Why BOTH Perspectives are Important When It Comes to Equipment Theft
By Melissa Somers, Executive Director, CPP SoCal*
“Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we’re really trying to accomplish.” Robert Cheeke
When faced with the theft of one of your pieces of equipment, it’s understandable to have the knee-jerk reaction to do whatever you have to in order to get the item back in your possession. While I personally celebrate the dedication shown to take all necessary steps to work towards a recovery, it’s also important to keep in mind that it’s not always the BEST plan of action if we truly want to put a dent in Bad Guys paying for their crimes and going to jail. The world we live in today presents us with a seemingly endless amount of theft, and just as many hurdles to criminals facing any consequences for their crimes. We must remember – as hard as it is – that it’s a good bet that this isn’t Mr. Do-No-Good’s first rodeo and that if we want to increase the chances of him doing any time, we need to consider taking a step back and focusing on the forest rather than our singular “tree”.
There has been a recent rash of thefts by fraudsters that is the perfect example of the need to look at the bigger picture. In this specific fraud scenario that I’m referring to, we are dealing with an individual (or individuals) who are posting equipment for sale on either OfferUP or Facebook Marketplace. Once they have a seller interested in purchasing the item, they initiate an online credit application and rent equipment with the intention of turning around and immediately selling it. All of the information they are using for the credit application and payment(s) has been fraudulently obtained- Driver’s license, credit cards, company name, etc. To further complicate things, they rarely have the equipment in their possession for more than a few hours so by the time you notice it’s not where it’s supposed to be, there’s a good chance it’s with it’s new “rightful owner”, complete with a Bill of Sale, proving they paid for it. In this case, the crooks are not just hitting a few random stores in SoCal. It has been brought to our attention that the information being used to complete the credit app, has also been used in Texas. Heaven only knows the true extent of this particular crew’s mischief, further illustrating the need to shift into “seeing the forest” mode and consider the bigger picture! The details of each theft still hold importance but being able to take a step back and soak in the breadth of what’s going on helps with appreciating the scale and discovering the most effective way of making an impact. These thefts by fraud can be incredibly convoluted and complex. When you add to the equation that there are a healthy number of patrol officers who simply aren’t trained in the intricacies of rental theft (especially construction equipment!) that would be the ones arriving on scene for assistance, we’ve got the makings of a communication standoff.
Remembering to alter your perception and look at the forest through the trees, better encourages not only impactful engagement from law enforcement, but also the potential for a more promising and productive outcome. We might have what appears to be an entire pile of slam-dunk information, but when we stop to consider what information is ACTUALLY helpful in an investigation, a warrant, arrest, or even potential prosecution situation, it becomes painfully evident that we’re talking about two very different things. We might feel that we “KNOW” exactly what’s going on and who the culprit is but remember that regardless of what you “know”, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution and, in this case, you, the victim. Think about the “guy in a hoodie driving a white truck” that was caught on camera during a theft vs the reality that the “guy” could be literally anyone and without an actual license plate, the white truck captured, is useless too. While sharing the information is important during reporting the theft, don’t be upset if you’re told it doesn’t hold as much value as you initially thought. This isn’t laziness or lack of concern, it’s reality. Assumptions are pure poison and it’s vital that we look at the situation from all angles and always remember where the burden of proof lies. (As the liaison the law enforcement, this is just one small example of what CPP helps our members with!)
Let’s be clear: I don’t encourage total complacency while hoping your equipment makes its way back to you without any intervention. I do, however, encourage you to take a step back and consider how your singular theft might fit into a larger picture – for anyone who might have a vested interest. That includes not just the rental store, but also your theft liaison (CPP), Investigator(s) that might be working up a suspect or case, a Judge being asked to sign off on a warrant, and any subsequent DA that would be tasked with prosecution down the line. When referring to a crime ring or professional criminal, it generally takes not just an exhaustive amount of patience but a hefty number of pieces fitting together to allow someone to see the complete picture and hopefully, put an end to continued issues – with any particular crew. As theft liaison, CPP helps gather information from anyone affected by these types of thefts and connects the different cases and Investigators / Detectives to help complete that overall picture and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
The state of our world can be incredibly disheartening and even more frustrating. Adjusting our expectations to keep the bigger picture in mind not only helps with how we feel in the moment but also offers us the opportunity to help facilitate that change in outcomes and the difference we’ve all been cheering for.
*The Crime Prevention Program of Southern California (CPP) is a non-profit organization working with our members, law enforcement, the construction industry and area auto theft task forces to educate, empower and engage in a community fighting construction crime. For information on how you can join the CPP community, contact Melissa Somers, Executive Director @ 562-860-9006 or email: [email protected]. Together, We Make a Difference.
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