DirecTV Installer Faces Seven Years Behind Bars After Stealing $5,400 From A Customer

So he is a satellite installer and a safe cracker? I wonder if the customer left the safe open? If not, it is time to buy a better safe.

Just shows that you can't be too cautious with letting people into your house nowadays. I don't know if DirecTV does background checks on its employees or if this guy had a record.

We should also remember that the installer is only accused of the crime. He should be considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Ken, that's very true. It really comes down to common sense. If I have $5,400 sitting where it's available to a stranger, then it's pretty foolish on my part.

Also, remember that this guy probably wasn't employed by DirecTV. He was probably part of an installation company sub-contract by D*.

If he's guilty, maybe that's how D* is paying for the new 130 channels. LOL!!

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/07/a_tv_installer_decided_to.html

Here's a link to an actual news story versus the goofy article/picture linked in the original post.

It was actually a lock box, not a safe, which I only mention because it seems to me there's a difference between the skills it takes to crack a safe versus breaking into a lock box. Given the mental state it takes for an installer to steal from a customer, safe cracking would seem to be beyond that person's skill set.

If I was a customer who had that kind of money locked away in my basement, I would not be leaving a stranger alone with it - not matter how I had it secured.

JLucPicard said:

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/07/a_tv_installer_decided_to.html

Here's a link to an actual news story versus the goofy article/picture linked in the original post.

It was actually a lock box, not a safe, which I only mention because it seems to me there's a difference between the skills it takes to crack a safe versus breaking into a lock box. Given the mental state it takes for an installer to steal from a customer, safe cracking would seem to be beyond that person's skill set.

If I was a customer who had that kind of money locked away in my basement, I would not be leaving a stranger alone with it - not matter how I had it secured.

Click to expand...

I hope they have some more evidence than just the word of the property owner.

This is also why I never, ever let anyone into my house without me being there. Like the power company that wants to change out my gas meter, they just want me to leave the house unlocked for their guys to come in and do what they need to do. Refuse to do a weekend and I refuse to take a day off work to be home for this. So it's been 2 years and they still keep bugging me and I still tell them to pound sand unless they do it on a Saturday.

What these companies expect is just crazy in today's world.

This brings up one of my concerns with using an installer; I don't have that kind of cash sitting around, but I definitely have more than that tied up in my home theater/stereo without even counting all of the DVDs and CDs. Or my guitars, amps, and computer equipment. I've always been worried that after seeing my setup and having ample opportunity to scope out various ways of breaking in, an unscrupulous installer could come back while I'm not home (or even give word to a buddy so that the installer could have a valid alibi) and cart off my stuff.

Of course, I doubt they'd want to climb back up on the roof to take my dish! :lol:

bonscott87 said:

This is also why I never, ever let anyone into my house without me being there. Like the power company that wants to change out my gas meter, they just want me to leave the house unlocked for their guys to come in and do what they need to do. Refuse to do a weekend and I refuse to take a day off work to be home for this. So it's been 2 years and they still keep bugging me and I still tell them to pound sand unless they do it on a Saturday.

What these companies expect is just crazy in today's world.

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Your Power company wants to work on your Gas meter ????? Now thats service. lol

NYCEGUY01 said:

Your Power company wants to work on your Gas meter ????? Now thats service. lol

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Here in the Detroit area, DTE Energy handles both power and gas.

On the topic of this thread, letting any stranger who comes into my house out of my sight for even a second has never even crossed my mind. I am a paranoid person by default, but this just seems like common sense to me.

Ken S said:

I hope they have some more evidence than just the word of the property owner.

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Completely agree! Fingerprints, large unexplained deposit - something that would result in a confession/conviction. And you know if this turns out to be unfounded, you won't hear about that anywhere.

bonscott87 said:

This is also why I never, ever let anyone into my house without me being there. Like the power company that wants to change out my gas meter, they just want me to leave the house unlocked for their guys to come in and do what they need to do. Refuse to do a weekend and I refuse to take a day off work to be home for this. So it's been 2 years and they still keep bugging me and I still tell them to pound sand unless they do it on a Saturday.

What these companies expect is just crazy in today's world.

Click to expand...

I'm surprised they even want that kind of potential liability themselves. How wilds of the west are you?

Cheers,
Tom

JLucPicard said:

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/07/a_tv_installer_decided_to.html

Here's a link to an actual news story versus the goofy article/picture linked in the original post.

It was actually a lock box, not a safe

Click to expand...

see al gores "lock box" wouldnt of worked....oh wait is that too political ? :hurah:

I believe evey contractor for DTV should do background checks on their employees, especially when working in consumers house. I do not let any contractor come into my house when I'm not home and my wife is. I know it costs but better safe than sorry. We backgroud check every person
that works in our church childrens ministry to protect the childrens safety.

The HSP's are required to but the subs and mom and pops usually dont.

Tom Robertson said:

I'm surprised they even want that kind of potential liability themselves. How wilds of the west are you?

Cheers,
Tom

Click to expand...

Actually in the middle of a city metro area of 225K+ but that's just backwoods livin' to some of you folks.

And yes, the power company around here, Consumers, does both gas and electric. Been that way for as long as I can remember.

Yup this is exactly why I did my own install, don't want anyone in my house.

I think DirecTV should take at least some responsibility for this and at least apologize and give this guy free TV. This is like a maid stealing your money at a hotel. Its hard to follow a guy every step, installs take 5 hours sometimes.

So, you folks really believe some guy kept $5,000 in a lockbox in his basement and then would let an installer down there alone? Then he comes back later that evening and determines the money is missing?

This smells bad...BTW, how many installs are done Sundays at 9AM?

I'd love to see more on this case...hey, it's possible but I bet there's a whole lot more to this story.

Yeah, I'd like to see the facts of the case before passing judgment. If the homeowner had a hidden camera that caught him stealing, then that's pretty much cut and dry. Maybe this is a case of the homeowner spending it on something he knows his wife/gf won't approve of so he has to make up a story.

Seriously though, if you keep $5,400 in your house you're an idiot unless it in a gun safe or something.