Well, this is awful.

[Pulse]

Last night I got very merry with some friends I hadn't seen in ages at one of my local pubs and then headed back to one of their houses afterwards. I've got a killer hangover now and to make things worse I just received a phone call informing me that a very expensive watch had been stolen from the house and it was gift wrapped and was intended to be a present for someone. Now, the police have been brought into this obviously and there's a possibility they may have to do finger prints of everyone who was at the party, as the watch hasn't turned up yet and no one has admitted to taking it.

I have a strong feeling that my friend and I may have touched it during the course of the evening, as it was placed on a shelf that was close to a ladder that runs into a small attic and my friend and I went up there to get some bedding materials so we could happily fall into a drunken slumber towards the end of the evening. As we were climbing the ladder he knocked the shelf and a load of stuff fell down, including 2 presents, one of which I'm certain was the watch. Naturally I picked it up and gave it to him to place back on the shelf. Now it appears the watch had been unwrapped and removed from its original location.

I'm feeling very shaken up by this as I have a feeling my friend and I could be falsely accused of stealing the present, just because we picked it up after accidentally knocking it as they have kept the wrapping paper as evidence. I can assure you that neither my friend or I took it, yet the finger prints will put the blame solely on us if they go through with it. To make it worse I was pretty drunk and only have faint memories of what happened.

Any advice on what I could do if my suspicions prove to be true and I am falsely accused of theft? I feel sick to my stomach right now of the thought, it's awful especially on Christmas eve.

 

[Ennui]

That sucks and I would be thinking the exact same things as you in your situation, but honestly you're still going to be fine. If your friends trust you, it should be fine - just tell them what you just told us. Fingerprints in this situation are circumstantial evidence. I'm not too familiar with the English legal system but I imagine it's similar enough to the US one that "beyond a reasonable doubt" still applies, and there's a ton of doubt there.

 

[Raziaar]

Whoever stole it only stole it from Santa Clause, and that's not a crime. Cause he gives shit out for free!

 

[Pulse]

That sucks and I would be thinking the exact same things as you in your situation, but honestly you're still going to be fine. If your friends trust you, it should be fine - just tell them what you just told us. Fingerprints in this situation are circumstantial evidence. I'm not too familiar with the English legal system but I imagine it's similar enough to the US one that "beyond a reasonable doubt" still applies, and there's a ton of doubt there.

I had a vigorous talk with my mate and we both recollect what happened so our statements will be the same. I'm more than happy to co-operate with the police and the girl's parents, its just I'm so paranoid over having everyone come down on my friend and I just because we touched the damn thing. It's making me feel guilty now, as if I actually did steal the watch! I just pray it turns up to save everyone's Christmas being spoilt by this.

I'm awaiting a phone call from the girl's friend now as she's going to tell me whether or not an investigation will begin tonight, or at all and whether or not I'll have to go to the police station tonight I assume. This really, really sucks

 

[Citrus]

I'm not sure how the scanning of the wrapping paper will work, but if a drunk person was trying to open a wrapped present, their fingerprints would be all over the stuff. If you simply picked it up, then the scan would show that you didn't try and open it.

?

 

[Pulse]

I'm not sure how the scanning of the wrapping paper will work, but if a drunk person was trying to open a wrapped present, their fingerprints would be all over the stuff. If you simply picked it up, then the scan would show that you didn't try and open it.

?

I'm really not sure how sophisticated the scan will be, however the fact that my finger prints will be on the paper is enough to have me in a serious state about this. Even if the investigation is dropped no one will be able to trust anyone who was at that party again, it's really upsetting. Still haven't received any more phone calls so now I'm in a really shitty anxious mood.

 

[Kakashi]

I can't believe in the UK the police would go through all the trouble of fingerprinting every single person that was there at the party. Here in the states, that just wouldn't happen, it would be a waste of police resources and time. All you could do here is file a report and thats the last you'll ever hear about it.

 

[Pulse]

I can't believe in the UK the police would go through all the trouble of fingerprinting every single person that was there at the party. Here in the states, that just wouldn't happen, it would be a waste of police resources and time. All you could do here is file a report and thats the last you'll ever hear about it.

Well it hasn't been announced officially yet that finger prints need to be taken, but it was hinted that it may go as far as that, hence why I'm anxiously waiting this next phone call to update me on what the hell is going on. I seriously think the watch is just lost somewhere in their house, it was such a tip in there before we even crashed the place!

