Current Events > So I found out that my roommate stole a ton of my games

(+) Yeah! (+)

I don't play on consoles much anymore, partially because most of my current favorites are on PC but mostly because I don't have a place to set up my TV at my current place. But I still have all of my old consoles going back to the fifth generation: N64, PS2, and Gamecube, and Game Boy and DS.

Well, I noticed the other day that something was off with the area that I keep my games. Basically I was looking over there and I noticed that where there should have been a stack of games there were only two. Confused, I looked closer, and one of them was Transformers: The Game, a game I coincidentally once owned but didn't like and sold off almost a decade ago. The other was Super Mario Sunshine, which should have been there, but it turned out the case was empty. I was already confused and suspicious, so I opened up the containers where I usually keep most of my games.

Half of my PS2 games were gone, and there were a half dozen in there that I do not own (NBA stuff and Fantastic Four, stuff I would never buy). Container with the Gamecube was missing a third of the games as well as the console itself and the controllers. Bag that usually houses the N64 and games was completely empty but propped up where it normally should be. The drawer that I keep all of my handhelds in was completely empty.

The only one that could have done this is my roommate. The fact that the bag was still where it normally is and the fact that there were weird games I never own in the mix is pretty obvious evidence of foul play. I'm assuming that he sold everything off.

I'm lucky that he didn't take either of the PS2s (the really old fat one that doesn't always work and the newer slim replacement) and most of my favorite PS2 games because they were in a different box and not as obvious. My old physical PC games, some of which I still need discs for, were also untouched on account of being in a drawer at my desk. None of my DVDs were taken, maybe because he didn't think it worth it, but probably because they're in plain sight and it would have been really obvious.

I am so mad right now, and unsure of how to handle this. I already have a tense relationship with him and I definitely do not feel I can trust him or want to live with him after this. I've noticed him eating my food a few times before, and doing a few other things like messing with the thermostat (turning it to 50+ degrees), and he's always denied it and been indignant that I accused him; the point is he has a history of just blatant dishonesty, and he's tried to gaslight me about it. He also has a really bad temper that I've been witness to fairly often, and though it has never turned physical I am frankly somewhat worried for my safety in a confrontation about this. Right now I'm stuck in a lease with him until October, and neither of us can afford to move.

It strikes me that it was a completely stupid thing for him to have done, because there is absolutely no way I wouldn't have eventually found out; the latest he could have hoped for was it being noticed when I was packing to move. He was lucky that I don't take those out often because of the circumstances; because of that I don't know when it happened aside from probably being in the last couple months. He has had money issues.

What I want:
-compensation for my games: four systems, several controllers, and over 50 games were taken. Frankly I just want to replace them because there are a lot of old favorites that I still go back to.
-to not live with him anymore, preferably with him leaving

I am not confident about getting either. I would have to talk to the landlord about the latter. I'm not sure how to approach this or if it would be feasible. They have had issues with him before (though, to be fair, so have I, although I have always been amiable with them) and so may be understanding.

I really just needed a place to vent and ask for any advice that people might have to offer.

You prefer your thermostat below 50?
---

Wow...I'd be very pissed.
---

InstaReturns posted...

You prefer your thermostat below 50?

He put them in the low 50s. I don't put them below the high 60s in the summer. We're in L.A., and I'm actually pretty heat sensitive, but I know how to be responsible with a thermostat. The main issue with it though was him just denying he did it. On multiple occasions. He blamed it on electrical problems with the A/C. It's always worked completely fine for me, and I've actually witnessed him turning it down really low before, so you understand my skepticism.

MrZAP17 posted...

InstaReturns posted...

You prefer your thermostat below 50?

He put them in the low 50s. I don't put them below the high 60s in the summer. We're in L.A., and I'm actually pretty heat sensitive, but I know how to be responsible with a thermostat. The main issue with it though was him just denying he did it. On multiple occasions. He blamed it on electrical problems with the A/C. It's always worked completely fine for me, and I've actually witnessed him turning it down really low before, so you understand my skepticism.

You should tell him to fuck right off with that. If the AC busts you'll likely be on the hook for it

Trust me, I've tried. He just gets mad because he thinks I'm trying to not let him use it.

