Sad day at the Scenicruiser Orphanage

[pd4501-771]

Kyle called me last night and again this morning after he had been to see his buses. This story is truly heart breaking to me because I know how difficult it is to locate parts for these things. I am helping him develop replacement costs. I can not think of a punishment strong enough for these idiots. Well I guess I can, but our pussy justice system will never do what is truly needed to prevent crime. Everyone is too worried about lining their own pockets or getting reelected to do what is right. If I seem bitter, I am. Our house was robbed back in April, and the world looks totally different to me now days. We did fine with insurance, but my wife will never get her most cherished personal items back, and that still pisses me off. I hope this little bastard rots in jail. I feel no sympathy for animals like this.

Tom McNally

[BusCrazyinFL]

Sorry to hear about this Kyle. Guess the laws concerning scrap metal aren't as strict by you as they are here in FL. Just yesterday I took some brass key blanks to a recycling plant and MAN, you should have seen what I had to do! I had to show my driver's license, my business license AND I had to give them my thumbprint in one of those electronic scaners.  Maybe you should check to see what the procedures are in SC.

They are doing this in FL just because of the theft that was taking place. I've heard stories of whole a/c units being ripped off for the copper pipes inside. I have had to rekey houses that were vacated and saw where someone had broke through walls to get the copper wiring. It's sad!

Btw Kyle, I accidentally turned in those bubble gum machine covers. (I was wondering why I got so much $ for those keyblanks)  JUST KIDDING!!! I did order the locks for them. I'll let you know when they arrive.

Keep us posted on how this develops.

[kyle4501]

I know this bit of unsolicited drama in my life will delight a few small minded fools. In spite of that, I’m sharing so I can gain some insight into how to best proceed & hopefully, help others who may be attending the same school of hard knocks elsewhere.

Well, I went to the recycler today, (a small remote place that separates the metals into bins that get picked up & taken elsewhere) . . . They provided me with copies of the receipts. Knowing who took it in is not the problem, we even have a phone message of him confessing. Restitution for the stolen property, stopping it from happening again, suppressing my primal desires, etc are my current issues.

A little more info:

He had 3 of the radiators the boy took in this week already ‘processed’ to separate the metals – he used a gas axe to cut all the bolts off – made a real mess of the caps. The cores looked bad – while they were holding water before, they’d require loads of work to reseal after the abuse they’d just endured. So, I left the cores, since I don’t have any use for them now anyway – or a place to put them. Maybe I should have kept them & sold them later . . . . I don’t know, I was plenty bothered at loosing so many bay doors & NOS skins.

While I was looking at the buses today, I noticed the bays had been cleared out. One of ‘em had an original transmission in it. I found it at the scrap yard, but it had been roughed up pretty badly – the most obvious damage was a chunk busted off the bellhousing. I did get it back.

He also took in a fan drive gearbox – (Ohio Gear sells only replacement gears & shafts & that will set you back ~$2000.00 ! & you still have to find bearings & seals. The fan mounts on a special vibration damper hub that is also unique . . . )

All total, he got $840.34 for MY stuff.

A partial rundown of the 7 trips made to the recycler.

But 507 pounds of clean aluminum (upper bay doors @34# each, a new front bumper, & my stash of new old stock door skins) long gone for $112.00

127# of “irony aluminum” (lower bay doors) long gone for $19.05

924# of radiators for $515.60

1612# of #2 steel for $112.84

69# of copper wire long gone for $21.40


Yes, I did file a report with the sheriff. Yes, I fully intend to press charges. Yes, I intend to secure the services of an attorney to pot all parties involved on notice I expect to be compensated for my losses.

Tom & I discussed the probable cost of replacing what was stolen – assuming I can find someone willing to sell . . . The number floored me! I’m gonna have to do some more looking into the actual value.


All things considered, it could have been worse & I still have most of the bay doors that were still attached to the buses.


Living well is the best revenge . . . . .

Sufficient restitution will greatly assist in that!

[Tenor]

I bet once the value of these items is totaled, this cousin is looking at felony charges...

Glenn

[kyle4501]

Each radiator was felony by itself!

