Toronto, Ontario, USA? My babies were stolen too!

[Persian-Rice]

I know, I know, I shouldnt make fun, but we know that Canada is known to be all perfect, but it actually sucks!

After I made my last post at 1am on the board, I went out to my car to get my stuff out because I forgot it when I came home from a hockey(where I also met Cujo, who brought his kid to play some playoff game). Well, the window was bashed in, the guy rummaged through the front, popped the trunk and got a real awesome present.............tons of L glass and a 1DMKII.

I don't think he was looking for that stuff, but It's my fault to a point.
Anyway, The cop said that chances are slim anything will show up, so he gave me a copy of his report and said that I should give my insurance company a call in the morning.

I have a charity celebrity hockey game to shoot on Friday and I have no equipment except for the 10D and the Tamron..........great, I aint shooting with that combo. I hope my insurance can at least get me the 70-200 back for now................I can bare with the 10D and Tamron for school assignments for now.

I'm so pissed off, thank god our my school made us get camera insurance, I also made sure that mine had "for business" in the policy, maybe I can get a payout very soon.

If you guys see any cheap equipment selling out of Toronto that fits the description of the equipment listed in my sig, let me know.

Cheers, Ill go punch some stuff some more.

[Dooglla]

I would be so sick if it was me. I hope everything comes out alright for you with the insurance.

[DocFrankenstein]

Holy crap.

Can this be the same guy as in here?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=60236
Was the bag visible?

All this stuff made me check if my rebel was in place.

[LisaMarie]

Persian

How truly awful ! I see you don’t think the person was looking for that specifically This person(s) may have seen you carry camera equipment to and from your vehicle - Seems very much a crime of opportunity and some who knew they could get $$ for it. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that the insurance replaces it fast.

Is there any place near by you have rental status with ? I have rented from Vistek ( 496 Queen St. East 365-1777 ) in past emergency situations when in TO. :(

[Belmondo]

Man, that truly sucks. I've really become paranoid about this very possibility, and I live in a gated community. I will not leave anything in the car overnight.

I sure hope it all works out for you, PR.

[Jon]

Jeez, man. Bummer. Hope the insurance comes through quick. (And now I know I need to get around to adding the 24-70 and the 580EX to the policy.)
The first bag out of the car when I leave it is the photo gear. Then the computers (yes, "s", never just one) if they were along. I pack it that way.

[Steve Parr]

I used to see this a lot with musical instruments. Nationwide, only 3% of stolen musical instruments are ever recovered.

Sorry to be such a ray of sunshine so early in the morning; hope all works out...

Steve

[cmM]

...ok, I need insurance!

wow, that sucks man. Thank God you had it insured

[delhi]

where were you in Toronto? some parts in T-dot are quite bad. Sorry to read of your misfortune.

[HKFEVER]

Beware of the thief come second time. Because they know around 1 month's time you will have brand new gears from insurance.

[DocFrankenstein]

Beware of the thief come second time. Because they know around 1 month's time you will have brand new gears from insurance.
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/moss500-sm.jpg

[who me?]

Sorry to hear that some butthead (thinking of worse names) stole your equipment. I would be sick and SOOOO pissed. If I found that someone was breaking into my stuff, I would probably be the one in trouble because I would pound the living crap out of them.
Not sure this would help but have you thought of posting S/Ns of your stolen equipment? Also, is there anyway to alert places like eBay that they may get stolen equipment posted on thier site?

I hope you get back to normal soon.

[Andy_T]

Persian,

good that you had your gear insured!
Pretty stupid to leave that stuff in the car, actually :oops:
Were you never taught that after the assignment, you first take care of your gear, and then of yourself?
That's something they teach you in armies ... and I think it's good advice. You live and learn.

You might think of entering the serial numbers in the photo.net stolen equipment database. Not that I think it will help a lot, but you never know.

Best regards,
Andy

PS: My wallet was pickpocketed some time ago on a travel. Didn't lose much, about 300$ in cash.
However, they used my ATM card to buy stuff in supermarkets and electronic stores (works similar to a credit card in Europe) that don't have online connection to verify a stolen card for a total of about $ 5000. I didn't have to pay for that, as I immediately reported my card stolen.

