jimzz977
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2012
- Messages
- 1,791
- Reaction score
- 4,707
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- New Mexico
- Detector(s) used
- Minelab Etrac
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Upvote
0
There are those who only see dollar signs when they find someone's lost treasures. Even in those instances where there are easy ways, or not so easy ways, to track down the person who lost the item. If those detectorists could understand that the heartfelt smile from a person who lost something dear to them, easily trumps the almighty dollar sign (no political pun intended), they would see a little bit nicer world around them.
So Cheers to You Jimzz977On being a good human being!
You should add the link to your original posting of this, which would tie it all together. Honorable mention material here for sure!
http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/m...g-reunited-its-owner-after-30-years-dirt.html
I'd love to return some class rings that I've found. But please don't oversimplify it as a case of "dollar signs". I have seen how risky it can be to return a dug ring. A member of our metal detecting club over 30 years ago found the owner of a ring he dug and arranged to return it to her. When he arrived, he was arrested and charged with B&E and theft. We went to the trial and he was eventually acquitted, but he had to hire a lawyer and nearly lost his job when news broke about his arrest. Had it been me, my termination would have been automatic. When we left the courthouse, who did we see smooching in the parking lot but the woman who claimed her ring was stolen, and the "investigating" officer.
I have found rings for friends, but after seeing my friend falsely accused of a crime, I will never contact a stranger to return a ring.
Sorry you feel this way. As a retired law enforcement officer, Your Friend should have returned the favor of anguish he was put through, and should have SUED the arresting officer, the Department he represented, and the District Attorneys Office that prosecuted the case, with False Arrest & Prosecution, and Slander. At the very least.
To be charged with Breaking and Entering(i.e. Burglary), and Theft (i.e. Larceny), there absolutely needs to be more evidence than mere possession of allegedly stolen property. Without ANY supporting evidence to prove your friend committed those crimes, He would be greatly rewarded either by a Civil Court, or by the Municipality's Insurance Company to settle. He wouldn't even need a good Lawyer to win that case. A person cannot be convicted with even possession of stolen property, unless their intention is "to deprive the rightful owner" from such property. He was returning it.
If that situation happened to me, I would not let it change my Character, Morals, or sense of doing the right thing. But you can damn sure bet that those responsible would face the consequences!
Please rethink your position. As your forum Signature lists: "Always do right; this will gratify some and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain"