Kripsys99

On 4/2/2024 at 10:17 AM, paulailp said:

if Mike sold customers/ victims comics that would be a lot easier to prove theft/ fraud by conversion. 
 

if anyone believes that there property that was sent in for work was sold, please make sure to report it. 

Agreed.

On 4/1/2024 at 9:43 PM, Neo "The One" said:

Thanks for the clarification. So nothing from the police?  I’m disappointed if that is the case. 

I don't think anyone has called the police yet, as unbelievable as that seems. At least no one who has posted on these boards has mentioned placing a call yet...

On 3/27/2024 at 11:39 PM, wombat said:

I'm pretty sure people have said they have contacted the police. 

I must have missed that. Care to point me to where someone posted it?

Edit: Used the search term "police" for the last month, and found no results indicating anyone had actually called police.

On 3/27/2024 at 10:19 PM, unclezebo said:

On 3/27/2024 at 10:00 AM, wombat said:

So if Mike sold customer's books doesn't that open a new path to criminal charges? Its one thing to argue you are just really delayed and never had any intention to not complete the work, its quite another when you are selling books that aren't yours. 

I continue to be surprised at the fact that, as far as I can tell, no one has yet to call the police of local jurisdiction to report this matter.

I think a lot of people are making this more complicated than it needs to be. If you paid your neighbor $50 to park your car in his garage while you were away on an extended holiday, then got back and found out he'd sold it, who would you call, and what would you tell them? Simple - you'd call the police, and you'd tell them your neighbor stole your car. This situation really isn't any different.

Maybe someone has called and got an unfavorable response - but if that's the case, they haven't shared same on the boards, and they probably haven't done a good job conveying the size and scale of the thefts perpetrated.

People can call lawyers and consumer protection advocates all they want - I don't personally see those avenues yielding much (between Mike's apparent financial situation on the civil side, and the concept of frustration of contract on the consumer protection side), but more power to you. However, I can't understand the reluctance to at least call the police as well. Is it out of some sense of misplaced loyalty to Mike as a fellow collector?

I also don't understand why people seemingly think that contacting the police forecloses one's ability to seek civil remedies. At least in my jurisdiction, it doesn't - civil lawyers actually encourage clients to report things like this to the police: a) because it's expected, and demonstrates the seriousness of your claim; and b) because a finding of criminal guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" sure helps a civil claim which needs to be proven on a "preponderance of evidence/balance of probabilities" (ie: the police do the leg work for you).

Also, I challenge anyone to find a lawyer willing to take this case on contingency (ie: the lawyer only gets paid out of any judgement awarded or settlement reached). Given what we know about the state of Mike's finances, any lawyer worth their salt will be demanding cash up front - and that should tell you all you need to know about the lawyer's belief (or lack thereof) in the likelihood of being able to actually collect on any judgement rendered.

To those of you who are still waffling about whether to contact a lawyer/consumer protection, or the police of local jurisdiction, I would simply say:

Best of luck to all.

Is there a years old, super active Kirby Covers thread on this site? Cuz there's an Adams one...  

On 3/8/2024 at 10:34 AM, The Lions Den said:

On 3/4/2024 at 10:50 PM, dover said:

That's it for tonight. Will be back Wednesday with more. 

 

On 3/3/2024 at 2:49 PM, Mr. Zipper said:

If someone decides to take a softer diplomatic approach, who is anyone else to judge them? It's not being subservient; it's swallowing your pride and being practical to achieve a resolution. It appears that some people have gotten their books back going this route. From what I've seen here, hardline and legal threats have resulted in zero books being returned. I'm grateful I am not in a position to have to choose what approach I would take. 

Victims should take the approach they feel most comfortable with and don't let others' approach influence what you feel you should do. In either case, do something! In the end, whatever approach you take you want to feel like you did all you could.

You can call it a "diplomatic approach", or "being practical to achieve a solution", or dress it up with whatever language you want - it's still subservience...that's why one has to "swallow [their] pride" when they do it. There was a time in this whole ordeal where such an approach may have been practical (in an "every man for himself" kind of way). I think we're long past that point, and have been for some time. And I universally disagree with the sentiment that victims are unerring and/or have no greater societal obligation when deciding whether or not to hold perpetrators responsible for their criminal actions - failing to do so has consequences which reverberate beyond the victim's own personal situation and feelings. Nonetheless, I feel a great deal of empathy for those who have been victimized in this situation - it's never good when people are hurt.

On 3/3/2024 at 12:26 PM, MatterEaterLad said:

I don't think reporting this to the police will do anything. 

Last year my son's band had their van stolen in Portland and the police did nothing. I mean literally NOTHING.

The van had an Airtag, so he could follow where it was going. They called the police numerous times and reported it stolen, with its current location, but never got a call back from an officer. After a few hours of calling, someone from the police let them know that they couldn't do anything, that it wasn't an emergency, and that he should consider the van gone and report it to his insurance. 

