Clearly Richard Wayne Cook learned no lesson four years ago when he ripped off Mitch and Theresa Wyman. Back then, Cook was convicted in a Charleston, South Carolina, court for grand larceny and burglary. Unreformed, Cook was recently nabbed again after stealing the same stuff from the same house.

A neighbour spotted Cook breaking in to the Wyman's home and called police. Police alerted the Wymans, who arrived home to find themselves short three guitars, two amps, a TV, computer, jewellery and six beers.

Assuming the thief would try to unload the guitars, Mitch Wyman called Bryn Wilson, an old friend, owner of a local guitar shop and the same guy who helped police return Mitch's guitar the last time. Cook had just been in and was en route to the bank to cash a cheque. Wilson called the bank and told a teller to refuse Cook's cheque and send him back to the store. Cook returned, was promptly arrested and charged with the same crimes.

» Scott Saxon