I had my $1400 pool cue stolen from me tonight, at my local bar where I run pool tournaments every Sunday night. I have fun, and there have never been any problem there before this.....
But what a problem it turns out to be.
The only good thing about it is that my friends who own the bar had just installed a camera system two days prior, and we caught the whole thing clear as day on DVR. One of the guys I know there knew who the thieves were as well, so they are going to be in more than a bit of trouble....it is a felony due to the cost of the cue...once they are brought in tomorrow. The police officer even talked to them on the phone, and they admitted to taking it more than once.
If I could have gotten it back tonight, in good shape, I would have let it drop, probably..at least officially. Now that a report has been filed though I am going to nail them to the cross if I can. I don't care that it could ruin their future careers, or send one of them away for a while (he has a prior record), at this point I want to shaft them as hard as I can.
I am NOT a tough guy, not even close, but I am one of the worst enemies a person can make. It takes a lot of piss me off o this point, but once I am there I tend to never let it go. I know where their girlfriends work, and told the police...I know where they work, and the police know that as well. No matter where they go, either the police will find them, or I will.
I don't own a gun, and I turned down a state police job, both for the same reason....I don't trust myself enough to carry a weapon. I know this is only a pool cue, but to me it is a lot more. I doubt I will even feel completely comfortable again at Players, even though some of my best friends own the place. I can't take my cue there again even if I get it back.....it just would aggravate me, and I would always be wondering if it was safe.
They didn't just steal my cue, they stole my peace of mind.
All I can say is that they have no idea how lucky they are tonight....and I hope they never have reason to realize it. I still half wish I could take care of this MY way, but at the same time I am worried about what I would do to them if I stopped at their work/home/parents house.
Now I can't even sleep, I am still that pissed off.
[ May 09, 2006, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
Man, I feel for you. I know exactly what you mean about the loss of peace of mind. That's far worse than the actualy monetary loss involved.
~~~Kwea~~~
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
Kwea, let us know if/when you get your cue back. I know you like it and it means a lot to you. About your peace of mind, well... there isn't a place you can stash the cue safely while you are there?
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
Good luck, Kwea. It is sad that this had to happen to you, I know you enjoy your pool nights and it's a shame they won't really feel the same now. Perhaps aftersome time your peace of mind will return to you. In the meantime, I fully support your decision to prosecute them to the fullest extent. Make the law work for you.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by MandyM (Member # 8375) on :
I don't own one because I might use it on my boss.
That stinks! I hope you get your cue back.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Eduardo, I could stash it in the office, when it is open, but every time I need to run to th bathroom now I will feel unsafe leaving it anywhere.
Part of the problem is I need that cue to continue to play and win. I can win without it, but every time I play without it I remember why I no longer have it and I get all pissed off again, which throws my game off.
I was winning last night before all of this happened, but I ended up splitting wiht my firend who was in second because I couldn't concentrate.
That cost me another $40.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
That really stinks. Don't you have a friend you cant trust with it when you go to the bathroom?
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I jsut moved here, so I don't know a lot of people, and even if I did the fact that I need to do that sucks, and damages my calm.
Oh well, what can you do (other than shoot them. )?
[ April 03, 2006, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Beat 'em with your cue stick?
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
*loans Kwea her Katana*
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
I dunno. A katana ain't very good at putting proper english on the cueball.
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
If you're chopping the cueball you're swinging at the wrong target.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Yeah, it's in golf you may sometimes want to slice the ball, not pool....
Although I can think of a few OTHER things to do with a katana that would be very satisfying at this point......
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Slicing just makes them look all raggedy. Whatcha wanna do is iron the golfballs to smooth those dimples out.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Couldn't you have them keep it behind the bar when you go to the bathroom? If you're going on a regular basis (to Players, not the bathroom, although that would be good for your health), you should be on friendly terms with the bartenders pretty soon.
Posted by Kristen (Member # 9200) on :
I'm happy they were caught! Wow, $1400 for a cue? I would never have guessed.
