Wasn't there a Monty Python skit where some guys were shoplifting only left shoes and then it was revealed that they were all amputees with only one leg? Does anyone remember this?

Some thoughts after reading this: I think that there are lots of possibilities when considering emerging forms of organized thievery. I've lived in several neighborhoods where some people regularly heist aluminum cans from recycling bins, one of the ways in which city revenues have declined...also there's the related shopping cart thievery problem. A story that uses these would be a real challenge because it involves lots of shades of grey rather than a clearly recognized villainous intent, unless a fictitious villain were created. Maybe something futuristic in which landfills are seen as gold mines?

If that wasn't an MP skit, it should have been. I just thought this was such a quirky story, weird bit of business. Perhaps a C or D subplot in something bigger, but I like it!

Actually that's pretty interesting, Elisa. Different types of thievery. I remember reading where, I believe, London was having their manhole covers stolen by the hundreds because of the value of them as scrap metal [this was when China was buying up all the scrap metal in the world for their mammoth infrastructure build-up there were doing some years ago].

Teddy, perhaps you were thinking of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbnkY1tBvMU

Copper wire theft from foreclosed houses is on the rise as well.

Not it but really funny! I'll see if I can remember what it was, maybe not Monty Python... Also, the cops show up and they are all amputees and start chasing the shoe thieves! Hop hop hop.