Trespassing + theft issue

[Western]

David, go to the police. These people didn't accidentally pick your berries, they deliberately stole them. You said you "spoke to the State Police about the issue and they indicated that since there was no evidence of her leaving w/the berries they were unable to do anything". That sounds to me like they will do something now that you have proof of them leaving with the berries. Tell them you want them charged and that you plan on taking them to small claims court after they are convicted. DO go after them for the 3x actual value of product stolen plus all your expenses related to suing them.

There is no way should you "suck it up" and take the loss. Anyone suggesting that ought to be ashamed of themselves for even thinking it.

Agree 100%:thumbsup:

 

[irvingj]

I'd suggest going to the police, showing them what you have, then asking their opinion as to whether or not you should just let them (the police) handle it, or if the video, mailed to thieves along with a letter, might be a good route.

In either case, let the police know immediately of what you now have and keep them informed of what you plan to do.

 

[tjc1989]

I suggest you weigh heavily any action and be as diplomatic as possible. Making enemies many times leads to more issues ...... They might come back in the middle of the night and spray weed / brush killer all over your plants. Then you would have to wonder if $5.00 worth of berries was worth this escalation. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[dave1949]

I agree with DMace, take your evidence to the police and ask them to charge the thieves. If that happens, they will be listed in the court house blotter eventually and get bad publicity, you don't need to do that and it only complicates things.

Yes, they could do you harm later, but that is a risk I would take. Same could be said of any caught thief who is looking for revenge. If you do go to court, I would ask for a permanent injunction against them entering your property, all your game camera has to do then is record them on your land whether they do anything you can prove or not, and they will be back in court.

Dave.

 

[jimmyj]

I also say go to the police. They are deliberately stealing your property. Grrr, I hate theives.,,,,,,

 

[dex3361]

I would not send the video tape to them. This will tip your hand to them. Go talk to the State Police. You may have more trouble to follow but I do not think you should allow them to continue they likely will inform their thieving friends to the free and easy pickings and then your problem will be worse than it is now. Keep the cameras up. :thumbsup:

An alternative is to put a pic of them in the blueberry field in the mail for them only. If you post ti all over and there is no conviction they may be able to sue for slander. People like this did not get wealthy from work or ethical practices.

 

[Travelover]

I suggest you weigh heavily any action and be as diplomatic as possible. Making enemies many times leads to more issues ...... They might come back in the middle of the night and spray weed / brush killer all over your plants. Then you would have to wonder if $5.00 worth of berries was worth this escalation. Just my 2 cents worth.

If they retaliated, that would be an act of terrorism. The only way to fight terrorism is to never be intimidated, never give in. My 2 cents.

 

[jimmyj]

Agree about tipping your hand.

The cops can let them know that "the property is under surveillance and they have been observed stealing...."

Let them wonder who and how they got caught.

 

[zmjc]

Ask the police to write a "stop doing that" letter, as a warning. They will probably be happy to do that for you (they did something like that for me once, although it was to an anonymous-but-local email address).

Public humiliation and/or criminal charges will only make you life-long enemies. Who needs that?

- Mike

 

[JHTFarmer]

Where is Tony Soprano when you need him?? All that needs to be done is to take a nice leisurely walk over to their home by way of the blueberry trail. Introduce yourself and pleasantly compliment them on their beautiful home, nice car, and front yard. Ask them if they feel safe in their home, if they ever had anyone doing donuts in the front yard, etc. Leave them with one last thought: don't pick anymore blueberries without asking.. Problem solved. Lol