It stinks that happened, but I'm glad your bar took action. I live in a pretty rough neighborhood and if I go out drinking, I only go to places where I trust the staff (sometimes, that means I'll go some days and not others). I assume you probably had no reason to even worry.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:my $1400 pool cue
My first reaction to this was shock and disgust, but then I realized that I've considered paying that much for a banjo or a guitar, so I shouldn't be throwing stones.
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Can we talk about the cue some more? What is different? I assume weight and balance are perfect, but I've seen that one $100 que. Must have some gold or other things too. Might even have a built in cell phone and calculates the correct angles for you!
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
Anti-theft security system?
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I thought it was because Kwea had signed it.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
That pool cue cost more than my first two cars put together.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
I'm interested too. I know you play pool a lot and are apparently rather good at it, but what makes a cue worth that much money? I don't really play much pool, so obviously I am missing something.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Notice the amount he's talking about as being involved. He only needs to win $40 thirty five times and he's made back the cost of the cue; this doesn't even begin to take into account any additional pleasure he might feel from playing with a nice cue.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:He only needs to win $40 thirty five times and he's made back the cost of the cue
This assumes that he never loses.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
From what I understand, he has to lose every once in a while or the other players won't bother coming back.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
No, it doesn't . If he's won $40 thirty five times he has won back the cost of the cue; if he's lost some in that same time frame he also has some losses to make up with further wins.
So long as he plays fairly regularly and commonly wins or has more fun playing than he loses in money, the cue is almost certainly a good investment. I predict he has played many hundreds of times with it.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Which still doesn't answer the question of what it is about the cue that makes it worth so much.
Posted by Kristen (Member # 9200) on :
I'm more interested in how the thief RECOGNIZED it was a $1400 pool cue.
I would have had absolutely no idea: If I were to steal pool supplies and wanted that kind of money, I'd just try to make off with the table. *shrug*
(not like I'm judging you; you don't even want to know how much I spend on coats )
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
I think pool cues are easier to steal than pool tables. I've never actually tried, so I could be wrong.
Posted by Kristen (Member # 9200) on :
quote:I think pool cues are easier to steal than pool tables. I've never actually tried, so I could be wrong.
Greater risks, greater rewards.
(and this is why if I were a criminal, I'd totally end up in the Dumb Criminals column of the Reader).
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kristen: (and this is why if I were a criminal, I'd totally end up in the Dumb Criminals column of the Reader).
...and with a hernia
[ April 03, 2006, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:No, it doesn't [Smile] . If he's won $40 thirty five times he has won back the cost of the cue; if he's lost some in that same time frame he also has some losses to make up with further wins.
Now you're being silly and hyperliteral. If he wins 35 times and loses 50 times, in no practical sense could it be said that he's earned back the price of the cue.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
So long as he had more fun than the amount he lost in those fifty times, in exactly a very practical sense could he have earned back the price of the cue.
Economics isn't all about money.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
The little I know about Kwea, he seems to be very good playing pool, and wins some money almost every time he plays.
Posted by bonniet (Member # 240) on :
quote:Originally posted by dkw: Which still doesn't answer the question of what it is about the cue that makes it worth so much.
Exactly!! Can anyone explain what would make a pool cue cost that much money?
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
It was amazing that there was so many over $1,000
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Kristen, the theieves DIDN'T know what they had. I heard them on the phone when the police officer told them they had committed a felony, and mentioned the value of the cue, and they almost crapped their pants.
Jay, great thread to link to, I would probably never had thought of that. Two things though....first, auctions usually bring in LESS than list price on high end cues, so most of those are under priced compared to retail, if you can believe it.
Second, the $1500 cue you linked to is still a production cue....pre-made, with no custom work at all. The retail price for it is $2500....and my cue is better than that one is.....it is a one of a kind.
Schon makes very possibly the BEST production cue in the world these days (although that is a whole other can of worms), but they all hit the same.
It depends, really. A lot of commercial cues are very good, and I played with one or another brand for years and did fine. I saved up for a long time for this cues, though, although not in a way most of you would recognize....I sold 3 other cues to raise the money. I had either won or bought those cues over time, and they all hit good....but the cue I bought with the money I raised by selling those other cues is the best cue I have ever held, let alone owned.
