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.

Dear Internet, thanks for having my back. I am amazed at the response I have had. Unfortunately I think this kid only bought the xbox from the actual robber for $200 and then tried to act tough by leaving me that message, apparently he didn’t know that I roll deep. The kid is scared and I will be in contact with his parents shortly so there’s probably no need to continue harassing him. He is already immortalized by the internet as a MORON!

McFearsome

The original blogger's comments one day after the whole phenomenon started with the original blogger explaining his situation.

I just noticed that on one web-site, the kid who is supposed to be either the thief, or involved with the thief, has his girl-friend's telephone number posted. And from the looks of it, she's probably a minor like him.
Geez!

The only comments I want to make on this are about my extreme addiction to certain video games and a little about mob rule.
My personal favorites are on Playstation. If anyone ripped off my playstation (and it doesn't cost near what a new Xbox does), and I found out their identity-
I could hurt them.

Certain people must have thought mob rule would be under control because of new technology. Those people underestimate their fellow humans!

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Give me Liberty! or give me marriage!

http://saltwn.blogspot.com/

Damn Salt, I'm amazed at how much we have in common. I just bought my FIRST gaming system. I have a PS3. And I LOOVVEE it. Hi-Def on a 58" screen with 5.1 surround. Sure beats that Pong setup that my mom bought me 30 years ago.

And as for the OP...I'm just glad the picture showed it wasn't a Black guy. LOL.

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Even if you hold the minority opinion, stick to your guns and go against the flow if that's what you truly believe. (CnRedd)

Well I'm a Zelda guy. And I have a sword and a shield and a truck load of hearts. Watch out!

I went to a relatives house a few years ago. The woman offered us coffee and as we all began to chat, I asked, "Where's J__?" (Her husband)
Her response was a very melancholy
"He's in the play room with Zelda-
The Bi_ch."

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Give me Liberty! or give me marriage!

http://saltwn.blogspot.com/

You can play it on your PC now...The original...

ZeldaClassic.com - The Official Home of Zelda Classic

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Thanks cnredd...

Ok guys, its been nice knowing you all

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some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant

http://www.marchforbabies.com/chuck725 ... helping babies born prematurely and with birth defects

There's also one (Zelda) you don'have to download on the google personal home page.
My new play room will have an adjacent half bath and a kitchenette. Oh, yeah, and an outside door for the chicken wing delivery boy!

__________________


Give me Liberty! or give me marriage!

http://saltwn.blogspot.com/

That was me when I first got it a couple of years ago...

I was MIA for a couple of days...

Even printed out the maps...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd