Help a Farmer Find a Thief

We've had someone stealing from our farm stand. It has been going on for about 3 months. We have tried game cameras and it has not worked. We may have to shut down our farm stand because the person keeps stealing the cash from our mason jar. What do you think we should do?
Thanks for watching our videos! If you want to visit our farm and stay in the b&b, go to www.millgapfarms.com. We also have Virginia’s only USDA Organic Maple Syrup available for you to enjoy too!
Our videos are for entertainment purposes only. Do not try any stunts like these unless you have your own channel and plenty of insurance. No animals were harmed in the making of these videos, except for maybe Kevin. #maplesyrup #makingmaplesyrup #farming #maplefarm

[@mkosmo]

Folks that like that ruin the world for the rest of us. Trust and respect is everything.

[@MillGapFarms]

I believe trust and respect are the cornerstones of any good society. thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! Kevin.

[@MikeMcRoberts]

You should put a slot or hole for people to put the money into. The money will drop into a box that is locked away behind the wood.

[@sassylady2001]

That would work for exact change - but he says in either this video or another that the jar is also there to help customers make change.

[@plagueofbadgers]

I'm sorry to see this happening to you guys. This is so wrong in so many ways. Here's my suggestion. 1. He is going to be a local person. 2. He has a favorite ball cap that's very distinctive. 3. He's a smoker. When in town, have a few pictures of him and his vehicle. The cashier at the convenience store(s) will probably recognize him.

[@MillGapFarms]

I think you’ve got the key component to his undoing! Thanks for watching and giving us your suggestion! Kevin

[@tennesseeterri]

That is a brilliant idea.

[@Blitz4688]

So sorry and sooooo disappointing. We are small maple producers on a small town dead end road and we thought your farm stand was a great idea. Cell cameras are the best option, that way by the time the camera is taken the pic has been sent, but if I remember you cell service is horrible. Our only other thought would be to set up 2 trail cams, one that is old broken and not working that is in plain site, sacrificial, and a second one that is hidden and set up to get the shot you need. We deal with trespassers frequently so we have cameras setup on the road to capture vehicles in addition to many on the property. Love your channel, honestly it's our favorite. Good Luck!!

[@MillGapFarms]

Thanks for watching Blitz4688! Good to see you in the comments. I'm bummed to have had to make this video. I like your idea of a sacrificial camera. My biggest challenge is that there is not much to put any other camera to where he doesn't look for them. The closest tree is about 50+ feet away. Hiding cameras is a real challenge. We are going to find him soon. Thanks for your thoughts. Hope to see you in the comments soon. Kevin

[@beardo5858]

I didn’t grow up around areas that have those stands but when passing through I try to stop and always feel weird when I go to pay and no one is around so I hold up my money and make sure it’s visible and put into drop box. I understand the honor system but not alot of people share those values anymore. I also never take change not because I don’t need it but because I appreciate the effort those small business owners put into it

[@MillGapFarms]

You are the customer we long for! Thanks Kevin

[@LarissaLifestyle]

So sorry. Look at Cog Hill Farms farm stand. He has something people put money in. Much love from Alabama

[@derr2438]

Oh, so sorry to see this! I hope you get him.

[@MillGapFarms]

I'm sorry for the delay in responding. We've been making hay and it's been a tough week. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. We will catch him soon. Thanks Kevin

[@WinkTartanBelle]

This is so very disappointing to hear! People who take from others because they feel they are entitled to do so, for whatever reason, instead of working to obtain those things for themselves feels to me like some form of sickness in the soul. I hope that man finds his cure soon.

[@MillGapFarms]

Soon he will. Thank you for watching our video WinkTartanBelle. I haven't seen you in the comments before. Welcome to our channel. Hope you will stop in again soon! Kevin

[@billa337]

Maybe a camouflaged camera to the sides of the stand might catch a plate number. In such a small area just getting the word out,someone has got to know who he is. Good luck.

[@MillGapFarms]

I have had a whole host of problems with my cameras from bad batteries bad cameras in my own stupidity, using game cameras at night does not work to catch license plates. During the day it’s possible. But, so far it’s happened yet. I move cameras all the time. But the randomness is what’s making this so difficult. Not to mention eating up lots and lots of batteries. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Really appreciate it, Kevin

[@John-B69692]

Saw the video where you caught the guy that was stealing from you. So glad.. I hate to state the obvious but the reason you're having people steal from you is that you are relying on the honesty of strangers in a rural area. Maybe look into a more secure way of selling your wares without getting ripped off.

[@Don.Challenger]

A very fine morning begins: sun, a cooling breeze, what could be better, then a darkening cloud fleets by sending a chill to briefly spoil our peacefulness.

[@melmcclaskie3091]

I know this is so frustrating for you. I hope you can find him.

[@MillGapFarms]

Thanks for watching and leaving your thoughts. Will catch him eventually. And I’ll share that adventure as well. Kevin

[@stevehardy7757]

I've got a lot of ideas but I can't share them publicly.

