Eastern Railroad Discussion > Fencing Stuff? Stay Away from Ebay

From the _Northern Virginia Journal_ online:

http://jrnl.com/cfdocs/new/ffx/story.cfm?paper=ffx&section=fp&snumber=21

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Online auction leads to suspected thieves
By SABINE HIRSCHAUER
Special to The Journal
Two men tried to use high technology to sell the loot they took in a low-tech crime, Arlington County police said Friday.
Rigoberto Quezada, of 854 S. Harrison St., and another man face two counts of grand larceny after allegedly advertising a set of stolen car tires and wheels on eBay, an online auction house.
Arlington police refused to release the second man's name.
According to police:
The suspects took a complete set of wheels and tires off a 2001 Audi on March 26 in Arlington, leaving the car on cinder blocks in the parking garage of an apartment complex.
The victim went online in search of his stolen tires.
``He went on to the site [eBay] and saw some of the wheels that might have been his," said Matt Martin, Arlington police spokesman.
The owner contacted police. Detectives went into cyberspace, posed as potential buyers and obtained pictures of the tires. The owner identified the marketed goods as his through scratches on the stolen wheels.
The detectives arranged a meeting with the potential online seller. They arrested him April 3 and then searched his house. Officers confiscated two truckloads of tires, wheels and computers worth more than $35,000, Martin said.
In addition, Quezada identified a second suspect who worked with him. Another search at the second suspect's residence detected even more auto parts.
Martin said the suspects apparently were trying to sell Mercedes-Benz wheels and tires on eBay. They might face additional charges, he said.
Police are working to locate the owners of the other confiscated parts.
``We are trying to find out who they belong to," Martin said. ``But most of the owners have claimed these parts already with their insurance."
Police said selling the parts online isn't unique, but it added another aspect to the case.
The online auction house was cooperative and helpful in the investigation, police said.
``It is very clear that they do not want to be a venue for the sale of stolen goods," Detective Paul Guevara said. ``They will work closely with law enforcement to catch thieves who try to fence items on their site."
With 5 million to 7 million daily visitors, eBay has become a much-used business venture, said spokesman Kevin Pursglove. It often has helped authorities track down people trying to use the site for illegal purposes, he said.
``Police are keeping more and more an eye on Internet Web sites for stolen goods," Pursglove said. ``Police are much more savvy [to] how criminals are using the Internet. Posting stolen items online is the dumbest thing one can do. It's like waving a red flag."
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wow , hope that dont affect my current auctions on epay right now.

Were those switch keys and wigwag banner yours?

This week, Montclair NJ police recovered a relgious communion cup stolen from a catholic church. It was offered on e-bay, the trail led right to the thieves...