Vigilante Junior Catches Criminal
When Joseph Combs’ (COL ’10) iPod was stolen at a party, he did not wait for the police to take action – he took matters into his own hands.
On the night of March 21, Combs had been enjoying himself with friends at a birthday party on Prospect Street. Early in the night, Combs plugged his iPod into speakers and music began playing loudly throughout the house.
At approximately 1 a.m. Sunday morning, Combs’ iPod was unplugged and exchanged with a new device. By 1:15 a.m., Combs realized his iPod was missing. As the party winded down, Combs and others searched for it without success.
The next day, Combs searched Craigslist for an iPod. He stumbled upon what seemed to be a similar model to his stolen iPod. The seller advertised an 80G iPod for $120, a price significantly below market value, and he further indicated a cash-only exchange. Combs said he realized there were considerable similarities.
“I thought it was suspicious that this would happen,” Combs said. “iPods don’t go on Craigslist that often.”
Combs e-mailed the then-unknown seller about buying the iPod. After he received a response from Simon Wu (MSB ’11), Combs searched for him on Facebook and found out that Wu was not only a Georgetown student, but that he was also one of the guests from Saturday’s party.
After Combs’ inquiry about a purchase location, Wu abruptly stopped responding to his e-mails. Combs, assuming Wu had searched for him on Facebook as well, decided to change tactics.
On Monday, Combs recovered his iPod’s serial number by running a diagnostic test on his iTunes and notified the Metropolitan Police Department about the theft. He then used an alias, David Anderson, and e-mailed Wu once again.
“I made a fake Gmail account and messaged him,” Combs said. “We set up a meeting for 4 p.m. on Tuesday.”
Combs then formulated an elaborate plan to entrap the alleged thief.
Combs enlisted his friend Jan Gaetjens (COL ’12) to act as David Anderson during the transaction, which occurred right outside the front gates. Gaetjens memorized the iPod’s serial number and Combs instructed him to scratch the back of his head if it was a match. Two of Combs’ friends acted as spotters, Combs said, and were to relay Gaetjen’s signal to Combs, who was anxiously waiting in Village B. Combs didn’t want to be present at the exchange in case Wu caught sight of him hiding in the distance.
The sting went off perfectly and Gaetjens verified that the iPod was indeed Combs’. After receiving the signal, Combs came running from Village B and called the Department of Public Safety.
“DPS came and detained him. They called Metropolitan Police. Metro looked at the documents I had and got my iPod back. … Simon was taken away in handcuffs by the Metropolitan Police about 90 minutes after the sting took place,” Combs said.
Later that night, Combs received an e-mail from Wu, apologizing and admitting to the crime.
In the e-mail, Wu blamed his actions on being drunk, but also took responsibility for his own conduct.
“I am unbelievably sorry that I stole your iPod this weekend. I was drunk at a party and I saw it and I just took it for a reason unknown to me. … My first mistake was taking the iPod and my second was not [bearing] the embarrassment of returning it,” Wu wrote in the e-mail to Combs.
Combs said he was extremely pleased that the situation has been resolved and his iPod was returned.
“I am really thankful to my friends and especially Jan — who did a great job of memorizing and matching the serial number — for the help they gave me. I am also thankful for Simon’s extreme incompetence, without which I could not have caught him,” Combs said. “Thefts of this nature have no place at Georgetown and fly in the face of the good will extended to him by my friend who allowed him into the party in the first place. Simon deserves whatever punishment the school and MPD deem fit to give him.”
Mar 27 2009 at 8:33 a.m.
Huzzah, man. Bloody good work.
R
Mar 27 2009 at 11:44 a.m.
That is awesome.
Mar 27 2009 at 12:40 p.m.
Does anyone else think the recent upsurge in vigiliantism on campus is pretty frickin' awesome?
Mar 27 2009 at 12:55 p.m.
Sweet. All in favor of Combs making a citizens arrest on the Cuddler...
Mar 27 2009 at 12:57 p.m.
As long as it doesn't get violent, this sort of vigilantism is awesome. DPS and Metro would do jack [expletive] for a stolen iPod victim (believe me, I know). So way to take care of yourself!
Mar 27 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
This is the best Hoya article I have ever read
Mar 27 2009 at 2:54 p.m.
Ridiculous behavior that has no place in Georgetown.
In the *very* least, the kid should be forced to take a semester or year of leave, with a requirement to petition the Dean to re-enter. Or expelled.
This punk wasn't sorry. He was sorry he got caught.
Mar 27 2009 at 2:55 p.m.
So well played.
Mar 27 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
Also, no surprise that this punk came from the MSB.
Mar 27 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
Joe Combs for VP for University Safety!
Mar 27 2009 at 2:58 p.m.
Joe Combs doesn't sleep...he waits.
Mar 27 2009 at 3:24 p.m.
Someone finally canvassed the area with POSITIVE RESULTS!!
Mar 27 2009 at 3:38 p.m.
.how do you get your ipod's serial number from itunes when the ipod is not connected???
Mar 27 2009 at 3:48 p.m.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+do+you+get+your+ipod%27s+serial+number+from+itunes+when+it%27s+not+connected%3F
Mar 27 2009 at 3:58 p.m.
Money quote: "I am also thankful for Simon’s extreme incompetence, without which I could not have caught him"
Mar 27 2009 at 3:59 p.m.
The hilarious thing about this is that this hoya article will probably become the number one google result for a search of Simon Wu Georgetown - his life is ruined.
Mar 27 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
“I am unbelievably sorry that I stole your iPod this weekend. I was drunk at a party and I saw it and I just took it for a reason unknown to me. … My first mistake was taking the iPod and my second was not [bearing] the embarrassment of returning it,”
Uh, dude, no. You might've taken it when you were drunk, but unless you created a Craigslist posting, fielded several inquiries and tried to fence the iPod while still absolutely shithoused, no excuse.
The embarassment non-apology is equally BS. You could've dropped it off anonymously outside the front door or left an anonymous note. Selling it on Craigslist for a tidy $120 profit is not escaping embarassment - it's greedily reaping the profit of your conversion.
And unless you are a Duke basketball player, you are not going to fare well here.
Mar 27 2009 at 4:50 p.m.
I just googled "Simon Wu" and "Georgetown." This page is indeed the first link.
Have a long and profitable career, you scumbag. Try to make friends with the bigger fellas.
Mar 27 2009 at 5:09 p.m.
Beneat Joe Comb's beard lies not a chin...but another fist.
Mar 27 2009 at 5:09 p.m.
This story rocks the boat.
Mar 27 2009 at 5:33 p.m.
By far the finest example of intelligence and wit ever seen amongst all humanity. Joe Combs is a god among mere mortals, a beacon of light in an ever-darkening world.
Well played, good sir- well played.
Mar 27 2009 at 8:11 p.m.
He blamed it on being drunk.
How wasted was he on Saturday to still be drunk on Monday when he tried to sell it?
Mar 27 2009 at 8:37 p.m.
"I am also thankful for Simon’s extreme incompetence, without which I could not have caught him"
badass.
Mar 27 2009 at 8:59 p.m.
I applaud Joe for using his intellect and ingenuity, he is the true meaning of a Hoya.
DPS is the most unreliable bureaucracy on campus. If you try to work in the system, you will only get screwed over yourself. There needs to be an outside audit of that department. We are wasting our money if we continue to pay even one person on that payroll, from Doris Bey to Student Guards; each has proven their incompetence. You mind as well be throwing away that tuition money.
Mar 28 2009 at 12:25 a.m.
a 300 dollar ipod isnt worth possible suspension. coombs has the option to press charges. one would think the humilty of being cuffed at the front gates (along with getting the ipod back) would be enough for him. obviously wu f***** up... but to ruin a college career over it?
i'm glad that even with wu facing definite reprecussions from georgetown college, coombs is choosing to expend effort and prosecute.
as far as i'm concerned, that spiteful reaction has no place in our georgetown community. so much for forgiveness at a catholic college.
Mar 28 2009 at 1:11 a.m.
$300 iPod, plus all the time it took to upload songs, playlists, movies, etc. onto it. Plus it could contain personal documents, pictures, etc.
When my iPod was stolen (along with my laptop and DVDs), I lost all my pictures from my semester in Europe. They were priceless. Not to mention a lot of the music I had accumulated, sorted and paid for.
But that's beside the point. How many people do you know in your career at Georgetown who have had their s*** stolen?
Wu may have had our sympathies for Wu's drunkenly taking the iPod, had he returned it the next day (anonymous or otherwise) and apologized. We have no sympathy for Wu's a*****ish behavior afterwards (trying to sell it on Craigslist, faking the worst apology I have ever seen), and it is absolutely grounds for a suspension _in the least_.
If Wu wasn't such a moron, he might've gotten away with it and we would be none the wiser. The most he'll probably get from MPD is some community service hours.
Ruin his college career? No. But definite strong repercussions are needed to send a message to him and his ilk that this kind of behavior is not to be tolerated at a Catholic college - or any college.
Mar 28 2009 at 1:24 a.m.
A sad statement, but unfortunately so true. Perhaps the villains of Wall Street were only doing what they learned in B-school...
Mar 28 2009 at 2:09 a.m.
it's not a $300 ipod. the market value of a used 80 GB model is no more than $150-160.
Mar 28 2009 at 2:20 a.m.
Also, the Hoya's headline writers need to be more precise with their words (again). A vigilante is generally someone who breaks the law in the name of justice. No law was broken here.
Mar 28 2009 at 4:03 a.m.
Can someone post this to Digg? Come back and post the link so we can upvote and share.
Mar 28 2009 at 4:56 a.m.
The fact is Wu is not a good kid, and this isn't the only incident of him drunkenly or soberly doing something stupid!
He committed a crime and should face the appropriate punishment.
Mar 28 2009 at 5:52 a.m.
http://digg.com/people/Vigilante_student_catches_iPod_theif
There it is.
Mar 28 2009 at 6:09 a.m.
Clearly Wu faltered in stealing and attempting to sell Combs’ iPod, but to deem Wu’s collegiate career and life as “ruined” because of this one mistake is not just foolish, but also cowardly. The malicious comments of “gtowner” and “Justice”—two of the many people relishing in Wu’s mistake—are more shameful than Wu’s actions themselves. As gtowner and Justice rejoice in relegating Wu to a lifetime of failure for this minor and immature mishap, I will be forgiving him. He knows he has messed up and has apologized—there is no need to chastise him further.
To Justice, gtowner, and Real Joe Hoya, Joe Hoya--Climb down from your throne of perfection and quit acting like your shit doesn't smell. People make mistakes, including you. Forgive Wu, move on, and let him serve his punishment in peace. By unnecessarily berating Wu, referring to him as a "fucking prick" and a "moron," without even revealing your true name or considering his apology, it is you who are acting like the true, immature coward.
Mar 28 2009 at 11:51 a.m.
I think students who get trashed, get into a fight at a party while yelling gay slurs, then run away and piss on the neighbor's front yard should get their names plastered everywhere and have their college career ruined too.
Mar 28 2009 at 5:06 p.m.
Not every student in the MSB is a greed-driven narcissist. I'm pretty sure no professor ever taught him a "steal and sell on Craig's List" business model. I'm in the College, so I don't really care that much, but some of the comments are borderline ridiculous.
His life is not ruined. He will receive a slap on the wrist from MPD and the University and then move on. The real punishment is the embarrassment of having his name plastered all over campus papers as the Wile E. Coyote of this sad episode. Maybe the social stigma will help set him straight.
Mar 28 2009 at 5:18 p.m.
thanks. just dugg it.
Mar 28 2009 at 6:41 p.m.
I guess I will add some commentary on this story since it has proven to be fairly popular.
