Last year someone broke into my car(no sign of forced entry) in Passaic NJ
And took my work bag and some charges (luckily he didn't look in the trunk I had a 5k piece of silver there)
I forgot I had my amex serve card in there and by the time I realized, he already drained it out. But when checking what the charges where I noticed there were all done in store.
So I decided to go to each store and see if I can get more info on this guy, the first couple store told me they can't release any info/video unless I have a police report/warrant, one store showed me the receipt with my supposed signature on it (he just wrtoe my name)
The worker said I can get the footage if I come back when the owner was around (which unfortunately was only once a week and I didn't have the patience to wait)
I made my way to the last store Radio Shack and after talking to the worker for a bit I convinced her to show me the footage which had a clear view of the culprit, although she didn't give me a copy of the footage she let me video it on my phone (at the time I thought it would be good enough) after that she proceeded to print out the receipt and while doing that she noticed the guy actually purchased insurance for speakers he bought, and on the insurance paper he put ALL his info Name, address, and phone number!
Now I really wanted to pick up a few friends and go pay him a visit but my LOR convinced me to go down an file a police report.
I drove down to the station that day with all the info I had gathered and filed a report, right away I was sent up to meet with a detective who at first wasnt so happy I did what I did and kept saying "always come to the police first this is our job, this is what we do" to which I replied that had I just made a police report I doubt the police would have the man's address withing 36hrs
He then told me that most of my "evidence" isn't admissible because I obtained it illegally
And a video of a video isn't enough, but he said that that he'll work on it.
On the very next day I get a call from the detective telling me they already have the guy in custody and I should be glad I didn't go myself before contacting the police because turns out he has priors and resisted arrest!
I could not have been happier
He was ultimately charged with 2 counts of Receiving Stolen Property, 2 counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, 2 counts of Identity Theft and Resisting Arrest.
"With the evidence that we had at hand, we could only prove the ShopRite charges and the Radio Shack charges"
Around 6/7 months later I got a call saying he's being released and I should contact the police if I see, I asked for witness protection but they just laughed at me lol.
Bottom line, dont give up!
even though I didn't get reimbursed for my stolen items which also included my Bose headphones!
I still am happy he hopefully will think twice next time hes breaking into someone else's car.