# The Face of crime. Caught in the act. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 8, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655 "2014-07-08T18:02:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/1 "2014-07-08T18:02:44Z")
Who was committing this crime is quite a surprise. Then they try to turn nasty when caught red handed? šŸ˜› I guess this proves criminal profiling doesnā€™t work. Normally youā€™d expect some teenagers, druggies or even a homeless person to be responsible. Nope. [http://gawker.com/florida-beachgoer-hilariously-confronts-two-women-steal-1600961473/all](http://gawker.com/florida-beachgoer-hilariously-confronts-two-women-steal-1600961473/all) > **[SEE IT: Florida man records women trying to steal his beach gear](https://www.nydailynews.com/2014/07/08/see-it-florida-man-records-women-trying-to-steal-his-beach-gear/)** > > A bizarre video shows a Florida man allegedly catching two middle-aged women in the act of robbing his beach setup at New Smyrna Beach on July 4. The video begins with Rich ā€” identified by hiā€¦ > [@](#): > > He said his family had decided to leave the beach to take a nap and their stuff unattended for about 90 minutes. When he saw the women trying to take down the canopy, he reached for his phone to record what was happening. > > ā€œIf I were to judge a book by its cover, theft would not have been my first thought. I honestly thought they were being neighborly because NSB is Mayberry on the beach,ā€ he told Gawker. ā€œI was surprised when they said it was theirs and stuck with the story. They were grasping for straws by saying my oldest sonā€™s beach toy belonged to them. I offered to let them move along but the one woman was not making it slide.ā€ > > Police were called to the scene, but he decided not to press charges since nothing was taken, he said. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/2 "2014-07-08T19:27:56Z")
I hope her neighbors and family all see that. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/3 "2014-07-08T19:56:54Z")
Iā€™ve never understood the mentality of people that needlessly steal. This woman could have gone to Walmart for her own beach chairs and awning. She looks like someone that could spend the $100 and not miss it. Iā€™d be so embarrassed taking someoneā€™s stuff. I couldnā€™t enjoy using it later. Stealing stuff like that would make me feel like less of a person. Security cams have caught got the most unlikely suspects stealing. How do you react when you see a middle age soccer mom stealing stuff out of your backyard? My first response would be, Why? What are they thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/4 "2014-07-08T20:00:53Z")
Yet another instance of ā€œstop filming me in publicā€ as well, I note. Itā€™s even better since this time itā€™s clearly ā€œstop filming me doing something illegal in publicā€. I canā€™t wait until those ladiesā€™ names hit the internet and they have to deal with their new-found notoriety. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/5 "2014-07-09T01:52:51Z")
I suspect weā€™ll be seeing a lot of these types of things in the future. Thereā€™s a certain type of person who just doesnā€™t give a fuck, so long as they can get away with it. Now that cell phone cameras are nearly ubiquitous, itā€™s harder and harder to get away with it. I wonder what would have happened if he hadnā€™t been filming it, though. If they attacked him and he fought back, it might have ended badly for him. For the record, I donā€™t think middle-aged women are all that unlikely of criminals. Theyā€™re just far more likely to get away with shit. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/6 "2014-07-09T02:56:40Z")
[Here](http://www.clickorlando.com/news/viral-video-shows-apparent-theft-attempt-on-new-smyrna-beach/26824428)ā€™s an article from the local CBS affiliate. The station spoke with the husband of the woman in the red swimsuit, who claimed that the women believed the stuff belonged to their friends who had asked them to pack it up. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/7 "2014-07-09T05:45:15Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Iā€™d be so embarrassed taking someoneā€™s stuff. I couldnā€™t enjoy using it later. Stealing stuff like that would make me feel like less of a person. This. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/8 "2014-07-09T06:02:15Z")
I liked this part: > [@](#): > > In the most bizarre moment she gnashed her teeth, lunging at me with an open palm and said, ā€œIā€™ll grab your dick!ā€ I appreciated the offer but didnā€™t feel the chemistry was there. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/9 "2014-07-09T09:51:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > [Here](http://www.clickorlando.com/news/viral-video-shows-apparent-theft-attempt-on-new-smyrna-beach/26824428)ā€™s an article from the local CBS affiliate. The station spoke with the husband of the woman in the red swimsuit, who claimed that the women believed the stuff belonged to their friends who had asked them to pack it up. Yeah, ā€œfriendsā€ - thatā€™s why when asked, they said it was their stuff. And they were so astonished at being challenged that they didnā€™t think to say ā€œLook, dude, our neighbor asked us to bring her stuff back and thatā€™s what weā€™re doing. So kindly let us continue.ā€ Yeah. Friends. Plausibleā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/10 "2014-07-09T11:28:31Z")
