Discussions

Can somebody guide me in the right direction please. Don't know if there is anything else we can do  
Story:  
My daughter was at a car wash. During washing her car the young lady behind her started to honk her horn and yell at her to hurry up. After hurrying my daughter noticed the lady ( using the term loosely) took her phone out, got out of the vehicle and for what ever reason started to take pics of my daughter. So my daughter left in a hurry cause she was scared.  
Getting a block down the road she realized during the rush to leave the situation she left her wallet there. She turned around to get it. During this 60 second trip the lady behind her was gone as well as my daughters wallet. 100% her fault for leaving wallet but still no reason for someone to steal it.  
Cops called and RCMP contacted this girl as my daughter knew her. She claims she found it there but never opened it and wanted to find the owner.... this person is a well know drug addict.  
The RCMP then went to the ladies house and picked up the wallet. ID was there but all her money and gift cards gone. This was her grad gifts ( money and gift cards) she just graduated high school and her first year of college at age of 17.  
Got the gift cards cancelled but it was to late. They got all used up. But the company told me the times, dates, amount and location of when the cards got used.  
RCMP claims they can't check the cameras with out a warrant.......  
and said case is closed and nothing they can do about it cause it's a small amount of money.  
Please tell me there is something else we can do. Seems like a horrible moral to teach someone, steal money from anyone as long as it's under $500 and you can't be touched by the law.  
I can't get over how low and sad of a world we live in that a person can't make a mistake like leaving their wallet somewhere by accident and get taken advantage of. Great start to adult hood.......

Police report is filed? If the RCMP need a warrant to gather the proper evidence (did they even inquire about whether or not the store would offer up the tapes without a warrant?) then go get the warrant, it's crucial to the investigation and there is no way they would be denied one. Then again it's not traffic law so most 99% of those officers will be in way over their heads around here.

It was filed but then they said it's closed. This is over a span of 4 days. I know this company doesn't require a warrant to show the video. But the RCMP said cause of the amount of the money stolen it's not worth their time to drive the distance to see the footage. The cards where used in a different town then what they where stolen from.

if you went all P.I. and gathered what video you could on your own. All documents from police regarding time/date of recovering empty wallet etc. Person who took/mt'd the wallets history, reputation etc. References, statements, et al and went to small claims court.

I had something similar happen but with BPS. My neighbour stole a cheque out of my mail box, forged my signature and cashed the cheque. Even signed her name under it. 2 years later she's still at large. They had her in custody and let her go with a promise to appear which she never did and was well known to bps. So yes if your really wanting something done you will have to do it yourself.

Well the officers a dingus because he physically doesn't have to go to the locations at all ....they can download the videos to a USB stick like every other crime investigation and submit it. Lazy cop ..find another or get the video yourself and go to the detachment. They can't deny helping you.

SBV said "if you went all P.I. and gathered what video you could on your own. All documents from police regarding time/date of recovering empty wallet etc. Person who took/mt'd the wallets history, reputation etc. References, statements, et al and went to small claims court. "

This is a waste of time. You have to know where they work, bank and you have to convince the employer to follow the court order if you win to garnish the wages. Huge pain in the arse and rarely gets you anywhere. I wouldn't bother

well i say find her walk light beat her ass with a big stick then the cops will do there jobs or try rolling a box of tim hortons donuts by the cops shop they will be all over that lmaooooo

They actually told you it wasn't worth their time to investigate so they closed the case? Yeah I'd be contacting every news outlet in the province on this one. This is a shameful tactic police officers all too often take and I really think the population of this province needs to come together and really press on these kinds of issues, especially when their budget is up for negotiation.

You want police to waste time in tracking down spent gift cards and money that your daughter left behind for a few hundred dollars? There is no theft charge here. Did this other lady actually steal it from her or like you said.....she left it behind and the lady picked it up.  
 
