[Topgun 1776]

Went to him 4 yrs ago for hip pain. I'm a competitive runner and 62 yrs old, etc etc. Xrays done, my first 5 seconds with him, he told me my running days were over. That's how he started the conversation! Some strange man came in the exam room with him dressed in jeans and a t shirt. He never introduced himself, but he parroted what the Dr said. I asked about hip resurfacing, he told me it was out of the question. My running days were over - absolutely no doubt in his mind. I left his office 10 sec later! I went to Dr. STEPHEN RATERMAN in Tampa. 4 yrs later - both hips have been resurfaced - and I run 15 mi and cycle 60 miles each week. I've raced in 15 5k races and 10 duathlons at speeds better than before my hip issues.I would NEVER recommend him.

[Normal]

It is unfortunate for Dr. Van de Leur, but out of the thousands of success stories, his few imperfections will ring on as hearsay and jabs at his reputation forever. That’s just how life is. He stole, and now the headline rings on in non deleted , texted, indelible cyber ink. The internet seems to be the permanent thing with zero turning back.

25 years ago, we never would have heard about the whole ordeal or those who gripe about life.

[merrymini]

The news story is what it is. Everyone shopping at Costco knows that you do not leave with anything in a bag and it wasn’t a $12 bottle of wine but a $250 bottle. I wouldn’t even think that Costco sells such expensive wine! And not locked up? Nonetheless, I was warned about him before I had my hip done and know of two people who have had issues after surgery with him. No surgery is 100% for everyone but too many warnings about him are floating around to be ignored.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by merrymini

The news story is what it is. Everyone shopping at Costco knows that you do not leave with anything in a bag and it wasn’t a $12 bottle of wine but a $250 bottle. I wouldn’t even think that Costco sells such expensive wine! And not locked up? Nonetheless, I was warned about him before I had my hip done and know of two people who have had issues after surgery with him. No surgery is 100% for everyone but too many warnings about him are floating around to be ignored.

It was two bottles valued at $129 each. Being ACCUSED of shoplifting has nothing to do with surgical skills or qualifications.

The only warnings about him presently are directly related to the news that he has been ACCUSED of shoplifting.

2nd Degree Petit theft is a misdemeanor. Just like driving more than 50mph over the posted speed limit is a misdemeanor.

If he pleads guilty he'll probably just have to pay a fine and make restitution to COSTCO. If he pleads not guilty, the judge likely will dismiss it because who wants to deal with a jury trial over 2 bottles of wine?

[coconutmama]

Dr Van De Leur did one of my knees 5 years ago. Did a good job and we really liked his personality.

Am disappointed at the recent events. But people make mistakes.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Flyers999

For those who think this is fake news here's a website from the Sumter County Sheriff's office:

JAIL View

If you plug in "Van De Leur" as last name and select the "Both Current and Released" option under the "Search For" field, you'll see his mug shot come up.

And to suggest that he did it by mistake, c'mon. I think it's more likely that : From Google AI, "A kleptomaniac is a person who has a recurrent, uncontrollable urge to steal items that they do not actually need and usually have little financial or personal value.."

"recurrent" is the operative term here. There is absolutely no record that he has EVER done this before. Not an accusation, not a hint, not a charge, no arrest, no police report from any store's security team anywhere, ever.

He is innocent until proven guilty. Intent is an actual criteria when determining if someone is guilty. Also, this would be a misdemeanor, not a felony crime. It's a nothingburger EVEN if he did it. Just like when your 10-year-old self, kid, or cousin swiped a pack of M&Ms from the candy aisle in a 7-11.

So far, there is no proof that he did this with the actual intention of stealing them. Was he caught with the bottles in the case? Yup, he was. Did he intend to leave them in there, or did he either forget to take them out, or was distracted and just zoned out at checkout time? Dunno. That's up to a judge to decide. Not you. Or me.

Meanwhile, he's a good surgeon. All this hate-rage against him is ONLY happening because people get some kind of sick thrill in pouring gasoline on burning embers.