The first trip with the bay doors was felony several times over.

The fact that he made 7 trips shows repeat offences.

The number Tom & I came up with exceeded $30,000 replacement value. 2 other knowledgeable sources told me they WOULD NOT sell any their spares for the low prices Tom & I used. So, what now? The kid is 17 & thinks he is a minor & thereby protected . . . . Too bad for him that the laws in this state consider 17 an adult. (But the parents are responsible for them until they turn 18! Go figure! )

[jackhartjr]

Kyle, I am sick for you and us as Scenicruiser nuts!
An madder than hell that scrappers don't seem to care what they ruin!
Jack

[Chopper Scott]

Tough deal indeed. What I generally try to do is treat people as they have treated me. Obviously this individual could care less about you. You will never get in return what you have lost. Nothing I hate worse than a thief. I hope you purue this as hard as you can.

[Green-Hornet]

I feel your pain.
You might want to consider making a claim against the home owners insurance policy on the land the busses were stored on. A lot of these policies cover damage and theft to personal property stored there. If it is your property contact your company and if it is the cousins then make them supply you with their policy info and submit a claim, along with a copy of the police report. You will more than likely get only a small percentage of the actual costs back but  any little bit might help.
Not sure how the Carolina work but if you sue the kid you may get a judgement against him that will not expire until it is paid off, you may be able to garnish any future wages and stuff...asuming he straightens himself out and makes something out of himself from the experiance.
Here in Florida the only time he will really serve in jail is during the booking phase, probation likely if it is a first arrest. You may get court ordered restitution from the courts on that criminal case......but being a juvie, your cousin is going to prolly be responible for that. Gotta weight to pros and cons of that yourself.

[kyle4501]

They are parked on my property. It is undeveloped agricultural land & nothing is insured.
The boy had help, so I'll let my attorney advise the best course of action. That way I can "hide" behind the lawyer with a "It is out of my hands, it is the lawyer calling the shots now" type of response.

Not too worried about family relations if they won't step up & do the right thing without a judge being involved. . . . .

[Green-Hornet]

Gottcha
Let the lawyer do what yer paying him to do.
Sounds like you have it covered. Best of luck.

[Busted Knuckle]

Don't forget to show them lots of pictures of Pat McNeil's cruiser and maybe some of Tom's and what was the name of the guy out west that had the BEAUTIFUL black one he did an awesome ground up build on? Ray maybe?

Show them some good photos of them in their heyday, and what your future plans were and that should help with the "value" of them. FWIW HTH
   BK   

[mikelutestanski]

Kyle:
    We feel your pain. Whilst we were gone last year someone broke into the garage and removed some of my tools .  Not much but the real pain is in knowing someone broke in. I feel frustrated and always looking over my shoulder when home and paranoid about locking things up.   
   I know this does not help much, but stay solid and do what you have to do.
      Regards    mike L   Dunnellon FL

[luvrbus]

I hope for you it doesn't come down to between family and lawyers that will never heal but I do feel for you. 



good luck

[Dreamscape]

I feel for ya! I can't imagine what I would do in your situation. Go for the throat sounds like a good idea. I hope you get satisfied for your pain and suffering, although the feeling of being violated will never go away.

Paul

[expressbus]

Kyle,

I'll add some more thoughts to this thread. How about keeping a bus running and when the opportunity arises, throw the little weasely S.O.B under the bus while its moving!

As for the internal family relationships, if the others don't acknowledge the thefts by the little S O B, actively participate in locating and paying for replacement parts, well then I see no problem in taking them off the Christmas card list for the foreseeable future. Sounds like a bunch of low lifes if I ever heard of one.

OK, I feel your pains and I am also a ScenicCruiser fan. I have neither the time, talent, or resources to tackle converting one of them. Having said that, I believe they are the most beautiful expression of the bus builders art I have ever seen.

I'd also get a restraining order against him and anyone else you identify to keep them off your property. That way if they are caught coming back for "seconds" it will be criminal trespassing.

Good Luck and God Speed. I'll keep you in my thoughts until you have resolution of this mess. Keep posting if it helps relieve your stress and frustration.

Will