An update

Kaitlin · #1 06/13/12, 11:51 AM

A while ago some of you may remember that we were having eggs stolen on a daily basis and we were so fed up that we were thinking of stopping selling them from the farm. A lot of you recommended getting a camera so that's what we did. We got a really good picture of the thief, his car and numberplate. We told the police but the numberplate was fake so they couldn't do anything.
At this point we made lots of posters of the car with number plate and stuck them all along our front fence with a message saying 'Do you know this car?'
We only saw the car once more - they drove in, stole a tray of eggs and ripped the posters down but haven't been seen since - obviously we were right!
We haven't had any more wholesale thefts since and this was several months ago. We know who the thief is and have reported his location to the police - he'll probably get a slap on the wrist but at least he's been warned off.

Ironically, putting the posters up has really broken the ice with the villagers who, at first, were none too friendly. Everyone has asked about how we're getting on and the photos were shown around in the pub. Strange what you have to do to make friends!
Anyway, thanks for your good advice. It worked!

Kaitlin

tarbe · #2 06/13/12, 08:43 PM

Excellent!

Common Tator · #3 06/13/12, 09:20 PM

I would keep the camera up, but change it's location periodically.

Maura · #4 06/13/12, 10:22 PM

Good work, Columbo.

ELOCN · #5 06/13/12, 10:26 PM

How horrible to have your eggs stolen! I hope this stealing has stopped for good.

Kaitlin · #6 06/14/12, 11:31 AM

It was horrible. It was really horrible to see the film of the man chatting to his friend and laughing as he got out of the car, picked up the tray of eggs and got back in again. It made me VERY cross!
Hopefully the stealing has stopped for good. we spread the story to anyone we meet and make it known that we have a camera. Hopefully that will do the trick.
The other 99% of people are totally honest and were horrified to hear about the thefts.
Common Tator - it's a good idea to move the camera around. Thankyou.

DarleneJ · #7 06/14/12, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitlin

...We got a really good picture of the thief, his car and numberplate. We told the police but the numberplate was fake so they couldn't do anything....

One would think the police would've been more interested/involved because the thief was driving around with a fake numberplate.

I'm glad you got the camera and that your losses have stopped. However, it just seems wrong that Mr. Fakeplate had no restitution to make. Ahh well, what goes around, comes around.

hintonlady · #8 06/14/12, 12:39 PM

Maybe in the long run the egg thefts will be worthwhile since they helped you join the community. I hope your eggs stay safe and that you make many new friends in the future.

pumpkin · #9 06/14/12, 12:45 PM

It is nice to hear a success story. I hope your eggs stay safe and it is nice that the village is now behind you. I too am surprised that the police are not going after the crooks.

fordy · #10 06/14/12, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaitlin

A while ago some of you may remember that we were having eggs stolen on a daily basis and we were so fed up that we were thinking of stopping selling them from the farm. A lot of you recommended getting a camera so that's what we did. We got a really good picture of the thief, his car and numberplate. We told the police but the numberplate was fake so they couldn't do anything.
At this point we made lots of posters of the car with number plate and stuck them all along our front fence with a message saying 'Do you know this car?'
We only saw the car once more - they drove in, stole a tray of eggs and ripped the posters down but haven't been seen since - obviously we were right!
We haven't had any more wholesale thefts since and this was several months ago. We know who the thief is and have reported his location to the police - he'll probably get a slap on the wrist but at least he's been warned off.

Ironically, putting the posters up has really broken the ice with the villagers who, at first, were none too friendly. Everyone has asked about how we're getting on and the photos were shown around in the pub. Strange what you have to do to make friends!
Anyway, thanks for your good advice. It worked!

Kaitlin

.............To steal your eggs he must exit his vehicle ! Might a cup of sugar in his petrol tank give him second thoughts about the cost of stolen eggs ? Be sure and turn off the camera whilst pouring ! , fordy

texican · #11 06/14/12, 08:45 PM

Is this an 'unmanned' sale site? Take a dozen, and leave your money?

Maybe it's an International Spy taking them?

If someone were stealing from my place (fat chance) I'd leave a dozen well aged eggs out for them. They'd explode when cracked. One of the dogs 'found' one the other day... heard a loud pop... and then they came in smelling 'wonderful'.... ugghhh

Kaitlin · #12 06/15/12, 11:58 AM

It is an unmanned stand . The police might be more interested since the friend who spotted the car also saw copper wire in the back. Stealing and burning off copper wire from railways etc is the new crime for lowlifes round here.
Texican, we had thought of various revenge ploys but didn't want to inflict them on one of the many nice little old ladies who buy the eggs. It would be bound to happen!
Hintonlady, as an icebreaker in the village, it's not one I would have thought of but I'm glad that it has had good results. Thank you for your good wishes.

ronbre · #13 06/15/12, 07:07 PM

far out..you go girl