[@MillGapFarms]

We will catch up soon and share some ideas. Thanks for watching and leaving your thoughts. Kevin

[@Peter-wg2nz]

Maybe you can accept checks as payment, and checks can be useless to the useless thief. Also post your thief pictures at your stand as your customers might know who this thief is. And perhaps leave some marked bills for him to steal and they might show up locally. And I do like your idea of praying for this sinner, as he might repent, save his own soul , and quit stealing altogether. Maybe you can have your honest customers mail their payment to you. Post a message telling where payment can be sent. Leave some self addressed envelopes to facilitate this payment method. Hey, maybe this idiot will put his own self addressed envelopes at your stand and you will then have his mailing address.

[@stella1963]

Ask god to,lead you to him. Praying for a,peaceful outcome.🙏🏼💙🙏🏼

[@MillGapFarms]

Forgiveness is on the agenda! Thanks for your prayers. Kevin.

[@TheGsellers]

Thou shall not steal. put that on a sign in the stand? I assume you've reached out to the local Sheriff dept, they might have ideas or secure camera they could use? Small community like Highland County, shouldn't be too hard to find one person - wanted posters on local FB pages? Love you guys, sorry this is happening. Prayers for the guy might help too.

[@MillGapFarms]

P of B, The local sheriff has been working on it for a little while now. I have to give it to the thief, he is very random. At some point he will be caught. Thanks for watching and leaving your comment. Kevin.

[@maxedwellseven6724]

I’ll bet these videos are really driving on-line sales…

[@ionecuff6323]

I would print out the pictures of him and his car, kind of like a Wanted Poster. I would post them on your stand with the information that he has been stealing from you and you need help in identifying him, because if he is stealing from you, then he is also stealing from others. He is definitely someone in your community or frequents the area. I will bet one or more of your customers have seen him around or might know him. I hope someone comes forward and exposes him. The guy drives a better and newer vehicle than me and yet he steals? I live on SS and no matter how bad things get, there is no way I would ever steal from anyone!

[@MillGapFarms]

I have not seen you in the comments before. Thank you for watching our video and posting your very thoughtful response. I can’t imagine myself stealing from anybody either. what really took me back was the type of car that they drive. it is absolutely nice and always clean. thanks for taking the time to watch our video and leave your comment. Hope you will visit again. Kevin

[@ionecuff6323]

@@MillGapFarms Even when my 4 children & I lived out of my car, I never ever even thought of stealing. I would set up camp next to a river or lake so my older boys & I could try to catch fish to eat. We were not always successful and many times went to sleep hungry. We would collect recyclables to cash in for food and gas. Through it all, I continued applying for jobs everywhere. Through a strange twist of fate, I was ablet o get a job,, was 20 to 30 hours a week, but it was the catapult that lead to other and better jobs and pay. But, we never ever stole or event thought of it.

[@MillGapFarms]

Thank you for sharing your story. I figured at some point something would get stolen. And quite honestly, I would have no problem with someone taking from the stand if they were in need. I don't really think this person needs freeze dried skittles. Are your children grown? Would you mind emailing me through our website? www.millgapfarms.com. Thanks Kevin

[@ionecuff6323]

@@MillGapFarms My children and grandchildren are all grown, now a great-grand. My eldest son had a stand similar to yours when he lived in Washington state. He had chickens and way more eggs than they could use, so they set up a stand with a little sign & container to pay, the trust method. I don't know if anyone ever stole from them, but people were always buying their eggs. Now they live in Texas, grow their own food and doing quite well.

[@-LoveGrandma]

I agree, he is probably stealing from others as well. I pray you catch this guy!

[@lisafossett5318]

I've seen all your shorts as well as this. Latest shows a distinctive tattoo. Someone should know him. Try putting a game camera on the fence across the drive to catch the back license plate. As the weather improves, maybe sleeping out is an option. I wouldn't confront him directly. If he's this brazen, who knows what else he'd do. Good luck. Praying for a good, safe outcome.

[@MillGapFarms]

Thanks for watching Ms. Fossett! And for your prayers. He will be caught soon I am confident of that. Kevin

[@countryroadslife]

How very disappointing. I’m getting ready to put in a self-serve firewood stand & this is a concern. I plan on bolting a heavy built pay box on the stand. I hope you are able to find the perpetrator & that he feels ashamed. “The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief” (William Shakespeare)

[@MillGapFarms]

Good luck with your stand! If it looks anything like your wood yard it’s going to be amazing! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! Kevin

[@user-pk8de8dp5h]

I think I would post a copy to the ten comments with thy shall not steal highlighted in an obvious place , it just might make him think twice.

[@MillGapFarms]

I like your idea Mr. Conner. Another person suggested doing a wanted poster. Maybe we can use the message board for both. Thanks for the idea! Kevin