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#1

Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:37am

A few weeks ago I posted here on how I was robbed. Well, after going to the police and filing a report things don't look very good. I approached my ex-friend with this and he panicked. In the years I have known him I have never seen him look or act as terrified as I did when confronting him (by the way, I am not trying to add drama by using the word terrified, but that is the only word that comes to mind by his reaction of all this) All I will say is he did not act like an innocent person. Now, I am seeing items of mine popping up on eBay under his account. I check his account 2 or 3 times a day to see what he is selling and yesterday was the first item I noticed.I have informed ebay and they have suggested me notify my local law enforcement of this and together they can take some action.

Heres my question. I feel this person is selling items outside of ebay. I have a list that I am dropping off at local pawn shops and am taking it to antique shops in my area and asking for their advice.It has also been advised I notify some Auction houses such as Sotheby's and Christies. Can anyone here think of how he could sell items online? I have heard him mention selling items on Yahoo before but thats it. I think the only chance I have is by just getting the word out. My local police are not very helpful. How do I go about doing this? Has this happened to anyone before?

Some of the items stolen are listed as Broadway memorbillia. Some came from the estate of Rosalind Russell and Moss Hart and are one of a kind items. If anyone has any advice or tips I would appreciate it. I am even begining to think of offering a reward for some of the more rare items. Anyone think I should do that? Thanks again everyone!
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-
#2

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:45am

I would totally hit the streets with lists for the pawn shops etc. The extra effort not only may provide results for you in the end, but it will also make you feel a bit better being proactive in the matter. I understand the frustration you must have with your local police - but please try and remember that this is a bad time of year for them - and robberies and such are really high crimes now too in light of the need to please for the holiday's. It could very well be that they are overworked and not able to be as helpful as they could or might like to be.
Good luck in this matter - let us know what happens.
"Oh Link...your pork is ready..." - Edna Turnblad
#3

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:46am

Check fan sites for the people you mentioned. There are ways to target a specific market without going through e-bay. In fact, he could be selling them through a message board like this. Not too sure how you could possibly find them all.
Sorry about your situation. That is really ugly. I hope you get your things back, but the fact that a "friend" did this to you makes it even worse.
PEACE.
#4

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:57am

You have told the Police about this? I can't believe they can't do something. How did confronting him turn out? You say he was terrified but did he deny it? I'd go back with EBay information and tell him point blank: 24 hours, everything is returned to you or you get medieveal on his ass. You could also investigate suing him in small claims court.
#5

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:03pm

I was about to post what Joe said.

And don't forget to keep an eye on craigslist.
Celebrate Life

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. - Randy Pausch

#6

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:07pm

That is a good point Joe brings up. The good news is that if he is selling them on e-bay HE STILL HAS THE ITEMS! Send the police to his house with a search warrant. (Oh, how dramatic!)
PEACE.
#7

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:11pm

Can you post a link to the items he is selling on Ebay? I am still doing some last minute Christmas shopping.
"I knew this was probably going to happen." - Rathnait62
#8

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:19pm

I confronted him and he denied it. I did not suspect him at all. But looking back at it, he was the ONLY one who knew the containers these were in, where I stored them, and the value. He sells item just like this on ebay and has been very successful. Becuase of his knowledge, I showed them to him hoping he could help me sell them on ebay when I was ready. We have had work done on our house. He is the ONLY one who knew how to get in and when I was there and when I wasn't We suspected the contractors for about 5 minutes, but discoverd that the items stolen were not tiems a common theif would take. We had a lot of jewlery that wasn't touched.My friend knew what he was after. Couple months ago he began asking me questions about the items that were stolen. At the time, I had not noticed them missing and he said I need this info because I am researching it to help you sell the items. So, I told him everything like how they were acquired, what they were, the history of some items and so on. I inherited these from a guy who died in May. He gave these to me because he didn't want to change his will and knew he was going soon. He told me alot about the items and even gave me some business cards of auction houses and who to ask for. They were in these plastic totes that were stolen. My ex-friend emptied the totes and put them back as if they had not been touched. It was only when I went to grab one of the items a few weeks ago did I notice they were all stolen. By just taking the contents and not the totes, it took me longer to discover them missing allowing him more time. I'm guessing this stuff was stolen about 2 or 3 months ago. He knew how to get information out of me and I thought nothing of it. I trusted him 100%!!!

This is how I know its him. The questions he asked and so on. A few weeks ago I had some art work taken to a relatives house just for safe keeping. at this time I had not noticed anything missing.I just wanted it out of the way due to the construction being done at the house. I casually told my friend that I took some art work over to my Mom's sister's house for safe keeping and his mood changed. He wasn't angry but very bitter towards me for a few days. He even asked me when I was going to bring the artwork back to the house.

Thanks for the advice everyone! The police can't do much without proof. What kills me is I was suspicious that he was stealing items from his boss. These were items new in box and he is in charge of all inventory. All I did was print out a few transactions from ebay and showed it to him when I confronted him. I didn't say a word I just opened the folder and showed them to him. His words were, "Oh ****! I'm going to be fired!! I have a wife and two kids! You can't do this! I am so screwed." I'm no detective, but that sounded like an admission of guilt to me. I showed the boss the next day and the boss told me to get out. He said he heard all about it ( My friend's version that is)and asked me to leave. Apparently my friend told him these documents were fake or something. I had/have proof he was stealing from his own boss and they are now protecting him. I gave the boss the transactions and told him to investigate as I left. This guy is good. He is also 44 years old and I do not believe this is something you learn at 44. I think he has been doing this for a long time. He knew about what I inherited and just couldn't resist
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-
#9

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:42pm

Wow.

