A Tricky Situation - Please Help (Allegedly Stolen Bag/Money, Police and Market Guys)

anonymoususer on 09/05/2016 - 22:55
Last edited 10/05/2016 - 10:43 by 1 other user

I know this is not Ozbargain related discussion but I'm genuinely looking for advice here from my Ozbargain family.

Ok guys, here is the situation…

My uncle( 60yr old overseas visitor) and I sometimes go to Parklea Market for veggies and fruits. We went there couple of weeks before on some Sunday. My uncle picks up the rubbish Termacol boxes (which are thrown by the shop people) to use it in our garden. That day he saw a abandoned backpack around those boxes. He thought we can reuse it somewhere so picked up. Didn't check anything in it that time. I was not aware of this until we came back home (15kms away) and I saw the backpack.

I explained him what he did was wrong and shouldn't do it. So to make sure it didn't have any valuables in it like wallet, money, any Medicare etc cards I checked it and saw only had broken umbrella, water bottle and couple of chocolates.

We then went back to same market same time a week after. A guy ( working there in loading/unloading big onion bags from trucks and moving to shops) approached us and asked if this is my car, I said yes. Then he said your other man has stolen his backpack and he kept on saying he saw it on CCTV camera and has our car rego and video showing we stole the bag. I apologised him firstly and agree we have his bag and didn't had any intention to steal it. My uncle thought it was dumped just like the rubbish boxes nearby. I'm happy to return it anyway.

But the guy had no interest in bag it seemed as he kept on saying give him money as compensation and bag back else he will file a police complaint and will make any false claim saying it had $500 or $1000 so amount in it and since he has CCTV footage of my car rego police will come to me and there will big problem for us.

Me and my uncle kept saying him we will bring this bag back to you and I was also scared so much that I offered him all money $55, which I had in pocket at that time, but seemed he wanted more and didn't accept it. He then called his work mate who was kinda muscular and very rough guy and then they both kept saying me that you have expensive car go to ATM and give us money, else we will go to police and make false claims. His mate even forcefully checked my uncle's pocket if he had any more money, which he didn't. We discussed it for 20~30mins then I think they both got busy in their work so they kept pushing us …go come back with money and bag. They started yelling and throwing bad words at us. We left.

We are very scared with this situation especially when he said he will make police complaint saying his bag had $500. $1000 etc in it. We don't have any proof to show it didn't had anything either. So bit worried.

Went to local police station and explained this whole story to police but policemen was not that co operative :( he said we did steal act and we should just go and return his bag. I agree to him we will return bag but we are very much worried what if he says it had $500 $1000 etc in it. We already know he is not interested in his bag, but into compensation money which we don't know how much he need either. But policemen is not willing to help here and just saying return bag and walk away. I know the environment where those guys were working..so I feel unsafe and worried.

Please friends help us and let us know what is best thing to do in this case.

General Discussion

Comments

  • spackbace on 09/05/2016 - 23:01
    +11

    Did they get the bag back? If so, just avoid those markets for 6 months, and don't worry, they won't press any charges on a fake amount of money.

    If you didn't give them the bag, just go back there, chuck it at them and run lol

    Likelihood is these aren't the sort of people to go to court, they just wanted easy money.

    • anonymoususer on 09/05/2016 - 23:14

      Did they get the bag back?

      not yet, this happened yesterday so if we have to go back it will b next Sunday.

      On side note…What thing puzzles me is… how d heck a normal working guy in truck was able to get access to the markets CCTV footage..may be he has seen footage but just thinking.

      If I dont return hus bag then higly possible he will mke.fake police complaint and i will en up in more issues :(

      • PJC on 10/05/2016 - 02:58
        +1

        Why did he wait a week? He does not have CCTV access - he saw your uncle place the bag in the car and recognised it a week later. That bag is no more his than it is mine. Therefore he did not contact the Police. He hopes for some easy money. Avoid Parklea Markets for a year or until you change cars.

        I Googled Parklea Markets and the 2nd review informs "There are some real crooks running about that car park."

  • blitz on 09/05/2016 - 23:08
    +9

    My uncle( 60yr old overseas visitor) and I sometimes goto parklea market for veggies and fruits.

    I've read enough. Bikies.

  • indium on 09/05/2016 - 23:14
    +2

    I'd return the bag, reiterate firmly that it was an honest mistake and that you are sorry. If he then continues to say he will go to the police then just firmly say that you've returned the bag and it's up to him if he wants to take it any further. I'd probably secretly record the audio just to be safe. Don't show weakness or beg him not go to the police and don't hang around debating the issue, he will just try to take advantage of your fear.