Still, it bugged me to no end to think that some creep could profit $ 5000 from picking my wallet. I think I know how you feel, even if your insurance covers it.

[rick barclay]

Every photog's worst nightmare. I've read other stories about thieves in Vancouver, but
one runs the risk wherever he goes, whenvever he goes. I really do feel sorry for you,
PR. Losing a Mark II is like losing your baby (almost). Good luck with your insurance claim. Let us know how you made out with it.

[booggerg]

Damn.. sucks.. that's why I'm always soo paranoid of leaving anything valuable in my car...

[Persian-Rice]

Thanks for the kind words, I am really upset, since both the 1D MkII and the 70-200 were pretty new.

Insurance company has said that they have to send an agent over and also see an actual copy of the police repost, but they said that it usually takes 2 weeks to get me a cheque. If that is the case, I will go rent a 70-200 f/2.8, but renting is expensive in Canada, I think the 70-200 is around $100/day.........

I usually park my car in the garage, since it's a sports coupe and its a risk on its own. Unfortunately, I got home late and didnt want to open the garage, people were sleeping in the house...............

Anyway, I will never let my equipment out of my sight ever again.

PS Delhi, I shoot near the Cachet in Markham and live in Bayview Hill in Richmond Hill.......... Crime is not really normal here, I guess these areas are a target because there are lots nice cars and whatnot.

[MDJAK]

Persian, sorry to hear about this. When I used to live in Brooklyn, N.Y. (one of the five boroughs, in fact, the largest of the five) my telephone rang around four in the morning. I answered it and a voice on the other end asked me if I owned a Volvo 740 Turbo. I did and I said Yes, how do you know? They said, you better come down right away, someone broke into your car and trashed the whole interior. I asked them how they knew it was my car. They said the guy threw the contents of the glove box out on the street and they found a receipt from a servicing I had done at the dealer that had my name and number. While it sounded legit, I was not about to go downstairs at 4 in the morning. I figured it could have been a setup just to get me. paranoia will destroy ya, as the song says.

So, I told my wife and we went back to a fitful sleep. In the morning, I got up, went downstairs and around the corner, and indeed, multiple windows were smashed and many things were stolen. Live and learn.
I've always said that if something is stolen, I'm grateful that it was not a direct holdup of my person.

[wcstory]

Persian,
Sorry and thank you.

Sorry about your gear and peace of mind. Thank you for the wake up call. I called my homeowners insurance company and found I was not properly covered. Have not heard back on the additional cost for the photo gear and laptops yet.

Everyone should call your insurance and double check coverage.

Bill

[mbze430]

Start checking the local newspaper in couple of weeks and pawn shops.

[sparker1]

Sorry about your loss. With automobile insurance, the company will pay for a rental. With homeowners, they will pay for a place to live if yours in uninhabitable. Camera insurance should pay for rental while they dally, especially since you specified "business use". Hold out for it. Good luck.

[RJSorensen]

So sorry for the misfortune . . .

[Persian-Rice]

Homeowners insurance is what is covering my gear, read the other thread on insurancwe that was just created. I will contact them and tell thaam that, hopefully they will pay for it.

The Toronto/GTA is really really really HUGE(9 million people), I think I will be wasting my time looking for them, but I will look in the buy&sell mags. Atleast I kept my memory cards in my pocket, so i didnt lose the photos from the game I did last night.

[Medic1]

Sorry to hear that Persian. Do you have a car alarm? Maybe you should invest in one.....won't stop the hard core thieves, but it may stop the oppourtunistic amatures. Good thing all was insured, hope you get your payout soon.

My car has been broken into 3 times while at work....which is pretty amazing considering its an ambulance station. Just no stopping the deviants is there?

