Stolen plants/plant theft

[katierevis1]

This happened over a month ago . 
 

but

Has anyone ever reported a plant/palm theft?!?

if so what do you say would be a minimum cost to report? 
 

what was your experience with making the report?

Did anything come of making the report?what were the end results?

 

Had about 3-4K worth stolen (this is based on average online prices)

 

 I haven’t don’t anything except try to repair losses ! And im wondering if I should do something, really what can I do!?!

 

I can try to hunt the person down myself by I have like little to nooo information - I can call police for “help” but I don’t really like the police and feel like plant theft is on the lesser of their importance 

 

or just booby trap my own yard ?!?! With hanging sledge hammers?! And a cross bow!

[Scott W]

Was this a recent theft?  Were there some rare exotics that very few others have?  If so I'd certainly be wanting to get them back if at all possible.

To be honest, if it wasn't reported immediately not sure there's much you can do now.  However, you're not far off with the whole "booby trapping" your yard idea.  While you wouldn't necessarily setup trip wires and covered pits, you could strategically place high quality game cameras around your property that would capture the culprits on video which could then be given to the police as evidence.  Theft is theft, and you might not be the only one in the area it's happening to....

[floridaPalmMan]

You should definitely report it. 

It's not "just plants" or "just property". You spent time (the only true asset you actually have in life) to earn money to purchase those plants. You spent resources watering them and fertilizing them. You spent your energy, physical and mental, taking care of them so that you could enjoy your yard and your life. They just stole all of that from you.

They have stolen a piece of your life away from you. It's never just "just property", there's no such thing.

It won't cost you anything to file a police report except your time. It probably won't directly or immediately benefit you (like the police recovering the stolen plants), but the report could indirectly benefit you and all of your neighbors if they have a squad car patrol your street a couple times a week to fend off potential burglars.

Many insurance companies require police reports prior to accepting claims so it might be worth it if you plan on filing a home insurance claim to replace the stolen palms. I've never reported a theft for plants or palms but I have for other property before and you really just explain what happened to the police and sign an affidavit saying your telling the truth under perjury, then you basically do the same thing to the insurance company and they'll compensate you shortly afterwards (1-2 weeks)

Criminals thrive when victims and good people do nothing. Statistically when low level crime is unchecked (petty theft, selling counterfeit watches, stealing plants), it always leads to higher levels of crime (drugs, violent crime, homicide) over time, so it's always a good idea to report any property crime as it might get a squad car to drive down your street once a week. It also could get your local police slightly increased funding if there is an uptick in property crime. It also gives your local police a feel for what is going on in the area. That might not seem like it does a lot, but it does.

Criminals believe they're going to get away with it or at least they believe the risk is worth the reward, which is why they act. When they have enough doubt (like seeing a squad car patrol by every now and then), that is generally enough to prohibit them from acting and they will look somewhere else to perform the crime.

*edit - I don't recommend trying to solve the issue yourself. But I have seen crazier Floridaman/woman stories in the local paper 

*edit 2 - Jesus Lord do not booby trap your yard lol. That is extremely illegal since booby traps are an "indiscriminate" actor. Meaning they will not differentiate between a trespassing but harmless 6 year old kid wondering onto your property and taking a crossbow bolt to the chest and a full grown adult coming onto your property with intent to kill you. The booby trap will fire regardless so they were made illegal quite some time ago. I can't even imagine the horror stories that lead to those laws being passed.

[Silas_Sancona]

Sorry for your loss, really sucks that some people don't comprehend what respect is and think what is yours is theirs to take whenever they feel like it.. After the time put in doing the work, and $$$$ spent, i'd be fuming..

Agree that you could file a report with the police. Unfortunately, going with my experiences w/ the police ..at least in both Bradenton and Clearwater ..not sure you'll get more than a " We'll look into it " response.. especially considering ..to them at least it was " just plants " that were taken..

When i lived in Clearwater, i had some guy break into my car - in broad daylight- and was actually awaken from a nap when they apprehended him right outside my bedroom window as he was trying to escape.  Good they got him, but though i filed a report on what was taken ( guess he'd " visited " earlier, then returned )  got no response..

