May have found thief on craigslist... how to proceed?

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Check it out, if it's yours tell him you'll go to an ATM to get the cash. Phone the police after you leave, confirming it's yours... then go in.

 

I can visually identify enough to get probable cause for an arrest. If I can verify the serial number, even better.

The only thing I'm sketching about is that the cops said they couldn't accompany me to the meet. I'm gonna bring a friend. The cops said that if I can positively ID it, to call them. They already have his address based on the contact information I've provided

 

Take a video camera if you have one, and record it from your dash if possible. I would if it were me. Never know, shit could go down and it would be nice to have that evidence as proof of what happened. Not likely, but it's possible.

Also, (obviously) if whatever it is was stolen out of your truck or from your home where your truck was... go in a friends vehicle.

 

And keep your cool. If the cops are gunna work it out for you- There is no need to get all pissed or start a fight or anything....Go, ID the item, and then find a way out....Call the cops and let it work out the right way.

 

This is where the "Okay, lemme run to the ATM" comes into play.

 

**Make sure the first thing you write down is the guy's license plate!!**

Video camera! Cellphone vc's are a bit more under the radar.

Yeah, what they said above - stay calm, "get money form an ATM" while your buddy stays behind.

 

I wouldn't let the buddy stay there alone. If you're going with a buddy for "backup" reasons, then leaving him there while you go to "get money" kinda defeats the purpose of going as a pair. And really, you're not going to get money, you're going to phone the police.

I'm confident you know how to play this one out, OP. I'm just going to sit back and wait for updates now

 

very interested to see how this is going to work out! are you meeting up today?

 

**OP should definitely use his own discretion in the moment**, but having both leave to get money may give the guy an opportunity to leave himself. Even if they meet in front of a bank, and he's on the phone with 911 as he's "getting money". I've been on a ton of uc operations, and it's weird/simple stuff that can sketch people out.

Ultimately, aside from killing him like Dexter, , everyone here has good ideas, and OP should just be willing to switch gears.

 

sub'd

 

I offered to meet him at a local 7 eleven tonight, but he hasn't emailed back yet. He doesn't know what my truck looks like. If it turns out to be my item, I'm gonna use the ATM excuse to stall him until the cops can get there, even if that means staying on the phone with my "bank" to get the funds authorized. If it turns out to not be my item, I'm gonna use the ATM declined excuse, say sorry for wasting his time, and leave. If he sells it before I can meet him, then I guess I'm SOL

 

Also I intend on using my friends phone to get an audio recording of the whole meet, if it goes down

 

If you find out it's yours. Beat his ass, take your shit back, kick him in the nuts, and spit in his face while he's on the ground. Don't wait on some worthless police department, that doesn't give two shits about your ipod or w/e it is, to do anything.

 

Take the cash with you, and before you go and meet,
write down all the serial numbers of said cash,
that you plan on "purchasing with"
and have list of serial numbers of cash for popo.
Pay the bunghole, block his vehicle, and call popo immediatley.

 

I kinda like this plan. Only if said Item is less than 200. But instead of blocking him just follow him and call the cops with his position.