I'll keep my eyes open....maybe we'll find it on the market somewhere

[Olegis]

PR, this is awful - I'm sorry for you and your equipment. It really sucks ! I know how you must feel - I got my car windows broken twice : once they stole the radio (right in front of my parents house in a middle of a day ! :mad: ) and the second time the scums stole the loudspeakers. It doesn't equal the cost of your equipment, but the feeling that you got robbed and your property got stolen and broken is about the same I guess ... :(

Good thing you have that insurance - mine doesn't cover things stolen from a car ! :(

[Mills]

That......Is........Brutal!!!! Makes you wish you could catch them yourself. Do not allow the insurance carrier to F you around. Get on them right away.

[S230]

Sorry to hear that too. I live in Markham, theft and break-ins are becoming more and more frequent and hostile. Glad that you are covered by insurance and nobody's hurt. I guess the bottom line is bad luck. My car recently got broken into and the thug actually left a loonie behind just to mock me. I was VERY pissed. Not at stealing all the cash but leaving behind the loonie to be funny.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ouch :(

[Persian-Rice]

No alarm, I have a clutch switch instead. I never considered people stealing stuff from it, I mean, I dont care if the stereo goes, but it's a race modified Acura, not the huge wing kinda modified, track car modified. My biggest concern was people taking the car since there is some big value in the parts. One of the only times I ever left the camera in the car and they took it............

[triangle]

Sorry. I just posted on the other fellows misfortune. I took out insurance, but that still sucks. Hope your recovery time is quick.

[stoneylonesome]

So sorry to hear what happened. It really sucks that there are people like that out there, Here in the states I blame a lot of these stuff on the court system there just to lenient on these jug heads cops arrest them courts put them back on the streets. Ask any cop and they'll tell you it's always the repeat offenders that the haul in all the time.
I hope everything works out for you, and I'm damn sure going to take more precautions myself. you never think it's going to happen to you

[TammieO]

GROUP HUG!!!!
May your insurance come through for you lightning fast and I hope that !@#$#@ thief tripped and fell face first in a big pile of doggy doody.

[GerryDavid]

tons of L glass and a 1DMKII.

Do you mean Canon 1Ds Mark II or 1D Mark II?

Wouldnt it be hard for the criminal to pawn that off? Since its not your average camera, nor lenses. You should contact all the pawn shops and see if they have anything like that come in lately.

[JeffS]

PR--

I certainly hope that things get back to normal for you quickly. Most of us know how it feels to be a victim of one thing or another, and have much sympathy and/or empathy for you and your loss.

[James Yeung]

PR, I feel for you too! I'm the other guy that got my DSLR stolen!!!

On top of that, they violated my home too... If Hollywood needed a room to re-inact a robbery seen, my place would get an Oscar! Arrgh!!

Good luck to you. We're pretty much in the same boat except that these bastards still know where to go if they want more stuff from me. Dammit!!

James

[roanjohn]

OH NO!!! That is such a BUMMER!!!

I got mugged once, and anybody who takes advantage of other people deserves to be...............!!!!! UY, this gets me MAD!!!!

......good thing you were covered (whew!!!)

Ro1

[Persian-Rice]

Insurance company said they will cover rentals up to $300, which is fine since that will get me another 1D and 70-200 for a day.

It was a 1D MKII, Elan 7n, Lowepro Nova 4, 17-40mm F/4L, 24-70mm F/2.8L, 70-200 F/2.8L(in seperate canon case with hood and collar), 50mm /1.8, Kenko Tubes, extra 1DMKII battery, 77mm Hoya circ polarizer, shutter cable, giotto's blower,and a black Manfrotto pro monopod......

[cmM]

i kind of wonder what the thief is gonna do with the gear... I wonder if he knows what half the stuff in the bag is.

[metsuyan]

Badbakht....


Two thoughts.....

1) We should create a group insurance here and allow people to apply based upon their e-community service as a background check.....

and...

2) Someone should have invented a Lo Jack like system to plant in your camera bag so it can be tracked.

Start searching the web everyone....
lets see what we can come up with.

Perhaps some kind of cellphone ignited self destruct so at least the bastards get what they deserve.

