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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Janx" data-source="post: 2151465" data-attributes="member: 8835">There's a lot of ways to deal with the situation.My advice is more on specific tactics to try, rather than the wisdom of those tactics.  Basically, if you're goal is, catch the thief and purge him, follow my advice (and hopefully improve upon it, as it was hastily written).I like twofall's stratefy for telling the group.  While it's your house, and you are the DM, you can technically tell them whatever you want, your goal is to guide the reaction to a positive ending.  Getting them to come to the same conclusion as you is ideal.  So present them with the problem you're facing (somebody's stealing your books), and see what solutions become obvious to them.On the latter part of twofalls' comments, I'm a bit more opposed.  I think the police can do whatever it takes to catch a bad guy.  So long as they make no mistakes and hurt and intrude upon no innocent people.  That last clause is important, and is what ensures that they don't get out of hand and abridge the innocent folks' rights.  This is the same situation. We're in GL-land.  He's the king.  Police, Judge, Jury and executioner.  You're on his land.  If anybody violates his laws (which tack on top of local, state and federal laws), he has the authority to deal with the situation as he pleases (so long as he himself does not violate local, state and federal laws).My point is, if "Innocent Player A", whom we'll call IPA is going to get offended because GL performed a surveilance and sting operation on the group, to catch the thief, he's being insensitive to GL, who is the one suffering from the assault.  IPA's "trust is violated" issues take a backseat, because GL's been violated by one of the group.  GL takes priority because it is his house and his stuff.  GL had material AND trust violated.  IPA only had trust violated, and ultimately, that trust was violated by the thief, who caused GL to distrust the entire group until he could revalidate the trust in the individuals (IPA included).I think there are reasonable measures GL can take, if he wants to catch or expose the thief.  I don't think he can search people's bags.  I do think he can video his book and see who takes it.  He's not videoing IPA and violating his privacy.  He's videoing his book and seeing who took it.The reality is, talking to the group will get you support from IPA and such better, but it won't stop the thief.  If you can't catch the thief, talk to the group and use that method. If you can catch the thief, do so.  By leaving the thief in your party, you will always mistrust ALL the people in your group.  If IPA can't see that, he's replaceable.  I got no patience for people who coddle bad guys.Janx</blockquote>

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