Theft in Vedauwoo

I went up to Vedauwoo with my husband in his vehicle Sunday afternoon. Hoping to get some night shots, I set up my camera in my backpack. It was cloudy so I didn't go out. But I should have, because a thief stole my camera out of my backpack (took out the memory cards, though & put them in one of my husband's bags), then went into my Pelican case in the back & stole 3 more lenses. Then went 3 campsites up & stole somebody else's camera, making sure he also took her battery charger & cords! It had been a long time since I'd been on a trip with my husband, so I'd forgotten that he doesn't lock the vehicle at night :-( We reported it to the sheriff in Laramie & they also reported it to the USFS since the Vedauwoo campground is USFS. Stolen were the following: Canon 1Dx, the following Canon lenses: 14mm f/2.8 L ii, 24mm T/S f/3.5 ii, 24-70mm f/2.9 L ii, 70-200mm f/2.8 L ii, Singh-Ray circular neutral polarizers 77 & 82mm, RRS L-plate.

If you go to Vedauwoo: guard your stuff!

WOW, that is a tough loss.

Thanks for the warning. For your husbands sake, I hope the gear was insured.

So sorry to hear this, Monica. Can't imagine how you are feeling.

I'd monitor the Wyoming Craigslist for those items.

Really sorry to hear about the theft. I am probably a little too trusting myself and this serves as a wake up call. Hope things work out without too mush eventual loss.

So sorry to hear about this theft! I hope you'll be able to replace it soon and get back out there shooting!

Thanks, everyone. It's all under homeowners insurance as I'm not a professional photog. I've been checking the WY & N CO Craigslist. Roger Cicala had an article on preventing (& trying to track) theft. He mentioned an item called the STOP security plate http://www.stoptheft.com that I will probably use in the future. Stay safe!

Monika,
So sorry to hear about your loss. It is hearing stories like this why I carry my gear with me most places. In camping, it goes in my tent unless I am sleeping right next to the car. At a restaurant I carry the backpack into the restaurant, unless I park where I can see the car from my table. At a hotel/motel, all the gear goes into my room.

I heard about a photographer who put their gear in the trunk of their car in Yellowstone, drove a long distance and stopped at a restaurant. While eating, someone popped the trunk and stole all the gear. They may have been watched and followed.

Roger

Monika,

Sorry to hear of the theft of your equipment - makes my breaking a camera and lens in Iceland pale in comparison. Mark R. expressed his distress when I told him of the theft.

Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA

I'm sorry about your loss of equipment, Monica. That's a lot of expensive equipment to lose. I just thought I would pass along a suggestion for storing your equipment in your vehicle when it's not in use. I keep my camera backpack and tripod inside one of those plastic storage boxes that you can get in the home storage section in Wal-Mart when it's in the back of my car. It's still easy for me to access, but it is also more discreet and it's not obvious that it is photo gear.

That is horrible! Sorry that happened. Hope you were insured.

“took out the memory cards, though & put them in one of my husband's bags”
Nice… a thief with morals. I bet he sells the gear and donates the money to the needy.

“It's all under homeowners insurance” Cool… Time for new gear!! Congrats.

But thanks for the reminder.