I usually just play in tournaments because I dislike hustles. They are fundamentally dishonest, and I always felt a little dirty trying to do it...which made me a bad hustler, but a good person. I really NEVER got into trying to hustle, although I always liked beating other people who thought they were hustling me:D. I would play fairly well most of the night, but still talk to my friends and joke around....and since the other players didn't know me well they would usually think they had a good idea of how well I could play overall.
They were usually wrong. I wasn't throwing any games, but there is a BIG difference between playing a truely competitve level and messing around in a bar or pool hall wiht your friends.
Playing really, really well takes a LOT of concentration and effort, but when you are in the zone it doesn't LOOK like you are expending any effort at all. I liked hanging out with my friends and drinking and dancing too much to ignore all of that just to play pool at my best level.....but at the end of the night, the fabled "double or nothing" line would always come out when they "hustlers" would try to make their move on me. Usually they would have "lost" a bit of money to me trying to lull me into thinking either a) they sucked or b) I was great.
I would do one of two thing. I would either say " Oh, look at the time, I have to go dance with (insert name here)" and walk away with whatever they had "given" me, or I would decide it was worth the effort to play full steam, and I would whip them hard. I almost always had told them I couldn't play all night so they couldn't force me to stay, and I always insisted on cash as we went...I NEVER play for credit, not even for a double or nothing.
Out of the two options my favorite was the first....if they really WERE trying to hustle me it drove them NUTS! :
I once won about $1600 in one day. I won two tournaments, and played pool from about 8 am to about 2 am the following day.
[ April 04, 2006, 12:58 AM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
You still haven't answered why a cue that costs so much is worth the money.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
What makes a cue worth that much?
Well, first of all I can (and do) play with almost anything. I have a cue that is only worth about $60, and it hits fine. I still have another cue worth about $160 that is one of the best hitting cues I have hit with.
But my cue was beautiful.....and made of the best possible materials. It had ebony inlays, 8 points worth, hand carved by a master cue named named Dave Tice, from Washington State. It had silver/nickel inlay/rings around the joint to provide a wonderful hit and great durability. The shaft was made of Canadian hard rock maple, and tapered to my own specifications...and it was about 1 1/3 inches longer than most cues, but the balance was the same because of the design and taper. I am only about 5'6", so I could reach more shots without straining with this cue than I can make with any other cue I have ever used.
It has Coco Bola wood, Birdseye maple and ebony in the butt cap, with beautiful finish work all over the cue.
It also had a lifetime warranty, including materials.
Let me put it this way.....
If you gave me Tiger Woods golf clubs, I probably would NOT become a great golfer because if it. I am not a horrible golfer, but not a good one at all....so most of what Tiger can do with the ball on a golf course would be impossible for me regardless of what type of clubs I used. Tiger (or any other golfer, really ) could use 3 clubs from the Salvation Army store and still whip me easily.
But if you took Tiger's clubs away from him one day before the Masters, he probably wouldn't even make the cut. Hell, he would probably withdraw, as he would be wasting his time.
I am no Tiger Woods, not even at pool, but the principle is the same.
I play at a fairly high level, or at least I use to a few years ago. I can (and have) use a wooden broom handle and beaten people for money....but if you let me have my cue I can control what happens to a much greater degree.
Since losing even 3% of my shot making ability can effectively remove me from any chance of competing at my old level, losing this cue is a devastating loss. I can't sell any more cues, I don't have enough residual value in my collection to make even a dent in the cost of replacing it. Even if I do replace it, it won't hit exactly the same, which means I have to relearn ALL my shots with it in order to even consider competing at a regional/national amateur level again.
I love tournaments because there is no hustle. You know what you are risking up front (entry fee), and everyone wants to win for the most part so you always get their best game right up front. I cultivated an image of someone who doesn't mind playing for a beer or a buck or two, but who didn't like to gamble a lot of money regardless of the possible gain, so most of the really good 'hustlers" left me alone. When I would encounter one of them in my side of a tournament they knew letting me beat them had no payoff, not even after the tournament in the "green room", so they would try to beat me right away.
