Posts: 5,640
Threads: 101
Joined: Dec 2008
With the recent burglaries in Puna, I'm considering getting Lojack for Laptops. They happen to have a sale on now (ending Sept 30) where you can get 3 years of protection and a $1000 guarantee of a returned laptop for $87.99.
It seems more laptops are covered now because the BIOS part can be installed as well (before it was only on high-end laptops)
Here is the FAQ:
http://www.absolute.com/resources/public...-FAQ-E.pdf
Basically the idea is that if someone steals your laptop it will communicate with the company the next time it's connected to the internet. They then gather evidence and present it to local law enforcement. If they don't get your laptop back, you get $1000 (if you take the upgraded option). The program works even if they reformat your hard drive!
Is anybody else using this? I'll probably go ahead with the 1-year option for $47.
Posts: 507
Threads: 64
Joined: May 2008
I have this on my laptop, I paid about $70 for a year with the $1000 guarantee that my laptop will be returned if stolen.
I can't say for sure if it works because my laptop hasn't been taken, but I was at the HPP Neighborhood Watch meeting today and the police officer there afterwards described a case which sounded just like Lojack (he couldn't remember the name). He said an organization called him up, asked him to look up a police report of a stolen laptop and gave him the actual address of where the laptop could be found. He went there and was able to retrieve it immediately. He couldn't say for sure if any arrests resulted from this but it's good to see that the system works and I'm sure it made someone think twice about handling stolen goods.
Posts: 8,477
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
Very interesting. There certainly should have been an arrest for possession of stolen goods though.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 2,657
Threads: 43
Joined: Sep 2006
Have to be able to prove intent.
Or as it states in Fl: "knew or should have known". I haven't read the Hi statute but I would imagine it is about the same.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Posts: 8,477
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
I'm not sure "possession of stolen goods" requires intent. Seems to require possession. What one might expect is that a threat of a charge might inspire the person in possession to give up the source of the stolen item or risk jail time.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 2,657
Threads: 43
Joined: Sep 2006
I believe the logic is that you have to have intent to deprive the rightful owner of his property. To do that you must know it is stolen property or the situation was such that a normal person would suspect it to be stolen. If you are selling a $600 laptop for $50 a normal person would suspect it was stolen.
quote:
ยง708-830 Theft. A person commits theft if the person does any of the following:
(1) Obtains or exerts unauthorized control over property. A person obtains or exerts unauthorized control over the property of another with intent to deprive the other of the property.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent...8-0830.htm
Where are our resident shi I mean lawyers?
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Posts: 507
Threads: 64
Joined: May 2008
The officer told the story along these lines (I may have some details wrong): he went to the house, he told them he knew there was a stolen laptop on the premises of this and that description. If they didn't hand it over and made him get a warrant he would arrest everyone. So they handed it over and said that they'd bought it from a guy who bought it from someone else and no they don't know where they are now and they only know their first names.
In an ideal world he would've pursued it but with resources being as stretched as they are, especially with the prosecution side of things, he was glad to just be able to get the laptop back to the owner and send a warning to the residents of that house.
Hopefully the word will get around - buy a stolen laptop and you can get the police knocking at your door.
The Lojack for Laptops website says they recover 60 laptops a week.
Posts: 8,477
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
It is this kind of minimalism that enables the crooks to keep shop. On instinct I would bet money that there was more than one stolen item at the location and obtaining a warrant was exactly and precisely what should of been done.
The scenario, as described, amounts so making the least effort for the least result.
It as a happy ending for the person whose laptop was stolen. The thief is still stealing.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Posts: 2,657
Threads: 43
Joined: Sep 2006
quote:
Originally posted by Rob: obtaining a warrant was exactly and precisely what should of been done
Very true! It seems to have been the lazy way out. It should have been sufficient for a warrant, at least in most places. It's possible they have had bad luck with the prosecuters or judges, as far as getting warrants issued.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Posts: 8,477
Threads: 1,033
Joined: May 2003
I've been talking to the Prosecutor's office on this topic and have been told that if there is a bonafide location of stolen property, Lojack included, they can obtain a search warrant.
The Lojack company should direct the location information to the Prosecuting Attorney's office in preference of the Police Department.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
