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

Comments

[El Guapo]

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.

[Philip Riggan]

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.

[The Dude]

Because 95% of surfers are dirtbags, that's why El Guapo.

[h]

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.

[Not a Surfer]

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.

[Mike G]

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.

[john]

Scumbag surfer.

[Smith]

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?

[Joser]

If I were a surfer and had just stolen $13,000, I would be headed for Hawaii too.

[altogether]

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.

[Guity]

Surfers drive like crap, too...

[hogster]

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.

[bb]

maybe Dog the Bounty Hunter can go get him!

[cc]

should of gone to Costa RIca and named himself Joe like all the other "surfers" down there

[co]

did he surf to hawaii? how else is surfing germane? not cool!

[caroline]

They ID'd him as a surfer probably because he has no other claim to fame. No job, that is.

[Ricky]

I wondered about the earrings myself--perhaps, he's a member of the Butthole Surfers.

[anonymous]

Can you spell stereotype?

[notcranky]

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.

[mbspringer]

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?

[mbspringer]

Hey, El Guapo, the surfing angle to the story tells you where to look for this thieving SOB.

[chris]

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.

[christina]

haha- yeah, maybe dog can go after him.

[Stephanie]

I loved the part about favouring earrings in both ears.

[Marc]

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!!!!!

[Mark]

With a face only a surfer's mother could love.

[Steve Wimer]

If you don't surf, don't start!

[Fred Hill]

I'm a 4th generation Californian...I've worked in the Surf industry for years,
including for former World Champion Shaun Tomson for 4 years..
And I don't surf. Why, because my Dad, when I was a kid, wouldn't let me, because of his closed-minded perception that surfers are all delinquents.
The issue of surfing should have nothing to do with this story, especially with regard to the headline. Normally I agree 95% with the Times and it's point of view,
however in this case, I felt the headline was really designed to sell readership,
and based on the comments posted here, I guess you succeeded.
Is it the Times; responsibiility to suggest 'how to find' this guy, or just report the facts of the story? Fred Hill Santa Barbara

[El Mas Guapo]

The person who wrote this article obviously is part of the paparazzi

[Saguaro]

surfers are dirt bags. the lowest of the low. Watch yourself when you have money and are around surfers. They are all a bunch of theives.

[Dert McGert]

I hear surfer's use the word "dude" a lot, is this true?

[Ruby Jackson]

Surfer... rocket scientist... politician... plumber.... it doesn't change the fact this guy is a creep.

[Jolie]

All state universities are public. No need to be redundant simply because you are bitter, El Guapo. And I agree that it was unnecessary to identify this man as a surfer. If he was fond of playing pickup basketball, I doubt that would have made the story.

[Non-Surfist]

Mr. Wilkins was gainfully employed as caregiver until he stopped giving care and took an unscheduled Hawaiian vacay. His employer was 92; her surfing days are almost over.

[KMB]

"I hear surfer's use the word "dude" a lot, is this true?"

Like dude, you are totally right on!

[jake logan]

"You just perpetuated a stereotype casting a group of athletes as low lifes."
Since when did we start referring to surfers as athletes?

[c]

wher'd you all go? yeah, surfers are cool and "excellent, narly" drivers. Beg to difer? How do you spell "stereoptyped?" This is the epitome of it.

[c]

Okay---they are "stereotyping" for a reason "Be on the lookout for a old lady stealing surfer with big ears, may be gay, last seen in SD."
Happy glorious new year, c.crown@yahoo.com.

[c]

i agree why do they necessarily associate that he's a "sufer" with this alleged crime? That would be termed "stereotyping."

c.crown@yahoo.com

[c earl jr]

Uh... Like... Martin Sheen stole a surfboard in the Director's Cut of APOCALYPSE NOW...

[legend]

Surfing leads to a life of crime.

[23 Chips]

The Chips would like to rewrite this headline as:

"Flavor Saver wanted for allegedly stealing cash, gold coins from 92-year-old woman"

Any journalist with half a brain should know this dude's flavor saver is by far the most important angle of the story. The Chips is willing to bet that old Raymond Wilkins has spent a good 10 g's of the loot on lapdances at Femme Nu and been face deep several times over with the ladies of the night in Waikiki. If there is a reward, The Chips could find this guy in about 15 minutes.

23 Chips

[Loan]

Really!!!!!!!!! such guys should be badly punished.