I have had money stolen from my home.

[alittlebitconcerned]

After an exhaustive effort I found a new home and business rental after being given the shortest possible notice by our landlord of 7 years.
The day before the move a client settled a large invoice in cash and having zero time to bank the money, I carried it on me during the move. After the removalists had finished I put the cash on top of a cupboard because the place was complete chaos, nothing but boxes and bags.

The whole process of finding a new place while trying to keep a business afloat, studying full time, manage a household with a partner suffering post natal depression, having a new baby, having my elderly mother stay with me while my elderly father was recovering from a triple bypass that had multiple complications, has left me more exhausted and stressed than I have ever been. I mention this because it is my excuse to myself for forgetting about the money on the cupboard.

A couple of days after moving in, we had sub contractors attend to do some work.
It was only today (three days later) that I remembered the money and with a sick feeling checked the cupboard and it was gone.

I called a mate who is a cop and he said that I could make a report and the police would ask the contractor to come in and answer some questions (which he would not legally have to do) but without proof there would be nothing the police could do. I rang the local police station and they said the same thing.

My question is should I make a police report and hope for the best? I think it would be remarkable if they owned up to it without proof, or even bothered to answer the police's questions at all.
Or should I try and get in contact with the contractor and explain that the money was not the previous tenants which they possibly thought it was, and hopefully he may return it if he sees it is my families money.

In the end it is only money and I still get to come home to a beautiful baby boy, loving partner and roof over my head, but I feel sick with the anxiety of it all and am hoping for a fresh perspective that might give me hope of finessing a way to get my money back.

[AndyG]

I would write it off to experience, I don't think you need a lot of aggro at the moment. You could offer a substantial reward, but "......

[p38arover]

If nothing else, I'd report it to the subcontractors superiors - especially if it was a large sum. There may have been other reports and it may help them track down which person is the thief.

[rangieman]

If nothing else, I'd report it to the subcontractors superiors especially if it was a large sum. There may have been other reports and it may help them track down which person is the thief.

x2:cool:

[goingbush]

2/ Surely you know some bearded guys with tatts, have one visit with you, or even hire a Harley and park it in the driveway, Intimidation works wonders

3/ Report it to the police and fill out a statement.

[steveG]

In case you haven't mentioned it to your partner, it would pay to - just in case she may have moved it and then forgotten to tell you.
Given that you are both struggling at present, I can see potential for that situation.

Steve

[SBD4]

X3 on what Ron said. If you are are quite sure it was them, then at the very least the Subcontractors superiors should be aware that they have some shifty characters in their employ. They could be doing this to all their clients.

Would your business insurance cover some of it?

Sorry to hear of your other pressures. Last thing you need is something like this happening. I hope everything starts to quieten down for you.

[scarry]

X3 on what Ron said. If you are are quite sure it was them, then at the very least the Subcontractors superiors should be aware that they have some shifty characters in their employ. They could be doing this to all their clients.

Would your business insurance cover some of it?

Sorry to hear of your other pressures. Last thing you need is something like this happening. I hope everything starts to quieten down for you.

X2

You never know who it may be.

I never leave cash around ever.

I lost some once(well over $1K),found out 20yrs later it was one of my brothers:mad:

Still hasn't given it back:(

[bob10]

2/ Surely you know some bearded guys with tatts, have one visit with you, or even hire a Harley and park it in the driveway, Intimidation works wonders



Bad advice. Foolish advice, even. Bob

[BathurstTom]

Have you asked the contractor? Might be a good starting point...

Tom.

[alittlebitconcerned]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Steve, yes my wife does know and she did not move it unfortunately. She is also more supportive than I feel I deserve for my stupidity.

Goingbush, your suggestion is one I probably would have taken a while ago but things have changed a bit since I've had a kid. Thanks anyway. Very inventive.

I think I might have to let it go. The way it makes me feel is not good for my focus. It's a brand new thing for me to let something like this go and it feels strange.

[digger]

Report it to the Subcontractors superiors and the Police..

if noone tells the police how can they find any pattern in this behaviour?

Having them bring the bloke in for a 'chat' even if it achieves nothing he will know he is now "in the frame" for any future events and will also be on record as at least having been interviewed or a suspect.


**just a thought, you have checked behind the cupboard havent you? hoping you didnt and its there...

wishing you some good stuff to break this run...Hang in there
cheers Digger

[loanrangie]

Report it, cant let that sort of thing go on without any form of notification.

[Ausfree]

I sympathise with you mate. About 15 years ago my house was broken into and $7,000 worth of photographic equipment was stolen. The feeling in my stomach was not good, I felt sick so I can only imagine you would feel the same at the moment. Fortunately the gear was partly insured, through my photographic business insurance, so I got about half their value back.

I can't give any a advice except to agree with what several posters have already said..... report it and check to see if your business insurance covers it.

Good luck, mate.

[cjc_td5]

Report it to the Subcontractors superiors and the Police..

if noone tells the police how can they find any pattern in this behaviour?

Having them bring the bloke in for a 'chat' even if it achieves nothing he will know he is now "in the frame" for any future events and will also be on record as at least having been interviewed or a suspect.


**just a thought, you have checked behind the cupboard havent you? hoping you didnt and its there...

wishing you some good stuff to break this run...Hang in there
cheers Digger

I agree with digger, report it as a minimum as it potentially establishes a pattern in behaviour that may be acted on maybe now or later.

A few months ago my wife was followed home by a lunatic tailgating her car. She had the sense to not turn into our driveway, but kept driving around until she saw a couple walking along the footpath and stopped and talked to them. The driver just pulled up across the road and stared at them, then left a few minutes minutes later. To my disgust she refuses to report this as she recons that the lunatic will get her details off a bent cop or lawyer and come around and murder her. I say what about the next lady that he follows and does someting worse to........??

[DoubleChevron]

Let me get this right .... You know who the guy is ?? I'd have payed him a visit myself https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/03/475.jpg.

I mean, how stupid can you be ... he's been the only person with access to the $$$ after all. He's going to know without a doubt you know it's him that took it.

seeya,
Shane L.

[Chucaro]

This kind of people often have a brain of an ant.
Offer double of the sum stolen as a reward and you can bet that the idiot will show up.
Then offer $200, the idiot will dispute the sum.
Set up a video camera for proof.

[alittlebitconcerned]

After speaking with my lawyer I have made a report to the police that money has gone missing from my house. In my statement I made no allegations against anyone, and I retract any allegations against the service techs I have made here. There is no proof anyone took anything. I don't have anything more I can add to this.

Anyway, I am crossing my fingers that it may turn up somewhere soon. Not a pleasant experience but made a bit easier by supportive words of this community. Thanks again people.

[MR LR]

May I ask why you retracted these allegations? Surely any suspects should be taken in and questioned...? Otherwise it's a kind of pointless excercise.

[alittlebitconcerned]

I have no proof so it would be a mistake for me to make any allegations against anyone.

[cjc_td5]

May I ask why you retracted these allegations? Surely any suspects should be taken in and questioned...? Otherwise it's a kind of pointless excercise.

Because a statement to the Police must be a statement of the facts. Allegations or opinions will not stand up to legal scruitiny or cross-examination.

[lewy]

its a fact that the only people who were at the house were the subbies,You don't have to make allegations.

[AndyG]

The money was noted missing three days after the subbies so the connection is tenuous.