I always did well, and within 6 months I had won more than enough to cover the cost of the cue, even if I had payed straight up for it. Enough in PROFITS, too, including the entry fee where I won nothing.
If I get a monetary award for this, and I will eventually, I will spend it on a new Tice cue without thinking twice about it, providing I don't need the money for something urgent. The problem is that I can't afford to go and buy one in the mean time, so I am humped. If this goes to court (and it will) it could take a year or more before I see the money to replace it.
Gotta love American Justice, huh?
[ April 04, 2006, 01:12 AM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
mph, in real pool terms....
With my cue, on a regulation 9 foot table, I could place a ball on the rail most of the way down the table, then a half sized sheet of writing paper anywhere on the table. I could shoot, make the ball.....
and make the cue ball finish up on that paper.
I could place a dime on the table and shoot most shots and have the cue ball either stop touching it or have it run right over it (if I hit it a bit too hard ).
Draw, follow, 1 rail... or 4....I could usually have the cue ball on that paper somehow once it stopped moving.
I could draw the ball, with the object ball a full 8/12 feet away down the table, all the way back and make it hit the tip of my cue, which I had not moved from my follow through stroke. There was little to no deflection at all.
I could take the same shot but more my cue and the cue ball would draw a full table back, hit the rail and go to the other opposing rail, then hit off THAT rail and go between 1/4 to 1/2 a table back up again.
2 and 1/2 table lengths of draw, with some contol.
I could do a legal jump shot wth it and clear 2-3 complete balls while still keeping the cue on the table after impact with the object ball.
I could do a legal jumps shot over a complete ball, and draw the cue ball back 1/2 a table length.
Consistantly.
Keep in mind that I no longer play 5 days a week, so how much of this I can still do is a mystery even to me.
I ran 126 balls in two turns at the table (69 then 57) in straight pool, and I once played another 6 in the APA league (years ago when I was still a 6....7 is the highest, and that was my most recent handicap) and he never shot, other than the inital break.
He broke, then I ran out...and broke and ran the next 4 games in a row, finishing the match without letting him shoot again.
Posted by JenniK (Member # 3939) on :
Yes, it's true. Kwea does play very well and his cue was very beautiful. It hit very well and he could do a lot more with that cue than he could with the other good cues that he has. (Although my cue is far prettier...it is blue after all! ) Kwea says "typical woman...it's all about the color" , however I have seen him play with other cues as well and he has always played better with the one that was stolen. He's also won a heck of a lot more tournaments and money over all with it, that's for sure. I was very upset by what happened since he didn't come to bed last night. He slept on the couch because he was so upset by it and he didn't want to disturb me. I have learned just how stupid these "criminals" are.... if they could post here I think it would read something like this "colur me blonde and paint me stupid s-t-o-o-p-i-d!" One even went so far as to confess to the police officer over the phone...then threaten his job by saying that his uncle was in the FBI and he would have the guy's job. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but when you have been caught stealing on video...and confessed to a cop... then you threaten that same officer.... you really and truly are a brilliant idiot! This is why Jay Leno reads headlines about stupid criminals! Some people are so dumb it makes them hard to laugh at! It doesn't stop us from laughing - it just makes it harder. Hopefully this will be resolved quickly, especially since Kwea says he pities them because they have now really screwed up their own lives... a felony being so much different than petty theft....although he says that that would not stop him from breaking their legs with a baseball bat. ( Personally I think he is still very upset by this and can only verbally assault them - for which I am grateful, but I am pretty ticked at them myself and had a nice Louisville slugger in my hands just a few hours ago. I only wish I had some watermelons or something to take out my anger and frustration on. I think it would be good therapy for Kwea and I.)
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
I had no idea pool was so... potentially expensive - though in thinking about it, I realize I should have figured.
(Note to self: If I ever encounter Kwea, do not play pool.)
Posted by CoriSCapnSkip (Member # 9153) on :
Anything so valuable should certainly have a serial number or some means of identification permanently etched into it.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Maybe he could write his name on it with a Sharpie.
Kwea, I'm awfully impressed with your professed prowess. I'd just love to see you play and do all those neat tricks.
There is nothing that I am that good at.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: If I get a monetary award for this, and I will eventually, I will spend it on a new Tice cue without thinking twice about it, providing I don't need the money for something urgent. The problem is that I can't afford to go and buy one in the mean time, so I am humped. If this goes to court (and it will) it could take a year or more before I see the money to replace it.
Gotta love American Justice, huh?
I'm not an American, and I don't play one on tv...
I don't understand how this works. I thought that the cops kept the cue for evidence until trial was over or a plea bargain was arranged, and then you got it back. But that isn't what I'm seeing you describe. Do the cops then keep your pool cue for forever in case of appeals? Do you ever get it back? And what is this reward money you speak of? Or did you mean compensation money?
It sucks that this happened.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by Carrie: (Note to self: If I ever encounter Kwea, do not play pool.)
Now, see, this has made me want to have Kwea teach me to play. I've played a few times, found it enormously fun, and sucked at it pretty badly. I see that as an advantage, though--I would have very few things to unlearn. Call it none.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
You forgot a few, Jenni.
Hope your cue's in good shape when you get it back, Kwea.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
quote: Maybe he could write his name on it with a Sharpie.
I doubt he'd mar his cue with a sharpie, but maybe you were just kidding, so... Posted by Sharpie (Member # 482) on :
Mar?
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
kwea: What happened to the cue that was stolen? Did the thieves break it, or sell it off, or is it stuck in an evidence room?
Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :
My dad plays in a league and goes to tournaments all over the Southwest with his 'crew'. He's good at it in a 'local dive bar' sense, but nowhere near as proficient as Kwea.
The thing is: he loves the game. Even when he loses. He loves the whole part of it; the camaraderie with his team, the science of the shots, the showmanship of "English" and specialty shots. That's all there needs to be in it, regardless of monetary prizes or winning (although money and winning is wonderful!).
One year my mom bought my dad a custom cue for his birthday. I thought the man was going to cry. It's not a $1400 cue, but to him, it is priceless. I think it's the only thing he really takes care of (you should see the state of his car, it's disgusting), and if it ever got stolen, he would definitely lose his mojo for a while. His enjoyment. Money is just money, but mojo matters.
*commiserates with Kwea*
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:I had no idea pool was so... potentially expensive - though in thinking about it, I realize I should have figured.
It seems to me that just about any pasttime, if you get serious about it, has expensive accoutrements.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I think that pool is one of those sports that favours shorter people. I'm sure there are plenty of great pool players that are tall, but being down close to the level of the table seems to make the game more fun. Most of the people that I've known who were even halfway decent at pool were much shorter than me. I hate playing pool as I have to lean way over to line up a decent shot. Since I normally play for leisure, this makes the game less fun for me.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
How short would you have to be to not need to lean over when lining up a shot?
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
I think it's ridiculous to spend sooo much money on a hobby.
::discreetely kicks her magic cards under the bed::
Pix
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
To anecdotally prove Primal's point, one of my classmates was parapalegic, and he was an awesome pool player. He said being low helped him some, but he was pretty good before his accident too.
I'm tall, and I think that helps me in pool because I can reach shots that shorter people need a bridge for, which is an advantage for me (or it would be if I could make them).
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
not at all....pool favors the taller players, particularly for professionals, they can reach more shots without a bridge.
I ike playing with the cue that I have, butI shoot a LOT better with the cue that was stolen. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
quote:Originally posted by jexx: My dad plays in a league and goes to tournaments all over the Southwest with his 'crew'. He's good at it in a 'local dive bar' sense, but nowhere near as proficient as Kwea.
The thing is: he loves the game. Even when he loses. He loves the whole part of it; the camaraderie with his team, the science of the shots, the showmanship of "English" and specialty shots. That's all there needs to be in it, regardless of monetary prizes or winning (although money and winning is wonderful!).
One year my mom bought my dad a custom cue for his birthday. I thought the man was going to cry. It's not a $1400 cue, but to him, it is priceless. I think it's the only thing he really takes care of (you should see the state of his car, it's disgusting), and if it ever got stolen, he would definitely lose his mojo for a while. His enjoyment. Money is just money, but mojo matters.
*commiserates with Kwea*
Anyone can play in the US ameteur, they just have to pay the entry.
He is probably as good as I am now, maybe better. :
I love playing, much in the same way you mentioned your dad does. That is part of why I am so pissed off....it isn't just the cue, but now every time I go in there (and I am their house pro) I will remember the cue was stolen.
The police AV people went to Players (the bar) today and lifted the video from their hard drive, and they said it is one of the most open and shut case they have ever seen. The detective can now issue warrents.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
quote: Mar?
Sharpie, "Mar" means "ruin something", "lessen something's quality". Check your friendly nearest dictionary. I know I did (since I do not speak english as a first language, I assumed, at first, I typed it in a wrong way). Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I think he was objecting to your use of a sharpie (his username) to 'mar' something. 'Mar' having negative connotations, as you know.
Posted by Eduardo_Sauron (Member # 5827) on :
You're probably right. I'm too dumb to notice a joke, hehe. :-)
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
In your defense, it's a pretty subtle joke for someone who's first language is Portugese. Or is it Spanish?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Her username. Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by Noemon: How short would you have to be to not need to lean over when lining up a shot?
I don't think you quite realize just how far I have to lean over to play pool- especially in the typically cramped spaces pool tables tend to reside. I mean, I could just bend over slightly and make the shot, but if I want to line it up and carefully hit the cue ball, I have to crouch down a lot. It's uncomfortable and usually means I can't make certain shots unless I do some kind of crazy acrobatics. That takes the fun out of the game. I'd rather play ping-pong or video games. Of course, with ping-pong I have to watch the basement ceiling.
Posted by Sharpie (Member # 482) on :
Yeah, I was just being a goof, Eduardo_Sauron. Posted by JenniK (Member # 3939) on :
quote: I'm not an American, and I don't play one on tv...
I don't understand how this works. I thought that the cops kept the cue for evidence until trial was over or a plea bargain was arranged, and then you got it back. But that isn't what I'm seeing you describe. Do the cops then keep your pool cue for forever in case of appeals? Do you ever get it back? And what is this reward money you speak of? Or did you mean compensation money?
It sucks that this happened.
(Kwea here, as my wife didn't log out again. )
Quid, there have been no arrests yet, although that should change very quickly.
Each of the guys claimed on the phone the night of the theft that the ohter one had the cue at that moment. I thought at first that I had just misplaced the cue, and they left before the video footage had been examined. We knew who they were though, and had the police call them on their cell phones.
I would get the cue back, since it is obvious that it belonged to me...usually the cue would only be kept for evidence if there was some dispute over who really owned it. The video shows them sneaking around stealing it from me, and I have the phone number of the person who sold me the cue, so I can prove it was mine.
If the police had SEEN them stealing it then they could have been arrested right away...or if they had still been there when the police arrived perhaps, but as it stands a detective has to go make the arrest at this point rather than a patrolman.
Posted by CoriSCapnSkip (Member # 9153) on :
Something so valuable should perhaps be insured.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
It wouldn't fly, as I had left it alone at a public place. It would have been neglegent of me, at least in the eyes of an insurance agent.
Mind you, I know I usually would ahve kept it close, but I hada few friends in the room and figured it was safe....safe enough for a few minutes, anyway. I was obviously wrong.
It IS insured, as it is on my Renters' insurance, so if my apartment had burned down or been robbed it would have been covered. Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
Primal, how tall are you?
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Most professional pool players are about 6' tall, although there are exceptions. Some are quite taller.
It makes quite a difference on a full sized 9' regulation table. There ae simply some shots that cannot be done consistantly with a bridge (crutch), and I just can't reach them in some locations on the table.
I imagine bending over the table can be a pain if you are really, really tall, but at least making those shots is a possibility for someone that tall. For me it isn't, so I have to find workarounds to them. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Still haven't heard from the police, so I will probably call the detective tomorrow. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Well, warrents have been issued today, or will be by tomorrow morning.
The original police officer requested to take the case over, because the punks made it personal.
In the one day he has had my case he has already taken sworn statments about the identity of the two theives and begun having warrents issued for them. I don't think his job is in danger, despite what those kids said.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
(you forgot one)
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
No I didn't, I just wanted to prove you wrong....you ARE that good at something....
Posting on Hatrack! Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: The original police officer requested to take the case over, because the punks made it personal.
In the one day he has had my case he has already taken sworn statments about the identity of the two theives and begun having warrents issued for them. I don't think his job is in danger, despite what those kids said.
I feel like less of a person for the big grin spreading across my face.
Dang, do I ever love to see power wielded justly to fight the good fight.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Kwea, thanks for answering my question. And warrants! Yehaw! Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Wow, criminals really are stupid! I'm so glad these guys are getting caught. What are the chances that you get your cue back soon in good condition? I hope that happens!
Kwea, it's a shame to let them throw your game off, though, or diminsh your enjoyment of something you love. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you helped teach a valuable lesson to a couple of mentally and morally retarded people, and that you're able to let your anger go. It would be too bad if you let them mess up something that brought you so much pleasure.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I don't play much these days as it is, to be honest. It takes a HUGE investment of time and effort to play at a high level, at least for me, and I would rather spend the evenings with my wife than go and travel around shooting pool with a bunch of people (some of questionable character) I don't' really know.
Most of the "heat of the moment" anger has passed, but there is still this ice cold core of it that remains, and that sort of scares me to be honest.
I doubt I will have to take matters into my own hands at this point, although if I were to run into one randomly at this point I would really have to restrain myself from going after him.
I am about as far from being "macho" as you can get, really, but in some ways that just makes me more dangerous when things get to this stage. I don't need to beat them one on one, I would be just as happy (perhaps even more happy) finding a way to do it privately, from a distance.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Sounds like two people are going to learn the hard way that not knowing how much something is worth isn't a defense against grand larceny.
I hope the prosecutors follow through with it. This is the kind of crime that, if tolerated, has a bigger effect on quality of life than one would expect.
If nothing else, keeping Kwea from getting pissed off is a public necessity.
I'm glad things seem to be moving toward a good resolution.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
quote:I am about as far from being "macho" as you can get, really, but in some ways that just makes me more dangerous when things get to this stage.
Dude, chill. You're, like, one step from whipping out your Real Ultimate Power (tm), and we all know where that winds up.
Seriously, I get that you're ticked. But if you're STILL full of a "ice-cold core" of anger and on the verge of being "dangerous," you should consider that a PROBLEM.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Tom, thats for the concern, but I am OK. I am completely satisfied at this point to let the legal system take care of this, and I think that that will work out completely to my satisfaction.
Being aware of that sort of anger is actually a GOOD thing, because there were times in my past where I overestimated my control of my temper and it got ugly. Also, I am not FULl of that anger, but it IS still present. I will not make the mistake of letting myself forget that.
Remember, I turned down a State Police job because of this, because I didn't want to carry a gun. I was able to walk away from that situation, which would have been far more dangerous than anything else, because I knew that I didn't trust myself enough to carry.
Awareness of anger, for me at least, is usually enough to make me avoid situations where it could get out of hand.
Honestly, if I ran into one of them now I would simply call Officer Adkins and tell him where they were....unless they challenged me face to face. ewven then I would probaby try to walk away, but I have seen enough of these type of idiots to know they usually won't let you walk away....
THAT'S when things can get ugly real quick.
However, if they get don't get convicted, or the prosecutors choose to let this case go....I don't know what will happen at that point, to be honest.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
See, this line -- "THAT'S when things can get ugly real quick" -- is what bothers me, especially with the wink attached.
Because that IS about as macho as it can get.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
No it isn't, not at all.
Macho would be :"I am going to hunt them down and get them", or "If I see them they will pay.".
I have been in situations where fighting back was the only option more than once, Tom, and after being mugged in the Army I learned one thing.....
