Hearing many boats, boat houses in the Penson area were cleaned out late Saturday / early Sunday. Props, electronics, rods, tackle. Don't have all the detail - Wood County or possibly Rains County Sheriff's office does and would appreciate any info if you come across any "fishy" fishing stuff. It's been a number of years since I've heard of this on Fork.

It used to be posted on here almost weekly about stuff getting ripped off out of boats in the Lake Fork area.

and then the ringleader got put in jail, or rehab, or "school" or whatever

is he back in town?

You may be correct there.

I'm hearing it was the Rains County Sheriff office that came out and took the report.

Rumors years ago it might of been a cop doing the stealing and a cover up.

Seems like they arrested a former Rains cop for drugs and theft last year

http://raycomgroup.worldnow.com/story/32...rcement-officer

The cops sure do love writing speeding tickets around the lake but theft continues year after year, even as technology improves. More cameras around the lake than ever before, but local police inability to catch and prosecute keeps these backwood meth heads coming back for more.

Side note...if you travel south on 17 from 515 to 182 (Alba), there is a cop that sits behind a small white barn and pulls you over as you come from the 50mph speed limit to 30mph to the stop sign. He should be patrolling the neighborhoods around the lake....

I can tell you from 25+ years in law enforcement, theft prevention only works when the owners take responsibility of their property and secure it better than on a boat or in a boat house. There is no way that the community can pay for enough officers to provide individual security to every citizen. Posts making people aware of a problem is the most effective prevention so neighbors look out for neighbors. He could be patrolling the neighborhoods, and I would guess that he does, but the community also pays him to ensure their safety from drunk drivers and reckless drivers.

Having patrolled communities for years, I can assure you that I have arrested more thieves and recovered more stolen property from traffic stops than I ever have patrolling neighborhoods trying to catch them in the act. Something as simple as speeding is how the majority of criminals are caught. Officers and their administration usually have a better idea of what is going on in the community than the average citizens and have decades of experience on how to combat it.

Until the laws, courts, etc. Get tougher on crime and drug use, the problem is only going to continue to evolve and erode away our society. I would be willing to bet that 90% of these thefts are drug related, dope heads need money to feed their addiction, so they steal whatever. We only hear about the fishing stuff because this is a fishing forum but this problem is getting out of control

Well said Bobby Milam.

Thieves are right up there with child molestors, scum of the earth!

They got me for 3K replacement cost thus far, electronics, batteries, props, my 2 man boat, and 3 trolling motors, one of which was very exspensive for the pontoon boat..I really didn't think, we had to much stuff down there at risk, just goes to show you, desperate people will do----desperate things.. Oh yeah, the main thing that pizzed me off, they stole a Sheridan Blue Streak pellet rife my grandfather gave me 46 yrs ago. It still worked like a champ, bust right through a turtles shell.. All 7 docks on my side, and what boats were in the stalls got hit, they also hit the opposite side of the cove too 6-7 more..

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Same thing happened on Lake Palestine last week. Eagles Bluff docks (main lake south of 155) got broken into. Those docks had living quarters in them with big screen tvs, nice furniture, golf cart batteries, etc. Thieves broke the glass doors to get in. It won't stop the thieves but if I had a dock with expensive gear, I would put a trail cam on a nearby tree facing towards the dock.

I used to get calls for potted plants being stolen off of porches. It doesn't matter how little something is worth, if they can literally make $1 from it they will steal it.

Usually this is a group doing this much stealing. They'll continue to hit areas and eventually get caught but it won't get your stuff back. They'll get minimum punishment and be back at it but usually somewhere else one they are known