Stolen rifle

[chesty for president]

I apologize if this is in the wrong place. I know the gentleman that has my rifle is a member here. The main reason I am posting this is to admit my ignorance and to also ask for advice. I am an active duty Marine first off, I had to fly home on emergency leave to bury my mother after a successful suicide attempt. I met this gentlman at a local range and he seemed to be extremely nice, the range owners and everyone says hes a very nice guy. Well we got to talking about rifles and ding sme trades maybe. He invites me over to his house which is right on the ocean (east coast) so I know hes either dead broker or doing pretty well. We get to talking and working out a trade and I got a call that my mother had died to get home, well I told him Id leave the rifle with him to look over to make sure he wanted to trade (very stupid on my part) since he has a half million dollar home and cars and boats why in the hell would he wanna keep my old rifle. Well Ive attemted to contact him for a month ith no luck. Ive spoken to his neighbors who have said they see him everyday. Ive put notes on every door and on his cars, Ive called at least 50 times and left messages never threatning in any way always respectful. He is dodging me and I cannot figure out why. PLease any help would be great my Cell number is 8172190228 if anyone has advice. Thank you for reading this and again I very much apologize if I am out of line.


Very Respectfully Submitted

Semper Fidelis

 

[johara1]

I think this guy needs a blanket party to start with..Semper Fi.....jim

 

[fredhorace77]

if u truely feel its been stolen from you i would report it to the police dept. let them know everything that you have told us... file a police report and you can always try to notifiy the atf of the situation. Hope you have the serial number of the gun because without it im not sure there is anything they can do do prove its urs. other than your word against his

 

[NoahbodyImportant]

If he is a member here, what is username?

 

[chesty for president]

I do not know his user name only his real name, we have talked about the forum in debth. He goes all the way to PA to shoot so in my book hes a serious shooter. Ill admit im not at his level of expertise not even close. I can get the serial number tomorrow no biggie from my FFL. I an idiot. I just put a new SIII 10x50x60 and put a brand new 400.00 barrel on it its a new gun. I can easily just wait on him and beat his ass but im trying to go a different rout for now as bad as I want to. I am gonna send him a certified letter with delivery comfirmation for now and continue to go by his house and I will NEVER get out of line with him....unless he does first.....

 

[T 700]

I hope you get your gun back! Good Luck

 

[chesty for president]

Ill get something back.....Im not one to lay down...the Marine in in will not allow it but I will remain respectful at all times never threatning. I just cant see why someone that lives so close would even attempt something so stupid

 

[jimbo88mm]

If I were you I would have called the Police a couple weeks ago.

 

[fdshuster]

Did you get a signed and dated receipt for the rifle when you left it with him? You're a lot more trusting that I would be, to someone I did not know. Hope it works out for you.

 

[jonbearman]

I sincerely hope it works out.I would go and stake out the house and confront him onthe spot if the police dont do anything.

 

[Leaddog]

Sorry to hear. Gather up your info and take it down to the police station. They will send an officer to his house. It's amazing how fast things like this get straightened out when the blue suit is on their doorstep.

If you decide to go to his house, take an officer with you. These types of confrontations can escalate and you don't need more trouble. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[chesty for president]

im waiting for my FFL to get my serial numberfor me and I do have pictures on my phone of the rifle in my safe next to my other rifles which i still have the pictures were taken on my phone and are date stamped.....If it doesnt work out then i learned a valuable lesson.

 

[chesty for president]

Also I will post his name here if he decides not to return my property along with pictures. and a picture of him if thats ok....yes oddly enough I do have his picture lol....im trying to be as humerous as I can about this

 

[chesty for president]

FDSHUSTER I didnt get any of that Sir. I apologize brother.

 

[FUBAR]

First Marine, let me say I'm very sorry to hear about your Mother....

I'm confused about a few things, and trying to figure out the sequence of events, because they conflict and you will need to be clear to recover your rifle:

You state you were on emergency leave because of your Mothers death.

Then you say that you were at the range, met the guy, started talking about a trade and you and the rifle went to his house.

While at his house you get a call that your Mother had died, so you left the rifle....

Here is the first issue, you were already on emergency leave for the family death? (I read you OP several times trying to figure out the sequence of events, and as written it does not make sense...)

Are you saying that the guy lives close to your duty station, or close to your Mothers, or are they same location? Are you still on leave?

Reason I ask is because you stated that you went by his place several times and talked to the neighbors?

How long has your rifle been at his house? You statement makes it sound like it's been more than a couple of days?

How to handle this:

Call the local Sheriff where the guy lives give a concise statement without the same issues in the OP.

Write your statement down before you call, with all the info, they will need his name and address and the SN of your rifle.

Tell your chain of command what's going on--this will cover you if a deputy comes to talk to you.

Don't think you need to contact the JAG office...

Hope this is jut a misunderstanding...

Best of luck Marine,

 

[Eagle Six]

If this fellow is a member here, you probably should have held off on your post until law enforcement has responded. I would file a complaint with the local police authority NOW, whatever information you have pending can be completed when you have it. Typically, the first person contacting the police are perceived to be the victim. You may also want to make some inquiries at the range of those folks who referenced this fellow as a "nice guy". You may even want to pursue having this thread deleted until you have more information. If he is a member, maybe he hasn't seen this post as yet and it may be to your benefit to with draw it for now.

You are keeping a cool head, and have given this fellow more benefit than perhaps he deserves, but there may be an explanation suitable to you when and if you make contact either directly or through the police or an attorney.

From what you have said you are being very civil. As you know, you can always release the "marine" in your blood at any time. I think keeping calm, continue to be civil, seek out an intermediate (law enforce/courts) to run your interference, will bring the best solution. Good Luck......and Thank You for your service and my condolences for your mother passing.

Best Regards.....Eagle Six

 

[RandyD]

Marine,

Sorry to hear about your mother. I am a former Marine and a civil litigation attorney. I am licensed in California, so my legal advice may not work in the state where this untrustworthy guy resides.

I would try the police, if they help then that is a good start. My concern is the police will not get involved. This is more of a civil matter than a criminal matter, because you voluntarily left your rifle in the possession of this man. You do not have any agreement as to when, how, where it is to be returned to you. Based on what you have said, he is playing you. You may need to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit. Most likely small claims will be the court to use. The civil cause of action that you most likely have is called Conversion. The man is converting your rifle to his. If you need anymore advice, send me a PM, and we can talk over the weekend.

SF Randy

 

[North Fork]

Why don't you just go over to his house and talk to him.Why drive buy.

 

[dansig]

just a anonymous tip to the police that the man is in possession of firearms used in a federal crime.. all his guns will be confiscated and you can pick yours up at the police station if you have paperwork that shows ownership.

 

[KMart]

dansig
Bad idea all the way around. If the firearms were taken in by the police, it could be years before they could be returned to their rightful owner, if at all.
Then there is a possibility of getting yourself in trouble for any number of things.
Nothing is anonymous any more. Too many government agencys keeping track on its citizens.