ADVERTISEMENT
Article created by: Mantas Kačerauskas

Standing in the checkout line at a home improvement store can get more interesting when you notice someone buying an “interesting” combination of goods. Yards and yards of rope, locks and duct tape, perhaps saws and garbage bags. Somehow, our brain starts to develop its own “fun '' little narratives. 

Someone asked, “What is suspicious to own but not illegal?” and folks shared all the items that might make you feel like a true criminal. We also got in touch with the fabulously named TooGayToPayCash to learn why they decided to pose this question. So get comfortable as you read through these posts and be sure to upvote your favorites. If you have any examples of your own to share, feel free to comment below.  

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Old crowbar lying on wooden floor, an example of suspicious to own but not illegal items. Having a Crowbar, large bolt cutters, and pantyhose in the same general area.

toolarmy_1 , Wikicommons Report

Final score:
2points
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    Shovel stuck in soil in a garden, illustrating suspicious to own but not illegal items concept. I got pulled over late at night and when the cop shined his light into the cargo area of my station wagon the most visible objects were a shovel, rope, gloves, and the giant tarp-wrapped bundle of yard refuse I was bringing to the town compost in the morning. Surely there was at least one roll of duct tape or gorilla tape back there. At least he had a sense of humor about it when he strolled up to my window: "So we're off to bury the body under the cover of night, huh?"

    sightlab Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Bolt cutters leaning against a weathered wooden post in a grassy field, evoking feelings of suspicious ownership. I lost the key to my crawlspace's padlock once, and went to the hardware store to buy bolt cutters, so I could replace it. I told the cashier why I was buying them (without being asked) and he was like "it's funny, everyone that buys bolt-cutters feels like they need to tell me why they are buying them. I think they just want me to know they aren't about to do something illegal."

    FackleGracks , Tekton Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #4

    Supermarket aisle filled with various products, illustrating items that may seem suspicious to own but are legal. It’s not illegal to go to Walmart and buy trash bags, a saw and cleaning supplies at 2am but I’ve seen enough true crime stuff to say it is mighty suspicious.

    Nippon-Gakki , Caique Morais Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Close-up of hands manipulating a combination lock, illustrating suspicious items that feel criminal but are legal to own. Lock picks They're seen as thieves tools but lock picking isn't uncommon for a hobby

    Prestigious_Water336 , Ariel Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Close-up of suspicious leaking pipe and valve with dripping water, illustrating what is suspicious to own but not illegal. For me water. My neighbors had well water and would dry up. They asked if they could run a hose and put it in there well they would pay what was owed. Did this alot last summer no big deal they paid. Then they bought a big above ground pool. Filled it for them they always paid my part was always around the same so I wasn't bent out of shape. One day the water meter guy knocked with an officer wanting to know why I was using so much water. I explained showed the many hoses to reach my neighbors and they were there to help explain. They explained to me that much water usage was throwing a red flag. So they were sent out to investigate to make sure no marijuana growing was happening.

    Regractoolstu , Valentin Petkov Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Close-up of ripe red tomatoes on the vine in a basket, illustrating suspicious items that feel criminal to own. A closet grow tent for... tomatoes.

    wolfgang187 , Karolina Kołodziejczak Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #8

    Three pink pigs standing close together inside a fenced muddy pen, appearing calm and curious. "(...)You need at least sixteen pigs to finish the job in one sitting, so be wary of any man who keeps a pig farm."

    love-boobs-in-dm , Amber Kipp Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #9

    Rusty padlock securing an old wooden door, symbolizing suspicious items that feel criminal but are not illegal. Multiple pad locks on your basement door.

    SprinklesMore8471 , Anita Jankovic Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Briefcase filled with stacks of US hundred-dollar bills and scattered money, suspicious to own but not illegal. Loads of money in cash

    Bataguki , Pixabay Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    Close-up of suspicious to own coffee beans held by person wearing black gloves, viewed from above on a white floor. I got stopped and questioned at airport security because of my jewellery scales and grinder.. until I showed them my coffee beans and Aeropress.

    TripleDistance , Nathan Dumlao Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #12

    Old white and green van parked in an urban area, illustrating suspicious to own but not illegal items concept. An old beat up van with, "Free candy" painted on the side.

    Tobutch , Wikicommons Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #13

    Military tank moving on dirt road with soldier, illustrating suspicious to own but not illegal items concept. A tank. Most states don't prohibit you owning one because it's just something you don't expect someone to have... but I'd find it really suspicious if one was parked in my neighbors driveway

    mcknightrider , Kevin Schmid Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #14

    Two smartphones on a car console, one displaying social media and the other showing a lock screen, suggesting suspicious ownership context. 3 phones

    indepen-variable , Iurii Laimin Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #15

    Person using a flamethrower outdoors at dusk, illustrating suspicious items to own but not illegal. A flamethrower.

    Casca_In_Red , Tali Despins Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #16

    Close-up of messy brown curly hair, illustrating a feeling of being suspicious to own but not illegal items. a collection of other peoples' hair

    Less-Cake-5692 , Paul Siewert Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #17

    Kitchen scale weighing white and pink cubes, illustrating suspicious items to own but not illegal concepts. a very sensetive scale

    spinning-disc , Lina Kivaka Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #18

    Human skull on a dark background, symbolizing suspicious items to own but not illegal and feelings of criminality. Human skull.

    Reynolds_Live , Audrey Amaro Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #19

    Close-up of suspicious mushrooms growing indoors, illustrating items that feel criminal to own but are not illegal. Psilocybin mushroom spore kits. Legal to buy, illegal to cultivate and distribute the mature product.

    G_Art33 , Wikipedia Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #20

    Box of Kirkland AllerClear D-24 hr allergy medicine held in hand, a suspicious item to own but not illegal. A lot of Claritin-D 24 hour allergy medicine. It takes a while, but I do this over the summer and winter so I don't run out in fall and spring.

    statistacktic Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #21

    Coiled natural fiber ropes tangled together, representing items suspicious to own but not illegal. Concerning amounts of rope.

    ConduckKing , Pixabay Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Shopping cart in a busy store aisle, illustrating what is suspicious to own but not illegal items concept. I was at home Depot with a shopping cart full of PVC stuff, and this cop standing in line behind me says "building a potato cannon, huh?". I actually *was* building a potato cannon.

    Conch-Republic Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #23

    Close-up of hand holding a patterned blade knife, illustrating suspicious items to own but not illegal. A "ritual" dagger, as he described it. My one college roommate had one displayed and would occasionally need the room to himself. I opted for a place where I had my own room next year.

    TheSexyMicrowave , Anis Rahman Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    Person typing on a laptop in a café, illustrating the feeling of suspicious ownership that is not illegal. A suspiciously large homework folder on your computer. Granted, in some cases that could be illegal I suppose...

    Kaymazo , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!