The new technology second hand shops
Thieves and drug users are finding the theft and sale of computer games a ready source of cash
Mike Brewer, a store manager at one of the two Game Stops located at Eastview Mall in Victor
The big chain stores keep the more popular, more expensive ones under lock and key, but thieves are always trying unique ways of by-passing security measures.
Video games, game systems and small electronics have become a hot commodity with online auction and sale sites like e-bay and craigslist, but are not limited to honest people with legitimate sale items. Online auction sites are rift with stolen electronic merchandise that is all but impossible to trace after a crime. Game manufacturers do not use registration numbers or codes on computer games, making police agency jobs more frustrating.
For the most part, hard core drug users dealing in stolen video games, and related merchandise, that rely on daily drug fixes, need quick, sure turn-around on items taken in home burglaries and shoplifted from stores.
Police have discovered that drug users wanting fast cash, use the new crop of technology second-hand shops that have popped up throughout the area. “Game shops” are more than willing to buy video games for a fraction of retail, turn around and resell the wide variety of game cartridges at a healthy profit.
New York State has strict laws governing “collateral loan brokers' (pawn shops), where merchandise is purchased with the stipulation that it could be re-purchased by the seller in a specific time. The state law does not cover sales from an individual to a “second-hand” seller, such as game shops.
According to Newark Police Chief, Dick Bogan, local municipal laws are often established to require second hand shops to at least record pertinent information on who and what is being sold to such stores. In Newark , Tom's Bargain Store is required under local laws to ask sellers for a photo identification (license), address and phone number.
The more reputable companies, usually chain or franchise game retailers such as FYI or Game Stop, require a photo identification, usually a license, phone number and signature of people bringing in used video games for sale. Even with these safeguards, store managers are weary of repeat customers and those bringing in two or more of the same title games, or games that are unopened.
According to FYI-Eastview Mall store manager, Jim Hoyt, both cash and store credit are issued for used game sales, but his store offers 25% for games when the seller takes the store credit. His store is outfitted with electronic tags on merchandise that set off alarms if not deactivated at the time of purchase. He readily admits that the alarms go off too often, usually due to the fact that many stores in the Mall use the same electronic detection system and do not always deactivate the tags upon their merchandise purchases. Within a five minute period on Friday evening, the alarm was activated four times.
Hoyt recalls managing a KB Toys store in Irondequoit where game thefts occurred, only to have the thieves cross the road and sell the merchandise on the spot at a “Game” store.
Mike Brewer, a store manager at one of the two Game Stops located at Eastview Mall in Victor, said employees watch for unscrupulous characters and use discretion at taking in used and unopened games.
His store also takes in used game consoles, with a rule of no more than one at a time. His store, like FYI, keeps computer records of people and used sale transactions and abusers are red-flagged if activity warrants. The Game Stop prevents much of their theft by keeping most game title boxes empty on shelves. Customers must retrieve the actual game at a front counter.
On Monday, two men entered the WalMart in Macedon and were caught on security video taking several video games and a cell phone. Although store policy states that security personnel are only supposed to follow and retrieve a vehicle license plate and description and relay the information to local police -- one store tire and oil WalMart employee, knowing a theft was taking place, put himself in front of the vehicle in which the two men were leaving. The vehicle lunged forward and the employee jumped on the hood of the car, starting a several minute escapade of the WalMart employee hanging on for dear life.
The car exited a service road onto Route 31, headed westbound with the employee hanging on. As it entered Route 31, it cut off a van operated by a Todd Peters who quickly realized what was happening. The escape vehicle pulled into Finn's Exxon convenience store at the corner of Route 31 and Wayneport Road in an effort to rid themselves of the unwanted passenger. As the vehicle slowed, Peters jumped out of his van and attempted to pull the passenger out of the escape vehicle. The WalMart employee was able to jump off and the escape vehicle headed north on Wayneport Road .
The two thieves, not knowing where they were headed, stopped at the intersection of Wayneport and Quaker Roads and decided to head back south on Wayneport Road.