Perhaps a bag that has an alarm when opened, takes a picture of the person opening it and emails it to you instantly so you can hunt him down....

Perhaps a bag with a motion sensor that sirens when moved and can only be deactivated by the person holding the RF deactivator key.

I'm on a roll here. If anyone does this stuff I want my cut!

[metsuyan]

check out this link....

http://www.globalgadgetuk.com/luggage%20locator.htm

and this one...

http://www.spymaster.com/travel.header.html
Shocker Alarming Briefcase
$714

The Shock Briefcase is designed to protect your important documents, valuables, and equipment from theft. This fine grain leather briefcase is discreetly fitted with an impenetratable security force field. When you set down your briefcase, even for a minute, simply arm the system with the pocket-sized remote control. If the case is picked up or disturbed, it sounds a piercing alarm and becomes energized with over 40,000 volts of shock-power. It will be impossible for any thief to continue to hold or carry the briefcase. If the case is snatched while you are carrying it unarmed, a simple push of a button on the remote will activate the system and cause the would-be-thief to instantly release the case. Can you afford to be without security of this magnitude?

[Jon]

i kind of wonder what the thief is gonna do with the gear... I wonder if he knows what half the stuff in the bag is.

We'll have to start looking at the equipment lists for new members . . .
:{)#

[robertwgross]

I'm still trying to figure out the thread title. "Toronto, Ontario, USA" just does not make sense. Last time I checked, Toronto was in Canada.

---Bob Gross---

[ssim]

I'm still trying to figure out the thread title. "Toronto, Ontario, USA" just does not make sense. Last time I checked, Toronto was in Canada.

---Bob Gross---

We traded Ontario to the US for future considerations. We'll call that favor in at a later date.

[Pelao]

Hey Persian, so very sorry to hear of your loss.

I live very close to you, also in Richmond Hill.

I agree, there is very little crime of this type in the area, but 2 months ago many cars on our street were broken in to - and the rest had marks on the windows where the thieves wiped away condensation to check for visible contents.

A real bummer.

[robertwgross]

We traded Ontario to the US for future considerations. We'll call that favor in at a later date.

I think the US tried to trade Canada a president in return for Ontario, but you guys were too smart for that.

---Bob Gross---

[Persian-Rice]

Robert, the US has the highest crime rate in the world. I think Toronto has been shifted into New York State..... reason was that my camera was stolen a couple hours after another guy posted his was stolen in Toronto as well.

Just more people trying to reap the benfits of the hard work of others. The typical North American way............................

[CyberDyneSystems]

er,.. a slight exageration...

[stoneylonesome]

er,.. a slight exageration...

Must have been watching a Michael Moore movie :lol: :lol: :lol: Don't mean to make light of the situation, But I still feel a lot of it can be blamed on the leniency of the courts and no proper parental upbringing anymore..

http://www.sweetliberty.org/issues/guns/britishcrimerates.htm

[Persian-Rice]

Slight exageration that Canada is high on crime? yes.
Mind you crime has gone way up in Toronto in the last couple years.
But the US is in a league of its own when it comes to overall crime.

sorry my numbers were a bit off, but not that.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_tot_cri

[Tom W]

You might wish to view those statistics on a per capita basis:

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_tot_cri_cap

[Tom W]

Also read the disclaimer at the top of the chart:

Definition: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.

[Tom W]

And if you break it down even further, drug offenses in the US (some of which are debatable as to their harmfulness) skew the numbers significantly:

http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us/Crime

[Fills]

I don't think it matters where we live, it's too bad something like this has to happen anywhere. US and Canada are both great countries to live in.

[cmM]

Chicago is the world capital for murders... they shoot you before taking your camera bag just to make sure you don't make a complaint :-P

[Tom W]

I don't think it matters where we live, it's too bad something like this has to happen anywhere. US and Canada are both great countries to live in.

That's true - I've always enjoyed my trips to Canada. I've been to various parts of Ontario a few times - great country and great people. I will admit though that it would take a lot to get me to move from where I'm at now.
I was merely trying to set things a little more straight regarding the crime rate.

