7 On Your Side sting recovers thousands in lost loot

LODI, NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Professional photographer Dave Kotinsky is used to taking pictures of celebrities, from the Real Housewives to the Jersey Shore to fitness models.

But last June, after shooting a Styx reunion concert in Newark, he snapped something completely different: a crime. And he was the victim of a brazen smash and grab. Lost from the back seat of his car was $15,000 worth of professional camera equipment. That included two cameras, a bunch of expensive lenses, flashes and basically all the tools of his trade.

Replacing it set the freelance lens-man back big time.

"Replacing (one) lens alone is about $2,500," he said.

Kotinsky reported the theft to the Newark police, but the big break in the case came months later. One of Dave's best friends spied all the stolen loot listed for sale on CraigsList.

"A week later, I saw everything on there," he said.

To make sure it was his stuff, he asked the seller to send him a shot of the camera's bottom. There, he saw the serial number. And sure enough, Dave said it matched his original invoice.

But Dave says the Newark police didn't help pursue the crime, so he called 7 On Your Side. We got on in touch with his hometown law enforcement, and the Lodi Police Department quickly set up a sting.

"He came out with the camera equipment," Lodi police Captain Donald Scorzetti said. "We gave the signal. We came out with our men. Officers took him down immediately and arrested him."

Raul Ovalles, 31, was charged with receiving stolen property, which is now back in the capable hands of its rightful owner.

Lodi police say its investigation is continuing, and they're still looking for one more stolen lens belonging to Dave. Ovalles told police he's innocent, that he was duped too, into buying the equipment not knowing it was stolen.

The case against him is set to go to a grand jury.