Thieves at GP:C

[rockout]

I doubt anyone reads salvation very often. But I was looking for spoilers for shards reborn and stumbled on to this article:

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=152944

The top 4 people that were banned for gross misconduct must have been the GP Thieves.

[quicksilver]

Ok now I have only heard this story from others so I hope I get it right. At Chicago there was a lot of theft, so the judges were extra vigilante. Well apparently there was this one guy that seemed suspicious and one of the judges was watching him. He grabbed something and the judge started calling out for other judges. The judges came and circled around him and the guy took a swing at one of them. Then I believe it was the judge with one eye (how badass) came out of no where put the guy in a full nelson and just took him out. Afterwards they found several backpacks of cards in his room. I am pretty happy they got him although there were probably more there that got away.

Also at the player meeting when they were telling people to watch their stuff because of the high amnount of theft the day before my opponent says he puts his bag under his feet so it won't get stolen. Two rounds later I overhear him talking about how his bag got stolen.

[Nightmare]

My backpack (devoid of anything but my deck, my notepad, and my playmat) was physically attached to me at all times throughout the weekend, other than the times I spent in my hotel room. That's really the only safe way to play it.

[Pinder]

My backpack (devoid of anything but my deck, my notepad, and my playmat) was physically attached to me at all times throughout the weekend, other than the times I spent in my hotel room. That's really the only safe way to play it.

This. It was either on my back or wrapped around my leg under a table, and never had more than the absolute minimum number of cards that I needed for tournament play.

[quicksilver]

All I carried on me was my wallet, phone, deck, paper, pen, and die. Everything was kept in my pockets unelss I was activley using them.

[Ewokslayer]

Ok now I have only heard this story from others so I hope I get it right.
You could just read the article from one of the judges there (http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/17209_The_Justice_League_A_Tale_of_Haggling_Triggers_and_Crime_Fighting.html)

[quicksilver]

So other's don't have to search through that article.


A couple of rounds into the day, it was brought to my attention by TO Alan Hochman that one or two spectators at the GP had been described as acting suspiciously. The people in question were pointed out to me and I was asked, along with other judges, to be extra vigilant, as more bags had already been reported missing that morning. I spotted one of these individuals watching Ben Wienberg’s match while I was walking around. While I don’t want to go into details about what happened next, I will say that it was very interesting to witness how subtle and staged the alleged theft of property can be. I can say that after about 10 minutes, I witnessed the alleged thief walking away from Ben’s table with a bag that may or may not have been his. I walked as quickly as I could to try and get a better view of his movements from the side of the hall, but by the time I got there he had changed direction and I almost ran straight into him. I thrust my arm into the air and staring bellowing, “Judge, Judge!” For this I was given the great reward of seeing his smug face dissolve into the first tendrils of panic as he asked what I was doing. I was quickly joined by Adam Shaw and Chris Goff, at which point the adrenalin seemed to kick in for the alleged thief and he tried to burst through Adam Shaw and knock him to the ground.

Now, for those of you who don’t know Adam, let me tell you that nobody goes through Adam Shaw. They might be quick enough to go around Adam, or they might even be ‘vertically challenged’ sufficiently to crawl underneath him, but nobody goes through Adam “Captain Justice” Shaw. I think Chris grabbed his flailing arms, Adam applied reasonable pressure to push him to the ground, and I made a grab for his legs, which were kicking in Adam’s direction. My definitive memory as all four of us hit the ground was me yelling, “You’re going downtown!” - I’ve always wanted to say that. It felt like the planets had come into alignment in the skies over our heads.

http://www.starcitygames.com/images/article/03122009eliot.jpg

If anyone took photos of the confrontation with the alleged thief, please pass them onto me at doctor_why@hotmail.com, so that I can pass them on to the police as evidence.

The alleged thief agreed to walk with us to the judge area, where he was detained until hotel security and the police arrived. At this time we were trying to be careful not to infringe his rights, so the bag in his possession was untouched and we felt honor-bound to let him keep his cell phone and talk to some mystery person. It has been alleged that the suspect actually phoned the hotel at some point, claimed to have been in an accident, and asked if the hotel would arrange for his room contents to be shipped back to his home address. If indeed such a call was made, I believe this call was unfortunately made at this time. However, I have also heard it alleged that when hotel staff went to his room, there were more Magic bags and rucksacks found than could be conceivably carried by two or three people staying for a weekend. Remember that this young man has not been found guilty of anything, but his day in court is coming, ladies and gentlemen. Incidentally, this is one instance where the new judge shirts might have been an advantage as we tracked the spectator’s movements.



edit:Idk what the deal is with the picture, sometimes it shows up. If it doesn't show up try right clicking and selecting show picture.

[dahcmai]

From what I knew they were going to put 6 counts of grand theft since the bags were over $3000 in value and it was a life sentence in Illinois if convicted and the guy started squealing quick after hearing that. Hence the other ones caught.

That's why the head judge on Day 2 was calling out for people to come up to his deck if they had lost a bag. It was to identify some of them.

[Team-Hero]

I believe that all four of them are going to get a huge punishment. From what I've seen Wizards doesn't screw around with its punishments. I wouldn't be surprised if Wizards themselves prosecute instead of letting the city do it. If they do prosecute, I don't see a plea bargain for these guys because they have no fighting chance.

[scrumdogg]

You're forgetting one crucial point, WOTC doesn't get to prosecute these pieces of scum, the Cook County DA's Office (and some overworked Assistant DA) will be prosecuting. I'll take money bets right now (I'm a police dispatcher) that when stacked against the murderers, arsonists, drug dealers & gang members on his pile of cases that the ADA pleads this out in a heartbeat (even if he or his kid(s) play CCGs...statistically unlikely). The other factor is the judge in the case giving a damn (unlikely). That makes the two parts of the machine of Justice looking out for us...not looking out for us... These thieving sheep-fondlers will get lawyers (who will bring effort, since they are directly getting paid, probably with the proceeds from previous successful theiving expeditions, sadly) and if the thieves get anything more than a CWOF & court costs I will be amazed.

