A CARMARTHEN crime victim turned detective to recover £1,700 worth of camera equipment stolen last month.
Photographer Mike Walters had the specialist lens taken from his camera bag at a boxing show in November at the town's leisure centre.
Mr Walters, of Heol Drindod, Johnstown, said he was devastated by the theft, but refused to let the thieves get the better of him.
He set about tracing the Nikon lens — which is marked with an individual serial number — and used good old-fashioned police work, a social networking site and two police forces in his hunt.
"I was watching eBay and keeping an eye out in pawn shops," the 38-year-old said.
"A couple of weeks went by and I'd had no luck.
"Then I rang a camera shop in Swansea and by chance the guy there said somebody had been in the day before and told him they had seen one matching its description in a pawn shop up there." Mr Walters said he had a full client list that day and was unable to go to Swansea to see if the lens was his.
Undeterred, he appealed for help on Facebook.
"I asked for anyone going to Swansea to get in touch as I was after a favour," said Mr Walters
"I had two people phone me straightaway.
"One came down to the studio, I showed her a similar lens that I've got and gave her the lens number."
Around an hour later Mr Walters received a call giving him the good news — it was his lens.
"I phoned the police and they got in touch with South Wales Police, who sent officers to get it," said Mr Walters.
"I'm lucky it was still there, it was marked up at £995 — they sell second hand for £1,200 to £1,400."
After going through correct police processes, officers finally handed Mr Walters back his lens this week.
"The police have been great, I can't thank them enough," he said, despite doing a lot of the work himself.
"I've had the lens checked over and there's nothing wrong with it. I'm delighted, mega chuffed."
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the lens had been recovered. However, a spokeswoman said inquiries continue to try and find the person responsible.
Anyone with information should contact officers in Carmarthen Police Station on 101.
