Thieves Caught At Truman Lake

[WeekendWarrior]

The investigation is still ongoing. We have been watching this guy on ebay since after we got hit at Table Rock on April 5th. One of our guys actually got his reel back from him thru ebay and could prove that it was his. We had a 2 day tourney and were going back out Sunday morning when going to dock 3 boats were gone, what a bad feeling. We cancelled day 2 of tournament. I believe they got 9 or so boats that night. The guy in club received his reels thru mail so sending stolen items thru mail I believe is a federal offense. It was so frustrating watching him sell all of these items for thousands of dollars when you knew he was the thief, but we knew the authorities were watching him. I don't think they can get him for any thing but selling/receiving stolen goods as of now. There may be more arrest, as stated the investigation is ongoing. We actually had his address and thought about making a road trip but thought better of it. Not worth going to jail ourselves, we knew it would be just a matter of time. Hopefully they get the whole clan of dirtbags. Like someone said in earlier post this is not first time he has been arrested for this. I know one thing, if we ever see him at a lake it won't be pretty now that we know what he looks like! Anyhow, happy fishing all!

[S&M]

Post deleted for the betterment of the members.

As well as my membership on this website.

[S&M]

Post deleted for the betterment of the members.

As well as my membership on this website.

[rangerman]

Guys it really all depends what county this guy is charged in and how good the prosecutors office is. Trust me, I have made some really strong felony cases against "prior and persistant offenders" and they still get off with 5 years probation. I hope he does get what is coming to him. I have also made cases for counties in which the suspect committed the crime in theirs and I caught them in mine, and they have gotten the book thrown at them.

Anyone can file a civil suit on top of the criminal matter.

One of my guys was injured in a meth lab when a "tank" blew up and he ended up getting convicted on the manufacturing charge and lost the civil suit in the amount of a little over 2 million. Naturally its a doper and he won't get anything from him.

There is no doubt however, this is going to be a long investigation into looking for the stolen property and I sure additional charges will follow.

I don't know if this was reported in the first few threads, however, this guy was apparently working all 3 lakes (LOZ,TR,Truman) looking for tournaments.

[WeekendWarrior]

Unreal ~~~ sorry you had to have this happen to you and your tournament members. What area of the lake where the boats taken from ?

Oh and my hats off to you for keeping your composure and handling the situation correctly. The arrested individual will get whats coming to him, legally.

We were at mid lake. Do not want to say resort because we have been going there for years and are good people, not their fault. Took boats from Schooner and also from Fischer Creeks. We found 2 of our boats floating up against bank in Schooner along with 2 others that were not ours, and the other boat of ours was in Fischer Creek. We believe it was used to haul everything in because it was a single council boat with plenty of floor space and it had a heavy tow rope tied to it. As for keeping our composure, it is and was not easy. One guy he stole from is one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet, but when he gets the ugly face you better steer clear! He now knows what this ****head looks like. God help him if he ever comes to the lake we are at. We keep saying to let the fisherman have him, he WILL talk and give up the others.

As for the civil suit, I said that to some of the guys. What is the most you can sue him for? One guy lost nearly $7K, another guy $3K and another $3K in hull damage. I believe their insurance companies will be going after him as well? If you see this guy add an extra boulder for us! Tight lines.

[skeeter]

As for the civil suit, I said that to some of the guys. What is the most you can sue him for? One guy lost nearly $7K, another guy $3K and another $3K in hull damage. I believe their insurance companies will be going after him as well? If you see this guy add an extra boulder for us! Tight lines.

In the State of Minnesota if you are caught violating fish and game laws, it used to be the State confiscated the vehicle you towed your boat with as well as the boat and trailer or guns. I don't know if that penalty still exists. However, when I made the suggestion about civil suit I was thinking along the same lines as Minnesota. Try to take everything this scum, and his accomplices, used to steal equipment with. Cars, trucks, homes.....whatever they own. Get a judgement against them and if they ever purchase something "legally".....take it. Since he and probably his pals are former and repeat offenders, make their lives a living hell.

The other reason I suggested Civil Suit was the overly lenient sentencing by too many judges and local courts. Deals are regularly struck by P.A.'s in return for testimony and evidence or in an attempt to save the local jurisdiction costly jury trials. This clown believes he can successfully live a life of crime taking other's hard earned property so prove to him that is no longer going to be allowed. I can only hope the victims are mad enough to follow the progress of this case through the courts and continuously apply pressure to ensure prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. If mail fraud was involved that is great news as it will draw in the Feds. too.