Talk of The Villages Florida - You have been warned

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Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1231539)

Just keep this in mind, there AREN'T a lot of thefts of clubs OR carts. But it doesn't HURT to be careful. I have NEVER asked Sweetie which was most important, his clubs or me. I am not stupid.;)

well, which one does he lock up? :a040:

Quote:

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1231539)

Just keep this in mind, there AREN'T a lot of thefts of clubs OR carts. But it doesn't HURT to be careful. I have NEVER asked Sweetie which was most important, his clubs or me. I am not stupid.;)

Love the humor graciegirl.

Crime is very low in the Villages and we have a lot of eyes out there keeping us safe. But we should always be careful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 1231450)

Over the last 4 months I have personally known 4 people that been relieved of there property in the Rec centers parking lots While participating in activity. It also made the news paper off campus today. Why not just secure items left on golf cart especially expensive golf clubs that I bet they get maybe 100 bucks when pawned?

I understand that in Florida if a pawn shop has your stuff they are allowed to charge you for getting back your stuff even if it's stolen. Surely they must know if a meth head is pawning golf clubs they aren't his.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1231623)

I have wondered about the same thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1231623)

I understand that in Florida if a pawn shop has your stuff they are allowed to charge you for getting back your stuff even if it's stolen.

I'll have to research that, but it doesn't sound right (it would be a first for any state I've lived in).

Especially if you have filed a police report and can 'absolutely' identify your property.

Which is why, besides the standard label on the shaft that can be easily removed, I use an engraver and put my tiny initials in a very obscure location on each club.

Making sure that is included in the police report, should establish without a doubt the ownership of my clubs.

Given that it would take literally thousands of dollars to replace my set, I'm not taking any chances.

I don't golf, but I have always wondered about how safe golf bags are in golf carts while the owners are having a meal or an after rounds drink.

Makes me sad that you would have to go all the way home to leave your golf clubs in order to enjoy a little comraderie after a game!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1231623)

It is true. I can verify this based on experience :(. You pay the pawn shop what they paid the :censored: that stole them, not what they are trying to sell them for.

One of my stolen club posts

With the advent of battery operated grinders and lock can be defeated in seconds.

Further research...

Lee County Sheriff's Office | Lee County, Florida | CrimeActivity | JailInfoIndex

Quote:

Recovering Pawned Stolen Property
Guide to Rights and Remedies of the Florida State Pawnbroking Act**

Florida courts have ruled that law enforcement may no longer recover stolen property from pawnshops and return it to a victim of a crime without providing the broker an opportunity of a hearing.

If your stolen property is found in a pawnshop you may decide to purchase it back or obtain a court order to recover the property. In order to obtain a court order to recover your property, you will need to file a petition for return of the property with the Clerk of the County Court. It is recommended that you seek legal assistance to file the petition.

The Florida Pawnbroking Act states:

To obtain possession of stolen property held by a pawnbroker, the victim must notify the broker by certified mail, return receipt requested, or in person, evidenced by a signed notice, such as the one in our brochure, Guide to Rights and Remedies of the Florida State Pawnbroking Act.

The notice must contain a description of the property and must be accompanied by a copy of the law enforcement agency�s report of the theft.

If you reported a crime to the Lee County Sheriff�s Office, you may obtain a copy of the report from our Records Division:

Lee Count Sheriff�s Office
Records Division
14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33912

The Florida Pawnbroking Act further states:

If the victim and the pawnbroker do not resolve the matter within ten (10) days after the pawnbroker�s receipt of the notice, the victim may petition the court to order the return of the property, naming the pawnbroker as a defendant.

The pawnbroker is required to hold the property, until the right to possession is resolved by the parties or by the court.
To obtain a court order, contact:

Clerk of Court
Lee County Justice Center
1700 Monroe Street 2nd Floor
Fort Myers, FL 33901

If, after a hearing, the court orders the return of the property to the claimant:

The claimant may recover from the pawnbroker the claimant's attorney�s fees.

If convicted of theft, the court shall order that the conveying customer must repay the pawnbroker the full amount the customer received from the pawnbroker for the property.

The conveying customer shall be responsible for the pawnbroker�s cost incurred in the proceeding including the broker�s attorney�s fees incurred by defending a replevin action.

If the court finds that the claimant failed to comply with the requirements of the statute, or otherwise finds against the claimant, the claimant is liable for the defendant�s costs, including attorney�s fees.

**Disclaimer: This material is for general information only and shall not be construed as legal advice or counseling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatbrat (Post 1231639)

With the advent of battery operated grinders and lock can be defeated in seconds.

How about disguising the clubs under a bunch of beat-up brand-X head covers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickeyD (Post 1231623)

That is why I dislike pawn shops. They know that a lot of items they buy are stolen and could care less.. I am speaking as a relative of a pawn shop owner and past experience.

WOW - I always thought a pawn owner would be in trouble with the law, for receiving stolen goods.

I guess television shows are not a good source for legal information. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1231487)

Don't be cheap, people - buy one of those lockable bag covers at anyone of the country clubs for $49.95, less your 10% Villager discount. Run the cables thru the cart basket and loop it back to the front and secure everything with a lock (you'll have to provide it).

Additionally, try to park your cart in a more visible spot than the back of a parking lot, especially if you're going to be a cheapskate and not buy one of the covers. My wife and I each have one; spending $49.95 to save $2,000+ was a no-brainer.

I use a bicycle cable lock. Much cheaper and works well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fred53 (Post 1231499)

There's cause to be concerned, but you seem a bit over the top. Don't bring your clubs or other valuables to any parking lot other than the ones used by the golfers at the championship course or exec. parking lot.

That will take care of about 99% of the thefts. If you can't figure out how to leave your clubs at home perhaps the few(thousands play golf here)thieves will thank you....

A lot of people "Nine and Dine." that means golf clubs on the back of your cart. I would spend the $49 like mentioned above. Even though my clubs are a bit less than $2K. Okay, a lot less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2BNTV (Post 1231786)

WOW - I always thought a pawn owner would be in trouble with the law, for receiving stolen goods.

I guess television shows are not a good source for legal information. :(

I used to think that too, but a recent comment to an article in the online newspaper mentioned that an owner found her stolen items in a pawn shop, and despite the police being involved, she had to buy them back from the pawn shop.