Stolen Hot Dog Carts - NJ

I subscribe to several news feeds via Google (all relating to hot dogs). Normally it's story's about new mom and pop stands, benefits, a bunch of history being talked about, mainly small town news for the most part.

But in one of todays articles, this story really irks me. 4 Hot Dog Carts stolen. Folks on the east coast, NY - NJ areas should keep an eye out (before you buy something that will put YOU on the wrong side of the law)...

http://suburban.gmnews.com/news/2007/1121/Front_Page/008.html
Four hot dog carts taken from Mr. Dee's
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

SAYREVILLE - Police are investigating the theft of four hot dog carts from a local vendor.

The carts were stolen from the rear of Mr. Dee's Hot Dogs, Johnson Lane, sometime between Oct. 18 and Nov. 3.

The business, which is located near the intersection of Ernston Road and Bordentown Avenue, did not put serial numbers on the carts. Two of the carts had Mr. Dee's stickers on the side and one had a red striped bottom with carriage wheels.

Two of the carts were pushcarts, while another was referred to as a tow-behind cart with a sink and pneumatic wheels. All four carts are stainless steel and valued at a total of approximately $2,000.

Those with information pertaining to the thefts are asked to call Detective Russ Anderson of the Sayreville Police Department at (732) 727-4444.

Isnt that value off by a bit? I would think they cost more even in used condition.
At 2k for 4 carts it sounds like 20k would be more on the ballpark.
britt

I live not far from there and i was thinking someone was nabbing those carts because there was big hunks of wood strewn around. That place has been closed for over a month. And police know that. And it was not like all were taken at the same time. they had the nerve to come back and take them a few at a time. And Knowing that police knew the place was closed you would think they would have been watching the place a little better!! It is a shame.

they were closed down due to tax issues. I do not believe they are allowed to go to the property until the issue is taken care of. and it obviously will be some time if at all. My point was.,..... KNOWING they (the police) knew and probably took place in the closing. (i was passing there on the day of.) then they know the situation and the opportunity for this to happen. I believe they were chained but that is where the wood all over probably came into play. it looked as if they were smashing something with the wood. so the police were aware of the situation. and so why kick someone when they are down. So on their watches maybe they could have CHECKED the property.

I agree with them not locking down their equipment, even if there was some sort of tax problem.. But still, that gives nobody the right to walk up and re-allocate the equipment.. If the courts did it, they'd use some serious tape and stick it to the front door (court papers). Still gives nobody a right to take whats not rightfully theirs..

Here's the thing. They came and put BIG orange posting on all the doors. they did this at lunch time. I don't think they have been allowed back to the biz. The carts were located in back of the building but pretty visable from a couple of different angles (and one is a pretty well traveled road). I am not sure if they were chained but i believe they would be. My pt. was knowing the place was shut down (police were there) you would think police would monitor the place just alittle more often. Not anyones fault but there own but that doesn't give these low lives the right to come and take what does not belong to them. I believe the big logs were used to bust open the locks. Not sure but that would be my guess.

quote:

Originally posted by ShellysDawgHouse

they were closed down due to tax issues...

So what you're saying is that the police, who are paid with taxpayer dollars, should allocate more of their available resources to protect the property of someone so far in arrears of paying their taxes that they had to be shut down?

That seems a little paradoxical.

Listen I don't know what the story with that is and niether do you so, let's just be human and say they are being paid to do a job. (and it is NOT to be judge and jury.) So i guess you already judged them and now you are gonna pass the sentence. which i guess is tough luck someone stole your stuff you got into a tax jam and so the cops shouldn't both driving by your place and just let people steal and next it will be vandilizing and i can look at that when i pass in the town that I PAY alot of taxes in. Have a good nite.

I don't know what the story is. I never claimed to. YOU said that the place was closed over a tax issue. I was merely reacting to what YOU said regarding the police shouldering some of the blame for the missing carts.

I neither condone theft nor claim to be judge and jury (though some here will chuckle - slightly - at you calling me judge, I am sure). I just find it ironic that you take such a hard anti-crime stance against the thief (or thieves) and the soon-to-be vandals, but are willing to gloss over the fact that the guy who allegedly didn't pay his taxes has any responsibility for the situation he is in - or that he is, perhaps, a criminal, as well.

If I were an owner...in need of cash to pay taxes, or whatever, and had been shut down, a theft insurance claim sure would be a temptation to me. Not saying it is a scam, but that should be investigated also.

Meantime as Uncle Vic says.. Don't buy a used cart without checking it's history closely.

no more comments on this issue. We all have our own oppinions and as we know, everyone has one!
I think everyone should pay their taxes. I think the police should do their jobs no matter what. and i don't want to argue about this. It doesn't affect my life soooooooo, i don't care.

Police are paid to patrol public property and answer calls wherever a crime is being committed. Personal property on private property is the responsibility of the owner. That's why there are alarm companies and security-guard companies. If they don't care enough to protect their property, why should we (through the police that we pay for)?

personal property on private property? the carts seemed to have been chained. so what else. It was on commercial property and i don't believe they were allowed to return. (and i am not saying that is anyones fault but thier own.) but still that is why police Patrol???

I am still curious. Doesnt the value of them seem way understated especially if the was the insured value for replacement.

britt

Hmmmm....business closed for tax purposes.....owners in need of cash....easily mobile dog carts suddenly disappear.....methinks a small furry long tailed rodent may eventually be found at the heart of this incident.

If the IRS shut them down, they were probably only forbidden from removing anything that could be sold off, and believe me that is not the first step. The IRS knows it is in their best interest to let businesses keep running to get their money. They do much better that way than trying to run a dealership for hotdog carts. The owner would certainly be able to add additional security measures and Al I had the same thoughts.

Regardless, when I am asking "why aren't the police doing their jobs" it is more when people are attacked. I want them to be in neighborhoods and around shops with people walking in parking lots, rather than tying themselves up with drive bys of abandoned buildings. Let's get priorities straight. People over things.