My Tenant Went to Jail This Week
Hope you don't mind, but this is one message I feel the need to get out to everyone.
Thanks so much for all the facts, dates, times, and case numbers so we can drive this point home.
That copper in the A/C, or the $50 in the water heater or $200 in appliances NEVER ADDS UP to enough to have a felony record for the rest of your life.
My Tenant Went to Jail This Week
Don't get to say that very often. For the first time in my 10-year property management career, I have a tenant (or former one, to be more precise) that's been locked up for the theft of an owner's property. I guess that's not a bad run in the grand scheme of things- but it's still sad to see the end of the streak.
Tenant Joe Public's crime? He had to break a lease and leave early due to a job loss- but he carried the property owner's washer and dryer with him when he bailed (pun intended- couldn't resist).
"Dumb Criminal" aspect #1 from Joe Public's crime? He listed (and sold) the washer and dryer on craigslist. Even dumber? He only got $150 for an 18-month-old washer/dryer combo. One would think he could've done a bit better- being unemployed should've left a lot of time for stolen property marketing purposes. But alas.
"Dumb Criminal" aspect #2 from Joe Public's crime? The owner he stiffed is an attorney and accountant that only took about a nanosecond to file charges against him.
"Dumb Criminal" aspect #3 from Joe Pubic's crime? At the time he committed the crime (which he's confessed to), he was still on probation from a driving on a suspended license charge.
Detailed Information for Case 592011CF003135A Case Number: 592011CF003135A Judge: RECKSIEDLER, JESSICA J Defendant Name: JOE PUBLIC. DOB: 01/1973 Proceeding: ARRAIGNMENT SET Courtroom: 1A Court Date: 08-09-2011 Time: 01:30PM
1- GRAND THEFT ($300 OR MORE BUT LESS THAN $20,000)
07/13/2011 SYS NOTICE FOR ARRAIGNMENT AUG 09, 2011 AT 01:30 PM PRINTED 07/12/2011 INTA INTAKE SHEET 07/12/2011 ARSC ARRAIGNMENT SET [M] - DATE: 08/09/2011 - TIME: 0130PM - CTRM: 1A 07/12/2011 BDSL BOND SLIP - TYPE: SU - BOND#: PS1057648 - AMT: $1000 - NAME: PROPHET BONDS 07/12/2011 FIAP FIRST APPEARANCE SET - DATE: 07/12/2011 - TIME: 0130PM - CTRM: J2 07/12/2011 BDBD SET BONDSMAN - AMT: $1000 07/12/2011 ATFD ARREST REPORT - DATE: 07/11/2011
I'm well aware that some may say "poor guy- he's lost his job and he's down on his luck". I feel the same way. Poor guy. I hope he gets a job soon. He needs to provide for his family that includes a wife and 2 children, and this has surely done nothing to improve his situation.
You'd have to be heartless not to feel for a guy in such desperation that he'd risk it in stealing the appliances. But you'd also have to be heartless to forget that the property owner having to buy new appliances to replace the stolen ones has a family, too.DENNIS B. BURGESS
Property Manager
Orlando Rentals Property
Management Company
Orlando, Florida U.S.A.Turning vacant into occupied, and "houses" into "homes"SM
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