B
Bass Bandit Busted!
By Ken Duke
Senior Editor, BASS Publications
(Archive)
Updated: July 28, 2009, 9:04 AM ET
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Keith A. Clark of Peculiar, Mo., has been charged with receiving stolen property in the first of what authorities anticipate will be several arrests of a theft ring that has stretched through parts of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Clark was apprehended with "tens of thousands of dollars worth of rods, reels, tackle, electronics, batteries and rain gear — all of it high end stuff," according to Sgt. Jay Pragman of the Missouri State Water Patrol. Pragman, who has been working on the case since 2000, anticipates there will be more changes as the investigation continues.
Major Jodi Hughes of the Water Patrol estimated the value of the items confiscated at Clark's home and in a vehicle on his premises at between $180,000 and $250,000 and noted that most of it cannot be returned to its rightful owners since it was not marked.
Clark allegedly disposed of the take at swap meets, over the internet, at yard sales, in pawn shops and through classified advertisements. Both Hughes and Pragman noted that the investigation is still underway.
Pragman warned that the secondary market for fishing equipment is entirely made up of other anglers and that anglers should take great care to conspicuously mark their equipment so that it can be identified later in case of theft. He also advised that serial numbers of items such as electronics be recorded and that extra care be taken to lock all valuables away whenever possible.
Pragman also suggested that anglers purchasing used equipment be especially wary of sellers they do not know well and who are selling items at below market value.
By Ken Duke
Senior Editor, BASS Publications
(Archive)
Updated: July 28, 2009, 9:04 AM ET
Comment
Share
Keith A. Clark of Peculiar, Mo., has been charged with receiving stolen property in the first of what authorities anticipate will be several arrests of a theft ring that has stretched through parts of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Clark was apprehended with "tens of thousands of dollars worth of rods, reels, tackle, electronics, batteries and rain gear — all of it high end stuff," according to Sgt. Jay Pragman of the Missouri State Water Patrol. Pragman, who has been working on the case since 2000, anticipates there will be more changes as the investigation continues.
Major Jodi Hughes of the Water Patrol estimated the value of the items confiscated at Clark's home and in a vehicle on his premises at between $180,000 and $250,000 and noted that most of it cannot be returned to its rightful owners since it was not marked.
Clark allegedly disposed of the take at swap meets, over the internet, at yard sales, in pawn shops and through classified advertisements. Both Hughes and Pragman noted that the investigation is still underway.
Pragman warned that the secondary market for fishing equipment is entirely made up of other anglers and that anglers should take great care to conspicuously mark their equipment so that it can be identified later in case of theft. He also advised that serial numbers of items such as electronics be recorded and that extra care be taken to lock all valuables away whenever possible.
Pragman also suggested that anglers purchasing used equipment be especially wary of sellers they do not know well and who are selling items at below market value.