Had A Scare Today...All's Well NOW

Today was my day to take Art to the Casino. I arrived at his place and his car was broke, so we took mine - no big deal. We were there about 3 hours. It was almost time to meet Art for lunch....till I realized my wallet and phone were missing. OH CRAP!! So, I went to security at Red Wing Casino. The poor guy was new on the job. So he said he could take my information and get back to me. Nope, that wasn't good enough. So, I went to the security person by the Cafe. I asked if he could see about checking the video's to see if they could find where I left my phone. A few minutes later, a gal came and walked with me to the machines I was on. She took down the numbers and took me back to the security guard at the Cafe. He was talking to the security on his mike. Said it will take time. Then another gal came to change places with him and she asked if I had checked the stations, called my phone, etc.  I told her yes, I did all that and the other guy called my phone after I tried 2 times. Then she said if I leave to make sure I let them know how to contact me. I told her I wasn't going anywhere because I live in Chehalis and I need my drivers license to get home.  I called Patrick and told him what was up - wasn't happy with me....

I waited and waited. They kept telling me they didn't know how long it would be. So, I told the gal I would get lunch and come back, so if she needed me, I would be in the Cafe. She said that would be fine. I got a hamburger and fries, but couldn't eat it. I only had half the burger and not even 5 fries. Told Art I would go check to see what was going on. When I went back, and asked if she heard anything, she said, "No, not yet. Wait a sec." The phone rang and she said, "Ok, yea she's right hear. Okay, I'll tell her." Then she turned to me and said, what ever you do, press charges. I then asked if they found someone with my stuff. She said yes, and to make sure I pressed charges. Just when I started to ask another question, the head security gal came up to me to tell me they were in the process of arresting the person who had my stuff. She asked for a list of everything I had in my wallet. I told her, my phone, debit card, credit card, health cards, Starbucks card and $150 in cash. She informed me that I might not get everything, but I will get some of it back. I said I figured as much. Then she got a call to meet the police at the front door, and I was to follow. Before we went she asked what I wanted to do, and I said I wanted to file charges against the person. Apparently, I walked off leaving my wallet behind, he picked it up and went to the bathroom. When he came out, he played on the games. Then went across the street. They were in the process of picking him up when it crossed the street to come back.

We arrived at the front door. Shortly there after, they were bringing him to the security room. The security guard told me not to say a word and not make a face at him. I said, "No problem." They took him into the security room that was between the two doors at the front, so he didn't go past me at all. Then the police brought out my wallet and asked it that was mine. I said, "Yes, Thank You!" He then told me to check to make sure everything was there, I found my cards, driver's license and no money. I told him the money is gone, and I checked to see if my phone would work. NOPE! I couldn't get my phone to work, so I pulled it out of the case and the battery was gone! I asked about the sym card and he thought it was in there. Said he would be right back. About 2 minutes later he came out with the battery and sym card!! He told me the guy had that in his pocket. (Which explained why Patrick couldn't track my phone).

He went back in and came back out. Said they searched him and they didn't find anything else on him. I said thank you. He went back into the room and I chatted with the security guard at the door. He was telling me how they come in and get all the 1 cents, 20 cents, etc, tickets that people leave behind and collect them all day long, cash them in and try to win money. They get $200 or more, then they leave and come back in a couple days. They go around looking for purses and wallets all the time. He was telling me how Queen Casino in Tacoma and Lucky Eagle (where we go) are the worst places that security will not do their jobs. They don't work fast enough.

After about 20 minutes, the police officer came out, wrote down the case file and said if I find something else I missed to call and let him know. I asked if I needed to sign anything, and he told me no, they have it all on tape. Apparently they taped his movements and were following him the whole time. I was told I may get a court appearance to state that is my wallet, but he didn't think that would happen. The tape says it all. I thanked him. Told him I wasn't worried about the money that he took, I was more worried about the other stuff he had. I was amazed at how quick they moved. By the time I figured it was missing to the time I was done with them it was 1 1/2 hours. I had $60 on me, that I was playing with. So, at least I had that. I learned a valuable lesson! They will contact me if they need anything. I was told the guy was being charged with Trespassing and Grand Theft. He's going to jail. At first I was told they may not find him, and if they did, it was questionable if he would be charged.

What I found out was that when someone is caught stealing from the casino, they are permanently banded from getting anywhere on the property. Their cards are marked and it goes off that they are in the casino, which gets security to arrest them. Since he was charged with Trespassing, then my charge put the "nail in the coffin"  so to speak.

So, after dropping Art off at his place, I went to the bank. Told them what happened and they issued me new cards. I was told that he could have wrote the numbers down or something to the affect, and sometimes it takes a year, but they use them. I said fine, and got my new cards. UGH UGH UGH

I looked at today as a learning experience. I haven't done this since I was in high school. The thought of replacing everything, including my licenses wasn't fun. So, I was thankful he didn't have time to use any of my stuff. Since he took the battery and sim card out of my phone, he knew what he was doing!

I also learned that most people that have the same incident happen to them, they don't press charges. So, they get away with it and go back and do it again. I am shocked that most people today are not honest and don't seem to know right from wrong. I am VERY THANKFUL to Red Wing for being so fast and being able to get the guy! They were very helpful and very polite! Of all places to have it happen, I'm thankful it was there!

So, after being so miserable about what happened. I came home and walked. Then I played a few on the games. I got my lecture from Patrick, which he had all rights to do. I'm going to do things differently next time.

Life is good, I was lucky today. I honestly think I had someone looking over me today. Someone helped me solve the problem and made me learn a lesson for what I was doing. I believe someone out there was watching.  I know I'm followed. I'm not the luckiest person in the world, nor do I think I'm lucky. I do believe I have an angel with me. Not around all the time, but in times of need. So, to my guardian angel I say, "Thank you!"

Has anyone else had a similar indecent?   How did it come out for you?

Now I need to get myself back to being Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!