Laptop stolen - Software has screenshots of thief & exact location.Guards do nothing

yoyo · 24-02-2012 5:32pm

If he's been googling donedeal.ie there is a good chance he may use that to flog it off? Keep an eye out on dd/others and if it comes up offer to buy it and then get the Gards involved, that would be my advice anyways.
If you have serial numbers for the laptop then that can be confirmed you own the machine (even if the thief is "smart" enough to remove the sticker at the bottom, most laptops show it in the bios setup).

Good luck

Nick

denballs · 24-02-2012 5:34pm

just get sum1 to wear a yellow illuminous jacket and talk into a walkie talkie on the other side of a car outside his house.......4 of you bang the door down....say give my my fuggin computer...........he,ll most likely grab it hand it to you and close the door.....half wondering if the guy behind the car is a guard half wondering if your gonna kick his head in.......

Sunnyisland · 24-02-2012 5:37pm

georgiecasey wrote: »

If the guards got a warrant and stuff and went for a conviction, wouldn't the laptop be taken as evidence and you wouldn't see it for months?

You want the guards to just go over and get your laptop back and that's the end of it, you know the way the legal system works that a conviction is unlikely.

I'd just get a few mates and go over get it back myself. Just knock on the door and say 'you've got something belonging to me' and walk straight in. It'd be very unlikely to get physical, too many people here are giving these scumbags too much credit, 99% are pussies and are just opportunistic scum.

Your right but I hope he is not reading this thread or he will tell OP to **** of

Seachmall · 24-02-2012 5:40pm

georgiecasey wrote: »

I'd just get a few mates and go over get it back myself. Just knock on the door and say 'you've got something belonging to me' and walk straight in. It'd be very unlikely to get physical, too many people here are giving these scumbags too much credit, 99% are pussies and are just opportunistic scum.

Unless he's a complete pussy pushing him out of the way to force your way into his house is going to escalate into a physical confrontation. And he's legally entitled to punch, stab or shoot you in that situation.

Then you have to hope he lives alone.

Sykk · 24-02-2012 5:46pm

denballs wrote: »

just get sum1 to wear a yellow illuminous jacket and talk into a walkie talkie on the other side of a car outside his house.......4 of you bang the door down....say give my my fuggin computer...........he,ll most likely grab it hand it to you and close the door.....half wondering if the guy behind the car is a guard half wondering if your gonna kick his head in.......

Wat

micropig · 24-02-2012 5:50pm

Sykk wrote: »

Wat

Exactly confuse the up-to-no-good-doer

One of Mr. Cholmondley-Warner's methods

inmyday · 24-02-2012 6:20pm

Tell your friend to call around to the thief wearing a big rain jacket, with a big ghetto blaster on top of one shoulder and a axe in the hand. When the thief answers the door, give him the speech about Huey Lewis and the News.

I got it off google for you, Your friend will have to memorise it.

"Do you like Huey Lewis and The News? Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far much more bitter, cynical sense of humour.

In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself."

Then give it to him, hard. And scream at him "Try getting a reservation at Dorsia now, ya fuking stupid bastard".

Sometime like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzN3qO-qc8U&feature=related

There ya go, dont mention it, I like to give helpful information.

kincsem · 24-02-2012 6:24pm

Plot a route -

Garda station
Laptop location
Fast food takeaway

The Gardai will see the logic, and find the resources.

ninjasurfer1 · 24-02-2012 7:23pm

Is it illegal to record the conversation with the gardai and them refusing to help?
If not, record it, go get your laptop back (with friends!), and keep the recording as evidence of gardai unwillingness to help.
Might be handy if they nab you for assault ,etc, if things turn nasty with the thief.

AudreyHepburn · 24-02-2012 7:40pm

micropig wrote: »

Or perhaps:

Gardai have screenshot etc of thief using laptop. Gardai show proof to judge. Judge agrees to warrant. Warrant is granted and laptop recovered. At the very least thief is done for handling stolen goods.

I know, I know, I'm a dreamer....:)

But where's the proof that individual in the screenshot is a thief? For all the Gardai know it could be some-one to whom the OP lent the laptop. A picture prooves nothing.

