Revolutionary War muskets recovered

[chorizo]

https://www.inquirer.com/news/revolutionary-war-stolen-artifacts-fbi-museums-20230313.html
One day in prison... A huge deterrent.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

I can't imagine how anyone ( unless it is an inside job ) can steal large flintlock rifles/pistols out of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Our family toured that place in 2018 and noticed glass around ALL display cases protecting the guns from public hands. If you have never been to that museum, you can see a little about it below:

 

[Eterry]

I can't imagine how anyone ( unless it is an inside job ) can steal large flintlock rifles/pistols out of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Our family toured that place in 2018 and noticed glass around ALL display cases protecting the guns from public hands. If you have never been to that museum, you can see a little about it below:

I'm guessing security wasn't as stringent in the 1970s.
I'm glad they were recovered.

15 years ago I was able to recover and release a modern firearm stolen in the 70s. The owner had passed, but a son drove all day to take possession of a family heirloom.

 

[SDSmlf]

I can't imagine how anyone ( unless it is an inside job ) can steal large flintlock rifles/pistols out of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Our family toured that place in 2018 and noticed glass around ALL display cases protecting the guns from public hands. If you have never been to that museum, you can see a little about it below:

Good chance you saw the ‘enhanced’ security measures after things disappeared years ago.

 

[TDM]

Well, at least the 65k fine should slow him down a little.

 

[mmb617]

https://www.inquirer.com/news/revolutionary-war-stolen-artifacts-fbi-museums-20230313.html
One day in prison... A huge deterrent.

That's certainly too light of a sentence but he gave info needed to recover some of those rifles that otherwise wouldn't have been found from what I read. As is usually the case the criminal is able to bargain down his punishment.

There was a front page story in the local paper about this as a local historical society got back 7 rifles that had been stolen 50 years ago.

 

[chorizo]

Yeah, but criminally obtained "information" should not be used as a bargaining tool, especially if it leads to an ridiculous sentence..1 Day... Sure he was fined and put on probation, but 1 day is an insult to the system.

6 months and we all know that his time would be reduced to likely 3 or 4 months. But he should be made to spend some time "reflecting" at the least.

 

[Eterry]

I'm not soft on crime by any means. I spent 23 years in Law Enforcement, mostly working a beat.

BUT, the Statute of Limitation are one of the cornerstones of our justice system, dating back to our founding as a nation. Without it, how many would be in a jam for something foolish done in their teenage or college years?

It appears to me he was arrested for the thefts, bonded out, appeared at court, was given a hefty fine and time served.

Remember the earliest theft occurred in 1969, and the thief was 78 when arrested. If he had medical conditions no one would want him in their jail. The statute had long since expired. It's very surprising, from a legal aspect, he received any punishment at all.

Every museum I'm aware of has back room stock, to be rotated to the front, or a change of directors causes items to be shelved. I don't imagine it was like stealing the Mona Lisa; in plain sight.

Giving up good Intel which helps close other cases have long been a HUGE bargaining chip. I've had several rock solid cases dismissed due to this. One case a person gave up the location of a body, so the family finally got peace of mind and the dignity of a funeral. It stung, as a cop, to lose such a win-able case, but I needed to consider the Greater Good.

As I said, I tracked down the heir to a firearm stolen in the 70s. The son cried as he held the gun he and his father had used almost half a century earlier.

Please make sure you record the serial numbers of your weapon, and or take pics of ones without SN's. Even black powder replicas can be entered into TCIC/NCIC as stolen property and it NEVER leaves the system.

 

[jrs51861]

Not only the serial number, but also the Manufacturer, Model and Caliber. Had six stolen during a house robbery in August 1999. One recovered by Police in March 2009.

 

[kaotikross]

Remember the earliest theft occurred in 1969, and the thief was 78 when arrested. If he had medical conditions no one would want him in their jail. The statute had long since expired. It's very surprising, from a legal aspect, he received any punishment at all.

This. Any decent defense lawyer could have gotten him off with no punishment. Sounds to me like these two guys were collectors and just couldn't resist but now that they're older they decided it's time to make things right.

 

[Eterry]

Not only the serial number, but also the Manufacturer, Model and Caliber. Had six stolen during a house robbery in August 1999. One recovered by Police in March 2009.

Absolutely. . Was trying to get to an appointment and stopped too soon.

 

[Eterry]

This. Any decent defense lawyer could have gotten him off with no punishment. Sounds to me like these two guys were collectors and just couldn't resist but now that they're older they decided it's time to make things right.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

 

[Sam squanch]

Blast me if you want- but prison time should be given to violent criminals. Yes, he stole those guns. But I don’t think he’s a threat to commit a violent crime on anyone. Keep prison space for the true threats among us.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Yeah, but criminally obtained "information" should not be used as a bargaining tool, especially if it leads to an ridiculous sentence..1 Day... Sure he was fined and put on probation, but 1 day is an insult to the system.

6 months and we all know that his time would be reduced to likely 3 or 4 months. But he should be made to spend some time "reflecting" at the least.

He should have been sentenced to a blind fold and Cigarette. With the very weapon,s he pilfered.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

This. Any decent defense lawyer could have gotten him off with no punishment. Sounds to me like these two guys were collectors and just couldn't resist but now that they're older they decided it's time to make things right.

And if the 74 year old had died what then? The item,s are not going to walk themselves back to where they came from. Im pretty sure that most of you would be extremely ****** if someone absconded with your modern pride and joy. Albeit a muzzle loader

 

[chorizo]

Blast me if you want- but prison time should be given to violent criminals. Yes, he stole those guns. But I don’t think he’s a threat to commit a violent crime on anyone. Keep prison space for the true threats among us.

Consider yourself blasted. Then you would be just like Spain and other European countries. Non-violent crimes, theft, car break-in, house break-ins, purse snatching aren't even pursued by the police as they know the crooks will be out in the streets before they finish paperwork...All of those non-violent crimes are rampant, so much so that you cannot keep things from getting stolen and God forbid you assault somebody stealing your stuff.....you go to jail and they walk free.

Your "idea" has lots of negative unintended consequences...like the mass group thefts from stores..no prosecution no deterrence. Jails are for criminals...commit the crime, do the time.

These turds stole hundreds of thousand, if not millions of dollars work of antique guns. They should at least get a few months of "quiet reflection" in jail. Stern looks and harsh talking to doesn't work.

 

[Sam squanch]

Yes, something is wrong. I’m for adopting some areas of Islamic law….chop, chop! Can’t steal anymore!

 

[chorizo]

Yes, something is wrong. I’m for adopting some areas of Islamic law….chop, chop! Can’t steal anymore!

Going from one extreme to another is not a serious rational discussion and makes about as much sense as your first comment and adds nothing to your point.

 

[44Bro]

What I read is that the statute of limitations for the theft has expired. Therefor the only thing they could prosecute on would be possession of stolen property. Then the prosecution has to prove he knew the arms were stolen. This way he is at least convicted of something. Also the probation means if he screws up, he can go to prison for at least a few months.

 

[Whitworth]

Small park museum holding relics from the Battle of South Mountain near Boonsboro was robbed years ago and firearms were stolen. The one at Crampton's Gap Park 10 miles away was robbed of firearms too. Wonder if these guys had anything to do with it? At the time they were considered targeted thefts.