Hmmmmm.....yes your honor, my daughter left her wallet behind, someone picked it up and spent the money in it. There is video proof that she spent the gift cards but cannot prove the money was actually my daughters. We would like her charged with theft of finding a wallet and spending the money.  
 
Sure it sucks but being blunt here.....maybe your daughter should have kept better care of her wallet.

There it is. The sensitivity of ebrandon.  
Well fishing guy, please tell me when breaking the law and taking what is not yours is ok and when it's not.  
I was raised to return something if found that's not yours. I've found purses and returned then. And guess what didn't take a thing out of it.  
When should she go to the police. Please tell me at which point should she report this? At what amount? Should she have been hurt, would that be acceptable to your standards?? Get real. I'm glad that's not a lot of money to you but to us that was a great deal of money and for a student getting out of school even more.  
I came here asking for advice...... advice not a lecture. But thanks for taking the time to lecture us and make the day worse. No matter what the heartache or problem one has it can always take that special person to make it worse.  
They cops could have handled it differently. They could have put the fear in her that they are checking the videos and if she would like to come clean before the watch it and give her the chance to make it better before they do that. A  
Chance to give back the money, no one gets charged and everyone moves on. That's just one of many examples this could have been handled. But wasn't so I'm looking to see what else we can do to.

My advice would be to let it go. Unfortunately, there likely isn't anything else that can be done on you or your daughter's parts. Cash and gift cards can not be traced like a credit card, so they are probably being quite truthful in saying there isn't anything else they can do. If credit cards or stolen ID had been used, it would likely be a different story. Unfortunate, but true.

curlysister said "My advice would be to let it go. Unfortunately, there likely isn't anything else that can be done on you or your daughter's parts. Cash and gift cards can not be traced like a credit card, so they are probably being quite truthful in saying there isn't anything else they can do. If credit cards or stolen ID had been used, it would likely be a different story. Unfortunate, but true. "

letting it go just demonstrates to the cops that sloppy enforcement will be tolerated,ask for names of the people that you talk to and ask to be referred to their superiors right up the line until you get satisfaction. sometimes some people forget who is ultimatly their employer.

mackenzie5 said "    curlysister said "My advice would be to let it go. Unfortunately, there likely isn't anything else that can be done on you or your daughter's parts. Cash and gift cards can not be traced like a credit card, so they are probably being quite truthful in saying there isn't anything else they can do. If credit cards or stolen ID had been used, it would likely be a different story. Unfortunate, but true. " letting it go just demonstrates to the cops that sloppy enforcement will be tolerated,ask for names of the people that you talk to and ask to be referred to their superiors right up the line until you get satisfaction. sometimes some people forget who is ultimatly their employer. "

What is their to enforce? What is the crime? A theft charge would never hold up in court.

The crime is not picking up the wallet, or maybe even opening the wallet, but if the wallet contains the identity of the owner then removing items does become the crime of theft.  
People leave their property unattended all the time, take for instance a car in a perking lot, it is left unattended, so I hope we aren't accepting that anything left unattended becomes fair game for theft.  
There are lessons to be learned from every experience we have, and the one from this is one that applies to many different aspects of our lives, that being, if something is important to you, you have to make the effort to take care of it. In this case a mistake was made and sadly it came with a cost.  
I consider it of poor character to wish bad upon others, so let's just say that the person who stole, reaps what they sow.

even if the RCMP were to invest time and energy into investigating this individual in view of charges - chances are, the crown prosecutor won't want to waste time and resources to take this matter to trial only to have the Judge impose a slap on the wrist if the woman was found guilty. My advice - take the woman to small claims court - you have a police report and your daughter as a witness.

Just leave your vehicle unlocked, I'll swing by load it onto the trailer and part it out in a small town outside of Brandon then you can tell the cops and everyone else in your life how there was no crime and how happy you are to replace it on your dime.