Posters seem to be forgetting/ignoring the fact the Gardai cannot do anything without cast-iron proof.....no fault of theirs, it's just the law.

micropig · 24-02-2012 7:44pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

But where's the proof that individual in the screenshot is a thief? For all the Gardai know it could be some-one to whom the OP lent the laptop. A picture prooves nothing.

Posters seem to be forgetting/ignoring the fact the Gardai cannot do anything without cast-iron proof.....no fault of theirs, it's just the law.

1. Theft is reported
2. Tracking software shows thief using laptop after time of theft
3. Even if the person is not the thief, they are handling stolen goods

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393117/Thief-caught-Hidden-app-victim-remotely-controls-MacBook.html

Daily mail link but, meh

AudreyHepburn · 24-02-2012 7:49pm

micropig wrote: »

1. Theft is reported
2. Tracking software shows thief using laptop after time of theft
3. Even if the person is not the thief, they are handling stolen goods

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393117/Thief-caught-Hidden-app-victim-remotely-controls-MacBook.html

Daily mail link but, meh

But all the Gardai would have is the OP's friends word that it was stolen. No cast iron proof. Circumstantial evidence yes, strong circumstantial evidence. But no more.

And again no solid proof that they are looking at the theif.

And I would refrain from using rags like the Daily Mail to back up your points.

24-02-2012 7:51pm

micropig wrote: »

1. Theft is reported
2. Tracking software shows thief using laptop after time of theft
3. Even if the person is not the thief, they are handling stolen goods

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1393117/Thief-caught-Hidden-app-victim-remotely-controls-MacBook.html

Daily mail link but, meh

While I think the OP and his friends should get a few friends and go around and get the laptop back, you would have to consider that the person who is using the laptop might have bought it thinking its legit (highly unlikely, but still).

This is the exact reason you should encrypt you hard drive. Laptop would be useless without buying new hard drive. Also back up regularly.

micropig · 24-02-2012 7:54pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

But all the Gardai would have is the OP's friends word that it was stolen. No cast iron proof. Circumstantial evidence yes, strong circumstantial evidence. But no more.

And again no solid proof that they are looking at the theif.

And I would refrain from using rags like the Daily Mail to back up your points.

Yes it's very complex

Can you please define circumstantial evidence?

@laughingjoker91: Even if the person bought it in good faith, they are still handling stolen goods, Buyer Beware!

24-02-2012 7:58pm

micropig wrote: »

@laughingjoker91: Even if the person bought it in good faith, they are still handling stolen goods, Buyer Beware!

I completely understand, but some suggestion about going around and smashing the windows might be a bit OTT...

AudreyHepburn · 24-02-2012 8:03pm

micropig wrote: »

Yes it's very complex

Can you please define circumstantial evidence?

@laughingjoker91: Even if the person bought it in good faith, they are still handling stolen goods, Buyer Beware!

As I think you already know, circumstantial evidence is that which infers, but does not prove, that a crime has occurred or that some-one has comitted a crime.

A photograph could infer lots of things that aren't true. It doesn't prove anything.

If for instance I were take a photograph with a male friend in which we are hugging you could infer that we are a couple but you couldn't prove it just from the picture.

It really isn't that hard to understand.

The Gardai probably do believe the person in the image is the theif but cannont prove it.

micropig · 24-02-2012 8:09pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

As I think you already know, circumstantial evidence is that which infers, but does not prove, that a crime has occurred or that some-one has comitted a crime.

A photograph could infer lots of things that aren't true. It doesn't prove anything.

If for instance I were take a photograph with a male friend in which we are hugging you could infer that we are a couple but you couldn't prove it just from the picture.

It really isn't that hard to understand.

The Gardai probably do believe the person in the image is the theif but cannont prove it.

http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/it-downtime-blog/2011/08/laptop-thief-gets-nabbed-by-tr.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/229690/laptop_thieves_punkd_six_amazing_recovery_stories.html

http://consumerist.com/2011/06/laptop-thief-caught-after-victim-blogs-pictures-of-him.html

Ronan cork · 24-02-2012 11:25pm

best idea was to put a picture of himself through his door with a note telling him to drop it down to the garda station and tell them he found it at a bus stop or wherever or the guards will be round to ask him some questions. personally i'd knee-cap the little prick but obviously the OP doesn't want to go down that route...