I learned later on that one of my friends actually asked Simon if he took the ipod moments after it went missing. Now, clearly, it is unlikely that any good criminal would answer in the affirmative to this question - but it also demonstrates that Simon had many chances to get out of it.
As to the question of whether DOPS is ineffective compared to the real police... this is more interesting. I'd say that I was most proactive because I alone would bear the costs and benefits of any capture. By the nature of the organizations, the people working for DOPS or MPD do not (really) gain any marginal benefit from the successful capture of a criminal (especially in a case as petty as this one).
The Metro police were actually pretty unhelpful - I called twice on Tuesday to ensure that I would not be breaking any laws under certain contingencies (could I seize the ipod? could I chase Simon? etc...) Unsurprisingly, the inquiries of a college kid attempting to recover a $155 piece of property were not given much attention.
Now, the questions of punishment and forgiveness are more tricky. Obviously, the Police and Student Conduct institutions will determine an appropriate punishment in that sense - but there will also be a level of social punishment levied on Simon (if he remains at Georgetown or goes anywhere where people know of this story). I am of the opinion that this sort of anti-social behavior be consistently scorned and rooted out by any community, especially since it is usually so difficult to catch. Many of my friends have had valuable items stolen and the thieves have not been caught, so we must provide strong deterrent punishment when we do catch the people committing these sorts of crimes.
There are a few aggravating factors here that caused me to give The Hoya all this information. The first is that someone with Simon's background has no legitimate reason to be stealing from classmates - he comes from a private boarding school in California, the Thacher School - so he's not poor, at the least. The second is that Simon was unquestioningly allowed in the party and simply preyed on that trust (It wasn't MY party in the traditional sense - it was a friend's birthday party. But the keg deposits were in my name and I felt a good deal of betrayal that someone would take advantage of me like that.)
As for forgiveness, I am of the opinion that people should be trained in a cool, steady dislike of people who wish them harm. Obviously, I will continue to respect him as a fellow human being, but nothing Simon can say or do will wash away, or undo what he did. Nothing even *I* can say or do will undo the event - and I suppose that is something he will have to live with.
Mar 28 2009 at 6:57 p.m.
Joe Combs, I applaud your actions and effort. Thank you for the comments on DPS/Metro; they are definitely informative. But you got your 15 minutes of fame and your iPod back. I mean, I'd still be really pissed too if I were you, but your two last paragraphs seem grossly inappropriate...
Mar 28 2009 at 7:12 p.m.
Joe,
No offense, but pressing charges when the DC criminal justice system has much bigger things to worry about is a bit excessive. You got your iPod back, you got your 15 minutes of fame in the Hoya, you should just let it go. Not to mention, Wu stands a chance of suspension from Georgetown. This story was published, he is facing ridicule from the campus community, don't you feel justice has been served? Part of our Jesuit tradition is forgiveness. You are behaving in a manner as disdainful as Wu, for no sin is worse than pride. The punishment doesn't fit the crime. Just let it go, in the name of forgiveness.
Sincerely,
James Hoya
Mar 28 2009 at 8:50 p.m.
did he ever say he was pressing charges?
Mar 28 2009 at 8:55 p.m.
also, i don't see how the 'punishment doesn't fit the crime.' the guy is a thief and a liar and a backstabber, he will get probation and a social stigma. that is what he deserves.
Mar 28 2009 at 9:02 p.m.
i understand he is pressing charges... i would assume even mpd finds that ridiculous
Mar 28 2009 at 9:44 p.m.
Calling the Hoya to tell the campus how cool it is that you and your friends set up a sting is completely lame. The ultimate sign of self-righteousness and pettiness, especially that quote at the ed. I'd chill with Wu over this kid any day.
Mar 28 2009 at 11:12 p.m.
This Kid sounds like a douche bag, If I'd been at the party, I would've stolen his iPod too. Let it go man!!!1
Mar 29 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Any reasonable person would have just asked for the iPod back after realizing it was another gtown student who stole it.
Watch out hoyas!! next time you steal a cup or set of silverware from Leo's look out for Combs and his shithead friends who have nothing better to do than uphold their skewed sense of justice.
WU>COMBS
Mar 29 2009 at 1:21 a.m.
Dear Joe Combs,
Please press charges. You are well within your rights to press charges. The people against pressing charges have no authority or right to tell anyone what is the just outcome - only the judge presiding over the case has the power to prescribe the just outcome over "Mr." Wu.
Mar 29 2009 at 1:40 a.m.
wait a minute, jon, first of all combs said that someone did ask wu for the ipod back at the party and wu denied having taken it AND the original article said combs emailed wu from his own email account and wu did not respond, undoubtedly after he realized that combs was the owner of the ipod. So do you really think wu would have returned the ipod had combs just asked for it back?
Mar 29 2009 at 2:44 a.m.
I think it's really easy for the people who didn't get their valuable iPod stolen to preach forgiveness. The fact he tried to sell it demonstrates a higher level of maliciousness.
STEVE HOLT!
Mar 29 2009 at 5:09 a.m.
Pluto is no longer a planet, because Joe Combs said so.
Mar 29 2009 at 2:33 p.m.
Pressing charges at this point is only a formality in my opinion. When companies are recruiting for students, they dig into personal information. There have been cases when kids were not offered positions because of their pictures on facebook. I highly doubt Simon would be able to get something substantial when he leaves Georgetown.
Still, I think Combs did the right thing. It's a shame that it's a Hoya who committed the crime, but hopefully nothing like this will happen again.
Mar 29 2009 at 4:16 p.m.
Haha, now UWire picked it up. ouch!
http://www.uwire.com/Article.aspx?id=3928852
Mar 29 2009 at 5:31 p.m.
Maybe Mr. Combs can start a new edition of CSI --- GCSI and possibly Mr. Gaetjens can snag a walk-on role on Numbers with their investigative talents and memorization skills. Can't everyone just play nice. Can't you Hoyas all get along??
Mar 29 2009 at 7:45 p.m.
