Recovering 4hero's camera gear

[htmlbloke]

My mate 4hero had his house broken into on Friday night, he disturbed them when he got home. The scrotes took most of his gear:

Canon 7D
Canon 40D
Can 70-200 L f2.8 IS
Canon 100-400 L
Canon 50mm f1.8
Canon 10-20
Canon 430EX flash
And a load of accessories, Cokin filters, remote control, remote switches.

They got a lot of other stuff too, just don't know where to start trying to recover his gear (beyond gumtree & eBay). He is from West Lothian if this helps.

Any advice would be more than welcome.

They didn't get his mpe-65, mt-24 flash, phew!

He's gutted

eta: Don't quote this in case I need to remove it for any reason please.

Edited by htmlbloke on Sunday 14th November 09:59

[XG332]

Keep checking eBay, local pawn brokers and mags.
Did he record any of the serial numbers?

[htmlbloke]

He does have the serial numbers. Will keep an eye on pawnbreakers.

Thanks.

[XG332]

Has he reported this to the police?

Also its worth posting on the Canon forum about it with serial numbers.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

Also report it stolen to canon
http://www.canon.co.uk/support/warranty/lost_stole...

And actually go into the local pawnbrokers and inform them that items have been stolen and give them the details.

good luck

[htmlbloke]

Good advice there, thanks again. Yeah, the police were out within 4 minutes of him realising there was someone in his house. CID were out, police dogs etc, but the thieving bds got away.

[M-J-B]

Sorry to hear that, there are some nasty scrotes about.....

Real shame, thankfully sounds like nobody was hurt in the process.

[oobster]

Jeez, thats nasty htmlbloke, I hope Neil is able to recover the gear either from the scrotes that stole it or from his insurance company.

Can't be nice having your home broken into, tell him if he needs a loan of any gear while he awaits replacements or his own back then he is welcome to borrow my 400D and any of my lenses.

[CivicMan]

And hopefully insured new for old.....

[htmlbloke]

Yeah, he is insured.

His Mum died suddenly two weeks ago, her house was cleared last week with 4hero getting some of her jewellery. They took her jewellery too, the s. How do you put a value on something like that?

This country sucks.

[cottonfoo]

Pass on my condolences. Thieves stole all my mum's sentimental jewellery from her mum, grandmother etc, I came home to her crying her eyes out in the car, the utter bds. Most things can be replaced, but not that

[htmlbloke]

Condolences to your family too cottonfoo, filthy little scumbags.

Glad 4hero's 1 year old son was with him when he entered the house, as he turned around and walked out once he realised there were people in his house. God knows what would have happened if his son wasn't there, he certainly wouldn't have turned around and walked out.

[curtisl]

No one wants to hear that something like that has happened. Poor Neil! I am sure none of his gear will make it down to London but I will keep an eye out. I was wondering what happened to him the other day, his Flickr images have been deleted.

I hope the s get caught and his mums stuff is recovered, everything else is replaceable.

ETA. might be worth asking people on talk photography to keep an eye out too.

Edited by curtisl on Sunday 14th November 20:46

[dibbly dobbler]

Agreed. In relative terms the camera gear means nothing next to the jewellery - I presume the insurance will cover the gear but nothing could replace the jewellery

Fingers crossed that Neil gets it back and a nice big payout to cover the kit. OP - do you happen to know if Neil's insurance is going to cover it all ?

[havoc]

dibbly dobbler said:

Agreed. In relative terms the camera gear means nothing next to the jewellery - I presume the insurance will cover the gear but nothing could replace the jewellery

Fingers crossed that Neil gets it back and a nice big payout to cover the kit.

to both.

Give Neil all our best wishes.

[14-7]

Sorry to hear what has happened to Neil.

Always a top poster on the forum despite what the mods thought.

[curtisl]

htmlbloke said:

I await with baited breath another ban. Just needed some advice on what to do, really had no idea (never being through such a thing before). Knew you guys would be able to offer assistance/advice. Going to call the local pawnbrokers tomorrow, keeping an eye on eBay, gumtree and others.

Neil, aka htmlbloke, aka 4hero

shock horror!! I would never of guessed it!!

[htmlbloke]

"Pistonheads, your 24 hour support lifeline"

Did you know that the real victim support hotline closes at 7pm at the weekends? Really glad I didn't need any help tonight I realise victim support is a charity, but why should I pay through the nose calling an 0845 number, while the scumbags are shooting up with the proceeds from my hard earned pennies and will be supported fully if (or when) they are taken to court?

Angry, me?

[AndWhyNot]

That's a double whammy of bad news, sorry to hear.

Places to try and get it listed:
> TalkPhotography
> Scottish region PH
> Antiques dealers
> Facebook
> Ffordes and other used dealers
> Local homeless day centres/ hostels - to get them on side this will have to be broached sensitively, I'd suggest from the perspective of do not buy these tainted goods rather than do you know who took it.

Surely it's worth circulating the serial numbers early.

Can't begin to imagine the hurt, upset and anger but hope that Neil's able to recover what's important.

[JohnS]

Absolutely gutted to read of this

Couldn't have happened at a worse time. Hopefully some of the stuff can be recovered by the police who can hopefully identify the culprits from fingerprints or their list of "usual" offendors who do stuff like this.

I'll keep eye out on various forums for you.

John

[crmcatee]

Sorry to hear of your your mates loss.

Scrotes.