Crazy theft recovery.... HELP!!
10-23-2012, 05:20 PM
#11
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,645
If it were me I'd forget about rebuilding the car, and I'd take the engine, transmission, and whatever else I could use (interior) and build a hell of a 60's era fastback or coupe Stang. I'd also be asking how something like that fell through the cracks long enough that they had the car for nearly 3 years without notifying the registered owner. It's not like it was some mystery as to who it belonged to.
10-23-2012, 05:36 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,645
OP,
Spoke to a few cops/ex cops here at work to get their take on this. Just a few points.
1. You should get the police report associated with the vehicle. Find out why it was impounded. Many states have laws that say the tower and/or department must contact you within 24-72 hours of the vehicle being impounded.
2. After three years, most places would have auctioned the vehicle off, so there was a reason they were holding, unless it really did completely slip through the cracks.
3. I think in your state they contact you by mail, so if you moved, there is a chance you missed the original "hey we have your car."
4. In most places, as the owner, you're liable for the impound charges, but can go after those who stole it for the fee. At this point, if you got it back for free it may be a wash.
5. My guess is, they stole it, dumped it, and it was towed for being illegally parked. The towing company either mailed you, or simply neglected to contact you. You were notified after the Police did some sort of audit on impounded inventory.
Spoke to a few cops/ex cops here at work to get their take on this. Just a few points.
1. You should get the police report associated with the vehicle. Find out why it was impounded. Many states have laws that say the tower and/or department must contact you within 24-72 hours of the vehicle being impounded.
2. After three years, most places would have auctioned the vehicle off, so there was a reason they were holding, unless it really did completely slip through the cracks.
3. I think in your state they contact you by mail, so if you moved, there is a chance you missed the original "hey we have your car."
4. In most places, as the owner, you're liable for the impound charges, but can go after those who stole it for the fee. At this point, if you got it back for free it may be a wash.
5. My guess is, they stole it, dumped it, and it was towed for being illegally parked. The towing company either mailed you, or simply neglected to contact you. You were notified after the Police did some sort of audit on impounded inventory.
10-23-2012, 08:22 PM
#13
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 51
Once it was impounded they should have notified you. As I read it, looks like they found it investigating a crime. If they have a suspect you could sue them in theory to repair it (good luck on that). It will have lots to look at. Brakes, bearings and ect. Congrats on recovery. Something is better than nothing.
10-24-2012, 08:29 AM
#15
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 15
Yes I paid cash for the car and it was registered.
10-24-2012, 08:58 AM
#16
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 15
OP,
Spoke to a few cops/ex cops here at work to get their take on this. Just a few points.
1. You should get the police report associated with the vehicle. Find out why it was impounded. Many states have laws that say the tower and/or department must contact you within 24-72 hours of the vehicle being impounded.
2. After three years, most places would have auctioned the vehicle off, so there was a reason they were holding, unless it really did completely slip through the cracks.
3. I think in your state they contact you by mail, so if you moved, there is a chance you missed the original "hey we have your car."
4. In most places, as the owner, you're liable for the impound charges, but can go after those who stole it for the fee. At this point, if you got it back for free it may be a wash.
5. My guess is, they stole it, dumped it, and it was towed for being illegally parked. The towing company either mailed you, or simply neglected to contact you. You were notified after the Police did some sort of audit on impounded inventory.
Spoke to a few cops/ex cops here at work to get their take on this. Just a few points.
1. You should get the police report associated with the vehicle. Find out why it was impounded. Many states have laws that say the tower and/or department must contact you within 24-72 hours of the vehicle being impounded.
2. After three years, most places would have auctioned the vehicle off, so there was a reason they were holding, unless it really did completely slip through the cracks.
3. I think in your state they contact you by mail, so if you moved, there is a chance you missed the original "hey we have your car."
4. In most places, as the owner, you're liable for the impound charges, but can go after those who stole it for the fee. At this point, if you got it back for free it may be a wash.
5. My guess is, they stole it, dumped it, and it was towed for being illegally parked. The towing company either mailed you, or simply neglected to contact you. You were notified after the Police did some sort of audit on impounded inventory.
1. Since it was on an evidence hold for 3 years I'm not sure I want to know what crime the people who stole the car committed.
2. They were holding it as evidence in a crime.
3. I did move but it was quite some time after the car was stolen. The Impound lot had the Secretary is state contact me. They found me easily enough.
4. The impound lot charged me $196 because they could not charge me for the time the police had it on hold. Which I gladly paid to get the car back.
5. Im sure that is what happened.
10-24-2012, 09:01 AM
#17
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 15