Is he on drugs?
---

alexander37 posted...

Is he on drugs?

Not that I know of, but he does have psych issues. I hesitate to say exactly what since I'm a bit hazy on it myself. He does have self-acknowledged anger management issues, though.

Conflict posted...

This is exactly why I don't want 3 roommates

They're not all bad. Aside from this guy and one other guy who was nowhere near this level of bad, all of roommates have been at least neutral and some quite good.

Put all your games in your room and get a keyed lock for your door ASAP.
---

That's part of the problem. I have a partitioned off area of the living room. No door. The games were all in the partitioned area, which is furnished like a normal room. The lack of privacy is an ongoing issue, and I pay a slightly lower share of rent because of it. He's not supposed to enter without my permission, as though there were a door there, but there have always been struggles with that. It's only now become apparent that it's even worse.

I do intend to move the rest of my games to my parents' place in short order.

Call the police and fill out a report. If he sold them off to a pawnshop they'll get it back to you and you'll have a few less things to worry about.
---

Maybe, but I'm skeptical. For one thing, it's more likely he just sold them online. More importantly it's basically my word against his.

It's funny; I collect books, films, and, to a lesser extent, games, and I have OCD. Of course I have it recorded what I own. GameFAQS is one of the places I use to keep track. If he thought I wouldn't realize EXACTLY what was missing, he overlooked something big. Of course, an online record on a website isn't exactly admissible.

Wait until he's asleep then feed him a couple of elbows.

If you want actual constructive advice. Call the police anyways, maybe don't mention it was your roommate but call the cops on the off-chance that your roommate will get scared and that will make future thefts less likely to occur.

Second, I would lock my door at all times and add a way to record what goes on the room. If he forces himself into your room, maybe that's a violation or a crime or whatever. If it's a violation of the lease terms maybe your landlord can evict him.
---

Aside from the locking door thing (see above) that's good advice, though a camera or whatever to record sounds costly...

My brother did something similar.
I bought a few of his PS1 games from him and kept them in my room.
Some day they where just gone. He probably sold them to someone else.
What I did was I took some of his magic cards and sold them so that we were even again.
---

Mention to your roommate that you noticed games are missing and say you think you've been robbed and are going to get the police involved. Don't accuse him, just let him sweat it out as he may confess to keep the police from looking into it

leverageblargh posted...

Are you sure it was him and not someone else that has visited your place?

Maybe one of his friends if not yours?

I practically never have friends over, and I trust them all anyway. I pick friends well.

He's also only had friends over a few times. He does do some work for a guy who comes over once a week, but 1. I'm usually home and 2. the guy seems like a good, if somewhat ditzy guy to me.

StrykerX posted...

Mention to your roommate that you noticed games are missing and say you think you've been robbed and are going to get the police involved. Don't accuse him, just let him sweat it out as he may confess to keep the police from looking into it

I guarantee you if he doesn't confess on the spot he'll immediately accuse our landlords who as previously mentioned he has issues with. Aside from that being really crazy. He got out renters' insurance for himself because he's afraid of them doing the same thing to him. I'm not against him getting out insurance, but the entire way he handles the landlord (and, frankly, society in general in some ways) is very paranoid. His first thought when things go wrong is that people are being malicious. I'm personally a strong advocate of using Hanlon's Razor.

Tag
---

This is why I don't want roommates.
But that's also why I haven't been able to move out
---

Tell him to make it right and you don't wana hear any bullshit lies.

If he argues, punch him right in the center of his face , hard

Keith_Valentine posted...

Tell him to make it right and you don't wana hear any bullshit lies.

If he argues, punch him right in the center of his face , hard

Well I'm definitely not going to do the second thing. Not my style. But I like the moxie of the first part. Rather pessimistic of its efficacy, though.

I'm going to confront him sometime in the next few days with my dad as back-up. Hopefully him being there will inhibit any significant outbursts, and he sees my dad as a reasonable person so that might help too.

Sorry dude, but at times like these you have to get physical, beat his ass. Trying to solve it without violence doesn't work when the person won't understand anything but violence, if you have to jump him jump him, if you have to use a weapon like a bat, give him fair warning first.
---

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

fenderbender321 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

InstaReturns posted...

You prefer your thermostat below 50?

