Guy steals Andy McNab's Laptop

[MrCrowley]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007420689,00.html

Take a look at this:

A THIEF made the biggest mistake of his criminal life when he nicked a laptop — because it belongs to super-tough SAS veteran Andy McNab.

The Bravo Two Zero hero has years of experience of tracking the most elusive and dangerous enemies — and wants his computer back.

The small-time crook would probably never have dared smash the window of McNab’s Audi Q7 to reach the laptop if he had known who the owner was.

McNab, 47, had popped into a West London newsagents to buy The Sun when the thief attacked his motor and two others.

The culprit will be sweating when he finds the man he targeted is a trained killer who served ten years in the crack SAS — motto Who Dares Wins.

But McNab, now a best-selling author, today pens an open letter to the thief. He urges him to turn his back on crime and do something that takes REAL guts — like becoming a soldier. He writes:

If you get caught, and I hope you do, don’t start whining to your probation officer that you had a bad start in life and that’s why you turned to crime. Because it simply isn’t true.

You stole from those cars because you can’t be bothered to go out and earn.

I grew up on a South London housing estate after being fostered because my parents abandoned me.

I lived off free school dinners, my clothes were from Oxfam and I slept on the settee. I went to juvenile detention for thieving, thinking I was smart and dead hard, no doubt like you have done.

But you know what? I wasn’t smart at all — and nor are you.

Yob Britain is not a new fear, and I am not the first to turn the spotlight on the issue. As a teenager I was part of the issue.

When I was caught thieving, I learned quickly that I forfeited the right to equal treatment. I had ignored the chances I’d been given and no one owed me anything. The only way I was going to get myself out of this situation was to change.

So I did. At 16 years old I got out of detention and became a solider in the infantry. I had a great time, got some self-respect and earned money too.

I also lost close friends in combat and saw men taken to the brink. But for once, I felt I was doing something real with my life.

There are young men and women fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just like you, they went to school and were offered an education. Just like you, many come from housing estates or maybe poor families but they aren’t out there robbing people.

So why do you behave so differently from them? You and your mates have been offered a chance to do something with your lives.

You had the chance to play sport or take part in community events and do something worthwhile. So why didn’t you take those chances? Why did you decide to attack and steal instead?

In your own little areas I’m sure you feel like kings, acting in packs and taking whatever you want. But you wouldn’t last two minutes on your own out of your element.

Imagine what it’s like on the frontline right now. That’s where the real men and women are. Imagine being constantly hated and under attack from forces who literally want you dead.

Imagine waking up and wondering if today is the day you get shot. Imagine not seeing your families or girlfriends for months.

Imagine not being able to share a pint with your mates on a Saturday while watching the footie.

You may think you are tough when you back an old lady into a corner as she leaves the post office with her pension. Picking out a single mother to rob might make you feel big. But the chances are you would wet yourself if you ever had an AK-47 shoved in your face by one of the Taliban. You’d probably cry for your mum if a suicide bomber drove his car towards your Land Rover at 60mph.

This is the life of a soldier. But these guys are not from a different planet. You grew up with them. They are from the same towns, estates, streets as you.

You may not have known your fathers, you may not come from big houses or fancy schools.

You may have grown up in a run-down inner city estate with older criminals all around you. But guess what — so did half of the British Army. They made a difference in their lives. So why don’t you?

Scotland Yard last night appealed for anyone with information about the theft to contact police.

A detective on the case added: “I just hope we catch this chancer before Andy does.”

DID you steal Andy’s laptop? If you want to drop it off no questions asked ring our confidential hotline on 020 7782 4067

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

The small-time crook would probably never have dared smash the window of McNab’s Audi Q7 to reach the laptop if he had known who the owner was.

Why? Is Mr. McNab above the law, does he have a license to brutally torture and kill anyone who dares steal from him? Is stealing from him any bigger a crime than stealing from anyone else? Surely as an experienced SAS man he knew it wasn't the wisest of things to do to leave your laptop visible in your car?

The open letter is a riveting read though, it could apply to this forum as well - why are we wasting our projectile launching talents on potatoes when we could be lobbing shells in the army

[Redcoat]

Are You Serious?!?!?!??!!?!?
Andy Mcnab is my All-Time Hero.

That thief shall pay

And JSR, Andy Mcnab Is awesome without him I would still be flunking at school but after reading his autobiography "ImmediateAction" It inspired me to do better, get fitter, become abetter person and ultimately he is my idol/role model.
Jack you hurt me with your condemnations.

[Hubb]

I get the impression that Andy McNab can take this guy out and no one ever know it. Like a silent killer.

[MrCrowley]

The small-time crook would probably never have dared smash the window of McNab’s Audi Q7 to reach the laptop if he had known who the owner was.

Why? Is Mr. McNab above the law, does he have a license to brutally torture and kill anyone who dares steal from him? Is stealing from him any bigger a crime than stealing from anyone else? Surely as an experienced SAS man he knew it wasn't the wisest of things to do to leave your laptop visible in your car?

Whats wrong with McNab? Personally I would prefer to steal from a retired citizen in a wheel chair then someone who has years of experience in the SAS. They just mean it's not going to be over just like that, McNab will hunt that laptop down, if it was anyone else they would've claimed insurance already and moved on.

[Redcoat]

It's because he has passion. I hope he catches that guy.
I found his letter deeply moving especially because i was listening to "Life on Mars" while reading it.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Whats wrong with McNab? Personally I would prefer to steal from a retired citizen in a wheel chair then someone who has years of experience in the SAS. They just mean it's not going to be over just like that, McNab will hunt that laptop down, if it was anyone else they would've claimed insurance already and moved on.

Nothing wrong with the guy, not trying to belittle his skills or the hardships he had to endure in service - but now, as a civillian, why should he be subject to any different rules than the rest of us? His laptop was stolen, and it's the job of the police to find the perpetrators. If he had to track the thief down and inform the police to arrest him, then it's fine - but he can't legally do anything more than that, which is what the article seems to suggest.

[MrCrowley]

True, that's why the guy said:
"I just hope we catch this chancer before Andy does"

Though I highly doubt Andy would do anything except give the theif a moving speech about how he needs to turn his life around.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

True, that's why the guy said:
"I just hope we catch this chancer before Andy does"

If someone had to steal my laptop and I tracked him down and kicked his ass, I would get arrested for assualt. Is this "detective" trying to suggest that the same wouldn't happen to McNab? I just don't see what the fuss is about.

Ah wait, it´s The Sun

[Redcoat]

Yes.

[MrCrowley]

I think he's more implying that McNab is not the guy to steal from, as a joke. Your 100% correct, McNab can't do sh|t except lead the cops to the robber if he finds the guy.

[f.c]

who is mcnab ? i have never heard of him but i might look up his autobiography.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Andy McNab