# Things you should NOT leave behind while comitting a crime **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 14, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075 "2016-02-14T00:51:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2016, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/21 "2016-02-14T22:48:01Z")
[QUOTE=Spiderman;19099987[your arm] ([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_ROBBERY\_ARM\_SEVERED?SITE=ILBLO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ROBBERY_ARM_SEVERED?SITE=ILBLO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)) [/QUOTE] Before I opened the thread, I thought to myself ‘Your arm.’ ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/22 "2016-02-15T03:13:18Z")
> [@Master\_Wang-Ka](#): > > One day, many years ago, I came home to find that my apartment had been burglarized. > > Place had been ransacked, and my VCR was missing, as was my TV remote (which the burglar apparently thought went with the VCR), as well as a few other minor items. I called the cops and reported it; the cops showed up and took a statement. > > While they were there, I noticed a textbook on auto repair sitting in my chair. It was not mine. I said so. Cops picked it up, looked at it. One of them recognized it as belonging to the local high school… and had the name of its current user written in it; they issued each book by number to a specific student. > > They called the school and busted the kid the following day. He hadn’t had room for my VCR and the textbook in his backpack, so he’d left the book there. > > Stupid kid. This ranks up there with the guy who robbed a bank wearing a motorcycle helmet that had his name on it, or the guy who broke into a house and raped a woman, and when she said she didn’t have any money, he asked her to write a check. She did, and since he gave her his real name, he was quickly arrested. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/23 "2016-02-15T03:14:54Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Don’t sweat it, man! 90 years from now only a handful of folks will remember “The Bloody Glove” from our “Crime of the Century”. 20 years out, most of us would like to forget about it. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/24 "2016-02-15T09:37:17Z")
I recall reading about a guy who was in a police station for some reason decided to steal a Polaroid camera he saw on one of their desks. But first to make sure it worked he took a photo of his own face. When it did, he tucked the camera away and left the photo behind. It wasn’t too hard for the cops to figure out who was behind the vanishing camera. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/25 "2016-02-15T13:58:44Z")
Leave your arms. Take the bus. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/26 "2016-02-15T23:11:36Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I recall reading about a guy who was in a police station for some reason decided to steal a Polaroid camera he saw on one of their desks. But first to make sure it worked he took a photo of his own face. When it did, he tucked the camera away and left the photo behind. It wasn’t too hard for the cops to figure out who was behind the vanishing camera. In recent years, there have been an ever-increasing number of people who photographed themselves committing assorted crimes, and in some cases even posting them on social media. :smack: What did Jay Leno hate more than dressing up animals? That’s right, STUPID CRIMINALS! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/27 "2016-02-16T02:05:43Z")
The cannoli? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/28 "2016-02-16T11:24:03Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > [your 3 yo child](http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160213_Cops__Shoplifting_mom_left_child_behind.html) Macy’s again, whaddaya know? I’m aware that the store has the right to detain you briefly to determine whether you were indeed hiding their merchandise on your person to smuggle it out of the store, and if so, while they wait for the police to arrive. But Macy’s is the only store I’ve heard where they handcuff persons so detained, which is interesting because I was already aware that some Macy’s stores literally have prison cells on the premises, and have gotten in trouble for their use of those cells. Not that that excuses the mother in this case, but I am more worried about the conduct of a nationwide chain store. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/29 "2016-02-16T12:13:11Z")
With so much crime, the police can use every hand they can get. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/30 "2016-02-16T21:08:13Z")
> [@](#): > > He and his son ran over and they saw the arm lying on the ground next to a shoebox. Arm…hand…wave…greet. Shoebox…a tiny division of Hallmark…cards. Greeting…cards - GREETING CARD!!! The answer to this live action pictogram is “greeting card”!!! So exciting, I’ve never won anything before!!! When can we play again? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/31 "2016-02-16T21:37:51Z")
Of course he took the bus - how the dickens could he flag down a taxi? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/32 "2016-02-16T23:32:41Z")
Jeff Foxworthy tells a story about the time in high school.that he and a friend decided to streak at a school assembly. They both wore their football helmets to hide their faces. So they were both surprised to be called to the principal’s office a short time later. According to Foxworthy, the principal looked at them and said simply, “Your numbers are on your helmets.” ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/33 "2016-02-17T00:16:21Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Of course he took the bus - how the dickens could he flag down a taxi? > > Regards, > Shodan I bet he was quite [put out about that, too](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6bEykl3QneM). ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/34 "2016-02-17T17:41:41Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > My lord - two people know this one? > > There may be hope for these boards yet!.. Nah, just a fluke… I got it! I just watched the American Experience episode about it over the weeken, although I knew about the case long before that. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/35 "2016-02-17T18:08:11Z")
I’ve seen it reported that doctors were able to reattach the arm. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/36 "2016-02-17T22:41:11Z")
According to one of my brother (an LEO) leaving an unpaid fare subway ticket with your name and adress on it at the crime scene is unwise. If you did, however, and if you’re polite enough to let police officers enter your place without a warrant, you should probably first pick up blood-soaked clothes from the floor. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/37 "2016-02-17T22:57:25Z")
Not long ago locally a would-be bank robber was apprehended because he wrote his ‘give me all your money’ note on the back of a completed job application. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/38 "2016-02-17T23:57:47Z")
> [@stillownedbysetters](#): > > Not long ago locally a would-be bank robber was apprehended because he wrote his ‘give me all your money’ note on the back of a completed job application. I heard of another would-be Dillinger who did the same thing with one of his pre-printed deposit slips. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/39 "2016-02-18T00:52:56Z")
At least this idjit won’t be accused of blowing all his back robbery loot [dining out](http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160218_Man_dodges_IHOP_bill__gets_arrested_for_bank_robbery.html). ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2016, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075/40 "2016-02-18T03:35:00Z")
> [@TheFaerie](#): > > I got it! I just watched the American Experience episode about it over the weeken, although I knew about the case long before that. I got the reference too… But from recently watching the series “Mysteries at the Museum” on Netflix while going to bed. Season 2, Ep 7, “Leopold and Loeb”, saw it just last week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-should-not-leave-behind-while-comitting-a-crime/746075.md?page=3)