down like on TV, but the police couldn’t care less. It really deflated me.
but the police couldn’t care less.
The police protect property, not people. Your property was just too insignificant for them to care about.
If you have a net worth in the many dozens of millions at minimum, they respond much better to even tiny incidents like that.
I think they protect certain people. I also think there are some good cops out there. People state outright that all cops are bad cops if they are part of an institution of evil. But I mean…my existence whether I like it or not is fueling harm in other locations. And I am still buying in, soooooo.
I only say this because I have legitimately met good cops and bad cops. But I also know bad cops are fucking brutal to minorities (and sometimes even to majorities). And they are firm believers in guilty until proven innocent. But they don’t fuck with a lot of shit, and have most def been terrifyingly atagonistic in some situations of my life and radically aloof in others (like say, a child being raped). So yeah. It’s just something I sit around and “huh” at because I am not sure what else to do.
I will also say that crime in Seattle where they shooed out the cops went up ten fold. But that cops in Seattle are racist pigs. So…eh? But shout out to that one cool cop I saw in Tacoma who was trying his best to just be a human!
I was a court advocate for victims of domestic violence, volunteering at the same facility that had helped me escape an extreme situation. Having noticed that there was no federal, state, local, or private list of resources for people in crisis, I approached the director to request permission to compile a comprehensive guide and make it publicly available. Although I would’ve done it for free, the director saw the need and suggested this should be a highly-paid position; she announced the job opening to everyone at the next meeting.
A woman I’d never seen before expressed interest at the meeting, so I introduced myself and offered to collaborate to make the publication a success. We were scheduled to make our presentation to the board in a month. I gathered my half of the research and negotiated with businesses to donate materials and operating expenses, so that this program would be self-sustaining. I contacted the other woman every couple days to update her on what I’d accomplished, and to gather her data. She never had anything except excuses, so I gathered her share of the data, too.
On the day of the meeting, I’d done 100% of the work, which I’d happily shared with her, and I had put together the entire presentation. I didn’t mind, because this was a valuable community service. I arrived early for the meeting and sat outside the closed boardroom, waiting for my “partner”, but she never showed up.
At precisely the agreed-upon time for our meeting to start, the boardroom door opened and my partner emerged, grinning as everyone congratulated her. Yeah. I still didn’t get it.
I was ushered in and was asked to make my presentation. I was quickly interrupted because the board wanted to see MY efforts, not the work of the other woman. They accused me of stealing her work and told me to leave.
The other woman received a hefty salary for almost a year, but she never even bothered to use my research and connections to make even one flyer. Eventually she was fired and the failed community service idea became anathema to the facility.
That fucker changed the meeting time, stole my work and all the credit for it, scammed herself into the position, took the salary from the outreach budget, and destroyed the comprehensive resource list that would have helped tens of thousands of people in crisis.
a) Kudos for getting out and giving back. You took your strength and utilized it ten-fold. That’s really cool.
b) Had this done twice, once with my just-desserts and once with my face on the concrete.
c) Idk if a lot of the people who were volunteering were in the same space as you but some people are just warped either by life or by the situation and it sounds like you found a real rotten one. Worst part is she’s still probably out there doing it to someone else. I think it’s kinda like when they say stuff like how you can’t become rich without stepping on others. It takes some really skeezy characteristics to get ahead in this world, and they all seem to be the exact opposite morals promote.
Fuck that woman though, you did what you wanted to out of the good of your heart and your program could have made a big difference. Hopefully now there’s another program that has floated to the surface that has taken its place and does okay. I wish you had a heart to heart with the director, but I bet you ten bucks you ended up leaving if one of the people who turned on you was her. All things aside, I’m sorry you had this happen to you. It’s outright rotten.
A friend in college gave me his Gameboy Advance SP and some games, and I’d collected more games over the years. I lent everything to a coworker and then I was home sick when said coworker moved away and took it all.
Could’ve left it at work, could’ve left it with a mutual friend. They were coming back for a visit so I asked if they could bring it and they accused me of not caring about them, only the gameboy, so they did not give it back then either.
It was a huge bummer because I was on THE LAST LEVEL of Pokemon Sapphire and now it’s too expensive for me to get another copy. I’d also told the guy who gave it to me originally that he could reclaim the GBA and his games if he ever felt inclined but thankfully that has not happened since I wouldn’t be able to return them now.