 

[Kakashi]

Well it hasn't been announced officially yet that finger prints need to be taken, but it was hinted that it may go as far as that, hence why I'm anxiously waiting this next phone call to update me on what the hell is going on. I seriously think the watch is just lost somewhere in their house, it was such a tip in there before we even crashed the place!

I'd have to agree that it may just be misplaced. But I really think this has been blown out of it proportions. I really don't think the police should have been involved and stuff. But I'd doubt they'll get any fingerprints from any of you.

 

[Pulse]

I'd have to agree that it may just be misplaced. But I really think this has been blown out of it proportions. I really don't think the police should have been involved and stuff. But I'd doubt they'll get any fingerprints from any of you.

Completely agree, apparently this was a very expensive watch though and whilst I can understand where they're coming from and all as I'd be just as pissed off and adamant to get the police involved, when it goes missing during a hectic drunken party they only have themselves to blame for not putting it in a more secure place.

 

[Ennui]

I can't believe in the UK the police would go through all the trouble of fingerprinting every single person that was there at the party. Here in the states, that just wouldn't happen, it would be a waste of police resources and time. All you could do here is file a report and thats the last you'll ever hear about it.

That's exactly what I was thinking. You'd file a police report and that would be that.

Hell, one of my best friends got robbed with a shotgun pointed at his face the other day (he was in a very sketchy neighborhood that he shouldn't have been in) and it was at a house... and filing a police report did nada.

 

[Cheomesh]

Hopefully you've learned something from this.

Best of luck man.

 

[Pesmerga]

www.helplife2.net

It's safe-- helper here.

 

[Pulse]

Just got off the phone with one of the policemen and it seems the story is being distorted already. For one, my other friend's name wasn't given so when I gave my account of what happened I had provide the bloke with my friend's contact details, it's ludicrous. It seems they're trying to pin the blame on me or another mate of mine who was nowhere near the incident when it happened! It's getting completely ridiculous and I'm feeling as if I'm being made into the prime suspect here.

To hell with house parties. I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown here, if this carries on it's going to **** my christmas for me and my family.

 

[Pesmerga]

You didn't do it... did you?

I mean... the evidence is compelling...

 

[Pulse]

No I really didn't.

 

[Reginald]

Hey, at least you got a nice watch out of the whole ordeal.

 

[Qonfused]

Rofl.

 

[Cheomesh]

Hey, at least you got a nice watch out of the whole ordeal.

Hah! Yeah, if he can find it.

 

[Pulse]

Well it's all died down now, phoned the station to see what would happen next and they are only taking statements for the time being and was told not to worry as there is no substantial evidence for anything.


Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to purchase laxative and some fine leather straps.

 

[Ennui]

Good to see you weren't arrested and thrown into the dungeons.

 

[ericms]

Well it's all died down now, phoned the station to see what would happen next and they are only taking statements for the time being and was told not to worry as there is no substantial evidence for anything.


Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to purchase laxative and some fine leather straps.

Boooring.



PS Do smileys contribute to the total number of characters in one's post?

PPS How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

 

[Pesmerga]

Yes

 

[sinkoman]

I was under the impression that they couldn't collect finger prints unless somebody died, or a GRAND sum of money was stolen.

 

[Emporius]

You're going to be fine. The police don't do anything unless there is some young wealthy caucasian girl missing.

 

[Seppo]

I have a strong feeling that my friend and I may have touched it during the course of the evening, as it was placed on a shelf that was close to a ladder that runs into a small attic and my friend and I went up there to get some bedding materials so we could happily fall into a drunken slumber towards the end of the evening. As we were climbing the ladder he knocked the shelf and a load of stuff fell down, including 2 presents, one of which I'm certain was the watch. Naturally I picked it up and gave it to him to place back on the shelf.

Don't worry. With a story like that you are completely safe.

 

[Cheomesh]

You're going to be fine. The police don't do anything unless there is some young wealthy caucasian girl missing.

Sucks to be you.

Around here, they actually do police work.

 

[Kakashi]

Sucks to be you.

Around here, they actually do police work.

Hollywood, MD? Never heard of it... I'm in the Silver Spring area. Montgomery County Police here, their pretty tough, and they do what they can in any situation. But their awesome too, I have a couple people I know in the job.

 

[Cheomesh]

Hollywood's a small place in St. Mary's County.

Pretty big place for Avionics. Pax River Naval Air station's here, does a lot of design work for aircraft parts, amongst other things.

 

[Kakashi]

ahh I see, I've only been down in St. Mary's just once or twice.

 

[Cheomesh]

Yeah -- it's quite "on the map" for companies that have any sense, especially where I am. We've got BAE, General Dynamics, Northrup Grummin...