Here's an AP news article from 2 days ago: Indiana Man Indicted in EBay Robbery Scam INDIANAPOLIS - A federal grand jury indicted an Indianapolis man on charges he auctioned vintage muscle cars that he did not own on the Internet site eBay, then had two partners rob would-be buyers at gunpoint when they came to pick up the autos. Dewan A. Horne, 24, was being held Wednesday night in the Marion County Jail. His alleged accomplices were still at large, according to prosecutors. In one of the robberies, which occurred in December and January, a father and son from Georgia and South Carolina were forced at gunpoint to lie down while Horne and his partners took more than $9,000 in cash and equipment from their truck before leaving in Horne's car, the indictment said. Horne denied any role in the robberies and said he did not know why he was identified as a suspect. Horne was charged with robbery and conspiracy under the Hobbs Act, which prohibits interference with interstate commerce by threats or violence, and for his partners' alleged use of firearms during the crimes. He could face prison time and a fine if convicted, prosecutors said.
that is why I carry when I go out and pick up parts or vehicles. It always struck me that the person you are going to meet knows you have a certain amount of cash and sometimes equipment. Only ever really freaked out one guy when I didn't realize my shirt was hung up on the pistol. He kept looking at me real funny and finally asked me what was up with the gun? that was a little akward. But better to have something than nothing.
crossmember I understand completely, had some guys come down to the house look at my 64 impala, everything was cool and all, no beef whatsoever but my trusty 9 and shot gun were close by.... I don't trust anyone.......its sad to come to that realization.
I had a friend who inherited some expensive jewelery. He put ads in the local paper to sell it. He offered to bring it to the buyer's jeweler for appraisal, but told potential buyers that when the actual sale was made, and cash was exchanged they would do it in the lobby of the local Police Station (it was a small town and my friend was a neighbor of the Chief of Police who said it was OK, and that other people had also done this). More than a couple of people who responded to his ads told him they were no longer interested after he told them about meeting at the Police Station.
The Jalopy Journal
