I was gone all day from my apartment and returned to it and the door deadbolt was busted out and my camera equipment ($4k) was gone. Keep an eye out on Craigslist or in pawn shops if you can. I am moving back to Virginia this week :-/ My apartment is near Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.
Equipment and Serial Numbers:
Nikon D90 w/ MB-D80 Grip
(#3082565)
Nikon 70-200 VRI
(#376743)
Nikon 50/1.8G
(#6013021)
Nikon SB-800
(2353272)
Nikon SB-600
(#2779076)
Nikon 17-55
(#332525)
Sigma 10-20
(#2100160)
That's the basics of it. Of course, there were lots of accessories and some smaller stuff but I appreciate any help or tips. You can PM me if you find anything or just call the Middletown, CT police. I got lucky as a lot of really important stuff was left behind. I didn't have any renter's insurance or anything as I am just a college student.
Andre Labonte wrote:
Sorry about your loss, but, even as a college student I had renter's insurance.
Yes, it is smart to have it wherever you go but I was stupid since I am just on a 3-month summer lease away from college. I thought I'd be okay. I was not. Now I know Thanks guys, the support helps.
Paul, not sure if you did this yet, but if not: when you file a police report for your stolen equipment make sure to request that the serial numbers be placed in NCIC. That is a national database system that can be accessed by all law enforcement agencies.
If someone tries to pawn it anywhere or gets stopped by the police and the serial numbers are run by the officer, it will alert as stolen.
p.s. Also, check Craigslist frequently as many times thieves try to sell stuff there. Also, check your local pawn shops without asking the employees about your equipment. If they purchased the equipment before it was listed in the national database of stolen items, they will not want to be associated with shady dealings and will probably throw your equipment away before getting caught with it. Just go around the pawn shops and look at everything as if you are shopping for stuff. Also, check your local flea market.
That really sucks man... you have to wonder if it's someone you know, otherwise, they got pretty lucky in finding the one apartment with expensive camera gear.
Mike Yamin wrote:
That really sucks man... you have to wonder if it's someone you know, otherwise, they got pretty lucky in finding the one apartment with expensive camera gear.
Hi, another apartment beside me was also broken into. I am right on the first floor by the entrance but it's possible I suppose.
Thanks for all the support and advice. I will for sure check into the NCIC and have someone I know visit some pawn shops and look around (I've moved away actually).
Terrible - I put insurance on all my equipment (damage/loss/theft) before I left on a big trip to China/Japan/Europe and it has made me so much more comfortable. I just don't worry about it.
Sorry for your loss - having the serial numbers is a great thing. Hope it helps you get your stuff back!
Since you're moving this may not matter to you but I had a friend who was victimized three times over the course of a year or two, apparently by the same thieves (same method of breaking in each time). They let enough time go by for him to collect on his insurance and replace the stuff they stole, then they'd break in and steal it again. I don't know how common that is but just in case, it pays to be extra careful after the first break in.
Yeah, I've wanted the peace of mind of having insurance for a while but as usual, you never really get the motivation to look that up until something like this happens. Definitely getting separate insurance for my gear once I buy some (fewer) replacements.
Good point, campyone. But yeah, I left the day after it occurred actually. Didn't want to be there any more.
We just got a new insurance policy that covers up to $50k in losses for fire/flood/theft/whatever and up to 5 million for the building, should we be the ones causing the flood/fire/whatever. It cost us $165 for a whole year. Money well spent.
Thanks guys, the support helps.