SKEWED SENSE OF JUSTICE? i dont understand how anyone could think that combs was the douchebag here... the fact that wu was a georgetown student makes it even worse that he would steal another student's ipod. why would you ever want to hang out with someone who would do that?
anyone who thinks combs is overreacting or unforgiving must fail to realize what it would be like to have your ipod stolen, especially since as students, at least for me, an ipod would be a full month and a half's worth of wages. maybe its just an ipod to Simon Wu but to most people 300 plus dollars is a lot of money. also, the article does not mention that combs called in the story, for those who assumed that so i doubt that he did.
also, the analogy that combs would hunt you down for stealing leos silverware is absolutely ridiculous...
Mar 29 2009 at 11:28 p.m.
Any real man would've set up the sting, got the iPod from Wu, and roughed him upa little bit for good measure. Calling the cops is completely and utterly uncalled for when you've got the kid standing right in front of you with iPod in hand. Give me a break Combs, what a loser move.
Mar 29 2009 at 11:31 p.m.
Yeah when did becoming a tattle tale become cool? Never in my life have I called the cops, told a teacher, etc. when I KNEW THE KID WHO DID HARM TO ME. You confront him yourself or with your friends if you need to. Combs behavior is unacceptable in 90% of neighborhoods across the United States.
Mar 29 2009 at 11:36 p.m.
Look. The people who are glowing in Combs heroism may be over playing the point because its a funny one. The story is funny.
Those who are suggesting (in earnest) that letting Wu off the hook is the moral thing to do are either (a)trolls, (b)Wu, or (c) idiots.
Here is the story between the lines, as I see it.
(1) Wu will almost definitly withdraw from Georgetown. To stay and face this level of social stigma would be irrational. BY withdrawing, he will avoid official sanction and his next school will not be on notice of his problem. He will steal their again and probably get away with it.
(2) The emotional issues that caused him to be relatively wealthy petty theif will probably be met with therapy that will only half-solve his problems. His issues will reoccur and he will be a loser for the rest of his life. He will likely be single and living off family money until about the age of 50, at which point his parents will seek to dissociate from their embarassment of a middle-aged child. His siblings will instruct their children to keep Uncle Simon at arms length at family parties.
(3) The reason Combs story is so compelling is that he did what we all wish we could do when faced with petty injustice. Most of us let these things go, which perpetuates the problem. We let them go because we consider it not worth our time, or worth the time of the competent authority. In fact, the opposite is true. Good police forces tend to like to nip petty theives in the bud before they need to steal more to get the rush.
Mar 29 2009 at 11:53 p.m.
I can confirm Combs did contact the Hoya to embarrass Wu further, which was not a classy move.
Mar 30 2009 at 12:19 a.m.
Since when did merely being a fellow Hoya grant one immunity from criminal charges? So if he was from GW, prosecute away! But a Georgetown student? Oh, have mercy Mr Combs!
He's from Georgetown. Great. Does that make him THAT different from anyone else? Why on earth should we be granting special leniency to steal things without legal repercussions?
Mar 30 2009 at 12:19 a.m.
Amazing. Combs really had this planned out didn't he?! Playing detective and all...
Mar 30 2009 at 12:22 a.m.
P.S. I'd like to point out that many of the people criticizing Combs are suggesting that assault is more morally acceptable than pressing charges. Wow.
Mar 30 2009 at 12:39 a.m.
I can actually confirm that The Hoya heard about the story independently of Combs and, upon deciding to run it, contacted him about getting more information.
Mar 30 2009 at 1:05 a.m.
@ Lets be Honest Here
The kid got extremely drunk and swiped an iPod, woke up with it in his pocket in the morning, and decided to sell it on craiglist b/c he didn't need it. Granted this is a very dumb and inconsiderate move by Wu but lets put things into context. WORSE STUFF HAPPENS ON THIS CAMPUS EVERY WEEKEND. I have perosnally witnessed racial slurs, homophobic slurs, vandalism, groping, public urination, fights, etc. The only difference is that jerks like Babus don't publicize these hundreds of names every weekend. Furthermore, your bizarre portrayal of how you think Wu's future will pan out shows how truly sick you are. You have some serious issues and it appears that stories like this in the Hoya appear to make you feel better about yourself. Everyone needs to put things in perspective and some of you need to work out some issues.
Mar 30 2009 at 1:08 a.m.
Oh and when faced with petty injustice I don't fantasize about calling the cops and pressing charges. Only someone who never did anything without mommy and daddy would ever fantasize about such things.
Mar 30 2009 at 2:45 a.m.
Irrespective of whether worse things happen, the fact of the matter is Wu a)broke the law b)violated Georgetown's code of conduct. As a result he should be punished and Combs is well within his rights to press charges. I agree that forgiveness is a virtue, but at some point a line needs to be drawn - and just because worse things go on here at Georgetown and don't get reported doesn't make this violation any less egregious.
Wu, tough shit man. You reap what you sow.
Mar 30 2009 at 2:48 a.m.
@ Gtown Bro
I may be a douche, but I am also right. Wu's life is over. And I'm not losing any sleep. Its really a shame that Georgetown's application process has no way of screening out f$%^&d up people like Wu. I'm sure there was a really promising kid out there who would love to have Wu's seat in class.
In any event, I drink allot. The influenece of alcohal has lead me to chase skirts, say inopportune things, eat tons of cheesesteak, and run up credit card bills I come to regret.
Its never lead me to steal from a classmate, then, while sober, try to sell the stolen goods.
It wasnt alcohal that lead to Wu to be the way he is. It was some unusual social disease. The school will be better to see this diseased mind go.
By the way, is it curious that there hasnt been one poster from a friend of Wu vouching for his character? Not one. NOt a roommate? Not a guy from fresham hallway? One?
TRust me, Combs did a public service.
Mar 30 2009 at 3:17 a.m.
wu is the absolute man! lets be honest you are a douche for judging him
Mar 30 2009 at 3:47 a.m.