He put them in the low 50s. I don't put them below the high 60s in the summer. We're in L.A., and I'm actually pretty heat sensitive, but I know how to be responsible with a thermostat. The main issue with it though was him just denying he did it. On multiple occasions. He blamed it on electrical problems with the A/C. It's always worked completely fine for me, and I've actually witnessed him turning it down really low before, so you understand my skepticism.

Yeah that's just dumb. L.A. regularly has humidity levels well over 50%. That humidity is what causes ACs to freeze up and cause damage to the condenser when overworked. That's why I'm glad I live in a dry climate...I can run my AC at 64 degrees all summer (even days when it's over 100 degrees) with no problems.

I have lived here basically my entire life, and I have never liked the climate. Way too hot and bright for me. What people call constantly nice weather I call uncomfortable and annoying. But I deal with it. I'm not going to mess up our A/C for some temporary relief. Honestly the high 60s/low 70s is fine most of the time anyway.

In his defense for using it, he goes out running a lot (he's a marathoner) and often wants a quick cool-down upon returning. But turning it way low is really not going to do anything except waste energy.

you and your roommates need to give him a sock party.
---

KILBOTz posted...

you and your roommates need to give him a sock party.

It's just me and him, and his cats.

Number 1 is that if the games are stolen, you need to file a police report immediately. That is required for insurance to pay you for what is lost.

Secondly, the fact that he put his own crappy games in with your stuff seems to suggest that maybe he just is thinking of it as a "community" game center and he's "borrowed" your games. This would be your best case scenario, as it would mean when you confront him about it, he'd probably just act like an innocent idiot and he'd give you your things back. Then you would also have adequate reasoning with the landlord to get him thrown out.
---

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.
---

If he has a computer, try to get it from him ASAP, and check his browsing history. If he has went to any online sites where you can sell shit, its pretty strong evidence against him. You could also search his room, and if you find even one game of yours, you know it was him for sure.

I don't know how to get even though. If you call police they will just search his stuff, but i don't know if they would take his computer and hack it to see if he had sold anything online.

At worst, police might not be useful at all, and if you attack him and beat him up, he has a reason to call the police now and now you are the one who is in trouble.

At best, you might just get him to move the fuck out.

If i were you, i would be going in jail. I'll leave it at that.
---

CrowTRobot posted...

Number 1 is that if the games are stolen, you need to file a police report immediately. That is required for insurance to pay you for what is lost.

Secondly, the fact that he put his own crappy games in with your stuff seems to suggest that maybe he just is thinking of it as a "community" game center and he's "borrowed" your games. This would be your best case scenario, as it would mean when you confront him about it, he'd probably just act like an innocent idiot and he'd give you your things back. Then you would also have adequate reasoning with the landlord to get him thrown out.

You think I can afford insurance?

The second thing is plausible I guess, but he already borrows my books and DVDs and knows I have a policy about asking first, which he has mostly followed (which makes the whole thing a bit weirder). To have him not mention it at all would be really inconsistent, and to have him take all of that stuff at once is something he knows I wouldn't like. Still, it's a possibility. He's been socially dense before, and so have I in some situations.

tremain07 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.

Once again, I am a scrawny shrimp and he is not. And my heart is really just not in it. And if he already sold the stuff he would probably feel safer about calling the cops even if I managed to beat him up.

I'm not against calling the police. I'm just unsure how much good it would do in this situation.

shockthemonkey posted...

Ask him if any of his stuff is missing because you're missing a lot of stuff and need to file a police report. But make sure to ask him and make him answer whether his stuff is missing first, so he can't just be like "yeah yeah my stuff is gone, too" and then name a bunch of things he either sold or never had.

This is a good idea.

Sami1000 posted...

If he has a computer, try to get it from him ASAP, and check his browsing history. If he has went to any online sites where you can sell shit, its pretty strong evidence against him. You could also search his room, and if you find even one game of yours, you know it was him for sure.

I don't know how to get even though. If you call police they will just search his stuff, but i don't know if they would take his computer and hack it to see if he had sold anything online.

At worst, police might not be useful at all, and if you attack him and beat him up, he has a reason to call the police now and now you are the one who is in trouble.

At best, you might just get him to move the fuck out.

