Another theft

[EricM]

I had to do some repair work on the boat trailer so I put in at Skull Island mid-morning, did the repairs, and went out fishing for a while. (I saw another guy fall in while fishing, no problems, but it made me feel better to know it's not just me). When I came back at 2PM a guy with a really nice bass boat (Connesauga Bass Club) had just pulled in and discovered that the tool box on his truck was broken into, and he lost a bunch of power tools, etc. He said it was the second time it happend there (apparently the other was some time ago) and called the sheriff to report it. From what I could tell, no glass was broken and no vehicles were entered.

It's not right, and it makes me really, really angry, and I, like a lot of you, would be very pleased to do great bodily harm to those responsible. However, we need to take whatever steps we can to prevent this from happening to us. I NEVER leave ANYTHING within sight in my vehicle that would be even remotely attractive to others. Anything that I can't put away gets covered, and I will even put something in the boat with me rather than make it a target for thieves.

I don't know what can be done with the tool boxes on pick-up trucks (except to get the ones built like safes). They are like treasure chests to these people (and usually are because we put our valuables in them).

This is not unique to any particular ramp. As it happens, I park at Skull Island 3 to 5 days a week all year (and some nights) so I am familiar with what happens there. I have never (knock on wood) had any problems, and it may be because I try to make sure that there is never anything visible that would be worth a thief's effort.

The couple of minutes it takes to leave the nice stuff at home, hide it, or put it in the boat is time well spent and is well worth the effort. Don't be a target!

 

[Bill H]

I have 3 tool boxes on my truck. After the last time my truck was broken into I had alarms put on the boxes. So now if some one bangs on the boxes or lifts the lids the alarms go off. It seems to have helped, I have not had anyone get into the boxes, the alarms send them a-runnin.

 

[Bassallday]

I am going to take you up on that one.I do mobile autobody and detailing and so on and I have a lot of goodies My box trailer is locked up but reading this I have to admit that is'nt enouph. Great post!

 

[Hagen]

I despize theifs.

 

[digitalcb]

I put in above Cottonport last week and saw several piles of automotive glass in the parking lot. All of them were next to the tree line. It's a little trouble but I back my trailer up where everyone else pulls in so my car is more exposed.

 

[Pointer 78]

You're right Eric. Thievery is not unique to any particular ramp, but it is common at this one. I launch from there a couple times a year. And only in daylight. And like you, I leave nothing in my truck that would make it more attractive to these scumbags.

 

[WLG]

EricM - 7/28/2007 10:27 AM

(I saw another guy fall in while fishing, no problems, but it made me feel better to know it's not just me).

Hey Eric...Dont feel bad. Last week when drc and me were fishing...I pulled one of your stunts while tieing the boat up....SPLASH.. I went for a swim..cell phone and all. I still dont know exactly how I fell outta that Pontoon boat with 3 ft sides on it..But I did. I was laughing as soon as I hit the water. I almost drown from laughter.
Anyway it does SUCK that these theives have to come and bother our stuff that weve worked hard for.emoEnforce

 

[Jig]

Hey Eric the same thing happened to one of my buddys at Bennnets Lake boat ramp in the Spring they broke into his toolbox and got all his power tools out that he uses on construction work. Dont feel bad about fallin out of the boat Eric it happens to me at least once a year.

 

[Fishin Fool]

Eric like you we have never had any problems at the Skull Island Ramp and I certainly hope it stays that way. We do make a point of removing anything of value from the truck before we park. We pulled out of there about 11:30 that day after talking to you and didn't see a soul. We even looked at the tags to see which truck was yours and then saw the CFF sticker in the window. They had to be in there between 11:30 and 2. One of the main problems at that ramp is the "parkers". Folks that come there and park and don't get out. We've seen it several times and I am sure most of it is just honest curiosity about water conditions, wind condition and so on, but it sure makes it hard to ID the crooks when you have so many people pulling up and just sitting in cars. I'd love it if the sheriff's department did some more patrols, but honestly you'll see more of them sitting at a store or in a group parking than you will on patrol. I'm sorry I feel that way and I know a lot of people will disagree but the level of police protection is getting terrible in the county and the city, the city especially. Yes I know they have a good deal of area to cover and we always hear the "we're short handed" excuse, but when you pass a country store and see a police car there, and come back down two hours later and it is still there, something isn't right. I know a ton of county and city officers and like a good many of them. But I also know what is going on right under my nose and I don't like it.

 

[fischnrod]

If all the tree's and brush around there were cleaned up it would help.The parking there is hidden very well so its a perfect place for thieves to target.

 

[Guest]

A toolbox in a remote location is asking for a theft. I know it should not be this way but it is. On the rare occaision that I have to drive my work truck I don't chance SI. I endure the long rough ride from HBSP. There are more breakins at Skull Island than we know about. A friend of mine says he hears of them almost weekly on his police scanner.

 

[Liveliner]

I will bet you that there are about three thugs that live very close to that ramp that is doing all of it.  As much as it is happening there someone needs to stake it out on weekend nights. 

 

[Hagen]

Some friends took care of a couple 2 years ago in Stevenson. They would hit the trucks at the Crow Creek behind the ball fields right after shooting time. Couple of hunters got ahold of them. I came back to the ramp and they were standing waist deep down the ramp in nothing but thier undies. They were lucky the didnt get the tail whipped or worse. They were a couple of punk kids too.

 

[SpurHunter]

Those dirty, no-good, rotten scoundrels! Thiefs will get whats coming to them!</p>



How can we pettition to get a light at that ramp?</p>

 

[nwright]

SpurHunter - 7/30/2007 3:56 PM



Those dirty, no-good, rotten scoundrels! Thiefs will get whats coming to them!</p>



How can we pettition to get a light at that ramp?</p>

Who are you going to petition? When TVA turned over the campground to Wick (the manager) they also were going to discontinue service for the night-light. I talked to Wick and he said he would not pay for it. The ramp is under his jurisdiction with the campground. I personally paid Wick for a year’s service to keep the light on. I did not continue paying after the first year and the light was turned off.

I have been broken into twice during daytime.

If you want the light back on you need to talk to the Skull Island Campground manager (Wick). Of course you would have to pay the bill.

 

[greg706]

In all my years of fishing I have been lucky I guess. Never had anything stolen until this year. Someone took two batteries out of my boat one day, and two reels another. May have been kids on the reels, I don't know. But I will not be bragging about how I can leave my stuff out any more. I am glad I don't know who did it or I might be in jail. Just kidding but I does make me sick.

 

[Ramhurst]

Stake-out sounds like a good idea. What about a trail camera?

 

[SpurHunter]

The problem with a trail camera is you dont know which vehicle is goig to be broken into, and it wouldnt really get pics of the right situation. You could snap pics of all vehicles coming into and out of the parking lot, but it would be alot of work to try and decifer who did what when, with no real proof of wrongdoing.

 

[bassfisher17]

My uncle got his gas drained out of his truck. They almost got it all but they pulled up just in time so they ran off,but they got his gas cap he was even more mad about that because he had to buy a knew one but any way i hate them