Let me get this right. Wanna make sure there is no confusion.  
I should walk the streets, intimidating people in hopes to scare them so they leave something unattended or run away and leave something behind, and then I get to keep it!  
Sounds like a horrible way to go through life.... but to you there is no crime in doing so. Hope this information doesn't get out or Brandon could become Albert unsafe ugly place to live.

* a very unsafe and ugly place

The reality is-no one can prove how much cash was in the wallet. Gift cards-how do those work? I thought they are the equivalent of cash-once you buy them if you lose them you are out of luck? That's how I treat them anyway. Maybe you can track them via your receipt if you have it from when you bought them? Credit/debit cards have identifying information so credit card theft is easier to prove. If the Mounties see no point in chasing the evidence in this case I rather imagine they know it is pointless-they aren't just being lazy or persecuting you.  
 
And you all do realize how ridiculous some of your comparisons are don't you? Theft of a motor vehicle or theft over $5000 is much more serious than theft (to use the word somewhat loosely) under $500.

Fishin Guy said "You want police to waste time in tracking down spent gift cards and money that your daughter left behind for a few hundred dollars? There is no theft charge here. Did this other lady actually steal it from her or like you said.....she left it behind and the lady picked it up.     Hmmmmm.....yes your honor, my daughter left her wallet behind, someone picked it up and spent the money in it. There is video proof that she spent the gift cards but cannot prove the money was actually my daughters. We would like her charged with theft of finding a wallet and spending the money.     Sure it sucks but being blunt here.....maybe your daughter should have kept better care of her wallet. "

Cmon fishing guy. Knock it off with the blame the victim stuff.  
 
OP, If I was you I would talk to the RCMP and ask them who you can talk to about your dissatisfaction with how the case was handled. You could also hint that you are considering going to the media. Sure this is a petty crime but when individuals get away with the small stuff.....

So people thi k it makes a difference if it is a major crime like someone stealing my truck and taking checks from my checkbook and writing themselves checks for more than 1000$. Give your head a shake was told by police that the check fraud and truck theft are unrelated and the criminals might get a fine for the fraud if convicted. We have no justice only a legal system

Unless the video evidence showed the thief pulling a gift card out of the found wallet and using it, it's unlikely that there is enough evidence here to lay any charges.  
 
You'd be much better off trying to get a hold of whatever evidence you can (video footage, statements), and taking her to small claims court: the burden of proof there is much lower.

I think they are the same as cash.  
I contacted the company I bought them from. They can prove the cards are mine. They told me what day and time I bought them. And the amounts on each card. They also told me exactly dates times and amounts they got used sense they left my daughters hands. Also where they got used they video tape 24/7 and have several cameras at every location. They can pin point the very second and what camera she used then on.  
The RCMP made it sound like it was a petty amount and not worth the time even though the evidence was high. There is also camera footage of my daughter leaving the car wash bay ( single drive in bay) and returning 60 seconds later and footage of only this other girl going in and out. No one else. And she admitted to finding it at that spot. But then took her time turning the wallet in when the cops phoned her cause she was busy at a birthday party.... so it was returned hours later.

james13 said "I think they are the same as cash.   I contacted the company I bought them from. They can prove the cards are mine. They told me what day and time I bought them. And the amounts on each card. They also told me exactly dates times and amounts they got used sense they left my daughters hands. Also where they got used they video tape 24/7 and have several cameras at every location. They can pin point the very second and what camera she used then on.   The RCMP made it sound like it was a petty amount and not worth the time even though the evidence was high. There is also camera footage of my daughter leaving the car wash bay ( single drive in bay) and returning 60 seconds later and footage of only this other girl going in and out. No one else. And she admitted to finding it at that spot. But then took her time turning the wallet in when the cops phoned her cause she was busy at a birthday party.... so it was returned hours later. "

