Why were there six police cars at Guitar Center yesterday? Crime is everywhere!

@TheHorse (206210)
Walnut Creek, California
April 11, 2024 10:12am CST
As you know, I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and worked for Department of Corrections in Oakland CA for many years. I have good "situational awareness," and can sense when something "ain't right." Just as I was heading into a lesson room yesterday with a young student, a youngish dude came into the store. He didn't act quite like someone who was "looking for an amplifier" or "looking for an acoustic guitar." Something wasn't right. He left, and another dude came in. Same impression. They seemed to be scoping the place out. I gave a piano lesson to my student, and when I came out of the sound-proofed room, there were cops everywhere and the energy level was high. These dudes had come in to try and sell some electronic gear they had stolen from a storage unit only the night before! But they were stupid criminals, as many criminals are. The left a receipt among the gear they had stolen, and the receipt had the address and phone number of the victim on it. Our manager called the victim, and he confirmed that his storage unit had been broken into the night before, and also a year ago. The cops came and arrested the (three) guys who had stolen the gear. After a couple more lessons, I had a break. By that time, the victim was there, and the cops and store employees were helping the victim load his stuff into a truck. I was in the parking lot, taking a couple of "hits" off of a cigarette. Our manager was talking to the cops, and I encountered the victim. He was a black man of about 75, with no teeth on the bottom. We made eye-contact and he gave my a look of resignation. He said, "I'm glad I got my stuff back." He was not angry. I shook my head and said, "I'm glad you did too. I heard that some of it has been gone for a year." We both raised our hands slightly in acknowledgement, and I said, "Take care." He said "You too" and I headed back into the store for my next lesson. Life in suburban America is rarely dull for too long.
15 people like this
15 responses
@Rimps85 (1102)
• India
11 Apr
good that the guys got arrested
3 people like this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
Yeah. I like justice. But I bet they'll be out after someone posts bond. I hope they don't hurt anyone.
2 people like this
@Rimps85 (1102)
• India
12 Apr
@TheHorse hmm..
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
@Rimps85 I don't think they were armed. But I'm sure their houses will be searched for other stuff. Who knows what they'll find.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170301)
• United States
11 Apr
Dull as dish water around here in terms of crime. Not saying it doesn't happen, but it's rare
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170301)
• United States
11 Apr
@TheHorse Trust me .it is a good thing.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
@snowy22315 I would rather be killed than shot in the spine. I do not want to be a burden to others.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159342)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Apr
Did you know there is actually a show on cable about dumber criminals? It is hilarious! Is there actually a sign like this? I wouldn't be watching for any, I'd be fleeing.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159342)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Apr
@TheHorse ........I'd hope I wasn't wearing sandals if I saw either one.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I took this picture at a Rest Area in Utah. I have hiked to the top of the rocks in the background a few Summers. Never seen a snake or scorpion. But I don't doubt they're up there.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I did not know about the show. I have my TV turned off, but I would probably enjoy the show.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40884)
• Wapello, Iowa
11 Apr
You don't feel cheated because you didn't get to see a shootout?
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (40884)
• Wapello, Iowa
12 Apr
@TheHorse Don't you have a Medic on duty at Guitar Center?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
@xander6464 Only a clinical psychologist and six security guards. And a fortune teller.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
Those random bullets can be pesky.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Apr
I'm happy that man got his stuff back but it's so sad that crime seems to be on the rise these days.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
Violent crime is down in the US, but this kind of thing is always playing in the background and has been forever.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (58046)
• Centralia, Washington
11 Apr
This reminds me a bit of a show I watched last night that Morgan Freeman was in. How to reach these kids? To help them make something good of their lives? Teach everybody how to speak with each other?
2 people like this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
As you know, that is what I have devoted my life to. But it can be frustrating.
2 people like this
@sallypup (58046)
• Centralia, Washington
11 Apr
@TheHorse I admire you for your efforts.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
@sallypup Thanks.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157645)
• United States
12 Apr
I am glad he got his stuff back as well. I know there is crime around me, but it has not touched me here yet.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I am glad to hear that.
@much2say (53945)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Apr
Wow, in this case it was the perfect capture! The bad guys acted suspicious and even left evidence, there was no goose chase as the cops got them, and the victim got his equipment back. It's almost unheard of how smoothly that went - but good - all is well except for the bad guys .
1 person likes this
@much2say (53945)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Apr
@TheHorse Very possible they got out already - sickening .
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
I wonder if they are still in jail.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Apr
@much2say I would not be surprised.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81536)
• Onaway, Michigan
11 Apr
Glad the person got their stuff back and the people That took it got caught.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81536)
• Onaway, Michigan
11 Apr
@TheHorse Wow that sure is crazy
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
@Tina30219 I am glad the bad guys were caught in this instance. But in so many they are not.
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Apr
Me too. The poor guy had to wait a year for his stuff from the earlier theft.
@LadyDuck (458730)
• Switzerland
12 Apr
Many criminals are dumb and I am glad they are because it's easy to get them and put them in prison. I am glad the old man got his stuff back.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458730)
• Switzerland
12 Apr
@TheHorse - I am not surprised, I have often heard our friends lawyers saying that criminals are dumb.
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I read in my college days that the average IQ of inmates is about 15 points lower than of the general population.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73624)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Apr
Glad it all got resolved though, Sorry for the victim but I am sure he is glad now,
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
He just seemed happy but resigned.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326100)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Apr
At least the guy now has his gear back. And yes, criminals can be incredibly stupid sometimes.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I guess they became criminals for a reason.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156807)
• United States
12 Apr
I'm glad my life is fairly dull. I'm glad justice was served. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I wonder how long those guys will be in jail before they're "bailed out." Heh. I have not yet gone down my Trump wormhole this morning. I wonder if his $175 million bond, or whatever it is, will hold up. He is such a card!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156807)
• United States
13 Apr
@TheHorse Calling him a card is being kind.
@grenery8 (2351)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
13 Apr
police was really efficient. and you acted very calm.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Apr
I tend to be pretty cam. I am glad this ended well.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (2351)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
14 Apr
@TheHorse that is important!
@wolfgirl569 (95532)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Apr
Glad they were looking to sell not steal more. Its usually pretty quiet around here
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206210)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Apr
I wonder how long they will be detained.
1 person likes this