eBay Sleuth Solves Crime

Hardy boys, beware, there is a new sleuth in town. Recently, an avid eBay user solved the case of the missing welder/tool chest, all without ever leaving the comfort of his home. In December 2004, Curtis Pittman, President of Midstate Manufacturing, had a commercial welder and a chest of tools stolen from the business. While there were suspects at the time of the crime, there was not enough evidence to arrest anyone. 

Yet, good things come to those who wait, and wait Pittman did. While perusing eBay recently for more welding equipment for his workers, Pittman came across the exact make and model of the one stolen from him nearly two years earlier. The seller was located in a nearby town. Suspicious, Pittman notified police of his suspicion and began communicating with the seller, who turned out to be an old employee of Midstate Manufacturing, Brian Berggen. Police arrested Berggen who is being charged with breaking and entering and two counts of burglary. 

As for the tool chest—Berggen told police it was located under a bridge, but by the time officials arrived, the tool chest had been removed. Pittman placed an ad in the local paper requesting help in finding the missing tools. A local farmer responded and returned the found items. New slogan for eBay—"Shop Online—Solve a Crime".