[D Winkler]

February 18, 2008
Hunter’s Trail Cam Nails Trophy Scumbag

Johnny Sandlin was sick and tired of people breaking into his South Lebanon, Ohio home.

In the past two years, Sandlin has been the victim of at least six burglaries, in which he lost guns, cameras, a computer, a weed eater and even food from his refrigerator to thieving scumbags.

After a break-in occurring in early December, the homeowner decided enough was enough. Sandlin placed the digital trail camera he normally uses for deer scouting in the fork of a maple tree and aimed it toward his driveway at the end of a secluded cul de sac.

Trailcam

And, bingo! His trusty trailcam recorded the image of a lone burglar—his car and its license plate—on two subsequent days.

For Sandlin, the pictures meant as much as if they’d been of a 10-point buck on a salt lick.

He presented the digital photos of the ne’er-do-well to Warren County sheriff’s officials, who in turn arrested and charged the culprit—thanks to the expert evidence provided by the camera.

“This is a perfect example of a homeowner thinking outside the box,” Chief Deputy Larry Sims told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Mr. Sandlin did his part and our detectives were able to make a case out of the evidence he gathered.”

In the meantime, Sandlin said he’s going to keep his camera strategically placed in that maple tree.

He may have to buy another one for deer scouting.

[DrakeHunter]

I have a buddy who is a big time farmer in our area. His father heard me talking about my trail cam and decided to buy one. He has lots of farm equipment and put on lots of anhydrous. One of the main chemicals for meth!! He told me that he knows he has had some stolen from time to time and is setting his cam up to investigate for him. I have no updates on whether he has caught anyone but it is almost time to start fertilizing so I'm sure he'll catch someone soon.

[D Winkler]

Let us know how it turns out.

[DrakeHunter]

I plan to go out there soon and try to chase down some coyotes so I will keep in touch on how it turns out. These druggies are getting really bad about taking anhydrous.