    Almost no chance he would want to go to the trouble of contacting the police and making false claims.

    • 2jzzzz on 10/05/2016 - 09:13

      I'd call his bluff and bring the cops down. Let them see the CCTV footage and let these fine members of the community try and explain it.

  • rompastompa on 09/05/2016 - 23:15
    +3

    Just give the bag to the police, explain again that you found it. If you see the people again, tell them the police have it.

    Lesson: if its not yours, don't help yourself.

    • anonymoususer on 09/05/2016 - 23:19

      Exactly that's why we went to police with that bag but policeman was not even interested to interfere in this matter and asked us to sort it out and daid they (police) will not keep/take this bag from me.

  • GameChanger on 09/05/2016 - 23:28
    +2

    Tell him you will go to the ATO, sounds like this fine gentlemen is not paying tax.

  • Ughhh on 10/05/2016 - 00:16
    +1

    When you return the bag, make sure to do it where it will be recorded by the cameras. In fact, any interaction with these people should be done under those cameras for your own safety and proof.

    Otherwise, go to the lost and found department and drop the bag off there, though make sure the receptionist/admin remember you. Perhaps that may release you off the hook for stealing, though you've already admitted stealing to everyone…

    His mate even forcefully checked my uncle's pocket if he had any more money which he didnt.

    Hopefully this was recorded on camera, perhaps this could be used to your advantaged? You too could play his game, say Mr Hulk sexually harassed your uncle.

    Im surprised your uncle/you allowed your uncle to take a random bag home. Aren't you concern that it could contain drugs/bombs/illegal stuff?

  • JH100 on 10/05/2016 - 00:31

    Bring the bag back asap. Record the encounter, voice at least. Avoid further contact with these people. Whenever you are again in their vicinity be ready to record them again. Use the recording at the police station 'if necessary'. End of story.

  • Geewhizz on 10/05/2016 - 05:54
    +3

    Take the bag to the police station and say you found it - ie hand it in as lost property, along with everything that was in it. End of story. If they approach you again, tell them that's what you've done. If they go on to claim to the police that there was money in it, you simply say there was none there when you found it.

    When it all boils down, who is going to believe they left $500 to $1000 in it and intentionally left it lying around amongst rubbish anyway.

    • anonymoususer on 10/05/2016 - 07:19

      If i hand over bag to police station ( which falls in for that market place not my local area where i already been and police here were not cooperative) an say we found it (lost property) do you know if police will ask my contact number, address etc as i really do not want to fall in this mess after i hand over to police.

  • Settero on 10/05/2016 - 06:50
    +4

    people telling you to take the bag back are rather silly, you should not intentionally interact with these people at all at this point.
    do not put yourself or anyone else at risk , hand it to the police if you really want to, if they dont accept it how could you possibly be held liable.

    • blablabla23 on 10/05/2016 - 09:40

      absolutely. The best solutions are often the simplest.

      leave the confrontations, recordings, and espionage to James Bond and MI6.

  • Ash-Say on 10/05/2016 - 08:04
    +1

    When the big rough guy forcefully checked your uncle`s pocket， you should have immidiately rang police and complaint about assault/harrassment. The police would have attended the site and then it was easy to sort out the matter on spot.

    Visit another police station again and tell them the whole story and ask them to keep this bag. If they insist to directly sort it out with guy then advise them politey that you have already tried and those guys assualted your uncle. You are afraid of further harrassment and you don`t want to go near those guys.

  • Ryanek on 10/05/2016 - 09:20
    +4

    Sounds like a bait tactic to me, I would not be surprised if they left that bag out intentionally. As others have suggested, go to a different police station and drop it off as lost property. I highly doubt these type of people would want anything to do with the police but if they do make a claim, you can say you've done your civic duty and have already reported it as a lost item.

  • Gershom on 10/05/2016 - 09:35
    -2

    Shouldn't have nicked it in the first place, and shouldn't have offered $55. Just take it back and forget it.

  • Mumbles on 10/05/2016 - 10:52

    Best never to give in to blackmail or extortion cause they ALWAYS keep going. My recommendation is to head to the local police station and file an honest report. It will give you certainty, peace of mind and a conclusion to the issue.

    If what you said is true the Police will take uncle's statement, maybe question the crooks, probably drop everything as there isn't enough evidence for the police lawyer to take the crooks or uncle to court.

