The highway patrolman was from North Carolina, was an active collector, and traveled to Indiana specifically to steal the Charatan's. I knew the victim well, had met the thief, and have read the trial transcript. An Atlanta shop owner more or less vouched for the thief and he disposed of some of the pipes in trades with collectors he met in the shop. He was caught because he sold some pipes to Fader's in Baltimore for cash. A collector, not from Baltimore, came into Fader's, recognized one of the victim's pipes and asked the owner where he got it The owner had never heard of the theft, but got law enforcement involved immediately. In those days, before the internet and several pipe shows a year, the thief might very well have gotten away with it. As it was, the case was not open and shut (as I recall there was only circumstantial evidence to place the thief in Indiana)) and was appealed before the thief ultimately did serve time. In those days before the internet and several pipe shows a year, the thief came very close to getting away with it. He was evil.
STOLEN!: 1926 Barling Spigot
- Thread starter buroak
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
I originally thought so because (from my understanding) it was just a crime of opportunity. Stupid, greedy, selfish, and etc., but no manipulation or violated personal trust was involved.
In the past few minutes I've done a bit of digging, though, only to discover those latter things were EXACTLY what the crime hinged upon.
So, yes, the asshat was indeed evil. My bad.
Buroak, I'm sorry for your loss of this vintage briar. A few questions come to mind in regards to the theft. Do you remember what time and day you last saw the pipe and when you actually noticed it missing? This way we know what day and have a time window to be looking at when the theft actually occurred. Where the event was held and where your table was located in the particular venue, were there any sort of surveillance cameras located nearby and possibly pointed in the direction of the table? Was there anyone in or around the area of this "time window" that you can remember who may have been using a handheld video camera, using a cell phone to record video, or someone shooting digital photographs? I mention video surveillance because companies that use these features generally have a storage capacity that will last for up to 30 days before the images are destroyed and the re-recorded process begins anew. I'm simply throwing this out there for another avenue to identify the scumbag. This may not be to some, a major bank heist, but it is a theft of an object with value that is approximately over 90 years of age. This really pi**** me off, and I hope the thief gets exactly what he or she deserves...
Ok. I remember that story now. Thanks. I still hope a similar incident happened this time, and that the pipe will be returned no harm no foul. After getting more of the story, though, it seems more unlikely.
Unfortunately, a lot of the big dollar collectors aren't in forums, etc. (Rich Esserman, a couple of heavy hitters from the Philly & NYC clubs, etc.)
Thanks again for all of the kind thoughts, sympathy, and help. A happy ending to this story is unlikely, but you folks keep me hoping. The highway patrolman story tells me justice is not impossible here.
Markinca53, the pipe was stolen Saturday before early afternoon. I don’t recall anyone taking videos or photos with a phone that day. I’m not sure whether the casino has cameras in the banquet hall we used.
Lou C (NYC Pipe Club) shared this to their Facebook page, I then forwarded it to the Pipes & Tobacco page as well. I'm hoping for a good outcome!
It's hard to believe a casino doesn't have just about every inch of its public spaces, including gambling/dining/meeting venues, covered with security cameras. Getting access to the "tapes" is another matter. I would guess a police report is the beginning of the process, but don't really know.
Thanks Al!
Mr. Guss, I will check about the cameras. I also plan to file a report, but that must be done in person.
Mr. Guss, I will check about the cameras. I also plan to file a report, but that must be done in person.
It might help to have one of the show organizers give you their contact's info at the casino. Finding someone who already knows the event and is presumably sympathetic has got to be better than going in cold. They might confirm whether security cameras cover the venue, and if so what it takes to access the footage.
"There's a chance he's even reading this thread."
I'd like to believe that the low life who filched the pipe isn't a member of this forum.
Whoever he (or she) was, I should imagine they would have great difficulty in moving it on and if of course they try to then there is a high chance of them being found out and the pipe being returned to its rightful owner.
Good luck Buroak...
Regards,
Jay.
I'd like to believe that the low life who filched the pipe isn't a member of this forum.
Whoever he (or she) was, I should imagine they would have great difficulty in moving it on and if of course they try to then there is a high chance of them being found out and the pipe being returned to its rightful owner.
Good luck Buroak...
Regards,
Jay.
P
pipebuddy
Guest
Yes.
Info on that sort of thing was presented to the club reps during the Argosy's "sales pitch" back when the site was selected, and Q remembers being astonished by the thoroughness of the video coverage on the casino floor. (Don't try to cheat a casino in the 21st century! :lol: ) The rest of the property is just normal, though. Long shot hallway views, elevators, parking lots, etc. No banquet room cameras that he can recall.
Info on that sort of thing was presented to the club reps during the Argosy's "sales pitch" back when the site was selected, and Q remembers being astonished by the thoroughness of the video coverage on the casino floor. (Don't try to cheat a casino in the 21st century! :lol: ) The rest of the property is just normal, though. Long shot hallway views, elevators, parking lots, etc. No banquet room cameras that he can recall.
- Status