*alert* SEVEN DISPLAY DOLLS MISSING FROM NY DOLPA

Still no news of recovery? Darn...I hoped to come on today to see they had simply been misplaced.

 

Yeah.. I is (as sad as it sounds) highly unlikely that any of these dolls will be on show (even moderatly) while 'the hunt is on' so to speak.. It'd recomend for people to keep a quiet eye out instead. A couple of months (or even years) down the line they might be sited. As a selling item (if the intention is to sell and not keep them) it would make more sense that they would be sold just ahead of when Volks intended to release these dolls to the general puplic.

 

I think the saddest thing about all of this is that no one is ever going to get to enjoy these dolls, legally or otherwise. I imagine once the culprit realizes how deep they're in it, the dolls will be hidden away, neither played with or attempted to sell, because both are impossible to get away with. Despite the announcement made by Volks, I doubt the courage to return them would be found in someone who sunk so low to begin with.

 

I haven't read through this whole thread yet, so forgive me if the following info has already been stated. I was told the following by Pat Henry:

1.) When the FDQ and Volks staff left the meeting room late on Saturday night, they locked the doors.

2.) Upon returning on Sunday morning around 7:00 am, the door(s) the meeting room had been unlocked, and there was a breakfast going on for another group the was also having an event at FIT.

It's my feeling that the FDQ and Volks staff had left a number of things set-up because this room had been secure the previous two years they help events there. And there are a number of rooms at FIT that contain both art, materials, and equiptment that are much more likely to attract the common thief looking to "make a buck". My gut tells me that the dolls taken were targeted by someone who knew what they wanted, because not all of them on the table were stolen. Some people have speculated that this was because all of the dolls would have been too heavy to carry off. But it would've have been simple enough to grab a table cloth, or a big trash bag, and heave them away on your back.

Some attendees were upset that Pat Henry said that it had to be a collector, rather than a regular robber, but I think she's right. Someone picked the specific dolls they wanted, and left others behind. And feeling insulted as a collector by Pat's comment is illogical. If you didn't steal these dolls, she's not accusing you, its as simple as that.

Everyone should also know that the Volks staff were so embarrassed and upset by this incident that they had to be convinced to tell us what had happened around 11:45 am on Sunday morning, rather than keep it quiet. Looking at the raw emotion on the face all of the Volks staff and Pat Henry with tears in her eyes, we all were afraid someone victim of a serious accident, or had died. But I guess in a way we have had a "death in the family"...our BJD family...someone's conscience has died, or slipped into a coma, which allowed them to do commit this heinous act. The best we can all do in this situation is to be ever vigilant for these missing dolls, and share any information or sightings with Volks and Pat Henry.

My husband Teejay, myself, and several other attendees personally apologized to Mr. Shigeta, and members of the Volks staff, that this horrible thing had happened to them in our country. Mr. Shigeta said, through his son translating, that he still felt America was a great place, and that he felt closer with all of us now having shared the tragic news. He was most concerned about the "destiny" of these missing dolls. Would they be enjoyed and cherished, or trashed? Its not knowing what future these dolls will have seems to be even more upsetting to everyone at Volks, more than the fact that someone stole them.

Juli DC

 

Except the dolls were in a locked room where no attendees were. Only FIT staff/security and FDQ staff had access there. And it was the security/cleaning people who moved the dolls. All this occurred at hours that no attendees were around. It's not like outside people weren't aware that the dolls were expensive. Several waiters/caterers were remarking about the prices of the dolls. The ones that were taken happened to also be the ones that actually looked the most expensive imho. So I kind of find her statement baffling to be honest. Either security at FIT is really, really bad or it was an "inside job" by someone from catering/cleaning/security,etc. Either way I'd say security at FIT has some serious questions to answer.

 

Having seen and taken photos of all the dolls on that table all looked expensive I tend to agree with Julidc and Pat that the dolls taken were specifically targeted. The elves were sato only and ebony skin irvin and ruby are rarer dolls.

