Phil 110 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Randy, I too am sorry to hear about this. I must comment that it seems that whoever robbed you knew you and your place pretty well. To single out a little inopinus in the middle of the night takes some forethought. Hopefully with collected evidence and you're narrowing down the list, the robber will be found. Keep up your positive attitude. Phil Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palmzilla 85 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 I have 3 dogs, they are the best security out there. They are always on patrol. I can't recommend them enough. Floodlights, camera's and pissed off dogs make me feel better. Man's best friend! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tinman10101 46 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Randy I am sorry to hear about your garden. It is very unfortunate that people would resort to such unforgivable behavior!!! It is so shady to know that someone actually planned this and waited while you were gone. All I can say is "Karma". I believe that person will get theirs ten fold and hope their conscience will eventually eat them up inside!!! Tin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cindy Adair 2,749 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 That someone who must know and love cycads would resort to stealing is quite upsetting. It would be easier to understand if they had taken the easiest ones to transport,etc. just having heard that cycads can be expensive. This person is a true sociopath and must not care about anyone else. Most plant lovers seem truly nice people who delight in other's beloved plants. Many of us give plants away for the joy it gives us. I went to 3 nurseries selling tropicals yesterday. After my purchase I gave the owners a little Theobroma cacao as a thank you just because I wanted to. I waited until after I'd paid because I didn't want them to think I expected a discount or free plant in return. This one horrible person must be very lonely sitting there with his or her stolen plants. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gonzer 1,600 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 who must know and love cycads would resort to stealing There's no love involved where thievery's concerned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLeVert 216 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 I think that some Cycad thieves stole some valuable plants from Fairchild Tropical Gardens when all the staff left beacause a hurricane was on the way. Pretty bold and risky on the part of the thieves. Somebody is offering some serious money to make that kind of action worthwhile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yachtingone 106 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Three holes:angry: Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simona 20 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 I'm sorry for you loss, Randy. Hope you'll get your babies back. Gonzer is right: "There's no love involved where thievery's concerned". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakypalmguy 308 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Total bummer Randy, I have a feeling you've already narrowed this down because it sure seams like these three thing would tell you exactly who it was, 1. Who knew you were going out of town? 2. Who has been to your place that you showed your prized plants and knows cycads enough to be able to grab the right ones in the middle of the night? 3. You haven't had your inopinus long, who have you showed it to in it's current location in the greenhouse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJG 1,166 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Three holes:angry: Randy Randy, after looking at these pictures and the knowledge this sissy had of your garden, something tells me you know who it is. What a shame. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OB Burt 18 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Total bummer, but ag theft and even cattle rustling is fairly common. The over whelming number of people are honest, but the minute minority who are not cause a lot of grief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kahili 29 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 It isn't just the stealing that is upsetting-although that would be enough to be upset about. Its that this person had to have known you Randy, and I assume that you must have trusted him enough to let him in your yard at some point and might have possibly considered him a friend of some sort-esp as you say that he has contacted you to "shed some tears" over your loss. That is verging on being somewhat sociopathic. Whats really creepy is that this person might possibly be reading all of this-and is wondering exactly what evidence he left behind that might lead to his arrest. I would think that fingerprints on the shovel handle would be one thing. Some kid put a bunch of holes in one of my greenhouses and actually climbed up on top of it, and it was the sneaker print that he left on the plastic that lead to his being caught by the cops. Sorry this happened to you-its always a real sense of violation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mandrew968 1,605 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Was this theft done in the frontyard, or were the plants taken from the backyard? Growing up in South Florida, I learned the day after Christmas that what you leave outside for the night, probably won't(definately won't) be there in the morning... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gyuseppe 582 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=107141 :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigFrond 37 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Three holes:angry: Randy Total bummer man! Why didn't he take the big one on the right? That one looks great! I don't know what it is but it looks awesome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
