Question for the collective -- trail camera theft

[VFX_man]

Hi all, wanted to see the group thoughts on posting a photo of a vehicle and person I would like to talk with on this forum. I just tracked down the photos.

Last year I had a trail camera go missing. I had a secondary camera set up about 50 yards from that location. It captured three vehicles entering and exiting (it was on a short dead-end road). Two of the vehicles went in and out in about a minute and a half. The third vehicle spent approximately 15 minutes back in the area where my missing trail camera was. I have a very clear picture of the truck -- it is very unique and a one of a kind. I have a pretty clear picture of the person driving and the vehicle plate.

How would you proceed?

Based on the in/out times of the other two vehicles being almost exact. Logically the one that spent more time would be the "person of interest". But of course, don't have a picture of the "borrowing" of the camera.

Cheers, VFX

[sawmill]

Call the cops.

[Rotorwash]

A two camera setup. that's a good idea.

[moosecaller]

Nothing wrong with contacting someone and asking if they know anything. If they have nothing to hide your approaching them should not be an issue. Bring another person with you if you meet in person to witness the exchange.

[VFX_man]

Call the cops.

Don't really want to get the person in trouble. Would be happy if it was just returned. I have a drop location they could place it near the site of the "borrowing".

I could simply describe the vehicle and see if someone PM's me before I go to the authorities.

Cheers, VFX

[Piperdown]

Hang em high, show the photo's

[bighornbob]

I would be careful about posting a picture and saying they stole something when all you have is their truck driving by and spending 15 minutes in the area. The guy could gone to take crap and bear tore your camera down.

Unless yu have the guy removing the camera on the other camera, I would say you shouldn't be posting pics of it.

Bhb

[moosecaller]

You wouldn't have to say they stole you trail camera you could ask for help from them via a posting to see if they noticed anything no accusations just a request for help. You could mention your intensions to turn the pictures over to the law if you cannot solve it yourself. This is not a something you would need to worry about from a legal standpoint you are just providing the information that you have to the authorities. If you do let it slide you are not doing anyone else who decides to place a trail camera in the area any favours you would in essence be enabling this negative behavior by keeping it quiet. Don't become a victim of a crime, if you can at all fight back against these people.

[adriaticum]

Don't really want to get the person in trouble. Would be happy if it was just returned. I have a drop location they could place it near the site of the "borrowing".

I could simply describe the vehicle and see if someone PM's me before I go to the authorities.

Cheers, VFX



Ok, don't call the cops and get another camera.

[Wentrot]

For them to drive in, walk to the camera and then drive off that camera was obviously in a very easy to reach spot(Not that it justifies being stolen) there are lots of shit rats around, put the next one much farther off the beaten path otherwise this will be a common occurrence.

PS post the photo or at least a description

[Timbow]

I think you are going to have to let it go and call it a lesson learned. If you did find out who it is, and he is honest he would give it back, what if he denies it, then what? Unless you have caught him red handed, it's gone.

I would try, you never know though.

[quadrakid]

It sucks getting ripped off. You really have no proof of who messed with your camera. I am pretty sure asking someone if they stole it is going to get a big fat no. Going to the police? That will get you no where. Only course of action is putting it behind you and hiding your cameras better. sorry for your loss

[Whonnock Boy]

Agreed. Thievery, cheating, and lying hang out in the same crowd.


I am pretty sure asking someone if they stole it is going to get a big fat no.

[VFX_man]

Agreed. Thievery, cheating, and lying hang out in the same crowd.


Probaby right in that front. Have passed it on to some friends in the region and they are spreading the word -- it's a small world up by Barrière.

They know a lot of people in the region and you never know.

Heard a lot of mushroom hunters were around last year and it could have been one of those versus a hunter.

I mean, who would drive a right hand drive 2 tone 3rd gen 4Runner with the word surf on the side of it hunting? ;) They didn't have a stitch of camo on either.

Not accusing, just wanted to ask . . .

[Gateholio]

The cameras are yours, and the photos are also yours. It has been proven time and again that there should be no expectation of privacy in a public place- basically in public, it's legal for you to photo who and what you want. You can do what you want with your photos, including post them on social media such as HBC. You can even ask if anyone knows who is in these photos that you took. Social media often has pictures of people that are of interest because of their proximity to a crime. It's quite common these days.

You can say "My property went missing with this guy in the area. Anyone know who he is so I can contact him?"

What you cannot do is say "This guy stole my property, I have a photo of him in the area, so he is obviously a thief"

[moosecaller]

If you let this go without an attempt to right this wrong this is what makes our system fail. I have been involved with dirt bags most of my life in my career and they all say people allow them to take advantage of them and they laugh at our attempt to stop their criminal activity they view us as weak victims to be exploited. don't take this up the back side dry as they say fight back. They don't deserve your consideration to be kind, they see it as being weak. Really I have this from the horses' mouth don't let them screw you.

[Squamch]

Probaby right in that front. Have passed it on to some friends in the region and they are spreading the word -- it's a small world up by Barrière.

They know a lot of people in the region and you never know.

Heard a lot of mushroom hunters were around last year and it could have been one of those versus a hunter.

I mean, who would drive a right hand drive 2 tone 3rd gen 4Runner with the word surf on the side of it hunting? ;) They didn't have a stitch of camo on either.

Not accusing, just wanted to ask . . .

Surf is what that model of hilux is called in countries where it's not called a 4runner.

[guest]

Find a tall Oak tree ........ Hang EM high in the streets ........ For all the people to see.

Unless you you have certain proof ........ I wish you luck, but those that screw with others cameras are Scum Bags.

[horshur]

I think the vehicle is local..description rings a bell

[Jagermeister]

My interest is piqued. Out of curiosity I would like to see the picture of this rare and unusual truck.

[Surrey Boy]

The cameras are yours, and the photos are also yours. It has been proven time and again that there should be no expectation of privacy in a public place- basically in public, it's legal for you to photo who and what you want. You can do what you want with your photos, including post them on social media such as HBC. You can even ask if anyone knows who is in these photos that you took. Social media often has pictures of people that are of interest because of their proximity to a crime. It's quite common these days.

You can say "My property went missing with this guy in the area. Anyone know who he is so I can contact him?"

What you cannot do is say "This guy stole my property, I have a photo of him in the area, so he is obviously a thief"

There's been some precedence the other way regarding nudists and busted skinnydippers. Reasonable expectation of privacy doesn't have to be on private property.