Its not a good thing regardless, and I hate to see anybody lose their equipment or other belongings. I don't take kindly to thieves.

[Tom W]

Chicago is the world capital for murders... they shoot you before taking your camera bag just to make sure you don't make a complaint :-P

Not a lot of murder in Tennessee (well, except for Memphis), but we have progressed from moonshine whiskey to meth labs. :confused:

[CyberDyneSystems]

Chicago is the world capital for murders...

Right up there with Rawanda are we?

We beat out Bogata did we? ... :rolleyes:

C'mon guys,. Chicago may be the top ranking in the U.S. the last few years.. not too long ago it was DC...

And lets not forget NYC through no fault of there own in 2001 :(

But we keep saying "in the world" and thats just not even close.

[cmM]

Right up there with Rawanda are we?

We beat out Bogata did we? ... :rolleyes:

C'mon guys,. Chicago may be the top ranking in the U.S. the last few years.. not too long ago it was DC...

And lets not forget NYC through no fault of there own in 2001 :(

But we keep saying "in the world" and thats just not even close.

I might be wrong, but I think it was a statistic I read some time ago reffering to the number of murders (not %), and given the population of Chicago I wouldn'd be surprised.

[alexd1983]

I believe if i read correctly, theft of personal property is our biggest crime issue as a nation. You won't get killed, you'll be stolen from ;)

Gotta be careful , ;)

- Fellow cheery polite Canuck ;)

P.S. Sorry for your loss..

[FlyingPete]

Hey, you didn't loose any shots? Insurance can't help there.

I have my compact digi stolen a few years ago, it had half our holiday snaps on it, as we got home chucked everything in the house and had to go out again.

Four weeks later they cam back and got my SLR, complete with four rolls of undeveloped film and my Domke (still haven't replaced that!).

In the long run after insurance payes out it those unreplacable things that really suck.

[DocFrankenstein]

Robert, the US has the highest crime rate in the world.
U been to eastern europe by any chance?

[mvonditter]

http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/moss500-sm.jpg

Now Doc, you know that most folks in Canada can't have such toys.:cry: As an FYI for everyone....most home owner insurance policies will cover you camera gear automatically.:) Even in your car.

[cc10d]

HEY, i KNOW HOW IT FEELS. Lost my camera gear out of my car. Went to a ceramics show and when I came back to the car, Window was busted out and the Lowepro bag and all its contents were gone. Nothing else taken. ! Such pain and agony. I had just finished purchasing the 10D and several L glass types, flash, Cf cards etc. $5,000 US worth. Insurance was not as sweet as it had been represented to me when I bought it. They ended up paying about 2/3 of my replacement cost. It was represented as being replacement cost insurance too. So it goes, Its all history now. The police were sympathetic, but only good was, had the police report for the insurance company. I wish you the very best of luck in getting everything replaced. Again I can feel with you. Ouch Ugh Agh cry and then get back to it. Cheers

[DocFrankenstein]

Now Doc, you know that most folks in Canada can't have such toys.:cry:
What? Only the folks in canada with a criminal record can't have such toys.

If you don't have a record... here are some options available to you:

http://world.guns.ru/sniper/remington700.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hk-usp40.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/beretta_951r.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/ar10b.jpg
http://www.marstar.ca/images/rifles/VZ-58S-full-stock.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/rem870entry.jpg

Here's a rifle, the choice of Vasili Zaitsev: And only 55$ canadian :D
http://www.marstar.ca/images/nagant.jpg
Colt government: 325 canadian
All the government u need!
http://www.marstar.ca/Norinco/images/1911A1-sm.jpg

* The licence is around 150-200$

PM me if intrested. ;)

[Persian-Rice]

Pete, no, I carry my CF cards in a seperate bag, I carry that when I shoot and took them inside with me to proccess them.

Doc, you are comparing eastern Europe to the United States? The fallout of the USSR, to the "greatest" nation on earth? I have experienced three car breakins in my life, two happened in the Big Apple(maybe the Ontario plates are a target.............) and finally now here.