Jake187 · 24-02-2012 11:50pm

Actually this thread is the first time i've heard about that prey software. I went to the official site but it doesnt really answer how it can be used to locate the laptop?

Like say someone robs my laptop in town, then goes to his gaff in rathmines or whatever. How could I find out where he lives? Even if i obtain his ip address. I cant check his exact location.

Or am I missing something here? :pac:

Seaneh · 24-02-2012 11:53pm

Jake187 wrote: »

Actually this thread is the first time i've heard about that prey software. I went to the official site but it doesnt really answer how it can be used to locate the laptop?

Like say someone robs my laptop in town, then goes to his gaff in rathmines or whatever. How could I find out where he lives? Even if i obtain his ip address. I cant check his exact location.

Or am I missing something here? :pac:

The software can tell where he is the same way google maps can "use current location" when giving you directions.

Freddie59 · 25-02-2012 1:49pm

It reminds of that joke doing the rounds a while back. Guy telephones the cops to say someone's breaking into his house. He's told no-one is available. He hangs up, rings back and says he has shot two burglars. Cops arrive within a couple of minutes.

Cop: "I thought you said you shot two people".

Owner: "I thought you said no-one is available".

So yeah, the coke suggestion earlier would seem realistic.

lividduck · 25-02-2012 3:04pm

ninjasurfer1 wrote: »

Is it illegal to record the conversation with the gardai and them refusing to help?
If not, record it, go get your laptop back (with friends!), and keep the recording as evidence of gardai unwillingness to help.
Might be handy if they nab you for assault ,etc, if things turn nasty with the thief.

It is an offece under the various Wireless and Telgraphy Acts to record a telephone conversation with anyone without their prior consent except where recording is required by law.

Zen65 · 25-02-2012 3:56pm

TheCardHolder wrote: »

Any advice for what his next step should be should the guards continue to do nothing?

Did your friend receive a PULSE number from the Gardaí when he reported the laptop theft?

If not, tell him to go back to the station and insist on getting one. Gardaí will act faster when the crime is registered on their system as these are the crimes which determine their detection statistics.

Z

Chinasea · 25-02-2012 4:01pm

There was talk in the 90's of bringing in 0 tolerance. Chickened out of that and instead we have

0 enforcement
0 deterrent

MagicSean · 25-02-2012 4:02pm

micropig wrote: »

Yes it's very complex

Can you please define circumstantial evidence?

@laughingjoker91: Even if the person bought it in good faith, they are still handling stolen goods, Buyer Beware!

Circumstantial evidence is basically evidence which backs up other evidence. If a warrant were executed and the laptop was found then the pictures from the prey program would support the evidence. The laptop itself would be the actual evidence.

Look at it this way. Someone who has it in for you has their laptop stolen. They swipe a picture of you from your Facebook, alter the background, and arrive at the Garda station saying you stole their laptop and that picture was taken by your machine. Do you think the Gardaí would be right to go and arrest you? Digital evidence is often looked at with suspicion by the Gardaí and the courts because it is easily forged.

in a case such as the op described the correct procedure would be to identify the person on the photo and look for a warrant from a judge to search the house for the laptop and any other stolen items. If anything is found then the next step would be to arrest the person and interview him and send a file to the DPP.

The op seems to think it is just a matter of calling out to the persons house. But what would you do if you were the thief and this happened? Gardaí call to your house and show you the photo. You say it wasn't you and close the door on them. They go off to get a warrant and in the meantime you go and throw the laptop in a river.

There are legal procedures which must be followed when investigating a crime. The ops friend my be keen to get their itunes library back but the Garda priority is to get the criminal prosecuted and this takes longer than two nights.