    "IF" there was a CCTV camera (that was clear enough to recognise licence plates and faces) then it might work in favour of the uncle. It could show to Police that what uncle says is true, he regularly visits the market, calmly looks through the boxes, calmly leaves with empty boxes. Maybe CCTV could show the bullies with their hands in your pockets?

    This is super unlikely but if you went to court your lawyer can just plead guilty that your uncle took the dirty backpack. Judge would decide a sentence taking into consideration the evidence (no CCTV, first to go into police station, the bullies are known to police), the uncles age (60 years old) and criminal history (no prior convictions). Probably just ask you to pay the bully the $500 that he lied was in the bag. That's it. Now both the Police and court have a record of the blackmailer's name and his lying friend.

    Which judge is going to believe a dumb arse who prefers to leave his $1000 wallet in a backpack next to a dumpster instead of keeping it in his pocket? Do the Police and judge really believe these guys are that stupidly rich + trusting of people? My guess, judge's aren't stupid.

    I'm not a lawyer so best to seek your own legal advice. I'd rather pay $500-$1000 to a lawyer than forever paying $55 blackmail payments to two crooks.

  • fruit on 10/05/2016 - 11:14
    +1

    My uncle picks up the rubbish Termacol boxes (which are thrown by the shop people) to use it in our garden. That day he saw a abandoned backpack around those boxes.

    What a strange hobby.

  • anonymoususer on 10/05/2016 - 11:24

    another thing which makes me worry is, when I offered him all I had that time in pocket $55, he didnt accept it.
    If he was just after money then he could have taken it whatever I was giving as he ddidnt know if I will show up again next week or so…

    • PJC on 10/05/2016 - 12:30

      Because CCTV would have recorded him getting your money. If you returned with $1000 he would insist on receiving it elsewhere.

    • drdolphin on 10/05/2016 - 12:32
      +2

      It was an extortion attempt. When he saw how quickly you offered $55 he thought you were an easy target for more money. Seriously, you know you did nothing wrong, why offer him anything? Walk away, and don't speak with him again. The police will not believe his story that you took him money.

  • minniethemoocher on 10/05/2016 - 12:18
    +1

    Hand it into the lost property at the market.

  • anonymoususer on 11/05/2016 - 07:37

    Thanks guys for your comments and support here. It definitely made us bit relaxed. Just last query….

    If i hand over bag to police station ( which falls in for that market place not my local area where i already been and police here were not cooperative) an say we found it (lost property) do you know if police will ask my contact number, address etc as i really do not want to fall in this mess after i hand over to police.

    • Olokun on 11/05/2016 - 08:18
      +2

      I think you are better off going with the truth with no omissions… Once you are caught in a lie you will have difficulty getting anyone to believe anything you have to say.

      My suggestion would be to make a police report of everything that has happened so far and hand in the bag to the police at the same time.

      If the police suggest that you should return it yourself, you should reiterate the threatening encounter that you experienced and if still no joy lodge a formal complaint about the lack of response from the station.

    • Mumbles on 11/05/2016 - 11:29

      I'm with Olokun. Filing a report is the best way to go in the long run.

      Dealing with crooks is pretty simple for honest citizens as there are lots of legal protections. Use your mobile to fast dial the local police station (or 112 or 000). If things escalate apply to the courts for an AVO to keep them out of your life. But all of these need a police report so that police are aware of the crooks.

      This is a generalisation, no police station will be keen to handle lost property since it clogs up storage space and creates paperwork. They will be less interested if the item has no auction value and the owner is someone who would never walk into the police station.

      • rompastompa on 11/05/2016 - 13:52

        They will be less interested if the item has no auction value and the owner is someone who would never walk into the police station.

        Don't they keep it for 30 days, and then electricblue's Uncle can take ownership (which is what the Uncle wanted anyway).

  • anonymoususer on 12/05/2016 - 19:28

    Ohh one more thing i forgot to mention here… when that guy was talking with us he took pic of my car number plate…

    I'm bit worried is there any way he/they can trace it back to me/my home with the car number plate?

    Coz i just want to goto police and handover bag as lost found property and end of drama. Don't want any further interaction in it.

  • PJC on 07/07/2016 - 16:59

    OP, so what was the outcome?

    • anonymoususer on 07/07/2016 - 17:02

      Handed over to local police station. Nothing since then.

      • PJC on 07/07/2016 - 17:09

        Good news. Avoid that market for a while or use a different car.

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