The TFM Sign Is Making Its Way Across The Southwest, PIKE at U of Arizona Implicated

Dillon Cheverere13 years ago

Read yesterday’s update to get caught up on the TFM sign theft saga. We had the suspect(s) narrowed down to the PIKE chapter at New Mexico State University. However, some new developments have us questioning this.

The sign perps have been dedicated to throwing me off their scent, and I hate to admit this, but they’re doing a fine job of it. We had them pegged for Pikes at NMSU, then I received a myriad of tips from people that swore up and down it wasn’t them, saying they were already in hot water on campus and wouldn’t risk pulling a stunt like this. I even received an email from the NMSU Dean of Students, offering his assistance in bringing justice down upon the sign perps. I assured him we were not looking to get anyone in any real trouble over this. Nice guy, real straight shooter.

Then, some hard evidence started rolling in. A sleuthy Twitter follower led me to this Instagram account. What’s this? You’ve gotta be shitting me. An Instagram account dedicated to the stolen TFM sign? Just rubbing our noses in it. So shameless. So heartless. Who are these monsters?

This photo from that account would indicate the sign was in Tucson, Arizona:

That’s at least close to New Mexico. Perhaps they were driving it from its former home here in Austin back to Las Cruces? It’s a theory, and one that would soon be ripped up. Check the day it was posted: 2 days ago. Noted. A U of Arizona student then clued me in on a very interesting detail. This sign is directly across from a certain noteworthy structure:

The exact same sign markings from the photo appear on the sign in the video. It’s the same shit, man. But why would they choose the sign across from THAT Pike House??? Is it a clue? Were the perps getting sloppy? Did I have the WRONG PIKES THIS ENTIRE TIME? The answers to these questions are purely speculative in nature, and that frustrates me.

There’s also the below photo from the TFM Sign Instagram account, which I was able to confirm is definitely from the Pike house in Tucson.

I’m inclined to believe this was an attempt to shake me, to throw me off their tail. It’s a simple ploy, knowing I’d be able to track down the location of that parking sign. The perps were basically responding to my Liam Neeson threat with a challenge of their own:

These guys are playing hardball — possibly real professionals.

With my detective prowess losing credibility by the minute, I was left looking for answers. Looking for clues. Looking for hope. Would I ever see the sign again? I like that sign. I miss it. I want it to return home. With an empty feeling in my gut, similar to how I assume a mother feels while sending her baby off to college for the first time, I wondered if my baby was all the way across the country by this point. California? Washington? Montana? Hell, it could be overseas by now at the rate it’s traveling.

Then, a glimmer of hope — the soulless perps posted this photo just 17 hours ago:

Click to enlarge.

It’s in San Marcos, TX?! That’s only 30 MILES SOUTH OF AUSTIN. Is my baby coming home? Will I get to hold her again? Doubtful. These hardened criminals wouldn’t dare return it. For all we know, they’re not even in San Marcos. It’s likely another calculated move to cover their tracks.

Look, I respect your game, guys. You shook me. You shook ol’ Rodge. You’re winning this game. But it’s not over. You haven’t won yet. I don’t know who you are, where you are, or what it is you want with our sign. But again, I must issue another warning:

[via Instagram]

Image via JohnRedcorn