NV NV - Steven T. Koecher, 30, Henderson, 13 Dec 2009 - # 7

[RubyRed]

I don't know it seems like a big leap to go from him being naive,and maybe unknowingly doing something he shouldn't, to robbing stores.

 

[Fairy1]

I don't know it seems like a big leap to go from him being naive,and maybe unknowingly doing something he shouldn't, to robbing stores.

ITA. Then again - you really never know.

Those guys robbing the store on the video don't appear to fit the ordinary robber stereotype. It would be interesting to know if there is surveillance video of other robberies in the area that show similar perps.

 

[CONCRNED CTZN]

A big one.

Gee, washing windows is a great way to see inside buildings to see what's worth stealing.

Is that why he was wandering around in a position to find the locked-out kids?

Were there any robberies in the Ruby Valley area later that week?

"Sure, I'll pay the back rent in January -- we're selling the stuff in December."???

Car full of stuff parked in a cul de sac where somebody else can swing by and take the stuff, leaving empty car?

I don't know whether I believe any of this, but it's hard not to think the questions.

I had asked if there were fliers in the neighborhood where he helped the girls that day. I don't think I got an answer. I suggested that maybe whatever he was doing in the neighborhood...if there were no fliers, could be the same thing he was doing in Henderson.

NOW, checking out houses to rob, seems more believable than handing out fliers door to door.

 

[CONCRNED CTZN]

I've read all the posts now, to reconfirm my confusion. How did we connect Steven to the robberies at this store? Not saying that he did it, but how did we start "considering" it? What did I miss????

 

[carbuff]

Same here. It's not a hard leap.

We'd have to know the burglary reports for the areas he worked in...and we don't have any work information. It IS the kind of thing I'd have investigated, if I were LE and I had the time available. Certainly TH has the work logs.
I can't see him doing this by himself...but he could have been talked into helping. It'd be a worry, though, to the organizers, if they thought they had a tattler in their midst.

Something to remember, though: If you were burgled after having your windows washed, you'd likely mention it....and the trend would be pretty obvious.

Well, for one thing, you wouldn't rob everybody, you'd just pick a few high-value targets. And you wouldn't do it right away; you'd let some time lapse before you did it. Maybe you'd live kind of far away from where you were doing the robberies. Maybe you'd have one person be the spotter and the other one doing the robberies, or both taking turns. Maybe your plan was that after you got enough money, you'd just leave everything behind and go to Mexico, where you could live cheaply and be all set for the rest of your life.

Maybe.

 

[carbuff]

I don't know it seems like a big leap to go from him being naive,and maybe unknowingly doing something he shouldn't, to robbing stores.

I know some people keep saying he's naive, but there's no evidence for that.

 

[dovebar]

bbm He was at Trib from March 07 to July 08 and started Matchbin in Oct 08 to July 09. I don't think they convinced him to quit. Also he was at Matchbin for 9 months. Enough time to prove what he could do.

Thank you for those details. Upthread I read that he was only at Matchbin a month, and they hired him away from the Trib. Nine months still seems fairly short but in this economy it's not surprising, especially with that company.

Unfortunately, it shows the danger of taking a job in a smaller market where, if things go bad, there are few other large employers. But it also seems to show that he was happier in St. George or he would not have tried to stay there. He presumably could have gone back to SLC where there was more job opportunity.

 

[dovebar]

There were three young people who died in car fires, within a relatively short length of time. Which one are you talking about? I thought all were ruled as suicides.

What are your sources for linking all of that?

All three were ruled as suicides, even though the methods were bizarre to the point of preposterous. One of the cars had the VIN number scratched off; that young man was on his way to a job interview. Another man was a former reporter from the UofU, a top editor, IIRC. A third had a drug past and was extremely afraid of someone or several someones.

What I'm wondering is whether Steven was involved innocently in something that turned dangerous for him when people found out he was a former reporter.

I'm also wondering if there is a serial killer in the area targeting young men, ala the river killer in the Midwest disappearing young men. Burning yourself to death in a car is an extremely rare way to commit suicide. I would be asking whether any of these young men were lured somewhere on promise of a job interview. And whether a killer thought Utah was too "hot" after the three deaths there and moved states slightly.

 

[RubyRed]

I know some people keep saying he's naive, but there's no evidence for that.

True, there is no evidence. It is my opinion, based on things his friends have said, and articles I have read. Perhaps it isn't the right word, but it is the nicest way to put it.