You do reap what you sow and, however, royally Wu screwed up Joe Combs has taken retribution to another level. He was extremely lucky to get his ipod back and he should have taken that as a blessing. Rather than end the matter there he has taken every possible opportunity to screw Wu. Wu does deserve to be punished whether it be through the school, the court, or public opinion but to do so through all facets is going overboard considering the ipod was returned and Wu apologized (regardless of how phony you *assume* the apology is). People make mistakes and just because we have the opportunity to punish them does not mean we should do so as mercilessly as Joe Combs, nor does it make it right. What goes around comes around Joe Combs, and I personally hope the second you make an error in judgment some lame junior vigilante and his crew of flunkies is there to screw you like you screwed Wu.
Mar 30 2009 at 4:29 a.m.
I think that this dude wu deserves some type of punishment, but i think that the hoya publishing his name like this is totally unecessary. No matter how much they like to talk about "independance," this is a student newspaper, run by a university sponsored organization, and they really shouldnt have embarassed a member of the university community like this. Is stealing an ipod worth a few hours of community service and an arrest on your permanent record? Maybe. But is it worth public humiliation by a bunch of adolescents abusing the power of their club? Absolutely not.
Mar 30 2009 at 6:20 a.m.
Wu's act of thievery is undeniably shameful, but the manner in which Combs has handled this situation even after he got his ipod back and the Hoya's decision to publish Wu's name is equally shameful. I give Combs credit for being to get his ipod back but he shouldn't have agreed to do the story wiwth Wu already having been apprehended. Both parties (Combs and the Hoya) must have known the implications of running the story (Wu's life won't ever be the same) and yet they did so anyhow. Publishing the story did no service since Wu already had been apprehended and only served to further embarrass him and to perhaps flaunt the intricacy of the sting. The story could have been easily published without Wu's name to the same effect. Anyhow,whatever punishment the university doles out should have been suffice. The conduct of everyone involved in this story is just embarrassing.
Mar 30 2009 at 7:00 a.m.
I agree with the posters above me. The fact that the Hoya, a student club at a school without a journalism major (HAHA! what are you kids doing! you're not getting a job at the Washington Post, get over it!) can exert this kind of influence and ruin someone's life (like Simon Wu and Dave Finn before him) is ridiculous And it's not because of their own greatness as a student paper, merely because they show up on Google searches.. I say we take down the Hoya until it ends it's reckless practices. Oh, not to mention, they got Calen Angert elected just because he parties with a few people on the editorial board. Screw GUSA, the Hoya is by far the worst organization on campus. F*** you.
Mar 30 2009 at 9:34 a.m.
Stop Snitching
Mar 30 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
Stop Stealing
Mar 30 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
First off i would like to say SH*T combs, that plan of yours actually f!@#ing worked. props to you dude, NOT.
Secondly, I have known Wu for five years and not once has he done anything remotely close to this. This was completely out of his character and way of living. I still don't quite understand why he did it, but I do know that he is regretting it every second of everyday. The actions that combs has taken to make Wu's life even worse is just bulls@#t. He already has to face the courts punishment along with the school's, but to further exacerbate the situation by allowing the hoya to publish the story with his name on it? Come on man, you should have thought it out. Wu is a great guy and i'm positive he will learn from his mistake and bounce right back from this. I just feel bad for Simon because he has to go to a school with kids like Combs who think its badass to publicly humiliate someone like that. If combs and wu switched roles, Wu, being twice the man Combs will ever be, would have shown mercy and just taken his ipod back. And just a news flash Combs, Batman already has a robin so you can put that cape you made back in the closet.
Mar 30 2009 at 1:54 p.m.
One of the consequences of stealing, for Simon Wu (of the Thacher School and Georgetown University), should be that he will be publicly shamed. If this causes Simon Wu's name to come up on a google search, Simon Wu's job prospects will be dimmer. Simon Wu, of the Thacher School, and currently (but probably not for much longer) of Georgetown University, should have factored this into his decision to steal and fence.
Mar 30 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
It is common practice for newspapers to publish the names of suspects who have been arrested. The Hoya is merely following the accepted industry standard for journalism. To withhold the suspect's name simply because he is a Georgetown student would be to show undue bias and partiality to the suspect, which would damage The Hoya's credibility and reputation for impartiality and would violate journalistic ethics. The Hoya is not is the business of shielding students who are criminals-it is a newspaper with a journalistic mission, part of which is to hold people-from John DeGioia to Simon Wu-accountable for their actions. To those who claim that The Hoya should have known the implications of publishing Wu's name, I say: Wu should have known the implications of his actions. Even if The Hoya hadn't published his name, employers would still be able to find out about this arrest because it will show up on background checks and job applications where they ask if you have ever been arrested or charged with a crime.
Mar 30 2009 at 2:35 p.m.
I think the Hoya is justified in publishing this because, (1) it's an interesting story, (2) it directly concerns campus, and (3) Wu's actions deserve it.
Wu went above and beyond here. You may be his friend, and he might not have done something like this before (or just perhaps not been caught), but the attenuating circumstances really show his morals.
You wake up with an iPod in your pocket you stole the night before. Alright, you now have the chance to make your wrong right. If Wu's only crime was taking the iPod and getting caught minutes after, I might say to leave him alone. But to steal it from a party he was let in to, then to attempt to sell it for profit -- especially once you realize that the guy who stole his iPod is looking for it (as Combs had contacted Wu via Craigslist before making his alias) -- is morally bankrupt.
I know friends who've had their iPods stolen from parties they've hosted. It's possibly the dickest move ever. You have a party and you're already shelling out $50-100 on alcohol. Because parties at Georgetown are free (one of the coolest aspects of the school), you're doing this out of the goodness of you're own heart, to give back to the community that helped you out when you were a frosh. So someone comes in your party, starts drinking your booze, meeting people, talking to girls, etc., and then decides to steal your iPod? Total dickery.
What generally happens after is that the people stop hosting parties. It's a betrayal of trust. And to try to sell it is worse. You know what you've done is wrong, and you want to benefit on top of it.
I have no crocodile tears for Mr. Wu.