palmmermaid 14 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Randy, Sorry to hear about this event. It took a really sorry piece of human flesh to do this! Hopefully you can find the culprit and have appropriate action taken and - more importantly - get your plants back! Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LauraAnu 10 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Randy, I am deeply soory this has happened. I cannot even imagine how I would feel if someone stole any of my plants. I hope you get enough evidence to apprehend this SLIMEBALL and you get your plants back. Laura Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfkotas 1 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 So sorry to hear this and hope the responsible scumbag(s) face justice SOON. To that end I would suggest getting the general public in your area informed & involved as well as us palm & cycad enthusiasts. Call your local newspaper with your story, have them write it up and publicize it. Better yet, contact a television reporter that broadcasts your story. Mention your reward $. Someone may see something or gets approached with a deal too good to be true, connects the dots and the rats are caught redhanded. GOOD LUCK! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
palmz 8 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 Randy, Sorry to hear about your loss and may the thief become overridden with guilt and return what was never his.It is for this very reason that most Cycad collectors do not allow people to view their plants I included. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Johnson 197 Report post Posted March 28, 2011 So Randy, you were in the chat room and said you knew something. This is breaking news. This could be the story of the year folks. For sure you will want to follow this subject. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bags 185 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 I am so outraged by this and they are not even my plants. This person is the lowest of the low. If he is lucky he might escape prosecution and jail, but his reputation will not survive no matter what. This is too small of a community for people to get away with something like this. Let's make some noise and make sure this guy pays. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
krishnaraoji88 431 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 It upsets me also, in the past year several people have generously showed me their yards and amazing plant collections and to even contemplate doing something like this is monsterous. This kind of behavior affects all of us as if it continues people will become hesitant to show others their plants and ruin the atmosphere that exists in this hobby. I am very sorry about your plant loss, I know how mad it makes me when a plant dies on its own, I cant even imagine what you are going through with another person taking them. -Krishna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JD in the OC 51 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Sorry to hear about the theft Randy. Hope you catch em! Stay optimistic, and above all, make sure you take some measures to prevent it from happening again (cameras, steel mesh, etc.). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yachtingone 106 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Today has been a good day. The Riverside Sheriffs took swabs from all over the shovel to collect DNA. Also they informed me they can check out his phones records. Everytime the phone is used its location at that time is recorded by use of GPS. BTW I want to thank everyone for there support. It was very comforting to know so many people think that fkr that stole my plants is pure evil! It was said in many ways but the anger towards this coward comes thru clear with all your post! I want my plants back soo bad that you scumbag will get off the hook clean if they are returned! I know you have stolen from at least 4 others before me. I am sure you have sights on plants from the garden we all seen last saturday. You evil man will fall hard with out the return of my plants. BTW I just got back from my shade house and noticed my Diooon sonorense 2" caudex cycad gone. You only steal the best stuff you 6'+ tall muthu fr...I hope you slip into hell with those size 12 shoes! Tomarro should be a wonderful day:rolleyes: Randy 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJG 1,166 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Randy, keep adding the stuff up and estimate it on the high side. The bigger the theft, the more the police will work with you and the easier it will be to prosecute this punk. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bags 185 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Glad to hear you are making progress Randy. This guy is going down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoomsDave 8,497 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Randy: Call the cops, and give them a police report, and all evidence you have. If you have further questions, PM or phone me. Sad as hell to hear about this! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoomsDave 8,497 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Randy: Call the cops, and give them a police report, and all evidence you have. If you have further questions, PM or phone me. Sad as hell to hear about this! Looks like you already did! Good on you, mate. Kick butt . . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
palmazon 103 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 While it's certainly cathartic to vilify the perp, I hope you recover your plants. The only experience I ever had with something like this, a guy grabbed a 25-gallon Dypsis decipiens from a nursery that I'd paid for - he actually told the nursery owner he was going to deliver it to me. By her description, I immediately figured who it was. After 2 trips to South O.C. (he stood me up the 1st time), I was finally able to pick up the plant. The guy's father just laughed and said "Palm trees are like women - if you turn your back, someone'll swoop in and grab 'em." I should've involved law enforcement, but since the plant was for a client, I was in a hurry to resolve the whole episode. I know there are swindlers who'd sell you a seedling Kentiopsis as a mealy bug, but I've never met anyone else in the plant world who'd grab something paid for by somebody else. Anyway, it's clear this was an inside job - he knew what he was after. Your suspicion is well-placed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mandrew968 1,605 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Today has been a good day. The Riverside Sheriffs took swabs from all over the shovel to collect DNA. Also they informed me they can check out his phones records. Everytime the phone is used its location at that time is recorded by use of GPS. BTW I want to thank everyone for there support. It was very comforting to know so many people think that fkr that stole my plants is pure evil! It was said in many ways but the anger towards this coward comes thru clear with all your