# Strangest things people have stolen **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 29, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522 "2013-10-29T02:54:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/81 "2013-10-31T21:30:15Z")
When I was a kid, somebody smashed a window out on our car and stole a package of supermarket danish. $50 window for a $2 snack. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/82 "2013-11-01T00:19:31Z")
Back in the old days, someone kept stealing the the gas cap off my mother’s car. One, yeah, understand that. But THREE?! Finally she got a locking cap, and now with the inside car control of the gas door, it’s not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/83 "2013-11-01T00:23:42Z")
Remember when the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign was stolen at Auschwitz a few years ago? ---
**Author:** ![Billy-o](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Billy-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy-o)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/84 "2013-11-01T00:32:02Z")
My house was burglarized about two months ago. They stole exactly three items: my laptop, a bottle of cologne, and a fork. And not an expensive, silver , jewel-encrusted fork, but an old, battered one with a Bakelite handle. Why? 😕 (I did love that fork, though. Sniff. :() ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/85 "2013-11-01T02:59:23Z")
> [@Streetsinger](#): > > My apartment was broken into about 25 years ago, and most of my large collection of cassette tapes was stolen. I’ve always wondered about that thief: he took the German lieder, oratorios, most of the operas, and Renaissance music (which can’t have much resale value on the street). But he left behind all the tapes of Wagner’s operas. I guess he had strong musical tastes. Not particularly strange, I guess, but the same thing happened to me. I was burglarized once, and besides the TV, the thieves stole a selection of cassette tapes : a couple singers and classical music. Like you, I found that puzzling. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/86 "2013-11-01T05:02:59Z")
Once, when I lived on Long Island, someone broke my car’s driver-side window and ripped the radio/cd player out of the dash, leaving nothing but a few wires sticking out. Nothing unusual about that. But before I had it fixed, someone broke the passenger-side window, and yanked the wires out of the dash. I guess they figured, as long as they were there, they had to get _ **something** _ out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/87 "2013-11-01T05:10:32Z")
Number plates are often stolen here, they mainly use them to steal fuel by driving off instead of paying. The Police used to give out one way screws (or request a gold coin donation for some charity) but I noticed in the paper the other day that they now suggest you ask for this to be done at your next car service so they must have sent them out through that industry instead of them sitting around in everyone’s “get around to it one day” drawer. It probably adds $250 to the bill 😃 A number of times I have heard a car squeal out of my driveway late at night, they drive in very quietly, open a door, yank a plant out of the ground next to the driveway then tear off at great speed. I am pretty sure I could buy my agave and other random succulents back at the local markets on Sunday mornings but what would I do with the fancy pots they put them in? ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/88 "2013-11-01T07:21:21Z")
> [@yendis](#): > > Same thing happened to me. Except in my case its not the thing stolen that was strange but the thieves. > > Baboons. My first car was burgled by baboons. I discovered my car sans antenna, covered in sand and muddy little baboon footprints. The troop in question was still around but I didn’t see my antenna and I wasn’t about to fight for it even if I did. I get lots of kitty footprints on our vehicles but at least they leave the antenna alone. 😛 > [@Chimera](#): > > “…and one of them is smoking weed!” > > They’d be there in 30 seconds. > > Damned screwed up priorities… In 1980 they wouldn’t have bothered about weed. Hell, cops back then tended to be the ones with the best weed. > [@Seymour Guts](#): > > A) If you’re going to wear it, why make yourself have to freeze it every time? and > B) If you’re not going to wear it, stop being weird and RENT A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX! > > I’ve never put anything valuable in the freezer. I don’t understand why people do. Me either, we have a box ourselves, and a small safe for stuff we have to keep in the house. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Remember when the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign was stolen at Auschwitz a few years ago? Didn’t they find it cut in half? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/89 "2013-11-01T07:55:23Z")
I was in Barcelona about twelve years ago. I was coming out of my hotel, when I was descended upon by two very cute and flirtatious girls. One latched onto my arm and started stroking it, the other leaned her breasts against my opposite shoulder. I’ll admit my thinking wasn’t entirely clear at this point, but wasn’t so muddled I couldn’t realize, “Pretty girls, as a rule, do not throw themselves at you. Especially in pairs.” So I managed to extricate myself and get about a block away before my brain received it’s normal ration of blood and I thought to check my wallet. Which was, of course, gone. So, I turn back to the hotel, figuring my day now is going to be filled with filling police reports and canceling credit cards. Before I can get halfway back to my hotel, the same two girls come running up. “Senor! Senor! We found your wallet!” They give it to me, and take off. They don’t even wait for a reward. I check the wallet, and all my cash is there. Credit cards, too. I check with the company that night, and keep an eye on my statement for the next couple months, but no strange charges ever show up. I thought it was very weird at the time, and I cling to the hope that there was some sort of a scam at work there that I never figured out. Because the other option is that two beautiful women threw themselves at me, and I brushed them off. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/90 "2013-11-01T16:26:56Z")
we recently had our garage broken into and ransacked. Among the hand tools and electronics they took, the thieves cut the power cord and stole a 1970s era reel to reel tape deck. I have no idea why. They left two turntables, my amps and a couple of wired microphones, but took a reel to reel that has zero use unless you collect old tapes. People are weird. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/91 "2013-11-01T17:35:55Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > A) If you’re going to wear it, why make yourself have to freeze it every time? and > B) If you’re not going to wear it, stop being weird and RENT A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX! Don’t know why they would freeze it instead of a safety deposit box, but that’s what he said. > [@](#): > > I’ve never put anything valuable in the freezer. I don’t understand why people do. We keep important documents like passports in the freezer, because it is safer from house fires. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/92 "2013-11-01T20:39:14Z")
