I sent in the insurance claim on my flute that was stolen when my truck was broken into to cover up the ID theft that the clerk did that checked me into the Motel 6 in Albuquerque just after Thanksgiving last year.

I had to provide him with the police report # & when I got that #, I also talked with the sgt that is over the detective that was handling the case.

I was so angry after talking with him....it seems that my case became high profile because of the journalist I contacted at the Albuquerque Journal. She talked to the captain & I have no idea who else, but this sgt said that they went to the lady's house where everything that was purchased was going to & they found nothing....when I asked them if they ever talked to the guy that stole my ID....the detective only tried 2 times....once on the graveyard shift the guy worked on & once during the day.....they didn't get his address & find him at his house? They didn't do any background check to see how the lady & he are tied together.....they didn't look at into any of the pawn shops.....but the sgt said they don't take on these kind of "white collar" cased & I should be happy with the job they did. He said that the guy that stole my ID would have to admit to them he did it for them to have a case. In other words, the guy would have to walk into the police station & say...."I did it"....I stole her ID information.....& that still wouldn't tie him to the breakin of my truck & my flute. The stupid thing was that I hadn't touched my truck & the police woman that came out to take my report didn't do any fingerprints....I didn't even touch my truck until after she arrived.....They are so incompetent. If I hadn't been over the phone....I would have decked the SOB. I felt so horrible after talking to this guy.....I ended up staying in bed for a couple of days.....so sick, I couldn't eat.....all I wanted to do was sleep & get this horrible situation out of my head.

Then to make it worse....the insurance claim went through....yes, I had insurance on the flute....a special rider.......it only covered how much I had the flute appraised way back in 1985.....it is worth double that amount today.....so all I get isn't enough to replace my flute....I feel so angry & screwed.

I called a private investigator in Albuquerque & they are willing to take on the case....they will do all the background checks, talk with everyone & tie the whole thing together....& I will bet....everyone involved would end up on trial....there is no way they could miss...it's obvious the people that are involved....apply a bit of pressure....&.

well, the private investigator requires $2500 retainer.....a little more than I have right now....at least until I get the refi of the California house......so I thought that I would contact the lady who's house all the ID theft items were being sent to & whose water bill was paid with my ID information & negotiate a reward. I started by calling the Albuquerque Journal & talking with their General Manager to see if their paper (the loby of the paper) would act as a neurtal drop off place for my flute if my negotiations would be successful. I talked to him & he said it would be fine & we set up a plan.

I tried calling the phone # I had for the lady, but it has been disconnected.....so I thought I would send a certified letter. I put the letter together....giving all the information I have on the case & told her that I was planning on hiring a private detective & they would end up finding them all tied in to the theft in one way or another.....so suggested that returning the flute without any questions would be their best option or I would see them all in jail. Told her the flute had to be dropped off at the loby of the paper & would be done annonomously......the general manager would then call me & I would check out the flute....if it was MY flute & playable (not broken in a million pieces, I would then sent my reward of the same amount as the water bill that I had stopped.

I just sent the letter off today as a certified letter.......will see what happens, but at this point I have nothing to loose.....I can't afford to just go out & buy another flute the same as what I had.....no where even close. I sent it so that it could be forwarded or the person who has the house & knows where she might be can take the letter & give it to her.

I am praying that I get my flute back......I have the insurance money but would gladly give it back if I were to ever get my flute back.....that emotional tie to it & knowing I can never afford another flute like it.....really is hurting me right now.

Debbie