post! I want my plants back soo bad that you scumbag will get off the hook clean if they are returned! I know you have stolen from at least 4 others before me. I am sure you have sights on plants from the garden we all seen last saturday. You evil man will fall hard with out the return of my plants. BTW I just got back from my shade house and noticed my Diooon sonorense 2" caudex cycad gone. You only steal the best stuff you 6'+ tall muthu fr...I hope you slip into hell with those size 12 shoes! Tomarro should be a wonderful day:rolleyes: Randy The cops are using DNA!? I can't even get them to respond to grand theft when there is video surveilance! I don't have much use for cops(they have never helped in any of my situations). I am pleasantly surprised, though, to hear that some on the west coast are actually doing their job, instead of illegally parking and speeding recklessly(they probably still do that too!). Since this is such a unique theft, you stand a fairly decent chance of receiving a bit of justice--Good luck, and keep us posted, but not to the degree, this culprit maintains the upper hand! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yachtingone 106 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 The cops are not using DNA. They gathered DNA incase it can be used for a conviction. It amounts to rubbing a furface with a que tip swab and putting it in a baggy. If the foot prints leed to an indentity and the DNA is needed for a conviction that's when it would get processed. New info... This guy uses the same "method of operation". He has hit 3 houses before he hit mine. All 4 houses were hit in the early morning hours. Always when it's raining (to cover noise he makes and who goes out in the rain). He only targets very high value small cycads! All four of us suspect the same person...amazing huh If you have been hit like this and want to talk give me a call (951)733-5082 Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yachtingone 106 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 That sux !! How do you know what time it happened? It happened at 2:30am. The guy wears a size 12 shoe. that makes him 6" +. He knows my garden well. He targeted only the very rare small plants. He new what he was going to take before the CRIME was commited. He new I was going to stay in San Diego thru sunday. He knows I have no roomate or dogs or anything to protect my plants from theft. The shovel he left behind was used in the roofing industry without a doubt. Hot moping and tear off work. I know this guy well and I have very few people that have seen my garden. Let's hang him high! BTW this tough little guy has shead a tear or two over my loss bump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kahili 29 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Why DNA? Its expensive and takes a long time. Fingerprints would seem to make more sense, very quick and cheap and I believe that there are more fingerprints in criminal systems than DNA, so easier to match up. Also-isn't the GPS on the phone a long shot? Wouldn't he have had to have been using the phone while he was at your house? Who would he be calling at 2:30 am-while he is in the middle of digging up your plants? I don't talk on the phone while I am digging-too hard and I am not in the dark in a hurry in someone else's yard stealing plants....you ought to check in your kitchen and make sure he didn't take a break and make a sandwich. this guy seems pretty stupid to me. Leaving a shovel behind, picking such easy to identify plants. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattyB 2,010 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 If you think you know who it is Randy, you should harass him. Criminals won't call the cops. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJG 1,166 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 While it's certainly cathartic to vilify the perp, I hope you recover your plants. The only experience I ever had with something like this, a guy grabbed a 25-gallon Dypsis decipiens from a nursery that I'd paid for - he actually told the nursery owner he was going to deliver it to me. By her description, I immediately figured who it was. After 2 trips to South O.C. (he stood me up the 1st time), I was finally able to pick up the plant. The guy's father just laughed and said "Palm trees are like women - if you turn your back, someone'll swoop in and grab 'em." I should've involved law enforcement, but since the plant was for a client, I was in a hurry to resolve the whole episode. I know there are swindlers who'd sell you a seedling Kentiopsis as a mealy bug, but I've never met anyone else in the plant world who'd grab something paid for by somebody else. Anyway, it's clear this was an inside job - he knew what he was after. Your suspicion is well-placed. Wow. Is this a Palm Society member or someone that post here? If this story is 100% accurate, you should tell us who it is. What's to stop someone like this from doing it to another person? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joe_OC 1,339 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 Unfortunately, we are a very litigious society...If you were going to "out" them here, I would make sure you choose your words very carefully so they cannot use it against you. [url=http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdictionary.reference.com%2Fbrowse%2Flitigious&rct=j&q=litigious&ei=QxiSTZ-vE5OisQOB1vWcDg&usg=AFQjCNEE3WKa2wHZoneBYN7UEBdJQADL5Q&cad=rja] Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yachtingone 106 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 If you think you know who it is Randy, you should harass him. Criminals won't call the cops. What size is your shoe Matty? Randy:winkie: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattyB 2,010 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 12, I mean 4. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yachtingone 106 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 I need every bodies help now!!! I need to have all tennis shoe experts to tsep up! The pic are of the imprints of the shoe that scumbag used to rip me off. I need an ID on this shoe with pics. There is a distict A logo by the toes. This is the last piece of the puzzle!!! Thankyou randy CLICK ON PIC TO ENLARGE!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Palmzilla 85 Report post Posted March 29, 2011 I bought my forth dog yesterday morning after hearing this. His dad was over 100 pounds. Doberman! Awesome little fella Braden Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