If i were you, i would be going in jail. I'll leave it at that.

So is this, although not without some risk I would prefer to avoid. I did make a cursory search of his room already, but I didn't touch anything so I couldn't search very well. Going into his room violates our roommate agreement, though obviously I don't care about that at this point beyond not getting caught. Not worried about him walking in as doing it when he's not home and not going to be home is easy. I just don't want him to notice anything amiss.

tremain07 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.

You're an idiot
---

Lost_All_Senses posted...

tremain07 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.

You're an idiot

I was trying to be diplomatic.

MrZAP17 posted...

Lost_All_Senses posted...

tremain07 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.

You're an idiot

I was trying to be diplomatic.

Didn't mean you. You're in a shitty position I take all precautions to not end up in. I live in my house alone for 3 years before I finally let a friend move in with me. And I let him know how easy it would be for me to change my mind at any point
---

Lost_All_Senses posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Lost_All_Senses posted...

tremain07 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.

You're an idiot

I was trying to be diplomatic.

Didn't mean you. You're in a shitty position I take all precautions to not end up in. I live in my house alone for 3 years before I finally let a friend move in with me. And I let him know how easy it would be for me to change my mind at any point

Oh, I knew who you meant.

Have you gone into his area and checked if he's still hiding them there? Maybe you can get some back.
---

Lost_All_Senses posted...

tremain07 posted...

MrZAP17 posted...

Alright, I'll clarify then. I'm a hardcore pacifist and am strictly against even nonlethal force except in extraordinary circumstances. I generally believe that talking things out isn't just morally better, but usually more practical in the long-run. Force rarely solves things neatly or permanently.

Also, on a completely non-philosophical note, he's ripped and I'm a scrawny shrimp.

Plus getting my ass thrown in jail for assaulting him isn't going to get me anything. And he would DEFINITELY call the cops on me in that situation. He's already shown in other circumstances that he's willing to be litigious.

I didnt say kill him, just beat the ever loving fuck out of him, and if he tries to go to the cops say that they'll lock his thieving ass up for stealing your shit anyway. Fear is the only thing people like this scumbag understand.

You're an idiot

fuck off.

You said he has cats right? If you can get someone who will watch them for a bit (or a shelter or something if you're thinking long term) kidnap them and then when he asks if you've seen them mention you had a bunch of games missing and maybe they were stolen by the same person. Might not solve the problem but will fuck with him a bit. Return the cats at your leisure of course.
---

Unquestionable posted...

You said he has cats right? If you can get someone who will watch them for a bit (or a shelter or something if you're thinking long term) kidnap them and then when he asks if you've seen them mention you had a bunch of games missing and maybe they were stolen by the same person. Might not solve the problem but will fuck with him a bit. Return the cats at your leisure of course.

I will not fuck with his cats. For one thing I'm a cat lover myself and while one of them is a huge asshole the other one is very friendly and I get along with them both okay. Also frankly I'm doing half the work caring for them now anyway (he at least does the litter, which is the important thing). But yeah it's not fair to drag them into this.

MrZAP17 posted...

I will not fuck with his cats. For one thing I'm a cat lover myself and while one of them is a huge asshole the other one is very friendly and I get along with them both okay. Also frankly I'm doing half the work caring for them now anyway (he at least does the litter, which is the important thing). But yeah it's not fair to drag them into this.

I love cats too but what I'm proposing isn't hurting them but merely relocating them with a trusted friend for a little bit. Still if you're not comfortable with the idea I don't blame you, things could go badly if your room mate is unstable.
---

this happened to some other dude and his shitty roommate on another board on here.

he pretty much took an inventory of each game that was missing w/ price, got a total, and reported it to the cops and now the roommate has to pay that amount.
---

You could google and check sites where you can sell things. See if someone is selling lots of games you had before, and you might be even so lucky that he tries to sell all of those in one pile. If you'd see someone selling all your lost games somewhere you'd know his info. Even if there's no personal information i'm sure police can investigate and find out who the person is.

And now we get to the part where calling police would either be useless or useful. If you don't have any way to prove you had those games, controllers and stuff police can't probably do anything. It might get really ugly. Its very risky move without proof.
---

Judge Judy.
---