This kind of thing can break the level of trust between agents and home sellers, but it looks like an isolated case in Minnesota. The theft was of pain medication so I would think that the agent’s had worse troubles than theft.
But it does make one recognize that folks put a great deal of trust into professional real estate agents by putting the lock box on the door. Studies that show the reputation of agents being below used car dealers (but above politicians) would never ask if you would let the used car dealer into your home when you were not there.
That paradigm alludes to the true respect that homeowners have for real estate agents.
One homeowner told police he came home Tuesday to find his dog locked in the garage and pain medication missing from his kitchen cabinet.
The 64-year-old real estate agent was in the Hennepin County jail awaiting formal charges.
Minnetonka detective Sgt. Dave Riegert says police have linked the real estate broker to the theft Tuesday as well as to one in June. Police believe they’ll find many more homes involved. via Bemidji Pioneer
[...] Broker Resorts To Stealing “Realtor’s Little Helper” From Clients By twist Thanks to Luke Mullins of U.S. News and World Report for forwarding his post on this AP story: [Commented on here by the Real Estate Bloggers.] [...]
I always tell sellers to lock up their valuables and medications, as agents can't always see what their buyer clients are doing – especially when dealing with more than two people.
It's a shame, really. Stealing pain medication… probably because his ailment has caused a dependency. So sad.