Bonehead of the year award - a cautionary tale. Please be careful you don't earn the award after me.
hawkowl
Posts: 30 ✭✭
I had heard the stories, and of course I knew better.
My brother and I made a bank run for half dollars (for me) and then to a second bank for quarters (for him). We then drove toward the house, talking but not paying attention as we should have. We stopped at a third bank so he could withdraw funds to pay me for the quarters. The drive-up teller was lined up, so we stepped inside to use the ATM. Five minutes later, we walked out, and my back passenger window was smashed. They dropped a roll of quarters on the seat, presumably in their haste to get away, but they got one box of halves and $490 of quarters. The only plus to this is they missed a second box of halves that was under a towel on the driver's side back seat. I have no doubt they followed us from the second bank.
So please, watch to see if anyone is following you after picking up coin rolls and take appropriate actions if so. Make a series of extra turns to ensure you aren't followed, if necessary.
I'm still buying coin rolls, but no one has a chance of following me these days. I learned a very expensive lesson.
Stay safe and enjoy our passion.
Comments
This could happen to anyone. I'm glad you were not harmed. In the end that's what is important. The banks have HD cameras. You should report this to the police. I believe what was done is a felony and they will likely follow up. If you have receipts and are able to prove the dollar amount maybe they can be caught.
That’s terrible. A friend of mine had a similar thing happen. He wasn’t getting rolls to search though. Rather he went to the bank to get money to buy Christmas presents. He got out over a thousand dollars in an envelope. He then stopped at a Walgreens to get something and left the bank envelope in his car on the passenger seat. Someone smashed his window and took the bank envelope. He considers himself lucky though because he thinks someone followed him from the bank and he thinks if he would have went straight home that they were going to follow him there and rob him.
Mr_Spud
Watchtower, I did indeed report it to the police. There was a camera on the nearby Big Lots store that showed a Black Mitsubishi pull up next to my car, and I let the police know about that. But, so far, no additional information from the police. And, yes, I am very happy we weren't harmed, but it was a very expensive lesson.
A similar incident I read about in the Charleston, WV, except it was a holdup. Still no one was hurt.
Hard times.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Sorry that happened to you.
You might want to check with your auto insurance, they may cover the window and the lost coin rolls.
EVERYONE should take heed to this warning. When it comes to money/coins be extremely careful especially at coin shows. You never know who is lurking about watching you. Grow eyes in the back of your head and use common sense. We all need to remember it’s a different world out there now a days. Always be vigilant.
Thank you for sharing this story and I hope it opens some eyes,
Joe
Sorry to hear that. They will eventually get caught, possibly not this crime but the next.
Damn. Sorry to hear this but glad you're OK.
Thieves will smash a window and grab ANYTHING that looks like it may have some value. It takes them mere seconds. I had an empty briefcase stolen in a smash and grab outside a restaurant where I stopped for lunch. Zero value taken but a lot of mess and hassle. I don't leave anything in sight when I leave the car, period.
Damn that sucks. Surely there is video evidence since it happened at the bank.
Collector, occasional seller
My neighbor went to the Smiths grocery to pick up his meds. Stopped and played quarter video poker in their little gaming room and hit a royal flush for $1,000. Left the store and drove home (1 mile). Parked on his driveway got out and was rushed by at least 2 guys that clubbed him upside the temple. Took his money. He's out of the hospital now but it could have been avoided by watching in the rear view mirror.. got to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and carry, too.
bob
No doubt! Definitely have to be aware of your surroundings. The last show I attended, I brought with me a lot of coin value to trade for an 1889-CC MS-62 and walked out the front door with the coin. It was a busy show so who knows who was monitoring our 2-1/2 trade negotiations for a high valued coin. There's strength in number so buddy up if necessary. In high value trades I have at least one other person with me and I bring other protection (not lethal) but it will put a hurt on the criminals.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
I use this sticker as an anti-theft measure:
@hawkowl.... Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Some good advice above.... I will reiterate, be constantly aware of your surroundings, while doing business, walking around, driving etc.. Invest in training... be prepared to deal with such encounters. There really are 'bad people' out there.... Cheers, RickO
That stinks
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Edit: Content
Sorry to hear that. Looks like that sort of thing is getting more and more common.
This is exactly why I only use the ATM where I work. I know just about everyone there, and it's indoors. It's always important to be aware of your surroundings, and what's going on around you.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
That's not a Glock. LOL
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
Ha ha , so true!
But this is what counts
As already mentioned, these actions are getting all too common. I'm always reminding my wife to be aware of her surroundings and to always keep her concealed weapon easily accessible. Also to avoid any potential road rage or arguments with strangers. People seem to be more prone to shooting people, stealing, attacking people in broad daylight and committing home invasions while people are at home today. We get our news from La. where we live and there have been soo many senseless homicides lately that it just makes you wonder how society has gotten to the point that people don't have any respect for human life anymore. Luckily for the OP, no one was hurt. But, what if they had caught the culprit in the process? The thief may have had a weapon. Have you thought about what you might of had to face? I studied Marshal Arts in my younger days and could hold my own very well. BUT, I'm 63 yrs old now with arthritis. Those days are behind me. I don't go thru life afraid, but I do go thru life a little smarter. It's a changing society and there are some changes that we have to learn to adapt ourselves to also. Jmo
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I honestly would never have considered this scenario occurring in my area but I guess you can never be sure.
I don't know much about them but I've been seeing or reading about them in the news: Apple Air Tags.
Assuming you have an iPhone you could slip an Air Tag into your box of coins. If there's a smash and grab the police can immediately locate the culprits, assuming you live in an area where theft is still illegal.
100% agree with you; particularly on your comments on road rage. The reality is I'm typically only carrying 5% or less of the time. But if I'm going to a coin show and concealed carry is allowed I will be packing!
This is very common here - the police call it “jugging”. It happens all over the city and in the suburbs including both nice neighborhoods and not as nice neighborhoods. The criminal techniques used to watch and follow victims are sometimes pretty sophisticated and anyone can be a victim. Be safe out there!