Your recording may be illegal or could get you fired. You'll want to keep that close to your vest.
I'm going to disagree with all the other posts.
If your goal is to get your tools back, there's a straight path. With the calmest demeanor you can manage, just show your best few seconds of the vi...
@AlexandreVaillancourt. Not at all. You're showing someone a video of a crime he committed. What's the story to the police? "They have an illegal video of me in the locker room stealing people's stuff!" Every other single answer here essentially relies on him having the video AND showing it to a 3rd party or implying he has it--you can move your comment to those, where it applies.
If it's not too obvious which locker it was filmed from, an anonymous email or printout still from the video in the locker might be safer than letting the thief know who it is who has the video. Also, maybe add a deadline - "if all the tools are returned by [one week], that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will..."
@user568458 ... this is a bit more passive aggressive and not as impactful. Simple, direct statements work wonders. This is a guessing game where people try to figure out who did what ... which is the opposite direction you want to go.
@mcknz - Precisely so. Especially given that the tools will almost have already been sold (for money), the individual may not have the ability to return the stolen property. What they most certainly have is the ability to offer threats of violence against you.
This suggestion sounds like something out of a cop show, and I think in reality it is likely to get you into a lot of trouble. You say that you aren't threatening them, but you really are, and if this is a person who is not afraid to steal equipment from their work, they may be willing to protect themselves in ways you would find unpleasant. Of course they wouldn't go to the cops to report your threat, but they may find you after work and show you what they think of you spying on them and threatening them
@mcknz Well, then he shouldn't tell anyone. Either let him steal or go work somewhere else yourself, because once confronted he may return with a weapon. After telling management, he may return to wipe everyone out. This is all sounding a bit paranoid.
@KevinWells so... You tell management or call the police... And they don't seek revenge? Calling the police doesn't make people disappear. I guess you're suggesting everyone go into hiding?
@jimm101 No, I'm suggesting not to threaten a possibly dangerous criminal. I think there are much more reasonable and safe approaches to this issue that don't involve putting you in directly dangerous situations
@KevinWells Any random person can be dangerous, and a reported theft of tools isn't getting anyone arrested and detained indefinitely, if at all. No mention of violence from the coworker. I think some people are watching too much CSI. A guy steals tools and you have him violently beating someone.
@jimm101 "A reported theft of tools isn't getting anyone arrested and detained indefintely, if at all". Where are you from that theft isn't going to get someone in legal trouble? We aren't just talking about a slap on the wrist for stealing staples out of the utility closet, we are talking about apparently expensive tools that could warrant police involvement, and could very easily get that person fired. The threat you make to that person is not a light one, if followed through on you could significantly damage their careers and possibly get them locked up
"Arrested and detained indefinitely" isn't the same as "legal trouble". I'm not proposing a threat, nor is any rational reading of the above a threat. It's a man-to-man conversation that gives the old guy an out. I'm sure he knows doing the right thing will beat legal troubles. You're reading more than is written. This is the least confrontational, gentlest way out.
@jimm101 You're revealing that you have proof that they stole, and asking them to do something. The language "No one has to know about this" makes it rather clear that someone knowing about it is an option - which is to say, it's an implicit threat. Threatening to reveal compromising information about someone unless they do as you demand is a form of blackmail. (And this isn't a new account, though I admit I rarely post anything on this particular SE.)
Given the overwhelming criticism of your ideas, it may be a good idea to stop calling your detractors names for a moment and have a think about why this might be. Y'know, before you convince the OP to get himself murdered with a spade.
@BarryTheHatchet ... See! You're getting it! Don't know where that impression could possibly come from, though. Oh well, scores are scores. I'm sure if you read the question you'll see the point.
@jimm101 That says demand money from (a person) in return for not revealing compromising or injurious information about that person. -- so I'm glad you're on the same page.
@Daenyth Wow,even when it's that black-and-white. Money? No. So a pick-pocket takes your wallet, and you say "Just give it back and I won't call the police" then you're blackmailing someone? No. And not here. Black and white. Wow.
Discussion on answer by jimm101: Shou…
Discussion on answer by jimm101: Shou…