 

Do you think they could polygraph all the security, house keeping staff?? I know they would pitch a fit about their rights and stuff, but let's be real here about this.....

 

They can't conduct a search or a polygraph without reasonable evidence or suspicion that the security or house keeping staff are connected or responsible for the theft. Not to mention that you would need a warrant for that.

 

I was wondering, if they were petty enough to steal the dolls, wouldn't they be dishonest enough to take someone's money and not send the dolls to the buyers? They can simply list it, get paid by paypal, deposit it in the bank, close the paypal account and withdraw the money and close that bank account. sooo...hmm, I wonder how bad they are. and isn't it also possible that they can sell it to someone on the street or the black market?

 

I'm sure the NYPD is dealing with that angle of the investigation. All we can do is keep our eyes open and hope we spot something.

 

I actually find the blanket accusation that it was one of the guests kinda weird - when would the average Joe have had the opportunity to nick them? Those are big dolls! You couldn't just stuff them in your bag and go on your merry way. Putting them on a catering or housekeeping cart would have made it much easier.

And the value of the dolls was obvious, really. There had been placards up with prices all day... many of the waiters and other security people had been heard remarking on the cost of them, some were taking photos. If nothing else, the Jewels were right on the big poster of the FQD cover, and Irvin's poster with his pricing information was up the whole day.

I'm sure there must be a lot going on that we're not privy to (and is really none of our business). I just hope they find everything.

 

Polygraphs arn't 100% accurate though, because the monitor body responses under pressure. Factors of being under pressure from taking the test alone could trigger a negative response.

 

Anybody can be a suspect in this crime. As long as they had a motive, an average person could've done it. That's what is frustrating about this whole situation.

 

Agreed. They don't admit polygraph as evidence in court in some states, including New York.

 

Well, if it is a collector hiding them away, they will get no enjoyment from them. Sooner or later their conscience (or pride) will get the best of them and they will either attempt to sell them to get them off their hands or brag about them to the wrong person and get nabbed. Not to mention none of our dolls are safe at these large events. There were hundreds of beautiful dolls left sitting on all of the tables throughout the day and with everyone so busy chatting and shopping I am actually surprised nobody else's doll went missing. I know that is a scary thought, but not so far fetched in light of all this. And that is just scary.
I do not think Pat Henry was wrong in considering this a possible theft by one of the attendees. Anything is possible right now. I just pray that the person who did this has a change of heart and realizes what they have done reflects seriously negatively against them as a human being.

 

armeleia I didn't realize the announcement made on Sunday was a blanket accusation. I have to say though one can come up with a lot of theories on how the dolls were stolen.

One can say a lot of things that come across a bit wrong when one is emotional though.

I think in general the more important thing is they are found.

When I told my husband what happened on Sunday night his theory was maybe someone at security or catering was paid off to steal the dolls.

 

I have to agree with Aree's hubby on this one. I just have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that this was accomplished with the help of the security staff. I really hate to single out any one area, but it was just ridiculously clear that the people working the event were more then aware of the dollar value of these dolls, not to mention the fact that none of the attendees were anywhere near the room when they think they went missing. Most everyone was in their hotel rooms, out having dinner or shopping. Maybe one of the attendees did pay one of them to do it for them, but my gut says someone with the keys to that room made it possible.

 

It's certainly not improbable that it was an attendee, but due to the timing and circumstances I'd say it's certainly less likely. Unless of course, security was really, really poor. Which, maybe it was? Who knows? It really could be anyone, not just attendees. So I find the statement focusing on attendees a bit odd.

 

I was wondering did anyone check with the 24 hour post office nearby or closest ups or fedex? I remember someone mentioning there was a 24 hour post office near the event when people who were flying in were asking about the safest way to travel with their dolls. Mailing the dolls elsewhere is the bast way to make them disappear and checking them in as luggage certainly isn't safe or reliable.

 

Not to get everybody down, but I think the chances of these ever turning up again is disgustingly low :/