|
|
Posted by Paul Cook in Kempner, Texas [71.51.110.92] on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 13:50:23 :
In Reply to: STOLEN PARTS: Grief Counseling & WARNING posted by Paul Cook in Kempner, Texas [71.51.110.92] on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 13:19:32 :
Kempner is a small town with about 1,200 residents. There are several city type subdivisions but most of us have four to fifteen acres in keeping with our rural beginnings. We have one paid policeman who is the Chief, and three unpaid Reserve Officers who serve to maintain their law enforcement credentials.
While the theft of my Power Wagon parts would not be considered a major crime in some places, it becomes a big deal in an area that does not have much crime. When I called the Chief to report the theft, he told me he was working several cases similar to mine. The Chief works on a varying schedule, as do the Reserve Officers This morning, I ran into him at the local coffee shop (no donuts were involved) and provided him with a few more details.
Less than two hours later, he called me to meet him at our local scrap yard to ID some items that might have been mine. Most radiators that come into the scrap yard are cut up to separate the metals. This also makes them hard to identify. Among my stolen parts were two Power Wagon radiators - the ones with the tapered upper tank, and a one honeycomb radiator from a WC ½ ton military. I examined several containers of cut up radiator cores but could not tell one piece from another without the distinctive tank. Then, the Chief slid back one of the last containers and there was the honeycomb, ½ ton radiator - totally intact except for a place in the core where a three-quarter diameter rod end or bolt head collided with it. We still don’t know what happened to the rest of my stuff.
The two boys and one girl (I told you so!) who brought the radiators in - along with some aluminum wheels - were on video tape with the items and signing the receipt.
At least one of the boys is in foster care at a neighbor across the street. He already has a “juvie” record. The Chief asked if I would press charges and I said, “Yes”. I am not sure where this leaves the boy. I feel bad about him, but my first responsibility is to protect good people. The only thing that could change my mind would be 100% replacement and restitution to include the neighbor’s fence that they cut.
Follow Ups: