RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) Paignton Model Shop was broken into.last night with all the display cabinets emptied. The low-life piece of sh1t spent around 4 hours carefully wrapping all the unboxed locos carefully. All whilst on CCTV. If anyone sees a large number of unboxed brand new locos for sale contact Devon and Cornwall Police Service. This emporium is my 'go to' place with the prices near to the major box shifters in many cases after saving the £4 p&p. Edited October 9, 2017 by Re6/6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 This a fine shop, which I regularly patronise when in Devon. Very sorry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 It is hard to understand why anyone should steal limited interest items like toy trains. The market is comparatively small and usually not the type to indulge in abetting thievery. But four hours and no alarm or police response is mystifying. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mow Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 ITV Coverage. http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-10-09/thief-breaks-into-devon-shop-through-ceiling-to-steal-valuable-model-trains/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 They are surprisingly easy to shift unfortunately Our place is like Fort Knox now after three break ins. Our current shop has not been broken into yet (touches wood) I'll keep an eye open, there are one or two dealers around that are less than scrupulous when it comes to buying 'collections' I hope the insurance pays out in the meantime. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 So ITV are asking if anyone recognises the person in the CCTV, but don't provide an image... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 4630 Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 Kernow Models has shown a still image on their Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/kernowmodelrail/status/917139071113334784 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernowtim Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Pic here, http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/local-news/police-hunt-great-model-train-595365 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Legend Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 9, 2017 The fact that he carefully wrapped items suggests to me that this is someone who knows model trains. Might he be stealing them for own use or to sell onto someone he already knows. This doesn't look to be someone who will sell at ridiculous prices for a quick easy sale to fuel their habit Anyway , hope the shops insured and gets back to normal ASAP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 I foresee an ebay sale or several “Helping mum to dispose of my late father’s collection”. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mow Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) ITV have now added a video clip. Someone might recognise the guy. He forgot to cover his face. http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-10-09/thief-breaks-into-devon-shop-through-ceiling-to-steal-valuable-model-trains/ Edited October 9, 2017 by mow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 Unusual levels of public interest and exposure of the robbery. Brilliant. Nice to see another prominent South West retailer actively helping in the hunt, too, by posting on twitter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) Plenty of places to shift unboxed items "Broken from sets" Ebay, local paper, car boot sales, anywhere no questions asked so ask some questions. DCC added or removed, weathered, even used on the thief's layout maybe. He may even break them for spares as per LandRover thieves. Ebay changes are making it easier for thieves, they don't want buyers to contact sellers or even know who sellers are. No one knows who TeaLeaf234 or whatever is he may even have multiple accounts. It would be good if the stills from the CCTV pics in the press could be shown on this thread, someone may recognise him. As regards Paignton Model centre I live 140 miles away and seldom get to south Devon but on a visit last autumn I found Paignton Model Centre to be an excellent shop. Very competitive prices, good stock. When my father in law bought an ex display model the guy even took it upstairs to make sure it ran ok before we bought it. Real first class service so its so unfair he gets targeted by low lifes. Even if the guy is insured he will still be seriously out of pocket come renewals time... I just hope the thief is caught and the magistrates deal appropriately. Edited October 9, 2017 by DavidCBroad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
71000 Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Paignton models has my sympathy. I hope this is not part of an organised sweep of model shops ? Around the year 2000, my shop (now closed) JR Models at Taunton station was broken into, as part of a sweep of model railway shops between Bristol and Plymouth. The crooks targeted my British outline, German N & Z scales, but didn't touch our main Japanese ranges, quite probably knowing they were virtually unique to my business. They were thorough, as they even found my camera I had left hidden under my office desk ! As my shop was on Railway property the Transport Police were involved. This was very fortunate it turned out, as the crime provided our local Transport Police office with something they could get their teeth into, and get their teeth into it they did. They went hot foot to see Hornby and Bachmann, to find out what security measures the manufacturers used. This stimulated the manufacturers and certain improvements were made by them to improve the traceability of items from that time. The next break came when a customer revealed "Blimey I can get this model