Just...wow. How sad.

Take the print outs of your items down to the police department. MAKE them fill out a report and then send that to eBay. You have to do this fast, becasue once those items are sold, it's going to be close to impossible to get them back.

I'm really sorry for you.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#10

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:44pm

Thanks. Its times like this is when I wish I had mob connections. Okay, I'm kidding. But only a little.
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-
#11

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:48pm

If you inherited these items wouldn't the lawyer for the estate have a list of the items you received? That would be the proof that the police need to verify that it is your items your "friend" is selling on Ebay.
#13

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 12:50pm

The police can't do much without proof.

I don't think the police need "proof". There is probable cause. The items were stolen, the guy had access to the items and now they are being sold on e-bay under HIS account? How much "proof" do they need? What city do you live in, Mayberry?
PEACE.
#15

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 1:07pm

"Now, I am seeing items of mine popping up on eBay under his account. I check his account 2 or 3 times a day to see what he is selling and yesterday was the first item I noticed.I have informed ebay and they have suggested me notify my local law enforcement of this and together they can take some action. "

Wait a minute. If eBay has been notified that these items are stolen, aren;'t they obligated to halt their sale and contact the seller?

What do you mean that the police are not being helpful? I would go back with the printouts, tell them what eBay told you and have them show up at his house with them. Scare the sh-t out of him. Tell him you'll press charges.

Also, I'd call his wife. F--k it. Embarass him. Let him know there are consequences to his actions.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.
#16

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 1:52pm

You can't post feedback on eBay unless you have bought the item.


What is the guys seller name? We should all start bombarding him with questions...
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2
#17

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:31pm

Okay, first off yes I did inherit them but it wasn't mentioned in the will. The guy who gave them to me said it was going to cost him about $300 to add me to the will.So, instead he began giving me this stuff about 6 months before he died. He gave me business cards of contacts if I wanted to sell them. He gave me some documentation and some receipts with the items. Luckily, I kept that stuff seperate but this exfriend still got a few items with papers to go along with it.

I have notified ebay and filled out the paperwork and just got back from leaving this info with the police.Ebay does not rush on anything. I understand this is a situation that will take alot of time. I know I am going to have sit back and watch items of mine sell and I know I am going to feel helpless watching all this occur.The police will ask him when they question him about my one item thats on ebay right now. Like I said, I have zero confidence with the police. They keep telling me I have no proof. Well, no one saw OJ kill his wife and her boyfriend either. If nothing comes from this I plan on filing a report and notifying my town's first selectman and telling them what has happened.

Its all very frusterating because I think this guy is now taunting me. He knows I am checking his id account on ebay 2 or 3 times a day and he is putting items up rubbing my nose in it. I thought about calling his wife. That could be perceived as harassment. I went to his boss and he was waiting for me. My friend told him something because this boss acted angry with me. The boss and I both are victims of this thief yet he stanbds by him. Something tells me his wife is going to take his word over mine. I have one card left up my sleeve that I am waiting for.

By the way, our police dept has a very bad reputation. We live in a nice suburban area filled with yuppies here in Connecticut. We don;t see crime in our town. A DWI is front page news here and larceny is just rare.I'm already exploring other options.

This guy is no friend. I have cut off all ties. Its unfortunate that it took all this to happen but I thought he was a friend. He was like a brother. We had no fights, no arguments, nothing. I think he became upset when I confronted him not because he was afraid what was going to happen but that I was onto him. This guy, in my opinion is rationalizing everything in his mind. He does not see himself as the bad guy. He looks at it as him being a father who has responsibility needing the money more than I do.I am single and I make more money than he does, I have alot more of this guys possessions and I live better than he does. In his mind I don;t deserve this. My brother is a corrections officer who has given me alot of advice and he see's this stuff all the time. He majored in criminal psychology. I was amazed when he was telling me things about my friend. Things I had not told him he knew like he knew me. I was amazed!

Anyway, thanks again for the tips.I'm going to check out Craigslist now!
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-
#18

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:49pm

I still say go to his wife, show her the printouts and tell her you've contacted both eBay the police and are going to press charges unless you have the items returned immediately.
#20

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 5:31pm

I like the bombard with questions thing......not only could we bombard with questions, we could also email and say we know these are stolen items........
It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956
#21

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 6:16pm

do you know any friends or family of the man who passed away who could vouch for these one of a kind items? In my experience with the police and robberies, even one or two people putting extra pressure on them will help...
#23

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 6:24pm

Are you going to put the link on corinescorner.com?
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer

"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher

Updated On: 12/13/06 at 06:24 PM

#25

re: Need Advice on Stolen items being sold on ebay

Posted: 12/13/06 at 6:46pm

This guy had no family he spoke to. His only relative was a sister who he had not spoken to in years. My friend was gay so she thought he was mentally ill and stayed far away. Of course once he died she surfaced like the two were oh so close and literally asked what he left her. He had warned me about her and said she would do exactly what she did.

The executor was a friend but the two have been having problems for a couple years. He told me flat out he didn't want this guy to get the good stuff. I remember about 2 months before he passed I was just taking bags and boxes out to my car not even loking in them. I didn't begin going through the stuff til mid summer. So, not many can vouch for me. I thought about mentioning it to this friend but he may become angry or ask for what i still have back. I haven't had any problems with him and I honestly feel if it comes to that it would all be fine.

I dread the phone call from the police. The officer was going to question him sometime this afternoon/tonight. Oh, and anyone who wants his ebay user id, send me a PM. You can ask when the good stuff is gonna be listed!LOL!
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently' -Robert Evans-

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