Transcription (of iMessage exchange): “Hi, is this Paul?

Who is this

This is Erica from the dentist’s office. I got your number from your file

Pretty sure this violates Hippo but shoot your shot I guess

I’m not flirting with you. We have you on video stealing thousands of dollars of x-ray equipment”

  • PeriodicallyPedantic
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    9 months ago

    I’m trying to figure out what X-ray equipment can be stolen that is worth only thousands of dollars. A case of those films you bite on when they x-ray your teeth?

    • TheFriar@lemm.ee
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      9 months ago

      And why, if you have photographic evidence of grand theft, you’d text the person who stole with just “this is Erica from the dentist office.”

      I have a feeling this internet person is making stuff up.

    • LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      If something costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, it’s also accurate to say it costs “thousands of dollars.”

      • Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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        9 months ago

        I am just imagining him bored waiting for them to come back and he is like “fuck this, I am taking this shit, make this wait worth my while” and then just pulls out a tool belt and starts unbolting the thing from the wall.

      • rosymind@leminal.space
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        9 months ago

        Nah, I’ve worked in dental. Those machines are insanely expensive. This is one hand-held unit for sale just under 3k, down from just under 7k . That doesn’t count the sensors, which are also crazy expensive.

        https://universadent.com/product/nomad-pro-2/

        Most offices have machines attached to the wall, which would be extremely difficult to steal. But a nomad is portable.

        https://dentimax.com/x-ray-sensor-comparison/

        Above is ONE sensor (most offices have at least 2) that costs around 7k. There are other neccessities as well, but I think you get the point

        • neonred@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          Well, to be fair a few k is not expensive for medical equipment which is not a mass market, needs certification and usually lasts decades. It’s like no money.

      • PeriodicallyPedantic
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        9 months ago

        I’m Canadian. (Although dental isn’t covered by healthcare in Canada, so … Same thing in this case, kinda)

    • gmtom@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      Depends how strict you are with “thousands” like a big Dexis OP 3D Panoral scanner /only/ costs $40k

      Or you can get smaller handheld ones like a Dexis IS 3800W for $10k and can probably get older models for cheaper.

      • PeriodicallyPedantic
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        9 months ago

        I’m surprised it’s that little. I figured the big ones were >$100k. Although idk how you could feasibly steal something like that.

  • LEDZeppelin@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    That’s trump level defense - you can’t take me to court for stealing because that violates my Hippo rights

    • Aux@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      That’s how it works actually - if you break the law while making the case, your case is invalid.

      • Fenrisulfir
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        9 months ago

        lol do cops know this cuz that ain’t how it seems to be working

      • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
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        9 months ago

        Thats why this needs to change.

        If you commited murder and someone breaks the law to get you, you should still get convicted.

        But the person breaking the law should have no immunity either and face the consequences of their actions. But if the person abused a position of power (police, politician, etc) they should face twice the punishment, one time for breaking the law and a second time for doing so in a trusted office.

        • Hacksaw
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          9 months ago

          That’s ridiculous. Detectives would have to sit there and do the math “is it worth me going to jail for 12 months to strengthen my case against X”?

          No. The Justice system literally stands for justice. People working for it should not be committing crimes in its name as if the ends justify the means.

          If the people working for the Justice system routinely commit crimes and are rewarded for it, you don’t have a justice system. This is literally why people are so mad at the police right now. The police constantly commit crimes and are not punished for it

          • haui@lemmy.giftedmc.com
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            9 months ago

            I agree. Justice also for those dealing it out, obviously.

            But my point wasnt „this and nothin else“ but „this is worth looking at“.

            Currently, if you have committed murder and the fact got known due to a search that wasnt done correctly, you‘re free. Not everything is black and white.

            We can agree that murder means jail and the people who might have done wrong finding it out get their own consequences (which they currently dont either).

      • BCsven
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        9 months ago

        Sure, but the dental office has your phone number to be able to contact you for appointments, no law is broken in this fake internet screenshot.

  • neonred@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Why should an employee witnessing a crime contact the thief? And even tell their name and send their phone number?