How to deal with a friend of a friend that could be a possible thief?

[weirdichi]

Here's the story. I will condense it down as much as possible.

Me
Roommate 1 - All around good guy, offers to buy meals more than enough times to make us tell him that he doesn't have to always buy us crap and we pay for our own ways.

Roommate 2 - All around good guy also. Doesn't really go out with us, so he doesn't really get paid for by Roomate 1, but not strapped for cash.

Friend A - Good guy, but creepy sometimes. Works and buys tons of Star Trek (bought all 7 seasons of ST:TNG @ $100 each) - Not strapped for cash either.

Friend B - Good guy. One who's cash disappeared.

Friend C - Much older than all of us at 30 years, dresses in very scrubby clothes that always seem unclean. Is a friend of Roommate 2, but Roommate 2 doesn't really like him either. Roommate 2 says that he basically bums around instead of goes to work. Comes over and seems like Roommate 2 is obligated to buy him dinner on his meal plan everytime he comes over.

(I will refer to them as 1, 2, A, B, C)

**Before you flame me for saying we just have a bias against Friend C, I left out a lotta details as so not to bore you with a long post (as if this isn't long enough already). We have our reasons for suspecting him and we all have pretty good judgement also. Plus, 2 said that he wouldn't be surprised if C took the missing cash.

Last night, all of us were sitting in the dorm playing games. A has his wallet on my side of the desk. B was playing games on the couch. C is on 2's computer, which is closest to A's wallet. C is never left alone, but we don't pay attention to him because we're playing games and we think he's watching. Nobody else comes in and out of the dorm either, so it's just the above people. Eventually A, B, and C go home. Later, Me, 1, 2, and B go out to the bars and B says that money is gone from his wallet. We all ask if he's just forgot it somewhere, and he said he's sure. He check his pockets, house, and wallet and we check the dorm after we get back.

We rule out B since when he came over, he brought over 3-4 PS2 games and it doesn't really make sense for him to take the missing $10 since he works and that would mean petty stuff for him.

1 or 2 didn't take it cuz they really have no reason to take it either.

I didn't take it cuz if I did, I wouldn't be posting this (except maybe to feel less guilty or something, but trust me, I didn't take it)

We (Me, 1, 2, and A) come to the conclusion that it might be C for those reasons listed above. But I told them we can't point fingers until we're sure, even though he seems like the prime suspect now.

One of my friends said I could just make it aware to everybody, like when we're all there, just say, "Did you hear, A said that he lost some money when he was here last night. Can you help me find it?" Then we could just observe their behaviors.

My quetion is: Are there other ways I can go about proving this guy could be the guy without pointing fingers?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Yossarian]

you wrote all that over $10?

 

[Eli]

Honestly, if it's only 10$.. I would avoid conflict and just cut my losses by being extra secure.

Maybe while trying to figure a way to get the guy out of there.

 

[jacob0401]

Yeah, I wouldn't accuse or argue over $10. Even though it's not the amount but the principle that matters. However, I would be extra careful and watch Friend C. It oculd also be someone you don't suspect so I would just be more cautious.

 

[weirdichi]

It's not the money, it's the principle.. if he's ("he" being the possible thief) willing to steal $10 here and there, then he'll feel comfortable later and go on to my roommate's massive collection of PS2 games (about $3000 worth of gaming stuff here) and my digital camera.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
you wrote all that over $10?

 

[BatmanNate]

Maybe he just lost it somehow. It's happened to me before, probably more likely than theft. Did the guy act wierd or do things normally disapear when he's around? I would consult the roomate whose friend this is and ask his view in the matter.

 

[weirdichi]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
Maybe he just lost it somehow. It's happened to me before, probably more likely than theft. Did the guy act wierd or do things normally disapear when he's around? I would consult the roomate whose friend this is and ask his view in the matter.

It's too soon to tell, but like I said, I didn't wanna point fingers but he seems like the only possible suspect now. I'm still not saying it is definitely him, but it could be and I want some suggestions on how to deal with it without pointing fingers. My friend DID look thoroughly through his things and we looked here and found nothing.

 

[weirdichi]

bump for more suggestions

 

Usually when I'm "missing" money, turns out I either spent it, or lost it.
It's only 10 bucks, so don't go flying off the handle.
Just watch your stuff closely, mabey intentionally leave some money or something sitting around and invite him over.

 

[cherrytwist]

Usually when I'm "missing" money, turns out I either spent it, or lost it.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Mr PLUM in the Library with the Candlestick!


sorry, but p(B lost money at bar) > p(B had money stolen from him)

 

[WarCon]

If your really worried about it, provide a "temptation" test. Have a $10 bill poking out of under a computer or somewhere close to where he sits. Tie the unexposed end of it to a bell or something that will make a loud noise if and when the bill is pulled on. If he jumps for it, then you know and your Roommate can finally be rid of what sounds a little bit like a leech anyway.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
you wrote all that over $10?

 

[Atlantean]

Its only $10 who cares... if you are that worried set up a trap and see if it happens again
ie. set up a video camera behind some clothes and leave a $10 on the table and see what happens

 

[oniq]

Can you write a summary of that first post?

 

[weirdichi]

I've known A for 4 years now and I doubt he'll just make things up or forget that easily. We did not go to the store or go anywhere between the time the money was still in his wallet and when it was gone. We also looked all over for it in the dorm and in his pockets, pants, etc. The question is: What else can I do? It's not about the money, as I stated above already. Yes, it's a small amount, but this could lead to other things disappearing also. Thanks for all the input. For all those who kept yapping about how insignificant the amount it, please keep your words to yourself.

 

[slick230]

Make it clear to C that if any of your stuff ends up missing while he is anywhere near, that when they find him there won't be a part bigger than a fingernail to identify. Fvcking thievery sucks, and fvcking thieves should be put to death on sight.

 

[nuonce]

Originally posted by: TheEvil1

Originally posted by: PipBoy
you wrote all that over $10?

:Q are you serious? that's over 3 beers at the bar!!!
nobody cuts into my drinking money.

i'd glue a 20 (over that would be too suspicious) on the floor and kick him in the arse when he comes to pick it up

 

[TallBill]

thats like 5 beers.. i dunno what bar yer going to

 

[Corporate Thug]

i can relate to weirdichi story, IMO it's not the matter of $10. instead, i wouldn't be friends with anyone who stole ANYTHING from me

 

[nuonce]

Originally posted by: TallBill
thats like 5 beers.. i dunno what bar yer going to

depends on the bar and what you get, college bars have inflated prices
cheapest are $2.50-$4 per glass and $6-15 per pitcher

 

[Koing]

The only problem I see with the test is this:

I picked up a watch in my dorm shower room. I had the watch in my room. I left a notice on the board saying I had found a watch, left my room number and mobile number. This guy lost his watch. He happened to live across from me.

Someone could have seen me and *thought* I had stolen the watch.
Someone could have worked it so it sounded when someone picked it up.

This doesn't take in to account that I was going to put the notice up and return the watch back, but keep it safe. Some people may just take the watch and not do the notice thing.

So if someone saw me pick it up they could have thought I had kept the watch.

I'd just be more careful next time......