Security at courthouse took my watch!!....options?

[YoRocky]

Ready for a 100% true story?

Yesterday on filing a paper at courthouse, i passed through security. I took off my watch and place them in the basket along with my keys and some change. I also put my bag in front. I then passed through the security metal detector aparatus and waited for the items to come through the xray. Its the same way things are done by TSA.

I collected my items. But only later did i realize i didnt have my watch on.

After i completed my business at the court, I asked the security guys (two, one that stands guard after the security and one that works the xray). I asked if they had seen my watch. The one who worked the machine denyined knowing anything. I was in a state of confusion.

I trippled checked my bag, my pockets, and went to the inside of the court clerk office retracing my steps. No watch

The watch came off my hands when i put it in the basket, and after that was not there in the collection bin.

Therefore the only possiblity is the watch was taken by the security guy working the xray. Suspect #1

I asked another security person who i assumed was the supervisor. The went to ask the Suspect #1. He didnt look up but kept playing with his phone. They talked off side in private. The person came back and said they didnt know anything about it.

I left very very angry without letting it show. I was straight up robbed at the court house of the security! 

So what are my options now? In retropsect i should have immediately demanded a viewing of the tapes, But because this is the court house with big time security and i had no witness with me, i felt intimidated to ask. So i left and immediately recollected my experience in my journal. 

So what do i do? Return and ask for an investigation? call the police to file a report? 

I dont expect that guard to admit anything. The watch is in his hands and he is laughing knowing the power structure is against me. BUT even initiating a lawsuit would be some kind of justice as he would be on public record and thus prohibited from security jobs...who wants a crook at security??

BUt then there is surely payback and retaliation by the court on me. 

SO what to do here? 

[Bulldoger]

Are we talking watch sentimental value of this magnitude, 

or a Rolex or a Timex?

 

 

[YoRocky]

A standard watch of immeasurable value as it was an heirlom 

[Bulldoger]

I trippled checked my bag, my pockets, and went to the inside of the court clerk office retracing my steps. No watch

Is it possible you put it in your pocket and it came out when you sat down. Maybe janitor found it.  

I would call and see if they have a lost and found at courthouse and if they have a found any watches lately.  If you have a photo of it you can show you owned it if they have it.  Usually, they ask you to place items in a basket and then hand basket back to you after metal detector.  

If it's not at your house or car then file a police report ASAP, they will be the only ones that will have access to video feed if any exist. 

Depending on cost of item file a claim with your home/rental insurance you may get some money less deductible from insurance. 

hope it's at lost and found,

 

 

 

[YoRocky]

no its no possible it would fall out of a pocket. its a clunky sports watch and i had jeans pants

the watch has an identifiable feature in it that would make it impossible to be any other person's watch by coincidence (like if i see that asshole wearing it he will be SO busted on the spot)

which police do i call for this? it has to be an independent one not the local courthouse police

[Clydesmom]

13 hours ago, YoRocky said:

A standard watch of immeasurable value as it was an heirlom 

Unfortunately "heirloom" doesn't have a value for legal purposes and sentimental value is not compensable.  The actual value of the watch will be what matters.  

17 hours ago, YoRocky said:

Therefore the only possiblity is the watch was taken by the security guy working the xray. Suspect #1

Not the only possibility.  Someone behind you could have switched it to their bowl or slid it into their bag on the belt prior to it going through the scanner.  This happens at TSA all the time as well.  Not to mention someone grabbing it from the bowl on the backside because you forgot it or before you even had a chance to get it.

26 minutes ago, YoRocky said:

which police do i call for this?

Who ever the local police precinct is for the address of the court house. I wouldn't hold out much hope though.  By waiting to think about it and journal you pretty much have nullified any opportunity for a decent investigation.  If there were security tapes most of them automatically record over in 24-72 hours unless there is an incident and they save the footage.

[YoRocky]

3 hours ago, Clydesmom said:

Unfortunately "heirloom" doesn't have a value for legal purposes and sentimental value is not compensable.  The actual value of the watch will be what matters.  

ITs value is not based on sentiment but on market value and its worth far more than replacement cost or yardsale value.

3 hours ago, Clydesmom said:

Not the only possibility.  Someone behind you could have switched it to their bowl or slid it into their bag on the belt prior to it going through the scanner.  This happens at TSA all the time as well.  Not to mention someone grabbing it from the bowl on the backside because you forgot it or before you even had a chance to get it.

Impossible there was no one behind me. With covid the courts are by appoitment only and there was no one else behind me only 3 others inside.