Mar 30 2009 at 3:25 p.m.
Wu deserves whatever metro police and gtown decides to give me. He should not have stole the ipod and he need to pay for actions. And all those who say its wrong that the Hoya published his name need to understand that it is their right do to so and it was appropriate given the crime.
I can confirm that wu did not know who combs was until he saw combs during Comb’s scheme. So the part about not responding his email because he recognized the name is not true.
Now that they know what each look like I wonder what they would do if they see each other?
Mar 30 2009 at 4:38 p.m.
I'm not sure whose morals I am more disturbed by - Simon Wu's, or his friends commenting here that say "we cannot judge", that Joe Combs is a "tattletale", the Hoya shouldn't have published this, and who are using the idea that stealing is a lesser crime than public urination or racial and homophobic slurs as a defense. As a student, I had lots of things stolen from my house during parties and I commend Joe Combs on his actions - maybe people will think twice about stealing from one another - an act that destroys the sense of community at Georgetown.
I'm disgusted by Simon Wu and I think I'm even more disgusted by his friends commenting here. It's one thing to stand by Mr. Wu and to vouch for his character that this was an isolated incident. It's another to slur Mr. Combs who was merely protecting himself. You anonymous cowards should be ashamed.
Mar 30 2009 at 5:05 p.m.
"So the part about not responding his email because he recognized the name is not true.
uh what? he could have facebooked him
Mar 30 2009 at 8:33 p.m.
This is a pretty clear-cut case of right and wrong, but a lot of illegal activities aren't as clear cut. Ordinary and certified policing units can have enough problems with their handling of these "gray" issues, vigilantism is significantly worse. How happy are you going to be about vigilantes against underage drinking? illegal downloading? questions concerning sexual consent? Most of us have something hanging over our head, let's not forget that - no matter how wrong someone else's issue is.
Mar 30 2009 at 8:38 p.m.
Since when does The Hoya hold Jack DeGioia accountable?
Mar 30 2009 at 10:56 p.m.
"But to steal it from a party he was let in to, then to attempt to sell it for profit -- especially once you realize that the guy who stole his iPod is looking for it (as Combs had contacted Wu via Craigslist before making his alias) -- is morally bankrupt."
The kid didn't contact Wu and say that it was his iPod, he contacted Wu to buy it. From what I understand, he only stopped talking to Combs because another person offered him a higher price, not because he looked Combs up on facebook. Why would you look up a random craigslister named "Joe Combs" on facebook? He would never think that it was the person he stole the iPod from, since he didn't know he stole Joe Combs' iPod. Get your facts straight fool!
Mar 30 2009 at 11:33 p.m.
Actually, many people have their Ipod registered under their name. When the Ipod is plugged in, it says who the owner is. So why don't you get your facts straight fool?!
Mar 31 2009 at 3:51 a.m.
this is absolutely ridiculous. you had a party. you let random people into your home. your ipod was stolen. are you THAT shocked? i mean honestly... i dont know where you come from, but this stuff happens. the fact that this is the most popular story on the hoya is a sad day for georgetowns student run newspaper. its definitely a cool thing that you got your ipod back, but that isnt the story here anymore. the story is that joe combs has done everything within his power to bring down another human being (and yes, a HOYA). wu deserves appropriate punishment, but appropriate punishment has already been surpassed... above and beyond. sanctions from georgetown were not enough? are you kidding me? serious probation. a call home to your parents. a permanent record. yet this kid, joe combs, goes on top of that and has him arrested? i understand that that is well within combs rights... it's just that that reaction is totally LAME.
combs then goes further and and provides these sensational quotes to the hoya. from what i can tell, wu apologized - its in the article. combs responds by belittling wu and ignoring his apology? if joe combs expected an inflated reputation from this story then he hugely misjudged. wu may be deceitful, but combs, you are an arrogant tool.
whats more is commenters on this board continue to promote and support such pettieness. are these the people i go to college with? seriously? you hoyas need to distance yourselves from commenters such as "hoyas mom" and grow up. did you ever go to a party in high school or did joe comb's buy you your first beer?
i bet its the latter.
Mar 31 2009 at 5:12 a.m.
The elitist comments of this thread and the unnecessary spiteful actions of Combs are what make Georgetown a horrible place to live and learn.
Also, while everything Combs did may have been legally justifiable, he violated one of the main tenets of self-governance and independence: solving problems on your own.
Combs- -get ready for one heavy serving of karma--not all cops aren't criminals and not all people are as gracious and accepting in defeat as Simon Wu.
Mar 31 2009 at 5:18 a.m.
Grow up Combs and quit being such a school boy b****. You have lost all street credit.
I can just imagine Combs and his family sitting around a nice bountiful easter dinner wearing some topsiders and hearing papa Combs saying to the rest of the family, "So did you hear how Joe captured the menace that stole his iPod at Georgetown?," and having a nice hearty laugh and patting ol' joey on the back.
This one makes daddy proud, huh Combs?
Mar 31 2009 at 5:33 a.m.
"he violated one of the main tenets of self-governance and independence: solving problems on your own."
What?? He didn't investigate and entrap Wu on his own? When did he have the assistance of the police or DOPS?
If this wasn't self-reliant then what is?
Mar 31 2009 at 9:36 a.m.
I am very surprised by the negative reaction to Combs. I have no problem with what he did. Wu, based on his actions, does not deserve to be a member of the Hoya community. I hope he withdraws from school. UVA has an honor policy - he would be expelled for this offense. Something Georgetown should think about perhaps.
Mar 31 2009 at 9:46 a.m.
From the Tacher school website:
Wu's Senior Exhibition project (a year-long project and graduation requirement): "Redemption from Crime"
How Ironic!!!!
Link:
https://65.61.134.96/common/news_detail.asp?newsid=392242&from=archive_3
Mar 31 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
ckh,
when these commenters call out people for being over the top... they mean you. georgetown would be a better place without ckh going here.
Mar 31 2009 at 5:58 p.m.