Wayne County Lieutenant Steve Sklennar had heard the 911 call for help and was able to pursue the vehicle westbound on Route 31 and stop it near the hamlet of Egypt in Monroe County . Police later recovered the merchandise dumped by the two thieves. In addition heroin related paraphernalia, and a small quantity of heroin was recovered.
Arrested were Thomas W. Potter, age 25, of an unknown address in the City of Rochester . Potter, who was the driver, was charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, and Petit Larceny. Additional charges are being filed at this time on Potter.
Also arrested was Anthony V. DeGennaro, age 18, of 537 Washington Street , Spencerport. DeGennaro was charged with Petit Larceny, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Potter and DeGennaro were arraigned in the Town of Macedon Court and were remanded to the Wayne County Jail on $5,000 cash bail/$2500 cash bail respectively. Both are to appear in the Town of Macedon Court on January 2nd.
Sergeant John Colella of the Macedon Police Department commended the actions of all involved, including Peters who aided in the quick apprehension of the suspects. Colella stated that both defendants admitted to having a heroin addiction problem, and that they have multiple prior arrests. "This is another example of the "drug driven" crimes that affect our communities, in addition to showing that individuals with addictions travel to the suburbs where they feel a false sense of security perpetrating their crimes. Fortunately this serious incident ended peacefully and with only minor injuries to the Wal Mart employee". The employee refused medical treatment at the time of the arrests.
The Town of Macedon Police were also assisted in the investigation by the New York State Police.
Sergeant Colella, after discovering the stolen game were going to be sold at a “game” shop for cash, was concerned that the state laws were vague on requirements to obtain information on potentially stolen property sales. He said he was sending a letter of concern to State Senator Michael Nozzolio about the “loophole” in state laws.
Colella suggested that the only way to stop the ‘game' thieves is perhaps to require stores buying used games to only issue store credit.
Wayne County Sheriff Richard Pisciotti said the sale of electronic games to ‘second-hand shops' is indeed a loophole in the laws, but doubted the state would take any action to strengthen laws on second-hand sales since the State collects millions of dollars annually on the initial sale of a electronic game, then reaps additional sales tax off the re-sale of the same game a second, or third time.
Board honors Don Colvin for 48 years of service as Savannah Town Supervisor/ County Board of Supervisors’ member
DON COLVIN AND HIS WIFE LYNN
It was a bittersweet moment on Tuesday as the County Board of Supervisors wished Savannah Town Supervisor/Wayne County Board of Supervisor member Don Colvin goodbye, after 48 years of continuous service in political office.
Don was 32 years old when he won the Savannah seat and recalled that when he started, he was the youngster on the Board. “Everybody else was an old man,” he said with a smile. Don remembered when a seat on the Board of Supervisors meant one man, one vote, regardless of the size and population of the town a supervisor represented. He battled through changes in government, when the Board moved to a weighted vote based upon a town's population and saw the then old guard replaced by younger upstarts.
Colvin served a brief stint as chairman of the board and has served as a board member under five chairmen. On Tuesday, former Board Chairman George Arney, Marv Decker and current chairman Jim Hoffman were on hand with a host of former board members to honor the man who stayed active and somewhat argumentative right up to the last minutes of the meeting.
For years, Colvin has been pushing to have the portion of sales tax given to County school districts on an annual basis, eliminated. Don stated that the school districts in the County are out of whack in tax rates in comparison to similar rural counties. His last minute charge to bring the issue to the floor for one last time failed, when no other board member would second his move to discuss the topic.
Together, with his wife Lynn, Don received a number of honors from the Board and a proclamation from New York State Assemblyman Bob Oaks for almost five decades of public service. “I want to especially thank my wife who stuck with me through all the ups and downs. It has been a real good ride. I hope the spirit of cooperation can continue,” said Don.
After numerous years and battles, Don, a staunch Republican was defeated in his party caucus and then for re-election as an independent, by incoming Republican Ken Lauderdale. Following the last word of the day, Don was again honored with a standing ovation, a fitting tribute for the seasoned political veteran.
After a special board meeting on Friday, Don cleaned out his desk and the nearly 50 years of memories with the Board of Supervisors.
