Stolen Camera

[BobR]

  On Monday morning February 2, one of my trail cameras was stolen. This camera was on my property about 600 yards from my house. Some guys that were here whitetail shedhunting that morning took my camera. I have a description of their vehicle, a black chevy ( license plate 2** **H).  I am sure the persons who did this frequent this forum. This was my oldest camera, a W90, and it was in an old case. I really don't care that much about the camera, but I have decided I am not going to let this slide. I saw that rig drive in that morning early, the morning after the Super Bowl. My neighbor saw the rig also and he was watching it. My neighbor helped my watch that camera because he could see it from his place. I checked the camera at half time of the super bowl the night before. As soon as this rig left at about 10:30 that morning, I went to check my camera. It was gone. I filed a report with the Sheriff's department right away. I have recently talked with the WDFW. I am going to talk to my lawyer tomorrow.
  You have 72 hours to return that camera to the exact location where you took it or I plan to make your life very miserable. Theft and criminal tresspass. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
Bob

[scoyoc5]

that sucks 
hope you get your property back

[bigdave]

Why wait?  .....bums need to be prosecuted.

Dave

[Machias]

     Make their life Hell Bob, that is 

[whacker1]

Theft and criminal tresspass - Go Bob - make this happen.

[Coasthunterjay]

Do you have there initials? I only have one word........ UNBELIEVABLE..... 

[bearbait]

Go get them Bob.

[huntnphool]

I hope everything gets returned Bob, good for you for getting all the pertinent info

[cohoho]

Wish you luck, what has the sheriffs office stated back to you.  It has been a month since the incident occured.

[BobR]

They will not do anything because we didn't actually see them take it, but there was no one else around an that Monday morning.  All land owners around here know and have a description of their rig. I have had one report of them in the area shed hunting since that day. What I am trying to find out is if I can publicly reveal who they are.
  I have reason to believe that they at least read this forum.
Bob

[Skyvalhunter]

Well they definately should be called out. Glad you are stepping forward Bob..

[BLKBEARKLR]

Although it sounds bad, because you know who took it but you did not actually see them take it, then with you announcing it they might be able to do this.

It is not unusual for attorneys to receive inquiries about defamation actions from people who are in conflicts with neighbors or other members of their communities, and have become the subjects of vicious lies. The area of law most implicated by that type of conduct is "defamation of character", a cause of action which is generally defined to include "libel" and slander".

What Are Defamation, Libel and Slander?
Generally speaking, defamation is the issuance of a false statement about another person, which causes that person to suffer harm. Slander involves the making of defamatory statements by a transitory (non-fixed) representation, usually an oral (spoken) representation. Libel involves the making of defamatory statements in a printed or fixed medium, such as a magazine or newspaper.

Typically, the elements of a cause of action for defamation include:

A false and defamatory statement concerning another;
The unprivileged publication of the statement to a third party (that is, somebody other than the person defamed by the statement);
If the defamatory matter is of public concern, fault amounting at least to negligence on the part of the publisher; and
Damage to the plaintiff.
In the context of defamation law, a statement is "published" when it is made to the third party. That term does not mean that the statement has to be in print.

Damages are typically to the reputation of the plaintiff, but depending upon the laws of the jurisdiction it may be enough to establish mental anguish.

Most jurisdictions also recognize "per se" defamation, where the allegations are presumed to cause damage to the plaintiff. Typically, the following may consititute defamation per se:

Attacks on a person's professional character or standing;
Allegations that an unmarried person is unchaste;
Allegations that a person is infected with a sexually transmitted disease;
Allegations that the person has committed a crime of moral turpitude;
While actions for defamation have their roots in common law, most jurisdictions have now enacted statutes which modify the common law. They may change the elements of the cause of action, limit when an action may be filed, or modify the defenses to an action for defamation. Some may even require that the defendant be given an opportunity to apologize before the plaintiff can seek non-economic damages.

What Defenses Are Available To People Accused of Defamation?
The most important defense to an action for defamation is "truth", which is an absolute defense to an action for defamation.

Another defense to defamation actions is "privilege". For example, statements made by witnesses in court, arguments made in court by lawyers, statements by legislators on the floor of the legislature, or by judges while sitting on the bench, are ordinarily privileged, and cannot support a cause of action for defamation, no matter how false or outrageous.

I am no expert I looked that up on google and it was pretty much cut and dry, I would be careful what I print.

Joe

[whacker1]

I would agree with Joe's last post.  tread lightly.  I would however hint around at who it might be as you have done with the vehicle description, so whoever stole it gets wind that the possibility of them being accused publicly understands that the remedy is to put it back, admit guilt, or possibly be outed in a forum of their peers.

[bigdave]

We have very tight neighborhood around my home. Blockwatch and everything. Last Summer, we had this guy that kept coming down our driveway during the middle of the day. I have a long driveway, and our home is not very visable from the street. One day he gets out and walks over to pet my dog......looking the place over as he does it.

I grabbed my camera and cellphone, dialed my neighbor and while I had him on speakerphone went outside and asked this guy what he was doing. He mumbles some excuse about he thought this was a "park" and was suprised to see a house back here. I said just a sec buddy....snapped his picture and walked down and snapped a pic of his truck and license plate. I told him that as soon as he left I was going to report him to the sheriff for trespassing and that he doesn't have any business down my driveway.

The neighbor heard the whole exchange and actually called and reported that I had a prowler, before the guy could get in his truck the sheriff comes driving up. He read the guy the riot act and pretty much accused him of scoping out properties on our street for burglary. He told him to not ever come down here again and that the next time he would have to run him through the computer and see whats up with his warrants and things.

Later, I checked back with the sheriff and he did run the guys plates and he came back as being from Tri-cities area. He said he probably had a couple of neighborhoods he was working up here and would make a day trip to do some scouting and make a hit if everything looked good. He even said that often burglars will befriend dogs at a home so they can come back and the dog won't bark and will treat them like family.


Long story for 3 points:

1. It's good to have relationship with your neighbors and your local law enforcement.

2. The sheriff can make life difficult for people without arresting them.

3. Labs DO NOT make good watchdogs...!

Bob,
Good luck getting your camera back. Even better luck ruining these guys day sometime in the near future.

[div4gold`]

Good luck on getting your camera back.  Sometimes people like that need to be personally disciplined.