 

[wannab1]

For someone who's not in business, they sure have the websites goin'.

Matchbin put up a video, even:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Matchbin#p/a/u/2/RtxhAnW6BuY

There's another Pa's Chocolate website - using Deanne's review, but done in 2009 by Broadbent Designs in Albuquerque.

In fact, there's a total load of ineptitude going. A place by Pa's address (a pizza place) has a Broadbent-designed website -- and it doesn't even have their address on the main page of the site!

Really really strange. Why pay to register two phony domains for a business that doesn't exist?

Could they be cover for something else? specialops paintball (a phony news story under a different name), now two websites for an apparently nonexistent "Pa's Chocolates".

Sometimes, I feel like I've stepped into an alternative universe, with this case.

Guess it's time I play Fairy1, but only have to drive about five miles

ETA: Pa's may not be in business now, but apparently they were "enough" to put up a cheap banner sign on a strip-mall building: http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/view-place-6470-pas-olde-time-chocolates.html

I have been a lurker here for quite sometime now and find this story addictive! I am amazed at the time and effort you all have put into this case. I was not familiar with websleuths until I came across the SK story via Facebook...I will post some thoughts I have later, but...for now...I am familiar with "Pa's Oldtime Chocolates". Yes, it is a real business...it is kind of a "Six Degrees of Separation" for me, but I actually am familiar with "Pa". I am just guessing, but I have a hunch that Steven's family knows "Pa's" family and maybe they were each "scratching each others back"...Yes, the only signage they have is that large temporary looking banner across the store front, but there is an actual buisness in there...I have even stopped in and it is a bit "quirky", but it does exist.

 

[RubyRed]

I have been a lurker here for quite sometime now and find this story addictive! I am amazed at the time and effort you all have put into this case. I was not familiar with websleuths until I came across the SK story via Facebook...I will post some thoughts I have later, but...for now...I am familiar with "Pa's Oldtime Chocolates". Yes, it is a real business...it is kind of a "Six Degrees of Separation" for me, but I actually am familiar with "Pa". I am just guessing, but I have a hunch that Steven's family knows "Pa's" family and maybe they were each "scratching each others back"...Yes, the only signage they have is that large temporary looking banner across the store front, but there is an actual buisness in there...I have even stopped in and it is a bit "quirky", but it does exist.

:Welcome-12-june: Glad you decided to join.

 

[sbakker]

I am back to thinking about Steven and the drug scenario. Okay he is passing out flyers, or washing windows. The owner of the home says"oh is this your business, do you own it?" "No, I am just doing it until I find the right job." The homeowner ask him if he is interested picking up another job. He needs someone to drive a load of furniture(example) to California for him. Offers to pay him good money. "Do you need to check with your wife?" Need to check with your boss?"

These drug dealers seek out naieve people. People that are low profile, people that are not involved in alot, or in alot of social activities. he could see that Steven was a PERFECT guy for the job.

There would be no way able to track Steven, no phone calls. The fellow says"I will meet you in front of my moms Sunday morning with the truck". Off Steven goes, thinking he is delivering furniture, or whatever, and is going to make some money. And will be back in 2-3 days. Oh well, just running it all through my mind.

Or he could have been involved with a friend , or employer hiring him to deliver "things".

 

[RubyRed]

I am back to thinking about Steven and the drug scenario. Okay he is passing out flyers, or washing windows. The owner of the home says"oh is this your business, do you own it?" "No, I am just doing it until I find the right job." The homeowner ask him if he is interested picking up another job. He needs someone to drive a load of furniture(example) to California for him. Offers to pay him good money. "Do you need to check with your wife?" Need to check with your boss?"

These drug dealers seek out naieve people. People that are low profile, people that are not involved in alot, or in alot of social activities. he could see that Steven was a PERFECT guy for the job.

There would be no way able to track Steven, no phone calls. The fellow says"I will meet you in front of my moms Sunday morning with the truck". Off Steven goes, thinking he is delivering furniture, or whatever, and is going to make some money. And will be back in 2-3 days. Oh well, just running it all through my mind.

Or he could have been involved with a friend , or employer hiring him to deliver "things".

That is a good theory.

 

[dovebar]

Is/was there a thread regularly updated with known facts about this case, all in one place? Timeline of his jobs, phone calls, etc. No exploration, just verified facts so far?

 

[Lato]

Is/was there a thread regularly updated with known facts about this case, all in one place? Timeline of his jobs, phone calls, etc. No exploration, just verified facts so far?

