If someone buys stolen property question

[lifesavacation]

Our dump trailer was stolen from in front of our business. The police were called and a report was filed. My husband put a reward out on FB and we got a tip this morning. A person bought our exact trailer in the same town on the day after it was stolen.

We called the police back and they said they would go to his house and ask if they can see it and confirm it's ours but that he isn't required to show it to us. DH wants to make up some stupid story and go over there to see if it's ours. DH happens to work with the guy that bought it. It was obviously stolen property. You'd have to be a moron not to know that. I've told my husband that there's no need to make up a story. Tell him it's stolen and you are showing up with the police and go get it back.

How would you handle this?

 

[MamaMermaid]

Our dump trailer was stolen from in front of our business. The police were called and a report was filed. My husband put a reward out on FB and we got a tip this morning. A person bought our exact trailer in the same town on the day after it was stolen.

We called the police back and they said they would go to his house and ask if they can see it and confirm it's ours but that he isn't required to show it to us. DH wants to make up some stupid story and go over there to see if it's ours. DH happens to work with the guy that bought it. It was obviously stolen property. You'd have to be a moron not to know that. I've told my husband that there's no need to make up a story. Tell him it's stolen and you are showing up with the police and go get it back.

How would you handle this?

Sorry this happened. Question: how is it obvious that it's stolen property? Not being rude, genuinely asking.

Short answer: I wouldn't do much without the police involved but maybe I'm just nervous about things like this. I don't trust anyone.

 

[nw6675]

Just curious, since most people wouldn't just say, "oh, okay, you can have it back", what would come out of your husband confronting them? I kind of think the police should handle it, but honestly, don't know what I would actually do.

 

[lifesavacation]

Sorry this happened. Question: how is it obvious that it's stolen property? Not being rude, genuinely asking.

Short answer: I wouldn't do much without the police involved but maybe I'm just nervous about things like this. I don't trust anyone.

He bought an expensive trailer for super cheap. Trailers of that size have to be licensed and registered. He "bought" it without the plate, which we found nearby. A legitimately bought trailer would have to have ownership transfer.

ETA because I'm sure I'm not explaining this right: When you buy a car or a trailer, you have to transfer the title. You wouldn't just buy something that requires licensing and not take care of any paperwork. If you bought something for super cheap without any paperwork, it's stolen property.

 

[tvguy]

He bought an expensive trailer for super cheap. Trailers of that size have to be licensed and registered. He "bought" it without the plate, which we found nearby. A legitimately bought trailer would have to have ownership transfer.

What good is it to him if he can't register it?

 

[Marrila]

I think it's ok to pass tips to law enforcement. But otherwise I would steer clear and let the police handle it.

 

[lifesavacation]

What good is it to him if he can't register it?

Exactly. Without a plate, he can't drive it on a road. I guess he could use it around his house.

 

[dreamer17555]

I wouldn’t confront anyone. Have you seen how crazy people are just with turning around in the wrong driveway or knocking on the wrong door?

 

[RamblingMad]

If you steal it back, how would he prove it belongs to him? And how do you know it belongs to you?

 

[china mom]

Our dump trailer was stolen from in front of our business. The police were called and a report was filed. My husband put a reward out on FB and we got a tip this morning. A person bought our exact trailer in the same town on the day after it was stolen.

We called the police back and they said they would go to his house and ask if they can see it and confirm it's ours but that he isn't required to show it to us. DH wants to make up some stupid story and go over there to see if it's ours. DH happens to work with the guy that bought it. It was obviously stolen property. You'd have to be a moron not to know that. I've told my husband that there's no need to make up a story. Tell him it's stolen and you are showing up with the police and go get it back.

How would you handle this?

If the trailer is in plain view, or even an identifiable part of the trailer is, then the police officers can respond and attempt to identify it. If the thief is hiding the trailer out of public view or under a cover to the rear of the property, the police will not be able to do much with the information provided. At this point, the police do not have probable cause to search the property so they must rely on the consent of the property owner before searching.

After telling you this, they should have gone to the house established whether or not the trailer is in plain view or and asked for consent to search. Did they do this? If they did and were not given consent, I doubt your husband would do any better.

If you husband is able to provide any identifiable features specific to that trailer, and the features can be seen in plain view, that would help the police officers develop probable cause to search further and look for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

A PP stated a true fact that the person in possession of the trailer would be unable to register it but a lot of people get away with hauling unregistered trailers all the time.

Make sure that the VIN has been provided to police and that it is entered into NCIC so that, at least, it can be recovered and returned if an officer gets a chance to run the VIN.

 

[china mom]

If you steal it back, how would he prove it belongs to him? And how do you know it belongs to you?