I know they say widespread poverty is a major contributor to crime. That explains Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, Asia. Thats the problem though, these supposed "great nations" sit in the middle and even on top of the worst places on the face of this planet when it comes to crime.

[Persian-Rice]

Doc, I have been thinking of starting a gun collection some day. But an AK47? lol

[DocFrankenstein]

What's big apple?

I know they say widespread poverty is a major contributor to crime. That explains Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, Asia.
As for poverty...

It always amazed me. The social/municipal planning and engineering of such regions as Bronx...

If you happen to live there, and have a kid... What are the options?

1) To keep him locked up all his life to isolate him from the street life?
2) To let him "go out and play", knowing what the envionment is gonna do to him?

It's a never ending circle...

[DocFrankenstein]

Doc, I have been thinking of starting a gun collection some day. But an AK47? lol
It's not the Soviet AK though. Those are on the prohib list in canada.

The one I posted is a czech semi-auto version... with a similar looking gas tube. Shoots same ammo and semi auto only though. Still great fun.

[Ogrt48]

Ak's are for the russians.. atleast here they are :D
Some how I recommend you get your hands on a lovely M4A1...

[JZaun]

I hate being robbed! Happened once years ago. Now I don't care.. Go ahead and steal my 1-2 or 3 year old gear. :) I got real good insurance and by the end of the week I will have all NEW stuff. I would hate to lose any "good" pictures I had taken though! If there were any... :) :)


JZ

[ssim]

I think that those of us in Canada should rethink how good (or bad) we are. This is such a tragic event.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/04/rcmpshooting-050304.html

[Avalonthas]

my advice for something that is stolen is to like check ebay throughout the week and look for recrntly added auctions similar to ur equipment, and if they are coming from Toronto, u can get the police to investigate that.

Bets are once the thief sees the size of the cam and all the fancy equipment he will most likely try to get a quote and sell it, and once a buddy of mine had his 20D stolen, then the next day 2 people from toronto posted a 20D on ebay, and the cops investigated and one of the guys was the thief so hes in jail now and my buddy has his gear back. So its a possibility. Low chance but worth a try

[jeffbmw]

Persian ... First off I'm in Toronto and would like say Yo how you doing. I don't have insurance on my stuff, but # one rule, never leave anything in site in your car anywhere. I bring my notebook and camera with me everywhere and I find a a good napsake from henreys does the trick.

Bro I will keep my eyes open for your ****. Man that is a pretty hard lose and personally I think people that steal **** are just lame and don't realize the hard work and time that we put into our equipement. For some reason you get really attached this stuff and it just ripps your heart out... if they only knew.

Oh well take care

Jeff

[vcutag]

I hate being robbed! Happened once years ago. Now I don't care.. Go ahead and steal my 1-2 or 3 year old gear. :) I got real good insurance and by the end of the week I will have all NEW stuff. I would hate to lose any "good" pictures I had taken though! If there were any... :) :)


JZ

How did the Richmond PD respond? I had my truck broken into a few years back on North Boulevard in the Fan, they didn't do a damn thing. Granted, having one of the highest murder rates in the country might have something to do with that, but...

[JZaun]

How did the Richmond PD respond? I had my truck broken into a few years back on North Boulevard in the Fan, they didn't do a damn thing. Granted, having one of the highest murder rates in the country might have something to do with that, but...


In my case it was in the county. the police responded, took a report and filed itfor the ins. co. :) I got all new equip that time !!..Ha the murder rate in Richmond doesn't bother me too much. Look at who is murdering who!! Drug Dealers, murdering drug dealers, Yeah!!!, I say give them all UZI's :D

JZ

[vcutag]

In my case it was in the county. the police responded, took a report and filed itfor the ins. co. :) I got all new equip that time !!..Ha the murder rate in Richmond doesn't bother me too much. Look at who is murdering who!! Drug Dealers, murdering drug dealers, Yeah!!!, I say give them all UZI's :D

JZ

I suppose that's one good thing about Henrico, their cops are on the ball. :-)