There is no such thing as a fair fight!
If I am unable to walk away, and unable to call the police...which I said were my first options, even now, as pissed as I am....then if anyone is going to bleed it will be them, and I will have little or no regret about it. I didn't steal from them....and I would NOT be the one making aggressive moves at them in that case.
But once a fist is thrown, I won't care if I hit them with my fist or a baseball bat. I saw a kid die in a fistfight once, Tom, so to me once a fight begins there are no rules. No safety. Every swing they take at me could kill me, so my only job in a fight, providing I can't just run away, is to incapacitate them first, however I can, as quickly as I can.
Once again, this is why I don't own a gun, even though I enjoy target shooting and am a very good shot.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
quote:I saw a kid die in a fistfight once, Tom, so to me once a fight begins there are no rules. No safety. Every swing they take at me could kill me, so my only job in a fight, providing I can't just run away, is to incapacitate them first, however I can, as quickly as I can.
I hope you reconsider. Everyone you fight won't be as "dangerous" as Stilson.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Bullsh*t. Every fight is as dangerous as the fight I saw in 10th grade, where one lucky punch had a kid hit his head on the curb and die.
They were only 16, man, and one of them died.
If someone is going to be hurt (or killed) let it be the one who was so eager to fight in the first place.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
The thing that concerns me is that, should anything happen to one of the guys who stole your cue, guess who would be a prime suspect? Guess how your statements in the last few weeks would read to a prosecuter? I don't know whether they'd be admissible, but I wouldn't go around bragging about how much restraint you're showing and how badly you could really hurt the guys if you had to.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I am not going looking for trouble, and there would be no evidence because I am not going out of my way to get them.
I would call the police myself if there was an altercation, because I would not have started it. Hell, I would have tried to get away. Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Not the point. If one of these guys gets mugged and beat up, you might be questioned. It's just not smart.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Except that talking about it here on Hatrack makes me less likely to lose control....it is a balancing act, I guess. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Well, warrents were issued for the two idiots tonight, after all statements were sworn tp and the witnesses comfirmed their identities.. Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
It about time.
The really sad thing about how long this has taken is that it makes the chances that you will ever see your cue again pretty low. If the police had obtained a warrant to search the guys property right away, they probably would have found the cue.
If I followed the story correctly, the perps were told weeks ago how much the cue was worth and freaked. I suspect that as soon as they found out what it was worth, they ditched in a dumpster somewhere to get rid of the evidence.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
More than a week ago, almost 3 weeks ago. It will be 3 weeks since it was stolen this Sunday.
We figure it is at the bottom of the river by now, if not in a pawn shop.
That's fine, I will hit them for the value of the cue, plus time and effort.
I expect an arrest within a week.
[ May 09, 2006, 06:21 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Well, I was wrong.
Warrants take longer than even the police thought.
They called me last week and told me they were waiting on the DA to move on it, and they had already staked out the place I told them about to catch one of them....the methadone clinic.
They know where to find them, and have seen them at this point, they are just waiting for the warrants.
[ May 09, 2006, 06:22 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
OK, I spoke to the DA today, and the warrant is issued, finally.
The DA had a mistake with my phone number (one digit wrong) which is why they sent me a letter; they needed to make sure they could still reach me so that I could press charges. Also, the lady I spoke to was surprised that we had video of the theft, so she needs to speak to Officer Adkins tonight.
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) Kwea says "typical woman...it's all about the color" ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
, however I have seen him play with other cues as well and he has always played better with the one that was stolen. He's also won a heck of a lot more tournaments and money over all with it, that's for sure.![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
you really and truly are a brilliant idiot! ![[Wall Bash]](graemlins/wallbash.gif)
This is why Jay Leno reads headlines about stupid criminals! Some people are so dumb it makes them hard to laugh at! ![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
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( Personally I think he is still very upset by this and can only verbally assault them - for which I am grateful, but I am pretty ticked at them myself and had a nice Louisville slugger in my hands just a few hours ago. I only wish I had some watermelons or something to take out my anger and frustration on. I think it would be good therapy for Kwea and I.)
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