And as another poster said, the laptop will still be retained as evidence until after the case goes to court and that could take over a year. It might suck but that's the way our legal system works.

frozenfrozen · 25-02-2012 4:21pm

Nothingbetter2d wrote: »

you can break prey easily.... log on to a boot disk and delete the exe file.

reboot and prey wont work anymore

The thief was googling 'how to format a laptop.' I'm fairly sure he won't be running any livecds he just happens to have laying around next to all the other stolen things

hatrickpatrick · 25-02-2012 5:46pm

Apologies, was half asleep when I posted my last message.
It's not gsoc.ie at all, it is of course http://www.gardaombudsman.ie

Genuinely go and submit a complaint, get this sorted out. The more people keep up the pressure, the less likely this culture of laziness etc is likely to spring up, IMO.

ninjasurfer1 · 25-02-2012 6:08pm

lividduck wrote: »

It is an offece under the various Wireless and Telgraphy Acts to record a telephone conversation with anyone without their prior consent except where recording is required by law.

I thought that only applied if you were a third party eavesdropping on a call between two other parties?

I.e. you can record without telling if you are one of the two parties involved?

Daith · 25-02-2012 6:23pm

Freddie59 wrote: »

It reminds of that joke doing the rounds a while back. Guy telephones the cops to say someone's breaking into his house. He's told no-one is available. He hangs up, rings back and says he has shot two burglars. Cops arrive within a couple of minutes.

Cop: "I thought you said you shot two people".

Owner: "I thought you said no-one is available".

So yeah, the coke suggestion earlier would seem realistic.

Guy gets arrested for wasting police time. House gets robbed blind.

Freddie59 · 25-02-2012 6:45pm

Daith wrote: »

Guy gets arrested for wasting police time. House gets robbed blind.

Touche. But it demonstrates adequately the priorities of the cops. Laptop is stolen from a major retail store. Robber is caught, prosecuted, and possibly jailed.

Innocent member of the public has a laptop stolen and the guards aren't interested, even though it's being handed to them on a plate. Funny ole country this.:rolleyes:

kumate_champ07 · 25-02-2012 7:13pm

if someone steals something from you and you know where it is you go get it back.

its that simple.

KittyeeTrix · 25-02-2012 7:48pm

You know where the house is. Watch the house till they're out, kick in back door, grab laptop and head home...

They'll hardly report a stolen laptop re-stolen..

Cavehill Red · 25-02-2012 7:55pm

Just a thought here - the OP's mate could report to the cops that the prey software has detected the thief downloading and distributing child pornography? They'd shift their lard arses for that.

oranbhoy67 · 25-02-2012 9:04pm

Well the OP hasnt posted since.. maybe he took everyones advice & is now in holding awaiting court on Monday morning??

Phenomenally Phrank · 27-02-2012 3:19pm

OP, the guards are nothing but bullyboy cowards who collect revenue for FF. They're probably the stupidest, least efficient people i've ever dealt with. Get a few mates, go around to this ****er's house if you know his whereabouts. Confront him.

27-02-2012 3:44pm

Phenomenally Phrank wrote: »

OP, the guards are nothing but bullyboy cowards who collect revenue for FF. They're probably the stupidest, least efficient people i've ever dealt with. Get a few mates, go around to this ****er's house if you know his whereabouts. Confront him.

:rolleyes:

enniscorthy · 27-02-2012 4:20pm

tell him u be over in a sec to join him live on cam4 hehehehehe

TheCardHolder · 27-02-2012 4:24pm

Just to update the fine folks of Boards.

Had the location of where the apartment is so went up there and it was a big apartment block. Knocked around on doors pretending to be "surveying" people. Once the guy from the picture opened the door, one of us budged in stil under the survey pretence. Coudln't see the laptop lying around so left, called the guards and left them now that if they didn't do anything, the apartment would be broken into tonight and gave them the apartment number. Few hours later, they arrive with a warrant and get the laptop back. Unfortunately one more laptop is sitll missing that doesn't have prey software on it but at least we've this one back now!

Standard Toaster · 27-02-2012 4:32pm

Post the pics!!!

Nice result for the owner. Will the thief be prosecuted?

m83 · 27-02-2012 4:33pm

OP delivered!

Back to the closet with you sir!

mathie · 27-02-2012 5:03pm

TheCardHolder wrote: »

called the guards and left them now that if they didn't do anything, the apartment would be broken into tonight

Does threatening the Gardai work for other things?

"If you don't eat these 12 donuts in a minute then I'll slap you in the face."
<munch> <munch> <munch>
"Well played Garda"

mcmoustache · 27-02-2012 5:03pm

Great to hear it OP. Score one for the good guys.

