Posted by Tom Mason on January 28, 2002 at 14:04:52:
In Reply to: Looking for my stolen tuba in DC area... posted by Leland Jordon on January 27, 2002 at 21:28:54:
As a musician, I feel for your loss. Some good advice concerning looking on your own as well as letting the police keep up in their log work has come your way. Here is some from a teacher, pro and a cop. (I am a part-time sergeant on my force)
Check all of the surrounding states for about 1 hour's driving time. You are in DC, and the police may not be able to check all of your neighboring states. If I had something like that stolen from my area, (Northeast Arkansas), the second place I would go is Memphis, Tennessee. Our pawn shop listings don't leave our municipality, much less our state. It is much worse for your area, with West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Desparate people will travel a little, but not much.
A couple other tricks used by the crook is to hold it a month, to try to shake the reporting system, or to sell it on the street. (at a campus or a convention).
Good luck.
Tom Mason