A robbery occurred at Hook, Line & Sinker fishing center (my shop at 4010 Calle Real, Santa Barbara), right in the middle of a weekday afternoon. Capt. Tiffany Vague was running the shop as she typically does when the crime occurred.
A man walked in and began looking at her custom fishing rods. Capt. Tiffany is one of the top echelon of custom rod builders in the country. Her rods are masterpieces of art and utility, adored by serious anglers. She helped the man by asking him what he fished for and showing him rods for various kinds of fish and fishing techniques.
The shop phone rang while he was looking at a rod and feeling the rod’s action, so Tiffany walked to the front counter to answer the phone.
That was the distraction the guy was waiting for. He grabbed up an armload of her best, high-end rods with custom woven artwork, and bolted out the door.
Tiffany gave chase but the guy was fast. He had backed into the parking space right outside the door and he was away within seconds. She watched him screech up the road and went back to the phone to call 9-1-1. Santa Barbara Police Department responded promptly and did their work with polished professionalism.
The officer who took the report asked good questions, looked for evidence, and compassionately tried to calm and console Capt. Tiffany who was quite distraught.
“The officer was great. She really helped me, and I was glad she came so quickly. Our Santa Barbara police are good people in my experience,” Capt. Tiffany said.
Later, the technical officer came to look at the strip mall’s videos to see if they can get license plates or ID the robber. The bad guy was relatively nondescript, being average height, stocky and wearing a bandana face covering.
Capt. Tiffany was told that with so many jail and prison inmates having been released and living in housing provided primarily in Lompoc and Santa Maria, those communities have been suffering from a large influx of robberies. Now the robbers are looking outward and driving farther.
I recommend everyone take extra precautions to safeguard family, friends, home and autos. And have a heart for your local Mom & Pop shops, which provide the best local knowledge and service because they depend upon you.
As for Captain Tiffany’s stolen custom fishing rods, I wonder why the guy thought it a good idea to steal unique pieces of utilitarian art that is highly recognizable and even has the Vague Rods/Hook, Line & Sinker logo on the rods, which are made from U.S.-made Seeker blanks.
Some of the woven (with threads) fine artwork was fabulous, like a dream catcher, American Flag, cross-wraps and others. We are watching Craigslist and other sources and hope they will turn up or the police will be able to ID the robber and make the arrest.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
