This weekend I hosted a fund raiser for the Go Skate Day Foundation. During the skate deck art show, some punk got into the gallery's storage room (my bedroom) and robbed from me. I'm pissed but I won't go into all the details about the robbery, the show or what I will do to the kid who did this. This is blog is a word of advice if this happens to you.

1. Contact your financial institutions. You may have to cancel your cards.
2. Inventory your stolen items.
3. Call the police. Do not call 911, call their contact number. You will need a police report to file a claim.
4. Your home owners or renters insurance may cover some of the loses.
5. After you receive the police report, contact your banks & credit companies again. They will inform you if your card was used or not. On an average, you will only be held responsible for $50 per card. The rest of the money from false charges will be returned to you. Time is against you though. All 5 steps must be done within 2-3 business days.

Other steps that can be helpful
1. Do not sign the back of your cards. Write in the signature space something like "ask for ID". Then photo copy your cards, front & back. If the store fails to ask for ID from the thief, you will have proof that you gave the store specific instructions. The store will not have a case against you.
2. Ask to see, or get a copy of the actual sale. You may not be able to get this, but you can ask. The police, a PI or lawyer might be the only ones who can obtain this evidence.
3. Hide your valuables.
4. Be cautious of strangers.

I'm pissed this happened to me. I will seek justice. I am happy knowing that the money will be returned. One bad apple does not spoil the crop. This A-hole skater will be dealt with. I will continue to host events at my gallery, including next year's Go Skate Deck art show.