*Jozzua Notes from a Business and Marketing Strategist/Tactician

Story Of A Stolen Mac Book Pro

In October 2008, Marc and Sharm, a newly-married couple, found their apartment ransacked. A game-console and two laptops were stolen. One item was a relatively-new Mac book Pro.

At the office, we received his text message "Not coming to work. We were robbed." He emailed photos of the incident. Even pictures of the police as they investigated the matter. There were foot marks on the wall. Their bed was in disarray.

It was an ugly affair.

He came to office the next day and his body language screamed his dejection. There was anger and frustration. Marc explained the details. They locked it and somehow the thieves came through the back window. There was security at the front of the building - none at the back.

Seriously, it might have been an inside job.

He was just grateful that Sharm wasn't there when it happened. Safety was still priority.

Hopeful, he promptly posted the serial number of his laptop on online forums and other related websites. Of note was his forum message at Philmug.

Little did he know that the PhilMug post would be important.

Months later, two of his former officemates buzzed him. His laptop, the Mac Book Pro, was seen online. They knew because of the exact serial numbers posted.

Marc sought an entrapment operation. He called the police. He collected all the evidence. He read up on the Anti-fencing law.

Under P.D. 1612 - "Fencing" is the act of any person who, with intent to gain for himself or for another, shall buy, receive, possess, keep, acquire, conceal, sell or dispose of, or shall buy and sell, or in any other manner deal in any article, item, object or anything of value which he knows, or should be known to him, to have been derived from the proceeds of the crime of robbery or theft. "

To quote a Supreme Court case (GR No. 111343):
"... intent to gain need not be proved in crimes punishable by a special law such as P.D. 1612.

In the end, his humane side overtook him. He just decided to call the seller and arrange an amicable solution. Over the course of the a long phone conversation, Marc cited the Anti-Fencing law, and how the seller (a Ryan Soriano) is criminally liable. By the end of it, they agreed to meet up. Marc would get his laptop after a week.

A week later, Ryan Soriano was a no-show.

"Maybe you should have just really entrapped him."

We discussed in retrospect. Marc sighed and said...

I wanted to give him a chance. He blew it.

I hitched a ride with him the other day and asked what's he going to do next. He made a smirk.

TIP TO READERS: Post the SERIAL NUMBERS of YOUR STOLEN laptops. You might just get it back.