Those that know me are aware that my house was burglarized on March 12th while I was returning from SXSW. For the uninitiated, my house was broken into around 2:30-3:00pm and they made off with my xbox 360, an old powerbook (which they grabbed the wrong charger for) and ripped my TV right off the wall. Needless to say it was shitty news to come home to, but things can be replaced and I was happy that my dog, who was downstairs at the time, wasn't hurt.
Knowing full well that the detectives couldn't be counted on to "search" for the stolen items I took it upon myself to call around to the local pawn shops and the very first one I called (Thanks Google Maps!) recalled a young white man who came in trying to sell a G4 Powerbook but the battery was dead and he didn't have the right charger (clue 1) so he decided not to buy it. He also noted that the screen wouldn't stay up on its own (clue 2), which is the reason it was replaced with a MBP. I immediately knew it was the laptop that was taken from my house and started asking about cameras in the store and if they would be willing to let me somehow get a picture of this guy. The guy working there wasn't sure how to get the images off the security system machine so I took down a digital camera and got some second hand shots off the monitor as well as some video.
Take a little look:
After getting these photos I tried contacting the detectives for my case and waiting around for 3+ hours and no one ever showed up. That was a week ago and I still haven't heard anything. This kid is most likely some local punk and is probably easily identifiable to "the man", I'm practically solving my case for them.
Then I'm left speechless...
While getting ready to leave work on Friday the 21st my office is swarmed by some of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with who proceed to present me with a brand new xbox 360 and a copy of halo 3. The kindness of my coworkers made my day and made me proud to work side by side with them all. However this is only where the excitement begins...
Really, How stupid can you be?
I eventually hook up the new xbox (to my 20" replacement TV) @ 4am and as soon as I recover my xbox live account I receive a voice message from someone I don't know.
Have a listen, I'll wait:
idiot.mp3
Ready? OK. So this guy decided to leave me a voice message explicitly stating that he stole my Halo edition xbox 360 and that I could buy it back from him. Are you f###ing kidding me? First thing I checked is whether or not it was a new account and sure enough the account shows usage back to 2007 and I'm willing to bet that it's his personal account and will have his info associated with it. I wasn't sure what to do so I tried calling East Detectives and was basically told to call back M-F during normal business hours, while I was on the phone I received TWO more messages from the culprit and explained to the person on the other end of the phone that I was now being harassed by the person who robbed my house and was hung up on.
GOOD JOB PHILADELPHIA POLICE, Gold Stars all around!
McFearsome
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This whole story is bizarre in how it takes on a whole new life in the "information age", demonstrating a "mob / posse" mentality.
The above was posted on March 22nd.
On March 23rd (one day later), people have evidently "identified" the kid in the blog, and are harassing him in online discussions. (I say "harassing" because the language and approach used in the below link would not survive the standards of this forum. If I'm out of line for linking to it, then please correct my post and advise me.)
Kid Steals Xbox, Uses XBL to contact owner to demand payment, Brings down the wrath of Digg Users Plasma/Shield
People have "identified" this kid, and posted his PERSONAL information, including the kid's blog, his ADDRESS, and his alleged girl-friend's address.
(I honestly don't feel comfortable linking to it, but somebody is putting up information discovered about this kid in the "information age".)
The original person who posted about this theft is trying to calm the masses. (See more at the original blog link (McFearsome) above.)
And if he's guilty, I hope they prosecute to the extent of the law.
But I can't help but feel weird over the fact that this guy is a MINOR, and people on the internet are CONTACTING him about his alleged theft, harassing him, posting his PERSONAL info online, and his GIRL-FRIEND's info.
The kid hasn't even been arrested, and he's been "tried" by a jury of his internet peers enacting their own version of "justice".
(And the award for the post which overuses the "air quotes" goes to... 
)
I can't help but think "mob mentality" has set in with an "information age" unique twist.