Not only is this the best Hoya article of all time, with the compelling story of Combs' sting op, but the fact that Wu's high school senior project was "Redemption from Crime" at what I presume to be some prestigious private school makes this the craziest story I've ever seen come out of the looney bin that is Georgetown. The only thing I really don't understand is why poeple have posted attacks on Combs, he did the right thing. It's not like he cornered Wu and beat him up, he turned him into the authorities.
Mar 31 2009 at 8:32 p.m.
It makes complete sense for people to be confused why Combs would be getting any ridicule here. He captured a criminal of the Georgetown community and turned him in to the authorities. Whats wrong with his actions?
I think why most people are upset with Combs here is he is refusing to show any ounce of mercy and forgiveness to an individual who many know within the Georgetown community and who many love. I am willing to wager that most of these comments in support of Wu, or in criticism of Combs, are by people who know and have interacted with Wu, and have formed a sense of respect for him. What Combs is doing here is stripping him of all his dignity as a person and intentionally working to destroy his future, all over one absolutely stupid mistake he made on a drunken Saturday night in his sophomore year of college. As a person who knows this infamous Wu on a more personal level than just reading his name in a paper, it is infuriating to think that this funny, good-hearted, nice kid is having his life altered and his name completely dragged through the mud over this one tragic incident in his life. While based on this one action, it may not seem Simon is nice or good-hearted in any way, I can full-heartedly vouch that this is the most out of character thing Simon has ever done in his life. Simon is a great guy and has been nothing but an amazing friend to everyone I've seen him come in contact with. However, he can definitely be a mindless drunk, and this one time, he really messed up, panicked the next morning, and continued to dig himself a bigger hole. It is just unfortunate that he messed up by offending Sherlock Combs, one of the few kids on all of Campus who would of cared enough to come up with this scheme to get his ipod back, and one of the few kids on campus with enough spite in his heart to destroy Simon's life in every way he knew how. I know Combs was furious with Simon for what he did, and I know Combs' actions were completely in his rights. But by working to destroy Simon's current and future life, Combs is saying he does not see forgiveness to be appropriate in this situation in any way, this despite Simon's apology. Combs has every right to feel this way, but I just hope one day Combs finds himself in a situation where he needs forgiveness for some inevitable mess-up he commits, and that he remembers what he did to Simon Wu and reflects on how much of a prick he really was to him.
Mar 31 2009 at 10:59 p.m.
I'm so tired of Georgetown students begging for leniency on all sorts of serious infractions.
Georgetown has made sure that its sons and daughters have been protected for rape, assault, theivery, desecration, vandalism, and all manner of lawlessness, based on the argument that students are not adults. That they should be sparred the risks of the real world.
The administration goes along with it to protect their market for overpriced tuition.
In short -- its nonsense.
No one would argue that an 18 year old whose parents couldnt afford the benefits of a complete shield from any rule of law. Why should students be so shielded?
It would be overreaching to argue that students should try and enforce the rule of law on eachother all the time. But I think a line was drawn in the sand here:
Every Georgetown student simply by birthright may have licence to rampantly break the law as he sees fit, but if you use that license aginst a fellow Hoya, you have abused it. You should be shunned from our community of elect.
It might be better to acknolwedge that once you are 18 you are fully subject to the law and the rules of civil society, but this new standard is a start.
Maybe Simon is bearning an unfair burden. I think he is bearing the brunt of students sick of the lawlessness. Sick of irresponsible idiocy. Sick of the feeling of self-entitlement.
Its a start. Sorry Simon. Try not be be a sketchy theif.
Apr 01 2009 at 1:06 a.m.
For those of you who said that Joe shouldn't do this to Wu because he is a fellow Hoya, I ask this. Isn't Joe a fellow Hoya to Wu? Did Wu show any sort of decency or respect to Joe either that night or the next day? He obviously knew he screwed up and he had multiple oportunities to show what kind of character he has- at the time that he stole the ipod, when people asked him if he had taken it, and the next day when he decided to sell the ipod.
The fact is, people have things stolen constantly at Georgetown, and I will bet that nobody who is attacking Joe here has had something of value stolen from them at a party. I had a camera stolen from me once with pictures that were invaluable to me, and if I had ever caught the person who did that, you can be sure that I would have made him or her remember that mistake. I bet the next time a person, drunk or not, is thinking about stealing something, they will think twice and perhaps realize the gravity of their actions. Wu may have been made an example, but isn't that a good thing for the Georgetown community if we all can learn from that mistake?
Sorry, Simon, but I guarantee that you won't steal anything again for a long time. In this case, the lesson had to be learned the hard way. Joe, congrats on getting your ipod back.
Apr 01 2009 at 6:45 a.m.
henry,
the point is combs should be the bigger man. if you found out who took your camera you said you'd make that person remember it. combs has made this kid remember it. thats already been achieved. now combs is going above and beyond and the punishment no longer fits the crime. all this would be cool - that combs got the ipod back, that wu faces discplinary actions from georgetown, that he had wu handcuffed at the front gate... but combs doesnt have to take this to court. that is excessive. an example has already been made.
Apr 01 2009 at 2:33 p.m.
This is not going to go to court. He's confessed. He's going to cop a plea and get a couple of hours of community service (probably under 50, if that), at most.
And it's also possible that Georgetown might give him less than a suspension, because it's only a Category B offense of stealing property worth under $300 (although there are certainly the aggravating factors present which might possibly bump it up).
Apr 01 2009 at 2:51 p.m.
"combs is going above and beyond and the punishment no longer fits the crime."
How so? When a criminal confesses to a crime, their name becomes part of the public record, and the Hoya printed the story. That's not Joe's fault. That's not the Hoya's fault. That's Wu's fault.