Seachmall · 27-02-2012 5:16pm

TheCardHolder wrote: »

called the guards and left them now that if they didn't do anything, the apartment would be broken into tonight and gave them the apartment number.

I'm assuming you wouldn't have broken into the apartment but that was still a stupid thing to say.

It worked, but still pretty stupid.

studdlymurphy · 27-02-2012 5:24pm

Reporting a complaint

Freddie59 · 27-02-2012 6:20pm

TheCardHolder wrote: »

Just to update the fine folks of Boards.

Had the location of where the apartment is so went up there and it was a big apartment block. Knocked around on doors pretending to be "surveying" people. Once the guy from the picture opened the door, one of us budged in stil under the survey pretence. Coudln't see the laptop lying around so left, called the guards and left them now that if they didn't do anything, the apartment would be broken into tonight and gave them the apartment number. Few hours later, they arrive with a warrant and get the laptop back. Unfortunately one more laptop is sitll missing that doesn't have prey software on it but at least we've this one back now!

Delighted to hear it. Result!

UglyBolloxFace · 27-02-2012 6:52pm

TheCardHolder wrote: »

Just to update the fine folks of Boards.

Had the location of where the apartment is so went up there and it was a big apartment block. Knocked around on doors pretending to be "surveying" people. Once the guy from the picture opened the door, one of us budged in stil under the survey pretence. Coudln't see the laptop lying around so left, called the guards and left them now that if they didn't do anything, the apartment would be broken into tonight and gave them the apartment number. Few hours later, they arrive with a warrant and get the laptop back. Unfortunately one more laptop is sitll missing that doesn't have prey software on it but at least we've this one back now!

I don't mean to call you a liar, but this did not happen. And to be honest, I think the whole thing never happened.

InReality · 27-02-2012 9:26pm

you told the guards that you would break into an apt , and thats what got them to get your laptop back ?

Nah that doesn't sound right/believable.

Terry · 27-02-2012 9:56pm

Seachmall wrote: »

Tell him to get in touch with a solicitor to advise him.

The Gardaí should absolutely be following this up if he can prove it's his machine and a solicitor will know the best way to proceed if they're failing to do anything.

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

maybe don't use the word thief for legal issues

just say it's pictures taken by the laptop

Biggins wrote: »

Say "the removal of the laptop without your permission".

Also if you mention to the Gardi (for whatever reason) that you are going to go around yourself and get it, tell them that you are aware that you going there might lead to a breach of the peace - but seeing that they are unwilling to do anything, you have no choice.
Also explain to the Gardi that if such a breach of the peace occurs - you will be quite willing to testify in court and to the media as to the in-action of Gardi that forced you into this situation!

...State the above to them and then wait to see how quick they are willing to still sit around and do nothing!

Great advice, unlike the mostly mob mentality on this thread.

TheCardHolder wrote: »

Just to update the fine folks of Boards.

Had the location of where the apartment is so went up there and it was a big apartment block. Knocked around on doors pretending to be "surveying" people. Once the guy from the picture opened the door, one of us budged in stil under the survey pretence. Coudln't see the laptop lying around so left, called the guards and left them now that if they didn't do anything, the apartment would be broken into tonight and gave them the apartment number. Few hours later, they arrive with a warrant and get the laptop back. Unfortunately one more laptop is sitll missing that doesn't have prey software on it but at least we've this one back now!

Complete and utter bullshít.

Jesus ****ing Christ. If you're going to lie about something, you should try to make it somewhat believable. Something like having your arm caught in railings in Stillorgan or something.

I can't understand how some people actually believed this blatantly delusional post.

I'll give you this; your OP was a great premise for getting the Pitchfork Wielding denizens of AH up in arms, but your finish was really ****ing poor.

Also, shame on all of you who suggested a vigilante approach.
All those posts show the same delusion as the OP's follow up. Not one of you would ever do anything you suggested, but are quite willing to let someone else live out your fantasies.

boombang · 27-02-2012 10:15pm

Well OP, are you going to defend your story? Present any sort of evidence to back it up? I'm interested...

27-02-2012 10:53pm

10/10 OP

Laptop stolen - Software has screenshots of thief & exact location.Guards do nothing

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