I’ve had other belongings stolen from me in the past but it was the accusation that trying to reclaim my property meant I did not care about the person who stole from me that really grinds my gears even now. I’d spent a lot of time trying to help them through some difficult life stuff long before I ever lent them the console.
a) Co-worker is an asshole and who the hey knows what happened to your stuff but you can reach out and see if they maybe have it in a box somewhere. $12 will get you most smaller things shipped across America (pending you’re here).
b) Idk where you sit on the whole retro-gaming thing. But they’ve got gobtones of little handheld systems that can emulate most older systems and they’re loaded to the gils with games too. I don’t have one (if I feel the spirit I emulate on my phone) but they look pretty nifty. I’ve actively looked at them and though “Hmm, that’s pretty nifty!” I am just not sure how much I would play them, and I already do well enough with my phone.
c) On the tail-end - most people will be friendly first if you do reach out. They don’t feel a bunch of shame about anything, especially if you were nice to them. They might just think about the good times you spent with them and reminisce. Seriously, I would consider reaching out and seeing whatsup and then ask them if they remember the DS. But also you clearly kissed it goodbye, so it is what it is. I hope you kick the tail outta the last bit of Sapphire some day =)
Thanks for the thoughtful reply!
This happened many years ago now and I don’t have contact info for them or much desire to find out if they’re less of an asshole now. I would’ve thought if they were interested in returning it to me they would’ve done so at my request back in the day so I imagine asking again now wouldn’t make much of a difference.
I’m not too broken up about it; a much better friend who heard the story got me a used GBA and a couple of games for my birthday a while ago so I’ve managed to rebuild some of my collection. Mostly just upset that someone who stole from me called my character into question when I requested my stuff back. It made me feel like all the time I’d spent helping them with their issues was a waste of my time seeing as they were so quick to make me responsible for their own bad behavior.
Of course, no worries! I was thinking if magically they were a male (I mean 50/50 right?) that they might have the same name as when you knew them. A gal? All bets are off. Some folks are easier to track down than others. Ah, I think I missed the part where they questioned your character. You know that’s some bs deflection crap.
Also your friend sounds like super dope, x100. That’s awesome =)! I still don’t know where you sit on things, but I will say that when I did have a gameboy (I gave it to a friend when I moved at one point in my life) I did have some kinda flash card I think? It is shaped like a cartridge and connected to my laptop via a cord (Maybe a micro, maybe a mini?) and I coudl put a handful of games on there. I know scalpers have ruined the joy of retro gaming to a point. I once went into a retro game store and could have slapped every face in that store having seen the prices games go for nowadays. I’ve been sticking to basically “lofi” pc gaming. Like the super amazing intergalactic fishing and Sword of the Samurai *Sugoi~! But I do wanna toss one more thing your way just in case you end up deciding to check out retro-handhelds. I actually saw one recently, because someone posted a whole thing on PieFed I believe. That had lists of handhelds and their prices on AliExpress. But this one caught my eye because it looks like an SP and can play up to Dreamcast I think. Here’s the review that I watched when I looked into it. I kinda hopped around, because I don’t care too much about sound or teardown or anything. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested =)!
Keep gaming, and keep being sweet =)!
Yes, someone stole a game console from my room in university. Then I caught them selling it on craigslist, contacted them, got their name and got them arrested and my console back.
Lucky for me that I had reported it to the police since I was considering using insurance to cover it. The officer that took the info recognised the persons name because he had pulled the guy over that week and thought it would be fun to catch him with stolen goods as well.
It’s funny to me that there’s someone out there probably claiming that there’s a cop with a vendetta against him.
I mean, it’s really easy to see with blinders. But everyone wants to be the hero of their own story, right? I will say the more desperate a person gets, the crappier their behavior becomes. But that if they were caught speeding prior to, they might have some kinda disorder or illness that is going undiagnosed/untreated which would turn around if they had the support needed.
But life has a pretty set timeline, rules and regulations and people who do not fit into the pegs are seen as “bad” and will slowly degrade overtime until they become the degenerates life always figured they were. (But really this is a generalization and some people really are born more chaotic than others.) I guess more so I am just saying sometimes the world is really against people even if they’re being indulgent in their thought. Because in general, I believe the world is against most people. Even if you’ve got a sliver of pie. So, eh it is what it is.
I always think it’s kinda funny when people turn things right around and try to sell someone’s things right after stealing them. It’s a sure fire way to get caught. But I do have a little wonder in my head about the whole thing like. When you get desperate for cash you start just selling things. Anything. Everything you’ve got. But what happens when that runs out, and you’re still in an unsustainable place? Idk. Whole situation is booty either way =X!
And tbh, it takes a real dummy to target anything higher-education based if this is like…past 2010. Cause there are cameras evuh-ree-whereeee! And typically these kids have money, and cops will protect money =P!
The year was 1990. A kid stole my WWF ring and wrestlers. I will never forgive or forget.
Isn’t it crazy how you can “go there” when you think about it. It’s my lesson in the fact that all emotions are valid. Because I can be young again, and grumpy that some “sumabitch” stole something from me. Among other emotions from memories. But I will say it’s horrible to have somoene smile and enjoy your company all while sliding stuff into their pockets. A gal I once didn’t like (I like her mama though because she had short blonde hair and a ton of strength) stole something from me too and lied up and down the street over that one. She can go puck herself too, but I also acknowledge big picture these things are just little pieces of my life hahaha!
- Fizz ( @Fizz@lemmy.nz ) 6•1 month ago
Growing up our house would get robbed often. I’d say yearly. Since I was interested in electronics they would always steal my stuff. I’d get a computer and it would get stolen. I’d get a playstation and it would get stolen. I’d get an air rifle and it would get stolen. I used to wish that they would take my sisters dollhouse or books just to even the score.
The worst part was they would trash my room every time. They would break open my cupboards and draws throw my clothes on the floor. One time they stole my playstation and gba and smashed my TV. I didn’t even live in a bad area. I lived in the poor part of a nice area. My theory was that people would come from poorer suburbs and since we didn’t have a massive wall, gate and security system we got targeted.
That sounds horrible, literally couldn’t own anything nice without it getting stolen and your personal space getting trashed…
- Fizz ( @Fizz@lemmy.nz ) 5•1 month ago
It did suck and we were to poor to replace the items but at the time it wasn’t to bad because I’d just go play outside or go to a friends house after school and play on their computer or playstation.
It would be way worse today where everything is online. If someone took my computer away for a year it would heavily impact my social life.
Counter craziness - have you ever thought it might be younger richer kids from your area? Cause my girlfriend got shit kicked all the time for being the “poorer” person in a stinkingly rich area. And I think some rich kids are outright psychos. Either way, it sounds fucked. Did you guys end up moving ever? Or like…getting a dog. Cause dogs get thieves to fuck off.
*** Dogs got thieves to fuck off. Idk if they do anymore.
**** p.p.s. - Knew one other person who’s ma (single parent) went from a nurse of some sort to a lawyer and they leveled up like crazy income-wise. But they were also targeted because of their social standing and their whole life fell apart. They are most def not doing well, even now.
When I started University, I used part of my small savings to buy a very nice bicycle so I could get around between uni districts.
When I moved into a shared student apartment, there was a locked bicycle room in the basement. Only resident keys would fit that lock. Nonetheless I still locked my bike separately.
The one day I forgot to do that, my bike was no longer there the next day. It pissed me off immensely because I couldn’t immediately afford a new one, and the theft really made me uncomfortable. Mostly the fact that it must have involved someone who lived in the same block.
I bet you it’s someone who has always gotten what they want over a person in dire need (which is what I first like to think of). It’s probably someone who still does not know the meaning of the word no, even if they’ve heard it a hundred times. Puck dem!
Living with a friend, in the first place after moving out of our parents places. He smoked weed but that didn’t bother me. However, one night he invited in the local weed dealer and I was really concerned but he assured me it was ok.
We both worked at the same company, so came home at the same time a day or so later to find the front door was open. They smashed the small decorative window which allowed them to reach in and unlock and open the door.
I can’t remember what they stole from my friend but I lost my GameCube, controllers and all the games. Also, my first portable minidisc player and a pair of cheap earphones I used with them which I absolutely loved. The wire was like string and rarely tangled.
I had a few imported US games and I thought they might give me the edge. I rang all the local game shops to see if anyone had tried to bulk sell the lot but I was unlucky.
Ugh, I am sorry. Especially on those imports, that must have cost an arm and a leg. I talked about a friend who lost everything to a drug-dealer’s crappy behaviors. I also know someone who was dating someone who invited a random person from the streets to come hang with them and then all of a sudden they were freebasing in their living room. I think they’re pretty lucky that things didn’t go down like this down the road. Cause sketchy people do sketchy things =/
Sorry again =/
Yes, every workday the owner of company i work in steal from me.
Yes, two bikes. Made me very paranoid and hate people.
Did it ever get better? Or stay the same? Cause I think sometimes about the heart as I heard it from a heartbroken guy on Rumblestrip Vermont. He said when it gets broken it’s like you put it in a bag and smash it. And it’s like china, you can only put it together so many times before it becomes dust. But personally, I’ve found I am miserable if I put myself there. And instead remind myself that there is no cap on love, and that it’s a wellspring that we can all draw from.
But also big hugs =(
The second one was only 2 years ago unfortunately. I don’t trust strangers at all, which is sad because I know most people are generally nice.
Stealing from other people should be punished with chopping their hands off, like the old days! (jk)