[Brushwagg]

They should have gone with the original plan. Stand them up in front of the room.

[Dan Turner]

i say everyone just bring paintball guns and when they catch a thief take his shirt and everyone shoot him no permanent damage and justice is served since all they will get in court is a fine and maybe probation unless since it is across state lines they get the federal government involved like the FBI or something.


And actually since they went across state lines with the intent of committing a crime this just became federal and an auto felony with a min sentence in a federal pen....

I can see it now they will see lots of tapping there just not the kind they enjoy.

[TheInfamousBearAssassin]

You're forgetting one crucial point, WOTC doesn't get to prosecute these pieces of scum, the Cook County DA's Office (and some overworked Assistant DA) will be prosecuting. I'll take money bets right now (I'm a police dispatcher) that when stacked against the murderers, arsonists, drug dealers & gang members on his pile of cases that the ADA pleads this out in a heartbeat (even if he or his kid(s) play CCGs...statistically unlikely). The other factor is the judge in the case giving a damn (unlikely). That makes the two parts of the machine of Justice looking out for us...not looking out for us... These thieving sheep-fondlers will get lawyers (who will bring effort, since they are directly getting paid, probably with the proceeds from previous successful theiving expeditions, sadly) and if the thieves get anything more than a CWOF & court costs I will be amazed.

I can think of one solution.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8097/rorschachv.png

[bowvamp]

Lol^^
I am just wondering this, but why in the world would one bring anything more than his/her deck? I mean it is great to trade and all but I'd do that before the GP. Well so will alot of folks after this event. Jus sayin.

[Dan Turner]

gps tracker that fits in your backpack (http://cgi.ebay.com/Realtime-GPS-Vehicle-Tracking-System-Tracker-Device_W0QQitemZ260366886287QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item260366886287&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1728|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50)

just put one of these in a deck box with your other decks

[Team-Hero]

You're forgetting one crucial point, WOTC doesn't get to prosecute these pieces of scum, the Cook County DA's Office (and some overworked Assistant DA) will be prosecuting. I'll take money bets right now (I'm a police dispatcher) that when stacked against the murderers, arsonists, drug dealers & gang members on his pile of cases that the ADA pleads this out in a heartbeat (even if he or his kid(s) play CCGs...statistically unlikely). The other factor is the judge in the case giving a damn (unlikely). That makes the two parts of the machine of Justice looking out for us...not looking out for us... These thieving sheep-fondlers will get lawyers (who will bring effort, since they are directly getting paid, probably with the proceeds from previous successful theiving expeditions, sadly) and if the thieves get anything more than a CWOF & court costs I will be amazed.

Is there any ways possible that Wizards can prosecute under Burglary? These thieves clearly formulated the plan outside the event to steal/pickpocket these items of value. If Wizards holds the event, than these thieves entered the premises in order to commit a crime and that itself is by definition burglary. I completely agree with what you said about the justice system and their leniency on crimes that they don't understand/care about. I would just like to see Wizards lawyers get in on this. It would be nice to shift some weight towards the prosecution side. I'll be upset if Wizards doesn't do this because they seem to be really firm and vindictive over issues that aren't that important (to my perspective) like: Spoilers and copying cards for personal use. Common Wizards!!! Smack down on the things that matter! Be a Hero!


gps tracker that fits in your backpack (http://cgi.ebay.com/Realtime-GPS-Vehicle-Tracking-System-Tracker-Device_W0QQitemZ260366886287QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item260366886287&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1728|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50)

just put one of these in a deck box with your other decks

With knock out gas ready to deploy on tampering. “What the…???... Zzz”

[Pinder]

gps tracker that fits in your backpack (http://cgi.ebay.com/Realtime-GPS-Vehicle-Tracking-System-Tracker-Device_W0QQitemZ260366886287QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item260366886287&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1728|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50)

just put one of these in a deck box with your other decks

Will that really help, though? I mean, what sort of resolution would you get? I don't think you could do much better than "he's still in the convention center".

Although once he left, I suppose you could call the cops then.

[dahcmai]

Least we have the satisfaction that one of those guys had his face slammed into the concrete by the judge. That had to hurt. I saw that much and had no remorse for him.

[Team-Hero]

Least we have the satisfaction that one of those guys had his face slammed into the concrete by the judge. That had to hurt. I saw that much and had no remorse for him.

Rumor has it that it was not a judge. I heard an undercover cop did the slamming and as soon as the judges were on him, the cop went back into the crowd to look for the theif's friends. I don't know, I wasn't there.

[dahcmai]

It was a judge, it happened right next to my seat. Pretty funny shit. Two more helped out in a couple of seconds.

The first one that took him down let him up after asking him if he was going to cooperate and then he tried to bolt when they let him up. By that time the other two judges had gotten over there (and I'm pretty sure one of those was a cop). When he tried they slammed him back to the pavement and put a knee in the back of his neck.

They took him to the back fairly quickly after that since people who had lost stuff were starting to gather.

[MattH]

At Chicago there was a lot of theft, so the judges were extra vigilante. .
LOL excellent typo. :D

Extra lol @ the people who won't be unbanned until 2055.

[mugs]

just a small bit of info i found from the Daily Herald posting local police blotters

* "was arrested around 4:45 p.m. March 7 at the Renaissance Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive, and charged with theft. His court date is March 30."

http://dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=279300
looks like at least one is going to court

[cdr]

http://www.thestarkingtonpost.com/?p=527

http://twitter.com/discoursebum/