In Bradenton, we had a  well known, neighborhood drug dealer living next door who was so bold about his actions that he set up a " one stop drive through " one day when i had to take my mom to the hospital.. Came back to cars blocking our and another neighbor's  driveway, and parked on our lawn.. Told everyone pretty bluntly where to go, and the neighbor that i was going to the police.. 

Before that incident, had compiled a list of license plates / car models / colors / dates seen, etc specific details  of everyone who'd " visited " over the course of several months and took it to the sheriff's office.  They did absolutely nothing.. even though they knew who the person was. so yea, lol ..can't always trust law enforcement to do what they should be doing..

  Booby trap idea is definitely a questionable tactic ( unless the idea involves planting  painfully spiny things, or something like motion activated, high pressure sprinklers )  but investing in good quality security cameras might be worth serious thought ( unless you already have them )

[Looking Glass]

What was stolen?  Just out of curiosity.  Was it pots or in the ground?   Once someone snuck into my grandmothers garden and dug out a single giant clump of flowers 4 feet in diameter in the middle of the night and stole it…..   from an 80 year old grandmother’s garden.  It was a very selective move.  She probably had 500 plants covering most of the yard.  Obviously a plant expert/ person who was some kind of scumbag also.   

I agree also, when the little things are ignored, the big stuff follows, and policing the little stuff leads to drops in big crimes.  This was seen in the clean up of NYC decades ago, and the reverse is being seen in certain areas now. 

Edited February 7, 2022 by Looking Glass

[Dypsisdean]

This has become quite a problem in the rare Aroid/house plant craze that has been exploding worldwide during the Covid pandemic. I am aware of many plants valued at $10,000+ being stolen from homes and botantical gardens - sometimes in multiples of 5-10 making for total thefts approaching that of bank heists. And rare palms, cycads, and other genera have also been stolen.

I would encourage reporting it, as I believe many times it isn't, and that only encourages more theft - and a lack of awareness from law enforcement.

Although the police are usually attentive and helpful, they are hindered by the inability to positively ID the stolen material - especially after it has been cut up for propagation. Recovery of stolen material is rare. In cases when the suspect is captured on camera, and identified for them by people in the plant community, prosecution unfortunately is not pursued.

I know of several cases where the perpetrator is known, and nothing is done - as placing the positively identified stolen property in the hands of the person is usually not possible. And they can always say they bought it at a plant sale, online, etc.

Most of the people I know now have cameras protecting their collections. Catching/stopping the creeps before the plants end up missing is the only real solution. There are many camera systems that alert you via cell phone when people are detected at times and places you set them for. A quick check of the live feed confirms what is going on before you can call 911, call your neighbors, grab a weapon, and get to where you can stop what is going on.

It sounds crazy, but it has become too tempting if someone finds out you have plants worth thousands of dollars that they can just pick up from your back patio, or cut pieces from your plant and walk out.

Here's a fun video about a recent theft.

 

[Cindy Adair]

Great video.

Thanks Dean. 

However so sad for those who have lost plants!

Security cameras make sense and maybe even the water spraying devices (made to discourage cats I think) that could also scare a human intruder in a yard or greenhouse?

I recall stolen cycad stories on PT and at Fairchild gardens too years ago.

It must be very discouraging.

[iDesign]

Thanks for sharing that video… the featured botanic garden is 10min from my house and I’m a member.

Sadly, it gets me rethinking some of the plants I’m planning to put in the front yard. I figure the Ficus dammaropsis is the most likely that someone would try to take a cutting of, but at least the joke would be on them due to them not growing from cuttings. But I’d be heartbroken if someone dug and flat out stole something.

I actually like the idea of people swinging by to see the plants in my collection (though it would probably be more of a  “what the heck is that?!” reaction). But the idea of someone stealing from it makes me sick to my stomach. 

