Western
Super Member
I often find that sometimes giving someone an avenue to 'undo' what they've done with minimal consequences is a good way to get your property back. I just did it with a piece of electronic equipment that went missing at a business and got it back. I would just contact them and innocently say "Hey did you happen to borrow my weed eater while you were over the other day or see it? I can't seem to find it... I didn't check my cameras inside the garage yet and just thought you might have borrowed it since you were in there when you were here last time". The response will likely tell you all you need to know and if its the innocent party you haven't interrogated them or otherwise damaged the relationship. If they say no then say "ok thanks" and call the other guy. Knowing that there's a way out "they borrowed it" and also letting them know that there may have been cameras would probably cause them to quickly try to get out of it and say "oh yeah I borrowed it sorry I'll bring it back". That of course assumes reasonable people with some fear of consequences, which may not be a good assumption. Good luck.
As soon as you tell a con you " haven't checked your camera yet" he will know your bluffing, that is the 1st thing some one would do. May work on a newbie caught up in the "opportunity/spur of the moment", but not a guy that has been around the block. Someone felt pretty comfortable taking it if they where there working.
I would be point blank.. "I have photos of you going in my garage and my weed eater missing (doesn't say he took it), I dont care how it gets back, but it better return. If they guy happens to have a criminal past (probation ectra, ) he has "extra motivation"
Best option is the PD