Meeting the Thief
It is not uncommon for me to be with criminals – thieves actually. In the course of working with people I often spend time listening to stories that unfold in front of me. Stories of brokenness and sadness come out that will tear your heart at times. Mixed with the deeply moving stories are also stories that leave you unnerved and even in a panic mode – where you simply wish to not confront the individual you are facing. That comes with the job of pastor at times.
A few years ago I almost walked in on a person that had just robbed our house. I didn’t quite make it to the actual confrontation part of the crime being committed – he was going out as I was coming in. I missed him by minutes of his departure. I was actually trying to figure out what was going on – having no idea that we had been robbed until he was long gone.
It leaves you shaken to say the least. Anyone that has gone through this kind of ordeal will understand what I am saying.
As I listen to the accounts of men and women that have stolen things – the actual thieves – they are often just as frightened as the one that is being vandalized. Sometimes the excitement is part of the driving force to do what they do. Other times they are driven by the need to survive and choose to act out that drive after dark when no one can see them. This adds to the excitement and the opportunity I am sure.
Last evening I met a thief face to face. It was not a planned counseling session. It was someone that I had met before. He was big and he was intent on doing what he had planned to do. In the instant that we caught each other’s attention we locked eyes and stared intently at one another. Neither of us moved. I froze – he froze. It was when I yelled at Alida, my wife, that either of us made any motion at all. That moment seemed like fifteen minutes – but it wasn’t.
The thief was just outside my garage entrance.
I had been working on a project in the driveway. I had been cutting some wood with my skill saw and also drilling some holes in the wood with my cordless drill. There lying near all this was by metal square and the different screw boxes that I was using to assemble my project. I had been in and out of the house and garage for different reasons leaving everything in the driveway as the project progressed. The telephone had rung a few times with calls that needed to be answered. As all this happened the dusk had gone and the night had come along. It was at that stage of the evening that nothing more should be done outside – it was dark and time to quit.
It was his gaze that was so intent. As he looked at me his eyes shone – almost like something from a science fiction movie. The feeling was surreal to say the least. My heart beat faster and I imagine his heart was doing the same. We had not planned this. Both of us thought we were alone.
As I called Alida he bolted. He jumped into the next yard a fled. He had been on the fence between our two houses and had been looking in the neighbour’s kitchen window. That's when I first caught sight of him. I saw his outline against the dim light from their window.
I actually know this thief – his name is Mr. P. Lotor and he lives on our block. His first name is unusual too – “Procyon”. That is “Procyon Lotor” – kind of sounds like he comes from the Mediterranean region of the world doesn’t it?
My wife met up with Mr. Lotor and his family as they were arguing over something near the front of our yard one day. There was an incessant chatter taking place and she stopped to listen and watch – then they quickly took off down the street. It startled her that she was that close to the conflict and that they didn’t seem to even notice her.
It all ended peacefully. Mr. Lotor was not apprehended but rather headed off in a different direction and I went mine. There was no need to call the police – they likely would not have come anyway. There was no robbery and nothing more was taken. I decided to simply keep an eye out for Mr. Lotor so that he doesn’t have access to the garage or our house.
Oh by the way I have included a photo of Mr. Lotor below. He is actually quite a good looking fellow. I would like him a lot more if he would leave our garbage can alone and simply move to another neighbourhood.
Have you seen any of his relatives in your neck of the woods?
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
PS - I didn't take his photo - someone else did - I was shaking too much with excitement to hold the camera...
A few years ago I almost walked in on a person that had just robbed our house. I didn’t quite make it to the actual confrontation part of the crime being committed – he was going out as I was coming in. I missed him by minutes of his departure. I was actually trying to figure out what was going on – having no idea that we had been robbed until he was long gone.
It leaves you shaken to say the least. Anyone that has gone through this kind of ordeal will understand what I am saying.
As I listen to the accounts of men and women that have stolen things – the actual thieves – they are often just as frightened as the one that is being vandalized. Sometimes the excitement is part of the driving force to do what they do. Other times they are driven by the need to survive and choose to act out that drive after dark when no one can see them. This adds to the excitement and the opportunity I am sure.
Last evening I met a thief face to face. It was not a planned counseling session. It was someone that I had met before. He was big and he was intent on doing what he had planned to do. In the instant that we caught each other’s attention we locked eyes and stared intently at one another. Neither of us moved. I froze – he froze. It was when I yelled at Alida, my wife, that either of us made any motion at all. That moment seemed like fifteen minutes – but it wasn’t.
The thief was just outside my garage entrance.
I had been working on a project in the driveway. I had been cutting some wood with my skill saw and also drilling some holes in the wood with my cordless drill. There lying near all this was by metal square and the different screw boxes that I was using to assemble my project. I had been in and out of the house and garage for different reasons leaving everything in the driveway as the project progressed. The telephone had rung a few times with calls that needed to be answered. As all this happened the dusk had gone and the night had come along. It was at that stage of the evening that nothing more should be done outside – it was dark and time to quit.
It was his gaze that was so intent. As he looked at me his eyes shone – almost like something from a science fiction movie. The feeling was surreal to say the least. My heart beat faster and I imagine his heart was doing the same. We had not planned this. Both of us thought we were alone.
As I called Alida he bolted. He jumped into the next yard a fled. He had been on the fence between our two houses and had been looking in the neighbour’s kitchen window. That's when I first caught sight of him. I saw his outline against the dim light from their window.
I actually know this thief – his name is Mr. P. Lotor and he lives on our block. His first name is unusual too – “Procyon”. That is “Procyon Lotor” – kind of sounds like he comes from the Mediterranean region of the world doesn’t it?
My wife met up with Mr. Lotor and his family as they were arguing over something near the front of our yard one day. There was an incessant chatter taking place and she stopped to listen and watch – then they quickly took off down the street. It startled her that she was that close to the conflict and that they didn’t seem to even notice her.
It all ended peacefully. Mr. Lotor was not apprehended but rather headed off in a different direction and I went mine. There was no need to call the police – they likely would not have come anyway. There was no robbery and nothing more was taken. I decided to simply keep an eye out for Mr. Lotor so that he doesn’t have access to the garage or our house.
Oh by the way I have included a photo of Mr. Lotor below. He is actually quite a good looking fellow. I would like him a lot more if he would leave our garbage can alone and simply move to another neighbourhood.
Have you seen any of his relatives in your neck of the woods?
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
PS - I didn't take his photo - someone else did - I was shaking too much with excitement to hold the camera...
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Thursday, June 07, 2007
2 Comments:
Yes I have met his country cousins, infact they stole a whole patch of corn last year. I often met up with them in our shed. I must say they are cute.
By
Anonymous, at 7:48 AM
Murray, I understand completely what you are saying about walking into a home that has just been robbed. It was an eerie feeling, to say the least. I loved your story where you left it to last possible moment to divulge the identity of the thief. When we were camping one time I was asleep just inside the canvas when I was awakened suddenly by very loud snorting in my ear. What a rude awakening by that raccoon. It scared the pants off me, so to speak!
By
Anonymous, at 6:24 PM
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