There is a timeline in Laytonian's signature section. It includes links to Facebook, the videos, pictures, maps, etc.

 

[carbuff]

I have been a lurker here for quite sometime now and find this story addictive! I am amazed at the time and effort you all have put into this case. I was not familiar with websleuths until I came across the SK story via Facebook...I will post some thoughts I have later, but...for now...I am familiar with "Pa's Oldtime Chocolates". Yes, it is a real business...it is kind of a "Six Degrees of Separation" for me, but I actually am familiar with "Pa". I am just guessing, but I have a hunch that Steven's family knows "Pa's" family and maybe they were each "scratching each others back"...Yes, the only signage they have is that large temporary looking banner across the store front, but there is an actual buisness in there...I have even stopped in and it is a bit "quirky", but it does exist.

Wecome to Websleuths and glad you joined us. Thanks for the information! That's interesting about Pa's. Do you happen to know anything about the part of town it's in? When I google it, it shows up in the same area as several doctor's offices. I assume the business must be registered under a different name and that's why I couldn't find the licenses.

 

[laytonian]

Wecome to Websleuths and glad you joined us. Thanks for the information! That's interesting about Pa's. Do you happen to know anything about the part of town it's in? When I google it, it shows up in the same area as several doctor's offices. I assume the business must be registered under a different name and that's why I couldn't find the licenses.

250 S 200 North in Kaysville, is along one of the main commercial strips in that town (the other being Main Street), just off the town's main I-15 interchange. They could be a DBA from an LLC.

My endodontist is just around the corner. I was just there on Monday, and didn't notice Pa's on the corner, so I need to re-look. If they have some good dark chocolate, they have a customer.

 

[laytonian]

All three were ruled as suicides, even though the methods were bizarre to the point of preposterous. One of the cars had the VIN number scratched off; that young man was on his way to a job interview. Another man was a former reporter from the UofU, a top editor, IIRC. A third had a drug past and was extremely afraid of someone or several someones.

Zach Ruble UofU student, found outside Zion NP, no mention of journalism (bioengineering and environmental studies). Article discusses the other two Utah cases, neither having been a student, and each had been described as "despondent". Later follow-up by UofU paper.

What I'm wondering is whether Steven was involved innocently in something that turned dangerous for him when people found out he was a former reporter.

Could be, if Steven had been an investigative journalist who'd uncovered crimes and put perps in the public eye. I don't remember him doing that.

I'm also wondering if there is a serial killer in the area targeting young men, ala the river killer in the Midwest disappearing young men. Burning yourself to death in a car is an extremely rare way to commit suicide. I would be asking whether any of these young men were lured somewhere on promise of a job interview. And whether a killer thought Utah was too "hot" after the three deaths there and moved states slightly.

I dunno. It seemed more of a social networking combination of performance art and suicide, to me.

Remember two weeks ago, when at least two bodies were found, miles and miles apart, in cars? The cars had signs on them warning that dangerous chemicals were inside. Where did that come from? Had you ever heard of that? Then suddenly, there's at least two.

But if these kinds of deaths are connected by more than online ideas, and Steven was associated, wouldn't they have wanted his body also found in that same notable and newsworthy manner....rather than disappeared?

We've wondered about serial killers. That's why we put the "similar cases" page together (bottom of our timeline page, there's a link).

 

[laytonian]

I've read all the posts now, to reconfirm my confusion. How did we connect Steven to the robberies at this store? Not saying that he did it, but how did we start "considering" it? What did I miss????

We haven't connected them.

We found he'd done PR puff pieces for the store, and on the same page that the owner was publicizing his publicity, he posted about the break-ins (kinda scary threats, videos, etc).

 

[laytonian]

I had asked if there were fliers in the neighborhood where he helped the girls that day. I don't think I got an answer. I suggested that maybe whatever he was doing in the neighborhood...if there were no fliers, could be the same thing he was doing in Henderson.

You got no answer, because it's unanswerable. Only if someone had followed him around that day, and saw where flyers were left.....

NOW, checking out houses to rob, seems more believable than handing out fliers door to door.

Actually, doing BOTH would work, because the flyers would be cover for why he was there.

He could have been collecting information, unknowingly, on a work log.
"2:30pm. Knocked on door. No one home."
"Washed windows. Asked if I'd interfere with security system."
"Did windows. Owner had to disconnect security system."

I know this was your question, BUT knowing where those two girls lived (who were locked out), would help us determine the viability of a "scout" scenario.