Trespassing + theft issue

[Ridgewalker]

I would keep the cameras going for a year or two.

Consider the mentality of the "bad guys". They are going to put the blame
on the OP for calling in the cops since they weren't doing anything really wrong in their
minds. "It's just a few berries!"

Those neighbors may think the way to get even for sending in the cops will
be to spray the bushes with roundup.

The OP might consider a preemptive strike to stop that by making it very obvious the
berries are under subservience.

Glad to hear it worked out...

 

[dmccarty]

You really had to push this through channels which is sad. No reason this was not delt with along time ago.

Glad it worked out for you and you certainly should not feel guilty for their trespass and theft. They knew what they were doing. I think they are now wishing they had paid for the blueberries.

It will be interesting to see what happens next but I think having to deal with the Trooper at the front door was a wee bit stressful.

Later,
Dan

 

[two_bit_score]

Update: Good news!

Well, I kicked around the idea of stopping by the MSP but elected to write a letter to the Sgt. who was in charge of the investigation instead. I wrote a letter addressing some of the issues I noticed in my FOIA request and requested that the case be re-opened. I told him in closing that I would do anything I could to help make his job and that of the investigating Trooper easier. I also attached severl full-page photos of the thieves, a copy of the Michigan code that deals specifically with trespassing within an orchard (stealing or damaging fruit, etc) and trespassing within posted and/or fenced farm property. Finally, I attached a satellite photo and labeled points of interest that would help him and the investigating officer determine where things were located that were shown in the pictures. I dropped the letter off at the post and the Sgt. called me within 24 hours and informed me that he had assigned our case to a Trooper that would call me within a few days.

That Trooper called me within 24 hours. We talked about the history and timeline and he stated that he would look into things. I got a call late last night when he informed me that the thieves had confessed and that he was sending things to the prosecutor's office. I have to admit that I felt a tinge of guilt last night.

I'm not sure why I felt that way but after considering the fact that they 1) never approached me with an admission of guilt on their own 2) did not even respond to my letter where I offered them the choice of a private conclusion to the matter or an official conclusion, the feeling of guilt was pretty short lived. I wouldn't say that I'm happy but I am very satisfied that they were paid an official visit by the MSP and admitted their wrongdoing. This was never about recouping my lost income from the stolen berries. It was about the principal of people stealing the goods of another and getting away with it. I'm glad that the MSP finally took action and an actual confession took place. I will update again after I hear back from the Trooper. But oh what I would have given to have been able to be in the room when their conversation with the MSP took place!

It's a sad commentary that you had to wrestle with this for so long to get the necessary action from law enforcement.

I m glad that you were tenacious and followed through.

Look forward to your next update.


.

 

[dodge man]

Kudos to you for not giving up easily. I'm glad you persisted. Its a shame you have to force some people to be honest.

 

[newbury]

<snip> the
berries are under subservience.

That threw my reading for a loop.

You did mean surveillance didn't you?

 

[Jstpssng]

I'm glad that your perseverance finally paid off. Sadly, too many people don't view taking agricultural crops as theft.. and to the farmer it's just another loss like that to crows or spoilage.

 

[jonyyuma]

You really had to push this through channels which is sad. No reason this was not delt with along time ago.

Glad it worked out for you and you certainly should not feel guilty for their trespass and theft. They knew what they were doing. I think they are now wishing they had paid for the blueberries.

It will be interesting to see what happens next but I think having to deal with the Trooper at the front door was a wee bit stressful.

Later,
Dan

This is hopefully a good ending to a bad situation, But I agree you need to keep up the Guard and be observant..Some people are just plain Hard-headed or Determined to be a pain in the Bu77...Regards..JY.

 

[David P]

Update:

GRRRRRR.

I contacted the investigating Trooper the same night he left me the voicemail requesting that he call me back. I called him back approximately two weeks later again requesting a return call. I called him again earlier this week, no response to date. This morning I called the Prosecutor's office and found that charges were denied as of 6/28. I requested to speak with the person who made the decision; on vacation until Tuesday. I asked the gal on the phone if the records showed that the suspects CONFESSED to the CRIME. While she hinted around at things and stated that there may be more in the actual file (which she was not currently viewing) she stated that there was nothing she could see and indicated that the Trooper needed to file a supplement should that be the case.

I proceeded to call the Sgt. who recently got things moving along and let him know that I was having difficulties obtaining a return call from the Trooper via a voicemail message. I also wrote a letter to the person (dept head) who made the decision and included most of the evidence I had supplied to the police department as I doubt he even has any of this information either.

At this point I'm thinking I need to turn in a time sheet.

 

[David P]

On a more positive note, our blueberries are DYNAMITE this year!!! :thumbsup::licking:

 

[jonyyuma]

On a more positive note, our blueberries are DYNAMITE this year!!! :thumbsup::licking:

Yes, Sir a Bonus year, all the plants are loaded down here too.. It had to be the plentiful rain and the new feedings..plus the blanket of fresh pine needles to sheild the roots from the sunshine...Plus I had few that were the diameter of a nickle..Huge for our side of the states..we have been picking for a couple weeks and still have them. Now our Figs have only been ripe for a week>>lI am so thankful ..