Success Some Bandits Get Wired For

A phone call gave us a report that certain pieces of wire, usually only found in women''s underwire brassieres, is being used to gain free wash and dry from coin laundries. The call was from the operator of a successful laundry in the Napa County, California area. Although the place seemed to be even busier than normal, the cash flow was dropping sharply over a period of months. By accident, the owners and his wife were at the laundry one evening and spotted a man who was teaching others to use a wire to gain free cycles from the machines. Arguments ensued, the police were called and the man was taken away. The laundry owner spoke with the factories that manufactured his machines. He also called the News to ask us to pass the word so that other operators can be ready to protect their places of business. The metal wire used in a woman''s bra is perfectly shaped and curved to fit down the coin slots. It is also about the right length, and often is covered with the same coating material used in coins. With this coating, the drop coin devices read, pass and OK it. Our investigation tell us that while this is the first we''ve heard about this technique, it''s been going on around the county, beginning first in the southeast. The subject laundry is unattended most of the time. Obviously the best defense against this kind of thievery is having an attendant there to mix with and assist customers. There are some relatively expensive alternatives that can be ordered from the factory and retro fitted to the problem machines. We owe a debt of thanks to the laundry man who called to alert us of this problem. With gas prices rising in such dramatic fashion, no one can afford to give away free wash or dry.