Theft is for the birds!

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on April 9, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

This got passed on to me via e-mail at work today:

Bill owns a company that manufactures and installs car wash systems (Magic Wand Car Wash Systems, just in case you want to buy one). Bill’s company installed a car wash system in Frederick, Md. Now understand that these are complete systems, including the money changer and money taking machines.

The problem started when the new owner complained to Bill that he was losing significant amounts of money from his coin machines each week. He went as far as to accuse Bill’s employees of having a key to the boxes and ripping him off. Bill just couldn’t believe that his people would do that, so they set up a camera.

Scoping the territory

That’s a bird sitting on the change slot of the machine.

Make it quick!

The bird had to go down into the machine, and back up inside to get to the money!

Caught red...beaked?

That’s three quarters he has in his beak!

An accomplice at work

Another amazing thing is that it was not just one bird — there were several working together.

Once they identified the thieves, they found over \$4000 in quarters on the roof of the car wash and more under a nearby tree. The theory is that the birds were “cleaning” the coins out of the Auto Cashier in order to prepare it as a nesting place…but those coins just kept coming back!

(via Tim)