Even if the friend explanation were true, who in their right mind says ā€œIā€™ll grab your dick?ā€ ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/11 "2014-07-09T13:44:17Z")
\*\*Ace \*\*thanks for starting this thread. I saw the video yesterday and was hoping to see it on the Dope. I suppose the thing that bothers most of the people who donā€™t think the ladies were stealing anything, that it was a mistake, is that they _donā€™t look like criminals_. Yet in my experience the crime of opportunity is most often taken by the people you would never suspect. In reading through some of the comments of the posted stories (I know, a mistake) it was amazing to read the number of people who thought it could not possibly have been a theft in progress, and an incredible few believed it was the fault of the owners to leave their stuff alone in the first place! I recognize there is always the chance of some petty thievery at the beach (or anywhere), but to take everything? Wow. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/12 "2014-07-09T13:52:34Z")
The article says he decided not to press charges because nothing was taken, but at the point where he told them he would let it slide and they still wouldnā€™t back off and decided to go after him, thatā€™s when I would have gotten the police involved and had them charged with _something_, like attempted theft or attempted assault. He certainly has the evidence! ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/13 "2014-07-09T14:02:33Z")
Someone should set up another viral video like this one, only staged with two black women involved. Iā€™d love to see the difference in the commentsā€¦think people would be so quick to say, ā€œOh Iā€™m sure it was just a misunderstanding!ā€ ? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/14 "2014-07-09T15:03:49Z")
> [@Incubus](#): > > Someone should set up another viral video like this one, only staged with two black women involved. Iā€™d love to see the difference in the commentsā€¦think people would be so quick to say, ā€œOh Iā€™m sure it was just a misunderstanding!ā€ ? Thatā€™s a fascinating question. And I fear I know what the answer would be. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/15 "2014-07-09T15:39:01Z")
> [@2gigch1](#): > > \*\*Ace \*\*I suppose the thing that bothers most of the people who donā€™t think the ladies were stealing anything, that it was a mistake, is that they _donā€™t look like criminals_. I would love to meet these people. They sound like just the investors I need for my new startup company. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/16 "2014-07-09T16:57:12Z")
Iā€™d just like to ask: How does the average person know what someone who ā€œlooks like a criminalā€ looks like? Is it because they know a lot of criminals personally? Is it because they work for the police, making drawings of suspects? Or is it because they ā€œknow what a criminal looks likeā€ because of the way they are portrayed on television? Many years ago, when I was very young, I was walking alone in a sketchy place to go buy a pack of cigarettes, and I was robbed at knifepoint by a black man. As I stumbled home, freaked out and crying, it was a kind black couple who found me, and walked me all the way home to make sure I was safe. The lesson I took home from this was that there is no physical attribute or class of people that you can associate with criminality or danger. **I was robbed by a guy; I was helped by a guy and a girl.** I have never forgotten it. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/17 "2014-07-09T19:34:59Z")
Ainā€™t it the truth. Today my reporter & I had to go to a rough area of SE DC to do some fact finding. We had to get into a fairly large apartment building in a tough neighborhood; once in we met several very nice people who were glad to help us, each unfailingly polite. Honestly made my day to meet such good folks! ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/18 "2014-07-09T23:19:08Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Yeah, ā€œfriendsā€ - thatā€™s why when asked, they said it was their stuff. And they were so astonished at being challenged that they didnā€™t think to say ā€œLook, dude, our neighbor asked us to bring her stuff back and thatā€™s what weā€™re doing. So kindly let us continue.ā€ > > Yeah. Friends. Plausibleā€¦ The ladies say they need to call ā€œPat.ā€ In the beginning of the video, they both instantly point to the folded chairs and look surprised to hear itā€™s the filmerā€™s stuff. You donā€™t even need the CBS article to know Pat asked them to grab all Patā€™s stuff for him/her. Their confirmation is just icing on the already-obvious cake. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/19 "2014-07-10T00:01:18Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > I would love to meet these people. They sound like just the investors I need for my new startup company. I loved the comment below one of the articles that said ā€œThese ladies must have been raised by bankers.ā€ Yup. I think so. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655/20 "2014-07-10T00:17:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > What are they thinking? ā€œNice chair, bro.ā€ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-face-of-crime-caught-in-the-act/692655.md?page=2)