23 years ago, something was stolen from me. I found the thief

[WolfeMacleod]

Yep, I had something very important to me stolen 23 years ago. The thieves disappeared quickly. It was a team effort between two people I thought were friends. It was left at their apartment one day while we were out. When we returned, I was told they weren't giving it back. The door was closed and locked. I later discovered they had hidden it at a another place.

They moved out of that apartment shortly after. The police had considered it a civil matter, and weren't willing to do anything about it.

I've been looking for the two ever since. 23 years later, I still have dreams about finding it at a pawn shop. I checked them regularly for over a decade. And still do on occasion. One guy, I'd been misspelling him last name all these years. A little over a week ago, I lucked into the correct spelling. He still lives in the area.
Turned out, I knew someone who knew someone who knew him. So I got in touch with the link. Unfortunately, he didn't know him well enough to know if he still had it, but suggested I get in touch with his Ex. So I did. She inquired, he remembered, but said he hadn't seen it in years. He left it with the other guy when he moved out.
I tried to politely inquire directly with him, but the reception was... let's just say "hostile"
and "insulting" even with an initial offer of $1000 as reward for it's return. Instantly blocked on FB by every one of his family members, who were also rude and insulting.

The other guy? He hadn't joined Facebook until late last year. Turns out he lives in Springfield, MO. Works for two companies called Positronics and World Wide Aircraft Services. Seems he studied aircraft maintenance.
We have a common connection, too. 23 years later, one of my customer knows a guy who knows him. We connected. He doesn't trust him one bit, but he's willing to do some recon, since they both have interests in items like the one that was stolen. He tried to connect with him Tuesday, but it didn't happen as planned.

Unfortunately, the Springfield Police aren't interested.

Hoping the Recon guy pans out.

[biosurfer1]

Obviously there is more to the story, not just from the lack of details but I'm very wary of a story where something is stolen, you knew where to find it but the police won't do anything about it.

[trekkor]

I thought Miguel was only 18 or 19...



KT

[Shifter]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

Obviously there is more to the story, not just from the lack of details but I'm very wary of a story where something is stolen, you knew where to find it but the police won't do anything about it.

Unless it is his virginity....

[GG Allin]

Sooooo.............what's the item?

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

Obviously there is more to the story, not just from the lack of details but I'm very wary of a story where something is stolen, you knew where to find it but the police won't do anything about it.

Like I said, they moved out of the apartment shortly after, and the police considered it a Civil Matter. They weren't willing to do anything, and I never saw them again. One guys name, I never knew how to spell, and I tried ever iteration of it that I could think of, based on people I'd known with similar last names.

Details? It was a sword made by my Mentor for my 18th birthday. The blade was 5160 Spring steel. Some of my father's cremation ashes were forged into the blade. It's very unique, and no others were ever made like it. If you remove the hilt and acid-etch the tang, the words "XXXXXXXXXX" will be visible.

Be wary if you must. I was there, I know what happened.

[EMJ]

Totally guessed cremation ashes! The family's reaction gave it away.

[futuresoptions]

It is a civil matter... I would delete the information that you listed above about the etching. This is something that the person would probably not know. I would go ahead and file a hefty law suit against the individual since it is a civil matter and your knowledge of what would appear could prove ownership. On the other hand, in my way of thinking, something like a parents remains and gift from a mentor which is no longer around is worth doing a little time in jail for...

[Gogar]

WOW as soon as I read the first paragraph I totally knew it was a sword or a magician's hat or a 24-sided die or something.

Hope you find it!

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by futuresoptions

It is a civil matter... I would delete the information that you listed above about the etching. This is something that the person would probably not know. I would go ahead and file a hefty law suit against the individual since it is a civil matter and your knowledge of what would appear could prove ownership. On the other hand, in my way of thinking, something like a parents remains and gift from a mentor which is no longer around is worth doing a little time in jail for...

Good point. Removing the specific words has been done.

[gassy]

If it turns out that M21sniper has it, I'm quitting the internet.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Gogar

WOW as soon as I read the first paragraph I totally knew it was a sword or a magician's hat or a 24-sided die or something.

Hope you find it!

not while I'm trying to eat my lunch. Thankfully we have Heimlich-trained people on staff...

[Rikao4]

it's gone..
so you either move on..
or arrange /do... the beating..
for 1000..they should limp for a long time...

Rika

[Rick V]

Sounds like this fellow needs a little "attention" I hope this works out for you and like it was stated before, I think a little jail time would be more than worth it.

[Baz]

Hey Wolfe....good luck getting it back.

Nothing worse than thieves and liars.

[nvr2mny]

I have several business' in Springfeild. I'll be there Monday, let me know if I can do anything.

[LWJ]

Given that your Dad's ashes are forged into it. You can make a ridiculous claim as to emotional pain. Next step, file a claim. Even a small claims can do this. It is fun! Probably need to fly to MO however.

[dyount]

Instead of thinking of the low that stole your property how about ............. "hold your lamp higher to guide society" (you should know who wrote this). AND....... time to make your own katana with your sweat, no memories other than the forge, and make YOUR sword. Not a sword made for you.
Sometimes kharma puts the immovable in front of us so that we will ourselves move.

[speeder]

This has sort of a *Kill Bill* kind of vibe to it, except that no one is a badass in this story.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by dyount

Sometimes kharma puts the immovable in front of us so that we will ourselves move.

Or not.