........and early holiday gift???? What Halloween???

I agree that it could have been a misunderstanding, however the OP said that the cases were set down next to an open compartment on their RV. At the very least, the collectors should have considered the possibility that the homeowners were in the process of packing up. The collectors could have knocked on the door and asked the question rather than assuming the items were gifts to them. It surprises me that carrying alcohol in the cab of the truck (even legitimate gifts) wouldn't be against their company rules.

If you know you're not coming back to the Villages for some time, sometimes it's not wise to travel with booze (different states have different laws regarding transporting liquor), carton of soda, etc. With all of the people that live in the Villages, I'm sure there have been times when there are "gifts" like this left behind for the recycling men.

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt when a crime is accused of them. That said, this would be a very hard case though for any prosecutor given the co-incidences involved.

"outdated beer" not in my universe!

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If I were going to give away a case of beer, I would personally hand it to the intended recipient. I wouldn't leave it sitting on the curb for an unknown length of time, where it might fall into the hands of an underage visitor.

I like to give folks the benefit of the doubt too and I'm not insinuating that the collectors intentionally stole the items. But if the situation was accurately described (which I'm assuming it was), then there should have been some doubt in the collector's minds whether or not it was intended for them, and I think they should have confirmed that before taking the items.

When you travel in a motorhome you do take these items with you. It's your temporary home and just like I take a dozen eggs, I take a dozen sodas, dozen beers, dozen bottles of wine, etc. In my many years of RVing I've never heard of any incidents regarding transporting booze and law enforcement. Of course you need to use common sense, no alcohol anywhere near the driver's area.

I have heard of issues with transporting liquor from state to state when you do so just to avoid taxes or take advantage of pricing. Pennsylvania used to get nasty with residents who traveled to New Jersey for a big buy on booze, I don't know if that is still common.

In this situation if the sodas, etc. were next to the motorhome the recycle team should have never grabbed them. But if the motorhome was blocking access to the regular recycle bag location maybe the team got confused.

I am always learning something new. I had no clue that people left "gifts" outside for the recycle guys. Do you do it for the trash guys also?

I think it is nice of eveyone to give them the benefit of the doubt....

I have always left water and soda for my G men on hot days, by the case. They work very hard slinging those cans around. Water and soda are cheap.I do it on really hot days. Maby the g men in TVs thought the stuff left at the curb was for them, could have been an honest mistake,I would like to think so.

No cans here. :duck: ;)

Don

Oh Come on , they stole it and happened to get caught . Now the story gets its spin..

A lot of people have said they leave stuff out for the garbage/recycling guys. We do it when we're packing up to leave for six months.

Why won't you give the guys a break?

I have always left water, soda and, yes, beer for my garbage people, both here and in California. Water and soda on really hot days; beer when I had some left over after a bbq or the like. It's a pretty common practice around the country.

What's sad is that the beverages were immediately returned and yet Community Watch, police, etc., had to be called. I really hope the guys don't lose their jobs over this.

Calling the community watch,and the police invovled was a little to much. He got the beer back and the guys I think got the message. Sure think if the guys do get in trouble or lose their jobs I would not want to be in this guys shoes..............