[Palmarum]

There are many great enthusiasts out there that keep extreme privacy on their collections, for this very reason. They do not have garden tours, or meetings or get-togethers of any kind, also no online posting of photos or conversations, etc. because they fear theft. Some have incredible gatherings of material but do not have the means to provide suitable levels of security. I can't say this approach is 100% perfect either, as incidents have inflicted even these collections.

Ryan

[iDesign]

5 minutes ago, Palmarum said:

There are many great enthusiasts out there that keep extreme privacy on their collections, for this very reason. They do not have garden tours, or meetings or get-togethers of any kind, also no online posting of photos or conversations, etc. because they fear theft...

That's super-sad (if that's their reason for not sharing photos). I'm relatively new to palms, but am finding a lot of joy in sharing photos with others with the same plants in their collection, and would be sorely disappointed if those inspiring photos were not available to drool over online. "Geeking out" over plants is also one of my few social outlets these days. I can't fathom the mindset of someone who would steal a plant from a fellow collector 

[Darold Petty]

My friend, John Rees, had a potted Cycad that was so rare and precious that he would hide the plant in a closet before garden visitors.  

  John died last year, and all his better cycads have gone to the Huntington.    

[spike]

1 hour ago, Darold Petty said:

My friend, John Rees, had a potted Cycad that was so rare and precious that he would hide the plant in a closet before garden visitors.  

  John died last year, and all his better cycads have gone to the Huntington.    

That's how you can tell if someone's a real plant lover  Also, I live relatively close to the huntington, are they being shown yet?

[Palmarum]

53 minutes ago, iDesign said:

That's super-sad (if that's their reason for not sharing photos). I'm relatively new to palms, but am finding a lot of joy in sharing photos with others with the same plants in their collection, and would be sorely disappointed if those inspiring photos were not available to drool over online. "Geeking out" over plants is also one of my few social outlets these days. I can't fathom the mindset of someone who would steal a plant from a fellow collector 

Across the conversations and communications they sometimes give specific reasons, not always. Some would mention that they were affected by theft in one way or another, which prompted the seclusive behavior. Most of the time it was the report of theft somewhere else (online, locally at an event, globally, etc.) and less often they themselves got robbed at some point. Other times, they just like to keep their plant worlds to themselves and fear losing them. Plant people can be super private individuals.

I agree, the sharing of plant worlds online and in person can be a wonder. I have been lucky to visit many collections of enthusiasts of all sorts. In some cases of privacy, I was not allowed to take photos, which was tough, but I understood. When online or at a meeting and when conversations/communications would bring it up, some will not tell me where their property, collection, house, etc. was, except for what zone or county they were in. They just don't tell anyone anything. Over the years of meeting them at sales, meetings, talking through emails, messages I would only get 'hints' of the spans of their collections, palm-centric or otherwise. You get a photo of a palm with an issue, needs an identity, etc. but you have to ignore the unbelievable range of plant awesomeness going on in the background. They have a question that needs answering and that is often the limit of contact.

Why is anything stolen? People want it for one reason or another. In the plant world it can be something common or rare, the theft could be random or specific. It might not be the entire plant, it could be a cutting or division. They either want it for themselves, stealing it for someone else or to sell it. Rarer the plant often works against them, as there are only so many places to sell it, online or in person. The Plant World is a small one and plant people have long memories.

Ryan

[Darold Petty]

4 hours ago, spike said:

That's how you can tell if someone's a real plant lover  Also, I live relatively close to the huntington, are they being shown yet?

Spike, John's property was sold and the transaction closed escrow in November.  I would assume the cycads were removed by then, but I don't really know any more details.

(I inherited his garden elephant sculpture. )

[Nelson1701]

I live in a senior community.  My neighbor has always been a problem.  She just got much worse when I improved my front area with succulents.  (Beautiful garden). She has started going to my yard about 1 hour after I leave for church and digs up one plant.  The next week she took another plant. She has cut off all the leaves on a small palm I had and it looks like it will die. (I’ve installed a camera and have the proof.).  She has thrown ketchup packets in the yard.  This is definitely harassment.  I’ve filed reports with the HOA and next is security.  I hesitated to file a report for plants, but it cost me over $650.00 to put in that garden.  I can’t afford to do it again!  What do you suggest?  p.s.  I do think she wants a physical confrontation which I’m not willing to do.  (How would it look on a police report of a fight between a tall black woman (me) and a skinny white woman (her)?

[Looking Glass]

4 minutes ago, Nelson1701 said:

I live in a senior community.  My neighbor has always been a problem.  She just got much worse when I improved my front area with succulents.  (Beautiful garden). She has started going to my yard about 1 hour after I leave for church and digs up one plant.  The next week she took another plant. She has cut off all the leaves on a small palm I had and it looks like it will die. (I’ve installed a camera and have the proof.).  She has thrown ketchup packets in the yard.  This is definitely harassment.  I’ve filed reports with the HOA and next is security.  I hesitated to file a report for plants, but it cost me over $650.00 to put in that garden.  I can’t afford to do it again!  What do you suggest?  p.s.  I do think she wants a physical confrontation which I’m not willing to do.  (How would it look on a police report of a fight between a tall black woman (me) and a skinny white woman (her)?

Don’t file with the HOA or security, call the actual police and file a report.  Especially if you have her on camera…. If you’d don’t, wait til you do.  You can even bait a trap of sorts.   Put out some very nice, juicy succulents and put a camera on them.  Once she’s stolen or vandalized a couple, and you’ve got clear footage, take it to the police.  File an official report and perhaps they can arrest her, and take it to court.  I’d push for that.  Of course she’ll just get a slap on the wrist at best, but maybe that will stop things.  Maybe you can distribute her mugshot to all the neighbors afterward.  

“If you see this women, presume she is armed (with ketchup packets and a garden towel), and dangerous.  Report immediately!”  

I would have great fun with this.  

[Silas_Sancona]

16 minutes ago, Nelson1701 said:

I live in a senior community.  My neighbor has always been a problem.  She just got much worse when I improved my front area with succulents.  (Beautiful garden). She has started going to my yard about 1 hour after I leave for church and digs up one plant.  The next week she took another plant. She has cut off all the leaves on a small palm I had and it looks like it will die. (I’ve installed a camera and have the proof.).  She has thrown ketchup packets in the yard.  This is definitely harassment.  I’ve filed reports with the HOA and next is security.  I hesitated to file a report for plants, but it cost me over $650.00 to put in that garden.  I can’t afford to do it again!  What do you suggest?  p.s.  I do think she wants a physical confrontation which I’m not willing to do.  (How would it look on a police report of a fight between a tall black woman (me) and a skinny white woman (her)?

Sounds like harassment to me.. If you have irrefutable proof via camera footage, etc,  file a report with the police..  Completely skip past the HOA ..who likely won't do a thing.. or their " Security " people..

If your local Police don't do anything,  take it online and expose her ( and perhaps the police department do-nothings ) to Everyone..  Someone damaging $650.00 worth of plants / whatever else is on YOUR property, + additional acts of harassment is nothing to let slide    At- All.. 


As for any " other issues " related to how things might look in a situation where things got personal, if it came to that ( hopefully not ).. She comes on your property, you have every right to send a clear signal she " isn't welcome "  there..  Trespassers only get one warning. 

Another idea?  If you have any,  maybe invite one of your adult, male children / grand children, etc relative(s) who might be a touch intimidating on first sight over for lunch..  Have them wave to bad actor neighbor.. Might send a clear signal that she's being carefully watched by people close to you, without any confrontation..  Hopefully anyway.

 

[Josue Diaz]

Plant poaching has really gotten out of hand. Maybe it was fueled by the social media craze for aroids and succulents. I see dudleyas patches poached from the wild here in California. Also, I recently visited a public cactus garden here in Fresno and was saddened to see it had been severely poached - entire collections gone - nothing but the labels left behind. There was a nice aloe collection on a hill, and the only ones left were a marlothii and a large dichotoma - likely too large for someone to just casually take home, otherwise they might be gone too. 