I suspect that's the answer the Portland police will give you, if they ever actually respond to the complaint. 

In the end, my son's band and another group on tour with them grabbed baseball bats, tracked the van down and stole it back from some meth heads. 

If Mike had any of my books and refused to return them I'd hire a "Private Investigator" to go retrieve them. 

 

One complainant - I agree, the police likely do nothing.

All of the individuals who have posted on this board contacting the same law enforcement agency, and cross referencing their complaints? Police would have no choice but to take action.

On 3/3/2024 at 1:50 PM, Sauce Dog said:

It is less about posting here to get Mike to notice and return the books and more about publically making it know who has been victimized, which spurs on more people to be vocal about it and also allow those who are currently doing legal action to easily find and message others in the same boat (since my centralized form is no longer active the boards are the single best place to find others)

Fair enough. What I take issue with are the posts (like the one I quoted) which state some version of "I hold no ill will towards anyone. I just want my items returned." It perpetuates a feedback loop of subservience to Mike in the hopes that not ticking him off may result in him returning books (and I would argue, encourages others to do same), but in actuality, only serves to delay individuals who might otherwise take concrete steps which could legitimately result in them getting their books back (and/or Mike being held accountable). It's my personal belief that such delays may have given Mike the time to offload more books illicitly, and/or to devise a means of escaping criminal liability (ie: the "break-in").

The posts I would like to see would go something like this:

"On [Date] I sent [# of books] to Mike for [services requested]. I paid Mike [$ amount] for those services. Photos of the books sent can be seen below.

To date, despite repeated efforts to contact Mike, he has not returned either the funds or my books.

On [date] I made a complaint to the [police of jurisdiction where Mike is located] advising them that my books and funds had been stolen. The details of my complaint are as follows:

- [File #]

- [Investigator name and contact info].

I informed the investigator that there are numerous other victims who may be reaching out to them in the near future."

On 3/3/2024 at 5:32 AM, Rockiwan said:

Has anyone gotten any submissions back in the last month? I am also waiting. I am giving up hope.

TWO POSTS EARLIER:

On 3/2/2024 at 9:37 AM, Kripsys99 said:

Hope is not a plan, and simply hoping to get one's books back was never a plan either.

On 3/3/2024 at 5:32 AM, Rockiwan said:

Mike if you are reading this please may I have hrc 2709 hrc 2890 returned? I hold no ill will towards anyone. I just want my items returned.

TWO POSTS EARLIER:

On 3/2/2024 at 9:37 AM, Kripsys99 said:

This is a prime example of why you don't negotiate with terrorists (or in this case thieves).

I can't believe that anyone could stumble upon this thread at this point, read through it, and come to the conclusion that begging Mike to send their books back is the answer:

On 3/2/2024 at 9:15 AM, flchris said:

Reminds me of someone evading after a hit-and-run and then claiming the car was stolen during the incident after they’re found.

Very true. And unfortunately, this development will complicate things considerably for those who waited to report this matter to police, and don't have significant evidence that Mike, for example, had already sold their book on eBay prior to the alleged "break-in" to his business. I could see Mike escaping criminal culpability regarding outstanding books simply by stating that the books in question were stolen during the "break-in". And I've already made my thoughts clear about the likely ineffectiveness of any potential civil action. This is a prime example of why you don't negotiate with terrorists (or in this case thieves). Unfortunately, I think a lot of people will be regretting not having reached out to law enforcement earlier. At this point, not only will they not get their money or their books back - they may also see the person who took those things evade responsibility for his actions. Hope is not a plan, and simply hoping to get one's books back was never a plan either. I would still be reaching out to law enforcement regardless.

On 3/1/2024 at 9:46 AM, shadroch said:

I  think you should be filing your complaint with the District Attorney or the state Attorney General, not the local police.

Why?

Bought a raw Neal Adams cover from Alex. Book shipped quickly, was REALLY well packed, and was accurately graded. Wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again. Thanks Alex!

On 2/11/2024 at 4:48 PM, Sauce Dog said:

While I know contacting him is impossible now

In custody?

Linking my previous comment from this thread below for visibility. Those affected should reach out to law enforcement:

https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/529515-hero-restoration-anyone-know-the-latest/?do=findComment&comment=13067548

As an add-on to my previous comment, I would recommend calling law enforcement, rather than submitting an online form if at all possible. Individuals who take the time and make the effort to call will, rightly or wrongly, be taken more seriously and given priority over those who simply fill out a written complaint.

Best of luck.

Narrative order.

CLOSED - Off to FeeBay - Will still honor listed prices for boardies.

On 2/3/2024 at 7:57 PM, rlextherobot said:

Strange Adventures 217 VF+ (maybe VF/NM but I try to be conservative) $30. Awesome Neal Adams cover, very sharp copy. 

Take