Update on stolen kayak

Sorry for all the confusion regarding Dale and my attempt to contact him. Here is what happened:

I saw the Big Game in the classifieds. It's all tricked out and the guy only wanted 500 dollars. I thought this was suspicious so I checked all the other kayak sites and craigslist to see if it was reported stolen by anyone. I couldn't find anything so I thought maybe someone just wanted to unload it without dealing with haggling.

I just sold my Tarpon 130 so I could get something with internal storage for diving. I called the guy and he didn't know anything about kayaks and as you can see from the photo it is tricked out and was obviously owned by someone that knows about kayaks. I asked him how flexible he was on price and he immediately said he would take 400. That set off alarms.

I went to work doing my thing (I hate thieves. Yeah everybody says that but I got something special for people that steal from someone that worked for what they have). I found a two year old post from Dale that said his yak was stolen and he described it. The description was a great match. One of the things that was very distinct was that Dale had made his own rodpod by cutting out the center hatch area. Dale also provided a serial number. I called the guy with the yak and he confirmede the rod pod.


   

Damn, good spot.  Hope it all works out.  Good lookin' out.

amphibian, it does seem to make sense.  please, no one else contact him. too much contact will raise suspicions.  amphibian, did the police say anything?

i do not know dchangnon, but it does look like he has been active within the last week, did you try sending him an email?

amphibian, i found his contact info on bloodydecks, pming it to you now.

Sorry my computer was messing up so I have to put this in two parts.

I called Healdsburg PD and they were very helpful and patient. I didn't have a victim last name, address, phone number and I don't know Dale. I didn't have a location for the thief and I was asking them to go look for the kayak.

I was simultaneously emailing and talking with a bunch of NCKAers, the bad guy and the police on the phone trying to run down Dale and the location of the kayak. Thanks to all on this board that assisted. I was able to identify Dale by getting the date of his post and giving it to the PD (theft happened in their town) and telling them to check for a vehicle theft report from that date (Dale's truck was stolen also).

The bad guy told me that he had a person almost to his house coming from San Francisco and the person already said he would take it. He wouldn't give me his address unless the other guy passed on the kayak.

I was still going round and round with 10 different people when bad guy said he had to go because the buyer was on the other line and near his house. I realized time was up and it was all or nothing so I told PD to just call him, tell him he had a stolen kayak and that he better tell where he was and keep the kayak.

There was a lot that went on that I don't have time for here but it was very chaotic and Healdsburg PD did a great job. They just called me and said they recovered the kayak and confirmed that it is Dale's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They still need to fi  

great work merv, i think dale owes you a beer!

amphibian, did the police say anything?

Amphibian is the police.

I frick'n hate theives too and I hope amphibian give the punk thief what he deserves!

NICE NICE NICE!!!!! Yeah a totally pimped yak at a crazy low price from a guy who knows nothing about yaks!

Great detective works guys!

Amph,

If this is the same one I posted, he gave me a street but no address.  Grove street in Healdsburg.

Kayak recovered = way cool!

Did PD catch the thief?

I guess it's three parts. They still need to find Dale. I emailed him. The PD will track him down.

I have only told a few of you that I am law enforcement because some people get weird when they find out but this incident has brought forward the need to point some stuff out.

Dale did a great job of posting right away when his yak was stolen. He gave a thorough description and included his serial number. This was vital in getting his yak back. In the future if you post stuff being stolen add your phone number. We couldn't contact Dale and it made it much more difficult.

Please write down the serial number of every item you own that has a serial number. Murders, rapes, robberies and burglaries have been solved as a result of people knowing their serial numbers. No serial number no property return. I can't tell you how many times I stopped tweakers in the middle of the night with property. We would run the serial numbers and there would be no return. Write down your numbers.

Run a cable/lock through your yaks when traveling. straps don't do anything. Trade numbers with people that you dive/fish with. If I see the very distinct Abman triple rolling down the highway on a strangers truck I can call him and ask if he sold/loaned it out or if it's stolen. If you see something fishy post it on here. Thanks for taking the

Great job Bro. 



Kiel

Thanks for taking the time to read my theft prevention post. I'm not preaching I just don't want to see my NCKA brothers lose their prized yaks that they worked hard to get and enjoy. Now after dealing with a thief I need to get out on the water!!!

This is the best news I've heard all day.  Just AWESOME!!!