[MrFlorida]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

It was two bottles valued at $129 each. Being ACCUSED of shoplifting has nothing to do with surgical skills or qualifications.

The only warnings about him presently are directly related to the news that he has been ACCUSED of shoplifting.

2nd Degree Petit theft is a misdemeanor. Just like driving more than 50mph over the posted speed limit is a misdemeanor.

If he pleads guilty he'll probably just have to pay a fine and make restitution to COSTCO. If he pleads not guilty, the judge likely will dismiss it because who wants to deal with a jury trial over 2 bottles of wine?

He may be a good surgeon, but as a person he is still a thief.

[MrFlorida]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

"recurrent" is the operative term here. There is absolutely no record that he has EVER done this before. Not an accusation, not a hint, not a charge, no arrest, no police report from any store's security team anywhere, ever.

He is innocent until proven guilty. Intent is an actual criteria when determining if someone is guilty. Also, this would be a misdemeanor, not a felony crime. It's a nothingburger EVEN if he did it. Just like when your 10-year-old self, kid, or cousin swiped a pack of M&Ms from the candy aisle in a 7-11.

So far, there is no proof that he did this with the actual intention of stealing them. Was he caught with the bottles in the case? Yup, he was. Did he intend to leave them in there, or did he either forget to take them out, or was distracted and just zoned out at checkout time? Dunno. That's up to a judge to decide. Not you. Or me.

Meanwhile, he's a good surgeon. All this hate-rage against him is ONLY happening because people get some kind of sick thrill in pouring gasoline on burning embers.

A thief only gets caught once for every ten crimes. think about that !

[merrymini]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

It was two bottles valued at $129 each. Being ACCUSED of shoplifting has nothing to do with surgical skills or qualifications.

The only warnings about him presently are directly related to the news that he has been ACCUSED of shoplifting.

2nd Degree Petit theft is a misdemeanor. Just like driving more than 50mph over the posted speed limit is a misdemeanor.

If he pleads guilty he'll probably just have to pay a fine and make restitution to COSTCO. If he pleads not guilty, the judge likely will dismiss it because who wants to deal with a jury trial over 2 bottles of wine?

Yes, this issue has nothing to do with his surgical skills. My comments come only because I know his name from his capacity as a surgeon. But, this behavior certainly questions his judgement and behavior.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

It was two bottles valued at $129 each. Being ACCUSED of shoplifting has nothing to do with surgical skills or qualifications.

If he's cutting on me, I don't want him thinking about his next wine heist.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Mrmean58

What is the purpose of this s post? To shame someone in the community?
Well shame on you.

Shame on anyone who is uncomfortable shining a spotlight on unethical or criminal behavior committed by someone who, by virtue of their position in life, supposed to be held to a higher standard.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

He may be a good surgeon, but as a person he is still a thief.

Has this matter been adjudicated already??

[Normal]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Has this matter been adjudicated already??

The video may be too tough to refute. In addition the two full wine bottles he placed in the bag and then zipped up likely made the bag he bought seem a whole lot heavier than normal. There are a lot of factors too difficult to ignore. The best circumstance was the dollar amount of the theft, well under the felony amount in Florida. The future will probably bring a plea deal and his relocation back to Canada.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

He may be a good surgeon, but as a person he is still a thief.

You still don't know that. He has been accused. He has not been convicted. You know only what a third party summarized off a police report, and police reports are third-party in and of themselves, unless they're there to witness it first-hand.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Normal

The video may be too tough to refute. In addition the two full wine bottles he placed in the bag and then zipped up likely made the bag he bought seem a whole lot heavier than normal. There are a lot of factors too difficult to ignore. The best circumstance was the dollar amount of the theft, well under the felony amount in Florida. The future will probably bring a plea deal and his relocation back to Canada.

Maybe.

Seems as if the Court Of Public Opinion already has Dr. Van de Leur tried, convicted and run out of town on a rail.

Which, of course, is why we have courts of LAW in this country.

And until a court of law rules, this is just an allegation.