Canon 5D Mark II Stolen During Wedding

<p>I didn't read all the responses, so if wasn't already mentioned, check local flea markets (again out to a couple of hundred miles, if possible, maybe friends etc. can help and notify all the photo groups you can within that radius to get more eyes out there). I had a friend whose high-end guitars were stolen a few years ago, with 2/3 turning up at flea markets one in Albuqerque, another in Socorro 80-90 miles south. He got lucky that in both cases – in one the buyer knew he was getting too good of a deal ($100 for a $3000 guitar) and traced down my friend through the guitar mfg who had the records of the serial number/buyer. In the second case, word had gone out on the Internet forums, to local groups, etc. and one of the local bluegrass association members came across the guitar and recognized it from that notice. He bought it and returned it to my friend. The third guitar was never found. Good luck with your situation – such a bummer that people steal items like this and most of the time, just turn them around for pennies on the dollar to supply their drug habits.</p>

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<p><strong>"such a bummer that people steal items like this and most of the time, just turn them around for pennies on the dollar to supply their drug habits."</strong></p>

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<p>golly gee whiz, what could we possibly do to reduce the incentive to steal these items? we're just sooooo helpless!</p>

<p>Very sorry for your loss. When I shoot, my primary camera never leaves my neck and my primary camera bag (with memory cards and lenses) never leaves my shoulder, unless I have my husband or a trusted friend with me assisting. If I go to the restroom I take the camera bag with me. Extra gear I try to stash somewhere where I can keep an eye on it. But my own 5D Mk II I treat like a baby; when it's not in my apartment, I never let it out of my sight.</p>

<p>I also purchased insurance recently, more for the liability than for the equipment coverage. The Willis insurance I bought through the discount on this site says that you have to have a police report and evidence of forced entry, so I don't know if that would cover someone walking off with my gear on a gig. (I actually posted about that on a forum here a few months ago when I was deciding whether or not to go for that insurance.)</p>

<p>Nice helpful, productive answer there, William.</p>

<p>I hope it turns out. As others already noted, craigslist is your best bet. In fact check craigslook.com which allows you to search many cities on craigslist all at once. Similar situation happened to me. I had some very valuable items stolen from me last year during a break-in while I was at work. Some of it was computer, camera, and old collectibles. I was actually able to find a few of the items through craigslook which showed up a state away. Unfortunately law enforcement didn't really do anything. The investigator said he would look into it but never did so I actually contacted the lister through e-mail and using a fake name I set up a time and day to meet. To make a long story short, I went and it was my stuff. Same serial number, same everything. I looked him dead in the eye and said, "These are stolen. I know it."... and walked away. But that night I drove back and smashed every window to every car parked on his property, slashed the tires too, and drove off. Never heard back and the items were taken off craigslist the next day.</p>

<p>I was shooting a wedding reception last summer at the Depot in Minneapolis and I mis-placed my spare camera (that I borrowed from my brother-in-law). I couldn't find it anywhere the next morning and started to get a little worried. Running out of places to look, I called the service desk at the Depot and described the camera, lens and bag that I thought I may have left there the previous night. The person at the desk matter of factly informed me that someone turned it in and that I could pick it up anytime. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that I didn't have to fork out $1,500 to my brother-in-law. I learned a lesson, keep track of your stuff.</p>

<p>So sorry to hear about this. I used to have nightmares about my stuff getting stolen. So I have some very standard procedures:<br>

1. Whatever equipment I am using, it never leaves my body, even when I go to the restroom.<br>

2. If I have to store equipment at the event, I use a system. I have a Weatherlock tool box, the kind you see on the back of pickup trucks. Amazingly thief proof. I have it loaded with 150 lbs of lead deadweight. It has a common automobile motion detector alarm on it. Because of it's weight and length, no one person can carry it. I wheel it in on a dolly. I cable it to something in the room too large to move. All of this is designed as an encumbrance to the thieves. Given enough time, anybody could steal anything. So time is our best defense. Please see Nadine's response for a similar take. She is right on, as ever.<br>

3. Also, I savvy people up. I gather the wedding party and tell them "This is my stuff, if you see anyone messing with it, tell me". And I take pictures of all support people, such as kitchen personnel, wait people, band, etc. The decent folk think I'm just taking a pic, but anyone planning a heist knows that I have a record of who they are.</p>