If the husband trespasses on the subject's property to steal the trailer back, he risks personal harm and, in the off chance that he is wrong about it being his trailer, could possible face criminal charges. BUT, if it turns out that it is his trailer, as confirmed by the VIN, and, if he can safely tow it away, there is no crime in "stealing" your own property back. I hope that the husband has ownership documentation and that the VIN has not been removed or obliterated.

*not legal advice. I am not a lawyer and laws vary by state.

 

[lifesavacation]

If you steal it back, how would he prove it belongs to him? And how do you know it belongs to you?

VIN

 

[lifesavacation]

If the trailer is in plain view, or even an identifiable part of the trailer is, then the police officers can respond and attempt to identify it. If the thief is hiding the trailer out of public view or under a cover to the rear of the property, the police will not be able to do much with the information provided. At this point, the police do not have probable cause to search the property so they must rely on the consent of the property owner before searching.

After telling you this, they should have gone to the house established whether or not the trailer is in plain view or and asked for consent to search. Did they do this? If they did and were not given consent, I doubt your husband would do any better.

If you husband is able to provide any identifiable features specific to that trailer, and the features can be seen in plain view, that would help the police officers develop probable cause to search further and look for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

A PP stated a true fact that the person in possession of the trailer would be unable to register it but a lot of people get away with hauling unregistered trailers all the time.

Make sure that the VIN has been provided to police and that it is entered into NCIC so that, at least, it can be recovered and returned if an officer gets a chance to run the VIN.

Thank you. The police were supplied with the VIN.

The police told my husband that if he can confirm the location of the trailer on this guy's property, and also confirm it has no plate or spare tire (ours didn't), that is enough probable cause that they'll go over and check the VIN.

 

[china mom]

Thank you. The police were supplied with the VIN.

The police told my husband that if he can confirm the location of the trailer on this guy's property, and also confirm it has no plate or spare tire (ours didn't), that is enough probable cause that they'll go over and check the VIN.

Any idea if they went over there to see if it was in plain view?

 

[bcla]

Exactly. Without a plate, he can't drive it on a road. I guess he could use it around his house.

About the only thing I could think of would be to sue the new "owner" in small claims court.

If there's any kind of identification on it like a VIN (don't know if trailers have them) it might be possible to ID it. I would think it would be illegal to tamper with a VIN even if it's not on the road.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

ETA because I'm sure I'm not explaining this right: When you buy a car or a trailer, you have to transfer the title. You wouldn't just buy something that requires licensing and not take care of any paperwork. If you bought something for super cheap without any paperwork, it's stolen property.

FYI: You might get some mixed answers here because different states treat trailers differently. Some don’t have titles below a certain weight, some have permanent plates instead of annual, etc. Trailers are much less standardized than cars when you are talking to people in different states.

Getting the police involved is the correct move. Also do not discount the idea that the person who has it stole it and they’re using the “I bought it” story as cover.

There are some sketchy ways he might have been able to get a title down the road if no one found it. Not going to mention those though as it’s not something that should be encouraged.

 

[DLgal]

Maybe this is an obvious question, but if your husband works with the guy who bought it, why hasn't he just been like "hey man, I think you might have bought my stolen trailer. Mind if I come by and check to see if it's mine?"

 

[china mom]

About the only thing I could think of would be to sue the new "owner" in small claims court.

If there's any kind of identification on it like a VIN (don't know if trailers have them) it might be possible to ID it. I would think it would be illegal to tamper with a VIN even if it's not on the road.

trailer VINs are notorious for disappearing even unintentionally. They are often only stickers. I currently own three trailers (one landscaping and two boat) and there is not a single VIN to be found. I do have titles which have a VIN but you won't find on on the trailer.

But, you are correct, it is illegal to tamper with the VIN if it is an intentional tampering.

 

[_19disnA]

How do you get a license plate issued if you don't have a VIN or the proper title paperwork? Maybe it works differently then how it works for cars.

Having your DH go over there to confront (or make accusations) to him is a really BAD idea. If he is the kind of person who steals and/or trades in stolen property, I would imagine things could escalate quickly and get out of hand. That is why you get the police involved.

 

[lifesavacation]

Maybe this is an obvious question, but if your husband works with the guy who bought it, why hasn't he just been like "hey man, I think you might have bought my stolen trailer. Mind if I come by and check to see if it's mine?"

Apparently he used to work for him. I was hoping we could find out his work schedule and go over to his property while he is out.

The police are involved, but their hands are tied unless we know for sure it's ours. We can't know for sure unless we see the VIN. And since the trailer is obviously stolen, the guy isn't going to allow the police on his property to look at it. I'm really hoping that the reward is enough that the person who called the tip in will go over to the guy's property and get us proof.

It's a frustrating situation.