[Looking Glass]

 

[Kim]

Wonder if this would help?

Motion sensor activated sprinkler

[Darold Petty]

Nelson1701,  Welcome to Palmtalk !  

[Banana Belt]

When the lawmakers become criminals, crime becomes the law.

[Mikelzz]

  Years ago I was living in the older historic district in Sant Rosa California ,, I removed the " moonrocks " ( those small vocanic pebbles ) and restored the front garden with succulents and other plants that would have been used when the home was built in 1922, without irrigation .

I had some rare plants hidden among others in the center of my beds .

  I was invited to be part of a tour of private gardens in the neighborhood , and lots of people came thru from 10 am -4 pm

 The next morning when I walked out I noticed a large hole in the middle of the flowerbed and a clump of Opuntias had been removed ( Santa Rita ) , a giant Trichocereus cactus had been cut off at ground level, and when I looked for another uncommon cactus , sure enough it was missing as well .

 Some cactus lover came took my rare plants .  taking the tour gave them time to see what they wanted, and they reurned to get them at night .

 

 

 

 

[Cindy Adair]

I am so sorry Mikelzz.  
 

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, Mikelzz said:

  Years ago I was living in the older historic district in Sant Rosa California ,, I removed the " moonrocks " ( those small vocanic pebbles ) and restored the front garden with succulents and other plants that would have been used when the home was built in 1922, without irrigation .

I had some rare plants hidden among others in the center of my beds .

  I was invited to be part of a tour of private gardens in the neighborhood , and lots of people came thru from 10 am -4 pm

 The next morning when I walked out I noticed a large hole in the middle of the flowerbed and a clump of Opuntias had been removed ( Santa Rita ) , a giant Trichocereus cactus had been cut off at ground level, and when I looked for another uncommon cactus , sure enough it was missing as well .

 Some cactus lover came took my rare plants .  taking the tour gave them time to see what they wanted, and they reurned to get them at night .

 

 

 

 

 This must a regional thing ..at least in terms of people nabbing stuff from other people's yards..  The old house i was in, literally a couple doors down from where i'm at for now,  sat empty for roughly 7 months.  Not a single cacti i planted there was touched and our street is quite busy.   Off the top of my head, can't recall seeing stuff missing from some of the more dressed up residential or commercial landscapes nearby either..

On the other hand, there is a public garden on another side of town where stuff has been stolen / removed, -whatever.. at times for years..  But haven't noticed the same at any easily accessible cactus displays here..

Regardless, it does give me pause about adding some more unique things in the beds closer to the sidewalk..

Overall, in general, i think certain groups of people have forgotten what a boundary is, let alone respect for other people's property lately..

I've had delivery drivers cut across the front yard when delivering to a neighbor, Other people soliciting stuff cut across other parts of the yard, and Century Link workers step all over / place tools / other things on plants that are growing in that part of the yard, close enough to the sidewalk where the access point to underground cables is located which they work on periodically.  Someone might say, well, there really isn't much in that area atm, ...so no big deal.. Well, lol.. It's part of my property,  and ..empty -for now- or not,  it's still part of my property.. Don't live here, not your property..   Hoping scattering large enough boulders / a few spiny things in that area will help keep the workers / anyone else where they belong ..on the sidewalk.

Have a neighbor 3 or 4 doors down that like to add all their extra junk into our garbage can in the Alley after they've filled theirs / other neighbors, ...but that's a different thing entirely. City will deal with them.

[rprimbs]

I agree with people who suggest video cameras.  The systems are not all that expensive.  I bought a seven camera system for under $200 (Safevant).  

Also put up signs warning people.  I would not advise confronting and threatening the person who is stealing the palms if you catch them.  Just report it to the police.  People are more likely to feel sorry for the thief, and you could get prosecuted 

[rprimbs]

One more idea.  Post signs that the property is under 24 hour video surveillance, even if you don't have cameras up 

 

[RyManUtah]

Well placed razor wire goes a long way.