Utica/Rome Cache Thief has been Caught!!!!!

[Dnnsgps]

This happened on Tuesday, Feb 16th:

WE CAUGHT THE GEO THEIF. As Johfra and I (Kayleo) were driving past one of my newly listed caches on the old air force base in Rome, we saw a man at the site. We made a circle back around and drove to where his vehicle was parked. As I stepped out of the van to take a picture or his liscense plate, he took off running into the trees. We searched for him for awhile, and even saw him come around the back side of the building where his car was parked. When we noticed him and headed toward him, he once again took off running. The police were called. A report was filed and a stake out of the vehicle commenced. He returned to his vehicle a short time later, only to be apprehended by the police. We made a positive identification. His vehicle was searched. Log books from our caches and magnetic key holders, as well as lists of caches and their coordinates were found in his vehicle by the police. When we left, they were taking him in a patrol car to the station to be prosecuted. The charges probably won't stick, but we know who he is - PAUL REPAK - he lives in the BOONVILLE area and works on base. He will have to go to court and may even face other charges if they can get a warrant for his house. This is no joke. This really happened. We got the bastard.

The police found magnetic key holders and log books from our cache in Oriskany- with our handwriting in it - in his glove box. He was arrested and they were looking into whether or not they could search his house.

Bio: Paul Repak, age 58, is an engineer at the Rome Air Force Research Laboratory. He is also a state licensed guide and a canoe paddler in competitions (the 90-miler, etc.), and a Crew Boss Boonville Search and Rescue.

It happened at the Wishing Tree - GC23RYX

I will post the newspapers articles when I get them.

[Dnnsgps]

First of several newspapers articles:

http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20100217-141107

[GOF]

Well that is good news. Depending on the security requirements for his job this could prove to be very costly for this guy. Can't wait to see what the court outcome is.

[guineagal]

Donna, that so totally ROCKS!!!!! And how appropriate that it was you....YOU ARE BEING WATCHED!!!!! : )

[guineagal]

But why does the article keep saying he only stole trinkets, and not the caches themselves? : ( They must not get it.

[inkwell]

that's awesome news! Regardless of what happens to this scumbag in court, it looks like the Rome/Utica area won't have to worry about the guy anymore..

[guineagal]

Oops, my bad Donna! I thought you were one of the ones in the car! How cool is that though? If there is ANY doubt as to whether they will be able to make charges stick, please have the right people contact Dorree....he took the Prentice Falls cache, a few times I believe. That was CHAINED to a tree....idiot actually brought snipper to clip them off! And-it was on private property. They may not be able to make the charges stick for public property, but private property is another thing.

[Dnnsgps]

Oops, my bad Donna! I thought you were one of the ones in the car! How cool is that though? If there is ANY doubt as to whether they will be able to make charges stick, please have the right people contact Dorree....he took the Prentice Falls cache, a few times I believe. That was CHAINED to a tree....idiot actually brought snipper to clip them off! And-it was on private property. They may not be able to make the charges stick for public property, but private property is another thing.

Dory already knows about this. The call went out around 8 PM on Tuesday evening and Kayleo posted it on Facebook around 10 PM which is where I heard about it first. Dory has a picture of what the guy looks like go see her post on facebook.

I have a friend who is a reporter/writer for area newspapers and I asked her if she would write up an aticle and get it placed in all the local newspapers (Boonville, Utica, Rome). She will be contacting Dory about the Adirondack Museum Prentice Falls cache and will talk to Carole (Kayleo) on the recent arrest.

[Dnnsgps]

GeoLobo has been in contact (email) with the creep. Below are email conversations from Shane to Paul:

"I think that would be a very good gesture. I am not going to put a number on anything, because I can only speak for my self and bluegirl as to the damage you have caused in our area. I wouldn't even know where to begin to come up with a count or total value. Again, I think you should just do what you feel is right.

On the 27th of this month, 80-100 geocachers ( a good number of them being those of whom you affected) will meet here in Long Lake for our Annual mid-winter Event. Maybe use this as your chance. Again, I'm not going to tell you what to do.

I do want to ask you "why" and how you might suggest we can prevent anyone else from going down your path? What was it about our sport that you did not like? Knowing this may help us to better educate and/ or help modify our ways.

Shane"


Here is the response from Paul:

"Shane,

While taking part in your meeting sounds interesting, you know that I while I am charged by the legal system that I am ill advised to speak on anything relating to the situation or my alleged participation in any of it. For the future I'd be happy to research what the problems are and converse about the evolution and future of outdoor activities of all kinds, and to learn about this geocaching community to educate myself and others. I have already learned far more than I knew previously, particularly about how the sport works and expectations. But I am also extremely embarrassed within my family, my friends, my coworkers and my community in the way events the other evening unrolled and were reported. I also cannot comment further on those effects at this time.


But until I hear words to the effect "charges are dropped, case dismissed" this is a nightmare and it is difficult to be positive until that happens, and even with that outcome considerable lasting impressionable damage has been done to me and my family already. As I learn more about the sport however, I'll bet that there are ways to contribute in the future in more ways than one. Education all the way around is always important, but If you had a benefactor willing to donate $500 or more to the sport, perhaps that may help the cause. As with any outdoor activity that promotes respectfulness from education, I am willing to work with you. Let me know what you and the others think.

-Paul"

[FFof5]

Wow... I remember hearing about all this at one of the ASP geo bashes...great news. We will be camping at Golden beach on Raquette Lake for a few days. I hope with this guy getting caught some large caches will be placed around the area.

Scott