I'm pretty much behind what "Theif [sic]" said up above. Enough with all the pampered b.s. around here. "Entitlement" is exactly the word to use with children like Wu. I'm not telling anyone anything new by pointing out that there's roughly two different kinds of Hoyas -- the typical smart, hard-working, fun-loving student and the elitist dipsh-ts who think they run the place, even though they've never done a day of hard work in their lives. I'm talking about the folks who got in with connections, snort aderall to get through exams and blow other stuff up their noses the rest of the time. And if you've got a problem with alcohol, dude, it looks like you've got a problem with alcohol! Get it in check before "it" (you) "makes you" do something stupid.
Give me a break. Theft is a crime, and he got caught. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect 200 Dollars.
If it turned out that the thief was some homeless guy, should we have shown him the same leniency? Should we have tried not to "tarnish his character?" Your double standard smacks of elitism.
Apr 01 2009 at 7:31 p.m.
Joe,
Please give yourself the benefit of the doubt and say that in ten years you will look back and feel remorseful for going out of your way to humiliate another person. You suffered no serious harm; you have your iPod back. Simon will be punished in some form. If you are feeling satisfied or happy at someone else's bad situation, that is very concerning. You won't walk around campus feeling better if your efforts end up getting Simon expelled. I honestly suggest that you let it go, if for nothing else, than for your own sake. I guarantee this is not something you will look back upon and still feel the pride you are feeling right now.
Apr 02 2009 at 6:45 a.m.
That is great. The only comment I have seen with some common sense. I thought maybe I was the only person who didnt think it was that serious. People get there ipod stolen all the time just like people do dumb stuff all the time on this campus. Not excuses what he did. but its not serious enough to ruin someone's georgetown career over
Apr 02 2009 at 7:16 p.m.
Ref: "when these commenters call out people for being over the top... they mean you. georgetown would be a better place without ckh going here."
Too late - graduated over 20 years ago. Note that I did many stupid things when I was an undergrad - but I NEVER stole from a fellow student. That's about as low as you can go in my opinion. Not Georgetown material, sorry.
Apr 02 2009 at 7:24 p.m.
Joe Combs does not shed tears, only blood.
Apr 03 2009 at 12:02 a.m.
ckh graduated 20 years ago....enough said
Apr 03 2009 at 2:22 a.m.
Joe,
Among other things which you have absolutely no right to do, you have no right to look into Simon's background and make unsubstantiated judgments.
Apr 03 2009 at 2:23 a.m.
ckh,
you are putting yourself on the same level as Joe Combs by going out of your way to try to humiliate someone. That is twisted behavior. You should know better, you "graduated over twenty years ago."
Apr 03 2009 at 6:43 a.m.
The sad thing about gtown is that Joe had to do everything himself to get his ipod back because DOPS sucks. I had a friend who earlier in the year had her bag taken from a party. It had her phone, camera, wallet, and go card in it. Whoever took the bag, bought a $100 order of wingos on the go-card and stupidly used his own name. After we got the actual name and phone number of the kid(he stupidly used his real name) we went to DOPS to tell them all of this and give them all of the information. Do you know what they did with it? NOTHING. I called the next day to see if anything had been found and I was told that the investigation team would handle the matter and they were not in at the moment. 4-5 days later, they called the kid who had used the gocard who told DOPS that he didn't have any of her stuff. He admitted to using her go-card to the wingos owner who called him earlier, but then he changed his story and told DOPS that someone had written it down at a party for him and he never had the card (which is bad enough as it is). Long story short, DOPS never even went to look at the kids room to check for the stuff. They made it out to look like the educated georgetown student didn't know it was wrong to use someone else' gocard and order $100 from wingos. They took his word that he had only illegally used someones gocard and didn't have or know where the stuff was. DOPS didn't take any more action. So props to you Joe for doing it yourself.
Apr 03 2009 at 8:33 a.m.
To DOPS sucks,
you should have the Hoya run a story on this and release the name of the student who did it.
Apr 03 2009 at 2:20 p.m.
For all of you giving props to Joe for prosecuting this crime to the fullest extent of the law... public shame is REALLY enough punishment.
I had two cell phones stolen from my porch from some neighborhood kids. Turns out that I could have charged both of them with a felony because of the nature of the crime. At first, I seriously considered it because I thought that it would teach the kids a lesson.
What changed my mind was that I talked with someone who works in the department of corrections and basically realized, I wasn't going to teach them anything by prosecuting them because our legal system is overworked and overwhelmed and isn't structured to teach life lessons. There was no guarantee they would come out of it any different. In the end, I had the kids come over to my house to face me and apologize because that's hard enough to do.
Let's be clear that I'm not condoning theft, but it seems like this is getting blown way out of proportion. Joe has his iPod back, and Simon's already having to live with the very public consequences of his actions. Any further steps taken by Joe at this point just comes across as extremely spiteful.
The high road now is forgiveness. I don't think you can expect the legal system to teach Simon any more of a lesson than he's already been taught. Let it go.
Apr 09 2009 at 4:46 a.m.
Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Apr 13 2009 at 6:04 p.m.
I think what Wu did was wrong, and I think the *actions* Joe took are rather cool. He should've done it exactly the way he did.
What was lame was acting like he's the new f------ man around campus. Nobody thinks you're cool because you recovered your own ipod. You got your ipod back; that's your reward. Don't go trying to inflate your own ego with absurd quotes about the things you did. It just makes you look like an arrogant ass****. This is like if someone won the lottery...great, you won the lottery. It's just one of those cases where the last person who should win the lottery did so. Instead of a NORMAL guy doing this and getting his ipod back, we have a guy get lucky who also happens to think he's god's gift to man, then we have to deal with all his comments about how great he is....he does realize that there would be NO BACKLASH against him if people weren't annoyed by his arrogant attitude? If anybody else did this this board would be nothing but props.
(lets be real...Joe's story is entirely luck, everyone can log on to craigslist but nobody is going to find their ipod except 1/1000).
Jun 15 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
I just decided to google Simon Wu's name almost 6 months later and this article still pops up.
I cant help but be proud of Combs. He did indeed do society a favor.
Pax In Crux, Pax in Orbis
The Saxon
Oct 20 2009 at 4:54 a.m.
was he also drunk while putting it up for sale on craigslist??