Surfer wanted for allegedly stealing cash, gold coins from 92-year-old woman
San Diego police are searching for a 34-year-old surfer who allegedly stole $13,000 in cash and Krugerrand gold coins from a 92-year-old woman and may have skipped out to Hawaii.
Raymond George Wilkins was acting as caregiver for the victim, police said. He was known in the Pacific Beach neighborhood and is thought to have purchased a one-way plane ticket to Hawaii after the theft. Wilkins, 5-foot-9, 180 pounds and known to favor earrings in both ears, is wanted on a fugitive warrant and can be extradited when found, police said.
--Tony Perry
Can somebody in editorial explain exactly what this alleged crook's surfing has to do with the story??? You guys come up with some seriously sensationalistic crap that wouldn't even make most public state university newspapers.
Posted by: El Guapo | December 31, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I find it unfortunate that the title of your article identifies the alleged thief as a surfer. The crime had nothing to do with surfing; that he was a surfer was irrelevant. You just perpetuated a stereotype casting a group of athletes as low lifes.
Posted by: Philip Riggan | December 31, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Because 95% of surfers are dirtbags, that's why El Guapo.
Posted by: The Dude | December 31, 2008 at 12:17 PM
El Guapo, the story probably mentioned he was a surfer because it may alert surfers and beach goers in Hawaii to watch for him. I'm sure the LAT wasn't implying anything negative about surfers in general.
Posted by: h | December 31, 2008 at 12:18 PM
What does this criminal's hobby of surfing have to do with his crime? The way you worded this article makes it seems like "Surfer's" in general are crooks.
Posted by: Not a Surfer | December 31, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Seriously!!! I heard that this guy is a bowler too. Why didn't that make it in there. It is sad to see the LA Times turning into People.
Posted by: Mike G | December 31, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Scumbag surfer.
Posted by: john | December 31, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Hey, El Guapo, the surfing angle to the story tells you where to look for this thieving SOB. Also, ripping off a 92 year old who has been entrusted to your care is not "sensationalistic crap" and it obviously made the news. Your taking offense kind of points in the direction of you being a surfer yourself. Also brings in to question your moral values. Do you figure a $13,000 rip-off is OK because the guy is a surfer?
Posted by: Smith | December 31, 2008 at 01:17 PM
If I were a surfer and had just stolen $13,000, I would be headed for Hawaii too.
Posted by: Joser | December 31, 2008 at 01:19 PM
95% of people that surf are respectable. It's the 5% that give surfers a bad name. I hope they put this scumbag under the jail.
Posted by: altogether | December 31, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Surfers drive like crap, too...
Posted by: Guity | December 31, 2008 at 01:20 PM
just to throw in some additional ludicrous judgements: it appears from his photo likeness, i.e., shaved head, pouty lips, and penchant to sport "earrings in both ears" that he is an obvious homosexual.
Posted by: hogster | December 31, 2008 at 01:21 PM
maybe Dog the Bounty Hunter can go get him!
Posted by: bb | December 31, 2008 at 01:21 PM
should of gone to Costa RIca and named himself Joe like all the other "surfers" down there
Posted by: cc | December 31, 2008 at 01:25 PM
did he surf to hawaii? how else is surfing germane? not cool!
Posted by: co | December 31, 2008 at 01:57 PM
They ID'd him as a surfer probably because he has no other claim to fame. No job, that is.
Posted by: caroline | December 31, 2008 at 01:57 PM
I wondered about the earrings myself--perhaps, he's a member of the Butthole Surfers.
Posted by: Ricky | December 31, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Can you spell stereotype?
Posted by: anonymous | December 31, 2008 at 01:59 PM
All surfers are dirtbags. I know, I'm one of them. I'm sorry for all the drugs I've taken and all the parking tickets I haven't paid. I want to stop but I'm afraid it's too late for me. I strongly urge all you parents out there to enroll your kids in soccer. Salt water erodes your morals and you end up a dirtbag who steals from anyone who trusts you.
Posted by: notcranky | December 31, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Maybe they mention he is a surfer so we dont look for him in a hunters cabin in maine. Or look for him in an artists garret in SOHO. Or look for him as a merc in BLACKWATER. on and on.........The excited people must be surfers. I dont think this says anything bad about surfers, JUST ABOUT WHERE THIS BUM MIGHT BE HIDING OUT, OR WHO HE IS WITH?
Posted by: mbspringer | December 31, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Hey, El Guapo, the surfing angle to the story tells you where to look for this thieving SOB.
Posted by: mbspringer | December 31, 2008 at 02:47 PM
LA times exists to sell itself, to a certain extent- if they put that he's a surfer, more people are interested, and will keep reading. and of course, if you like to look at every motive, maybe there's someone who hates surfers...or, maybe they were thinking outside the box in that the "surfer" would tell people to look for him on the beach. whatever. interesting how many people comment on little stuff like that, and not so much in sections like world news.
Posted by: chris | December 31, 2008 at 02:47 PM
haha- yeah, maybe dog can go after him.
Posted by: christina | December 31, 2008 at 02:47 PM
I loved the part about favouring earrings in both ears.
Posted by: Stephanie | December 31, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Jeez to el guapo & Phillip, you both need to change your tampons & chill a lil bit!! Just like the others said, they're INFORMING us on what he does & maybe what we should look out for. My god you freakazoids complain & lambast about everything you read. Good thing they did'nt mention race or both of you would've had a cow again. Happy freakin New year!!!!!
Posted by: Marc | December 31, 2008 at 03:24 PM