at half your price down Yeovil market". The customer gave the Transport Police a number of clues. To cut a long story short it seems an organised gang of more than two persons based in the Bridgewater area, were eventually traced. The Transport Police laid a trap for the crooks and they were caught a few months later in the process of robbing a model shop on Yeovil Junction station. It later transpired these same crooks had broken into virtually all model railway shops from Bristol and Bournemouth in the East to Plymouth in the West. Much of the footwork was done by the Transport Police, who sadly revealed that most regular Police Forces, had neither the time, the finances or the inclination to pursue such "minor crimes"...... The Duke 71000 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 Even if the guy is insured he will still be seriously out of pocket come renewals time... I just hope the thief is caught and the magistrates deal appropriately. I suspect that some people might prefer this sort of scum to get "suspended" sentences. Probably best not to go into too much detail about the exact meaning of the word "suspended" ... . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trog Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I suspect that some people might prefer this sort of scum to get "suspended" sentences. Probably best not to go into too much detail about the exact meaning of the word "suspended" ... . Would that be with their feet 4mm off the ground? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big James Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Absolutely disgusting. Hope they are caught quickly. I remember when our shed was broken into and all my stuff was stolen plus my dads fishing gear. My stuff was never recovered but we found all my dads stuff at the local cash converters. That is where all this stuff will probably end up to. Big james Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted October 9, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) Would that be with their feet 4mm off the ground? Something along those lines - though probably in "OO" scale - as in: "OO, this is a pain in the neck!" It goes without saying that the UK penal code does not include the provision of the death penalty for any offences. I, for one, would not wish to see it reinstated at any point in the future (for a number of reasons, which I'd prefer not to go into here). Saying that, I strongly suspect that a number of people probably take the view that the sort of sentences which judges - and particularly magistrates - are allowed to impose don't always appear to accurately relect the severity and impact of a number of offences. More to the point, I believe they've got a point. However, I suspect that Andy would, quite reasonably, prefer it if this site were not used as a venue to discuss grievances with official sentencing guidelines. Regards, Huw. Edited October 10, 2017 by Huw Griffiths Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Hmmm, Doesn't look like what I was expecting, i.e. A younger druggie waster. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Huw Griffiths Posted October 10, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 10, 2017 Hmmm, Doesn't look like what I was expecting, i.e. A younger druggie waster. Has he been grassed up already, then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cctransuk Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Has he been grassed up already, then? I'm sure that I've seen this guy at model railway exhibitions - but then a large percentage of attendees look like him ! Seriously, though - he does seem to know what he's looking for; a renegade model railway collector with aspirations beyond his means? Regards, John Isherwood. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Brasher Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 At the Hornby Railway Collectors Association meeting at Broadstone last Tuesday there was a copy of the report from the local newspaper of the theft, It was a well written article despite the frivolous heading. Someone had pasted the article onto a sheet of card with an appeal for further information. The chairman also mentioned it in his announcements. We are a long way from Paignton and the Hornby Railway Collectors Association is national organisation. The more people who know about the theft the more chance there is of the thief being caught. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted October 19, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 19, 2017 (edited) ITV have now added a video clip. Someone might recognise the guy. He forgot to cover his face. http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-10-09/thief-breaks-into-devon-shop-through-ceiling-to-steal-valuable-model-trains/ Hopefully, he'll get caught soon. Edited October 19, 2017 by Captain Kernow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Hmmm, Doesn't look like what I was expecting, i.e. A younger druggie waster. They never do. A druggie wouldn't bother going through all this bother for a quick fix. They certainly wouldn't spend four hours doing it. More likely to shoplift something like perfume or aftershave that is easily got rid of down the local Weatherspoon's. It's obviously someone who knows exactly what he's after. Notice that he left the Hornby Sentinel on the shelf? And all the train packs and sets. Things that are probably easy to get rid of just before Christmas down the pub or market. So yes, I would guess at an "enthusiast" or someone robbing to order. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I heard via Facebook that someone has been caught. Apparently was also responsible for a previous break in at a preserved railway. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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