3 hours ago, Clydesmom said:

Who ever the local police precinct is for the address of the court house. I wouldn't hold out much hope though.  By waiting to think about it and journal you pretty much have nullified any opportunity for a decent investigation.  If there were security tapes most of them automatically record over in 24-72 hours unless there is an incident and they save the footage.

If the guard does the stupid mistake of wearing that watch when i return, i will call the police outside and tell them the indentifying features that are unique to that watch. On top of a picture of the watch on me. I will prepare a declaration with me so it is indisputable what is said about this identifying feature of the watch.

[Bulldoger]

If the guard does the stupid mistake of wearing that watch when i return, i will call the police outside and tell them the indentifying features that are unique to that watch. On top of a picture of the watch on me. I will prepare a declaration with me so it is indisputable what is said about this identifying feature of the watch.

Since it's summer almost hopefully he has short sleeves and is wearing it.  To bad courts don't allow cell phones as you could take picture of it on his arm. 

[Clydesmom]

6 hours ago, YoRocky said:

If the guard does the stupid mistake of wearing that watch when i return, i will call the police outside and tell them the indentifying features that are unique to that watch. On top of a picture of the watch on me. I will prepare a declaration with me so it is indisputable what is said about this identifying feature of the watch.

Your watch is long gone.  If it has value whoever took it did so for resale and it is already gone.  You could check local pawn shops to see if it was pawned.  Had you filed a timely theft report the cops would have circulated it to all the pawn shops already.  Unfortunately your delays have likely cost you any chance at recovery.  Odds on the thief being on duty wearing your watch on the day you go back to the building are slim to none.

[YoRocky]

So your saying theres a chance

[Bulldoger]

The thief could have sold it to anyone on the street. Funny true story, When I was young teenager we didn't have much money, so I worked part time pulling parts at a junkyard few blocks from my house. My neighbor across the street was retired military mechanic and also worked pulled parts to earn extra money  (he was the one that got me the job) enough backstory.  We were at break and a person came up to us asking if anyone wanted to buy a VCR (VCRs were quite expensive at that time My neighbor quickly said "I don't need one I have one just like the one you have".   When he got home he found that his VCR was stolen. We joke with him that it would have been a lot cheaper if he bought is VCR back. So yes check EBAY , Craigslist, Amazon and Pawn shops you may get lucky.

[YoRocky]

everyone here is missing the elephant in the room. this was the security guard at the court house running the xray machine. Its not some teen stealing random items to sell them no ebay.

Hello? The security guard at the court house. Its three times worse

[Bulldoger]

If he has it on, all you got to say is that's your watch and he will hand it over to you say he found it walking the premises. There is no way he will get punished for his crime his coworkers will back him up say they were there when he found it. Best you can hope for is getting your watch back. 

[Clydesmom]

2 hours ago, YoRocky said:

everyone here is missing the elephant in the room. this was the security guard at the court house running the xray machine. Its not some teen stealing random items to sell them no ebay.

Hello? The security guard at the court house. Its three times worse

You have NO proof that he stole the watch.  Right now you only have your suspicions.  Be very careful of what you accuse someone of.  You could end up on the end of a slander and defamation claim.

[YoRocky]

I have proof the watch is mine. It has a certain distinguishing feature that would make it impossible to me any other similar watch. Its up to him to explain why he has it on his person if he is that stupid to do. But they say thieves always return to the scene of the crime. 

[Clydesmom]

1 hour ago, YoRocky said:

I have proof the watch is mine.

AGAIN:  you have NO proof that the person you keep accusing is the ONE who actually did steal the watch.  You assume he did.  

1 hour ago, YoRocky said:

Its up to him to explain why he has it on his person if he is that stupid to do. But they say thieves always return to the scene of the crime. 

Yeah, you let us know how this works out.  I would pay real money to be a fly on the wall to watch you implode at the court house.  You are in way over your head and digging a hole so deep you won't get out of it.  Odds are pretty good if you Karen up as big as expected the footage and story could make national news.  Good luck.

[YoRocky]

1 hour ago, Clydesmom said:

AGAIN:  you have NO proof that the person you keep accusing is the ONE who actually did steal the watch.  You assume he did.  

Yeah, you let us know how this works out.  I would pay real money to be a fly on the wall to watch you implode at the court house.  You are in way over your head and digging a hole so deep you won't get out of it.  Odds are pretty good if you Karen up as big as expected the footage and story could make national news.  Good luck.

Again, sounds like i have a great chance then. With you and the truth on my side, who can stop us??