> [@Billy-o](#): > > My house was burglarized about two months ago. They stole exactly three items: my laptop, a bottle of cologne, and a fork. And not an expensive, silver , jewel-encrusted fork, but an old, battered one with a Bakelite handle. Why? 😕 > > (I did love that fork, though. Sniff. :() Obviously it was a future you come back to the the laptop (old tax returns necessary for an audit), cologne (because it’s not made anymore), and that bakelite fork because you did love that fork. ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/93 "2013-11-02T01:47:10Z")
Twice I’ve been robbed. Both times, the items stolen made sense, but it would have been funny seeing the crooks/fencers faces when they tried their ill-gotten gains. The first time, the aftermarket radio was stolen out of my 1991 Honda. This was around 2000 and the radio was as old as the car. The funny part is that the radio hadn’t worked in about two years. Also, they pulled the radio out and cut the wires…not 2 inches from the quick disconnect that plugged the aftermarket radio into the car’s wiring harness. The second time (different house,) they broke into my basement and stole my X-Box, two DVD players, and a Nintendo DS. The X-Box and the DS were in the basement because they didn’t work and the DVD payers were old $39.99 Wal-mart specials. There was evidence they went into the main floor of the house but they didn’t touch my $1400 dollar editing DVD player/burner VHS combo or my working X-Box. Peace - DESK ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/94 "2013-11-02T14:45:40Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > I have a relatively expensive car, someone stole my antenna. Granted, it’s a nice antenna. > [@yendis](#): > > Same thing happened to me. Except in my case its not the thing stolen that was strange but the thieves. > > Baboons. My first car was burgled by baboons. I discovered my car sans antenna, covered in sand and muddy little baboon footprints. The troop in question was still around but I didn’t see my antenna and I wasn’t about to fight for it even if I did. Not so strange a theft; apparently one can fashion an antenna into a crack pipe, if one is in need of such a device. I do hope that’s not what the baboons had in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/95 "2013-11-02T14:52:03Z")
[A cement mixer](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=472876) ---
**Author:** ![Habeed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a587f6/32.png) [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/96 "2013-11-02T21:24:38Z")
The one thing I find fascinating is the carrying a rock bit. It makes you think of thousands of years of time, during which baboons found out the hard way you don’t mess with other primates carrying a rock. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/97 "2013-11-02T23:24:16Z")
Years ago someone broke into my aunt and uncle’s house. They climbed up to the kitchen window and popped out the screen to get in- the window was probably a good 7-8 feet off the ground from outside. The burglar apparently didn’t bother to try the basement door, which was unlocked. Then after climbing up to the window, popping out the screen, and wiggling inside, what did they take? The headphones from my uncle’s Walkman. Not the Walkman itself, not the stereo, not the TV, not even the jar of change that was sitting by where the Walkman was. Just the headphones. Funny thing was, they knew who the burglar was. It was a neighbor lady, they found a chunk of her hair caught in the window frame. She had a very distinctive hair color, so it was pretty easy to figure out who it was. I can’t remember if they called the cops on her or not. ---
**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/98 "2013-11-03T19:18:36Z")
A few years ago, thieves stole the three-story high flagpole from outside the school where I work. Neighbors saw a large flatbed pull up and cut down the pole, but never reported it. Strangely enough, it took a few days before any of the staff even realized it was gone! We now have a plastic flagpole instead of the aluminum one (obviously taken for the scrap value). Another time the entire school was ransacked over the weekend. They carted out the old roach-infested refrigerator from the teacher’s room, as well as bins of broken crayons from my room. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/99 "2013-11-04T01:49:42Z")
My car was broken into a few years ago and they took the ash tray (with about 50c worth of change in it) out of the dash. I can see yanking it out and emptying the contents into a bag but why take the entire thing? - I searched around the area but didn’t find it. My sister had her house burgled once and was a bit - put out - that they took her partners’ CD collection (mostly heavy metal) and left her’s (Celine Dion, ABBA etc) 😃 Best I have heard of was a story from my dad, back in the 1960’s he was working in outback Australia, way way out in a small town and the local wino stole the horse-drawn night-soil cart (still full) and while riding triumphantly out of town on his new conveyance managed to overturn it in the middle of the bridge on the main road, spilling the contents all over the road and himself. The local cop made him clean it up as punishment. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2013, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522/100 "2013-11-04T08:25:22Z")
> [@Battle\_Pope](#): > > My car was broken into a few years ago and they took the ash tray (with about 50c worth of change in it) out of the dash. I can see yanking it out and emptying the contents into a bag but why take the entire thing? - I searched around the area but didn’t find it. The reason that they stole the ash tray may be because the ash tray for their car (which is just like yours) was missing or broken. Like you, they could not find one to replace theirs, so they stole yours. Now their problem is solved and you have to find one. At one of my previous jobs some one, over a weekend, stole the hood and front bumper off of the company truck. The police said that ours was the third ones stolen in that month. It seems that they were worth a lot of money. We could not find the correct ones. No wrecking yard had one, even the dealer could not find one. So we made a hood from a different year fit. For the bumper, we just made one out of some channel iron. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strangest-things-people-have-stolen/672522.md?page=6)