Recovered...

edgar_allan_poe said:
Ok here it goes...well all that I am willing to tell anyway.

The guy was by best friends little brother. I had no idea he had become a meth head, but evidently the second I told my buddy about the theft he had a strong suspicion it was his little brother. I taught this kid, used to give him lessons back in the day. I have known him since he was in Jr high. He was aware of what I had in my house. This was really tough.

As much as I would like to press charges, I just can't do that to my friend or his parents. I am really close to them and they are devastated by this already. Given the value of the guitars, we are talking serious time from what I understand. Dude even took my Rolex.

What was said to him by his parents was something I would never wish on my wost enemy.

I agreed to drop the charges with the understanding that he would go immediately to rehab.

I have never in my life seen a more pathetic person. I simply felt awful for him which is bizarre given the circumstances.

This someone I will absolutely see again, I don't have the heart to tell my wife. She is infinitely less forgiving than myself.

Again, and I cannot stress this enough.

I WAS LUCKY!! INSURE YOUR INSTRUMENTS! I cannot imagine what it would have been like had I not been insured, I would have gone insane.
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I feel for you as I know that meth is just concentrated evil that changes people at a core level and is really hard to get past. My brother who was an addict for years had to loose everything and hit bottom before he got right. He's ten years clean at this point but will always regret relationally loosing his wife, kids, teeth and probably twenty years of his life expectancy. There is hope as we will be hosting him and his estranged son for a few days over Thanksgiving as they attempt to rebuild their relationship. All our stuff (including beautiful guitars...ouch) is eventually going to burn so I wish you the best as you support your friend as his family.

 
Hey Poe,

Sorry to hear of your home getting robbed, but I'm glad to hear that the stolen items was recovered from the honesty of family friend who called you. I know that it hurts to know the fact that it was someone that you personally know. It's good to have insurance, but I think you should report the friend's brother who burglarized your home and turn him into the local police. Having the family sweep everything under the carpet & being quiet about their son's problem doesn't solve the problem and someone else is going to be robbed & victimized again, whether it's in your neighborhood or somewhere else.

Being a vicitim of guitar theft myself, I can relate to how you feel about this situation.

Guitar George

 
Glad to see that you got your stuff back......It seems as if most folks that get robbed generally know the person that did it or it may be someone that is in thier network of acquaintances.

What is amazing to me are the balls that some of these criminals have. They don't realize that there are some folks that might be home and have a firearm in thier hands when they break in.

Many folks would shoot the intruder and ask questions later in order to protect themselves and family. You really don't have time to figure out whether the person has a gun or knife or whether your life is in peril....unless you're polite and ask them nicely....are you going to kill me?

These scoundrals are lucky they walk in someone's house and walk out with stuff...because I know some people that would make sure, if they were home when the breakin occurred, the crook was coming out in a body bag.

 
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Poe, great that you got the stuff back, terrible that it was someone you knew. Given the circumstance, I think you are doing the right thing by not pressing charges. To me, had you chose the alternative you'd basically be writing the whole family off.

 
Poe,

That is great news. Some one stated Poe is a good man, hell, he is great man.

In fact, he is a much larger man than I. I am unsure I could do what he did. That takes a lot of character and heart to ask someone to get the help they need.

I think Serial has some good points.

Best wishes to Poe and Denise. I hope the person gets the help he needs.

Hamerica

 
Poe - very glad to hear you got your stuff back, not so much about the circumstances.

In your position, I don't know that I'd be able to do the same thing, but I hope you let the offender know this is a one-time offer - if he thinks he can do it again and get the same treatment, he should be disavowed of that idea. I'd have also told the family he has to complete rehab, not bail on it a week or two in.

But with any luck, this turns out to be a positive experience for him - if that's the case, it'll ultimately be positive for you as well.

Alan

 
edgar_allan_poe said:
...As much as I would like to press charges, I just can't do that to my friend or his parents. I am really close to them and they are devastated by this already. Given the value of the guitars, we are talking serious time from what I understand. Dude even took my Rolex.

What was said to him by his parents was something I would never wish on my wost enemy.

I agreed to drop the charges with the understanding that he would go immediately to rehab.

I have never in my life seen a more pathetic person. I simply felt awful for him which is bizarre given the circumstances...
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Have the police been made aware of your circumstantial recovery?

The reason I ask, is they may feel there's enough evidence to charge him regardless,

and especially if they feel they can tie him to any other similar or related crimes.

What a tough call to have had to make... may it all work out for the best.

 
Really glad to hear you got your stuff back Poe, sorry it was someone you were close with. I'm sure it would have been alot easier on everyone if it were a stranger but chances are you wouldn't have recovered all your stuff.

 
I can't add anything meaningful to what all's been said, but my heart's with you on this roller-coaster of an experience.

 
edgar_allan_poe said:
I want to thank everyone for their well wishes concerning the theft of my guitars. Everything is back safe and sound (minor dings but truth be told, I am not sure they weren't there before the theft). I don't want to get into it right now but it was someone I know very well (not a family member thank god) and my heart is broken. The stuff was noticed by his brother and I was immediately called.

Not pressing charges...although I should....because I have been asked not to by the family and I love them too much to hurt them further.

The generosity of the HFC will never cease to amaze me. It is an honor and a privilege to be associated with this place.
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I have never met you, but I can say that you are a good man to let it pass like this. Not sure I could have done the same.

 
Yeah, but couldn't your buddy at least kick his brother's ass for you?!? /emoticons/default_blink.png

I'm glad it worked out, but that had to be hell.

 
Brooks said:
fuckin junkies (goin out on a limb)
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i knew it. i have friends who are addicts.

the difference between an addict and a junkie is like

the difference between a functional alcoholic and a wino.

despite dependencies, some people can function and tell right from wrong, and some can't.

glad you got your gear back!

besides being lazy, i like to keep a guitar and amp

where i rehearse just so i don't have all my eggs in one basket

(in case of fire, or piece of shit junkie).

 
glad to see everything's more or less back in order. Sorry for the kid's family, him too I guess...let's hope he can be helped, or more importantly he wants help!

 
Poe - glad to hear you got your stuff back! You're certainly giving this kid a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn himself around. I know I would have a tough time getting past the feelings of anger & betrayal - you're really doing a remarkable thing.

Did you consider making your offer of not pressing charges contingent on this kid SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING a comprehensive, inpatient treatment program, then working an ongoing program to stay away from meth? My wife spent a good chunk of her career as a drug & alcohol counselor. Real tough business. My brother has been sober 10 years, and still works on his recovery every day.

Starting treatment is the easy part - completing it and staying clean is not so easy. And, the recidivism rate for meth is extremely high. The perpetrator should know in no uncertain terms that your offer is 100% dependent on his 100% commitment to pursuing recovery. Less than 100% commitment on his part = prosecution and jail. No time limit, no expiration. No shit.

Kudos, man! You are giving him a real gift - I hope he understands that and gets the help he obviously needs.

 
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