But they would have a hard time proving things. Even with video of the girl using cards, she could say she bought the cards off a seller in classifieds, or on a swap and shop, etc. Unless the video shows her using the cards from said wallet, any story could be made up to protect herself. It's one persons word against the other. And they can probably prove you bought the cards, but she could say your daughter gave them to her and now wants them back, and so on. So many stories could be spun. So yes I'm sorry but I could see this as a waste of time and resources for an amount under $500. Although it does suck and I feel bad for your daughter. I lost my wallet when I was 22, and a single mother, with a little baby. I was walking on my way to pay rent and hydro. It had all my money in it. I never got it back. It was a harsh lesson, but sure made me change how I do things, in regards to what I carry around.  
Why did it take 4 days to cancel the cards (before they could be used)? Or did I read that wrong.  
Just my opinion.

ram1952 said "even if the RCMP were to invest time and energy into investigating this individual in view of charges - chances are, the crown prosecutor won't want to waste time and resources to take this matter to trial only to have the Judge impose a slap on the wrist if the woman was found guilty. My advice - take the woman to small claims court - you have a police report and your daughter as a witness. "

That's the only way this will play out. If the OP feels strongly about this theft, take it through small claims. But on some words of advise from me... Personally, more money will be lost and they still end up winning. Fishing Guy admits he's being blunt, but the truth stings. It's a hard lesson learned, but the good news is that this experience will have a lasting effect of this girl's understanding of human nature. You can't always expect good things and trust from people you don't know. Many out there are opportunists. They seize the moment and impulsively act and take the advantage as a depraved way of justification. In this case, "you snooze, you loose" with leaving you stuff unprotected and out in the open. After years of being an landlord, I too have a bitter resentment towards human nature. Filing a small claims, garnishing wage orders and all that time wasted on them to prove a point... only to still get nearly nothing becomes pointless. Nothing worse then knowing 100% who has wronged you and can't find justice. And yes, collecting overdue rent and loss from damages is different then this. But in a way it's not. I know it's them, but they play stupid and start that game of "prove it" and "catch me if you can". Which is exactly what's going to happen with this case. The property loss becomes a civil matter, you go through small claims court, win, get nothing, file garnishment, get nothing, then an lien and still get nothing. All the while they go on their miserable lives and you go on hoping that maybe you've screwed up their credit. As crazy as it seems, it's more productive to commit a crime against these kind of people then it is to go through legal channels. ...But that would put you at "their level of morality" and put your value of respect into jeopardy. (But, keying in a few hundred dollars worth of paint damage in that freshly washed car of hers may may make you feel better. *just kidding* LOL -seriously now... just kidding).  
 
So now what? The answer is... nothing. Just hate that person, and trash their name is the best advise I can give. Civil action will be disappointing for anyone who wants to take on the effort. The "low life's" know this and like with everything else in their nature... take advantage of that. Cut your loss and hope that that person will eventually screw themselves over.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

JDRAMSEY said "Just leave your vehicle unlocked, I'll swing by load it onto the trailer and part it out in a small town outside of Brandon then you can tell the cops and everyone else in your life how there was no crime and how happy you are to replace it on your dime. "

By all means stop by and load up my truck. It is insured. Really comparing taking a truck vs finding a wallet in a car wash is the same thing? Bahahahahahahaha......I needed a good laugh.

I lost my purse in 1972. Forgot it in a change room at the Bay. Went back and it was gone. My full pay was inside and Id.  
 
Never happened again! I learned!

You don't need a warrant if the business is willing to cooperate. Did the RCMP even ask?  
 
I can't imagine a business not willing to provide a copy. That's why they have cameras in the first place. I would go the business with a usb stick and ask for a copy.

If you have already gone through all the proper channels, which it sounds you have, and you're dealing with a known drug addict.  
 
I know its not the answer you want, but cut your losses and tell your daughter to mark this down as one of life's "S@#% lessons"  
 
You're not going to have any luck in Small Claims Court with a known drug addict and this is more then likely your only real course of action. You could peruse it based on principal, but how much is that worth to you?  
 
Sorry this happened to you. You have my sympathy but this is a lose lose situation.  
 
Congrats on graduating though!