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View Full Version : Is it stolen or just my loss?


ilovejesus14
07-18-12, 05:11 PM
I have a contract with a paving company. They were to redo my driveway in exchange for my car. The car was to go to them at the time the driveway was poured. But after the first day of prep work, they said they had someone interested in buying the car and asked to take it to show them. The driveway was to be finished within the week. Well, as I'm sure you already guessed, I didn't get my driveway finished and they won't bring my car back. I have everything down on paper including the insurance card of the owner of the company. So can I call the police and receive help in getting my car back or do I just count my losses? I have had several contacts with these people, each time giving me a new date of completion, but it has been almost two weeks now that they will not answer my calls or repond to email or texts. I have the title for the car. This has been going on since May.


Citicop
07-18-12, 05:20 PM
Did you sign the title over to them already?

If so, you have a civil matter and would have to sue them.

If not, then they stole the car and you can call the police.

ilovejesus14
07-18-12, 06:40 PM
No I do have the title. Do I just go to the local police station or to the one in the town where the company is?
Thanks


G35 Mass
07-18-12, 06:53 PM
No I do have the title. Do I just go to the local police station or to the one in the town where the company is?
Thanks
Go to the PD with a key. They'll likely escort you while you go get your property.

DeltaV
07-18-12, 08:07 PM
Although you did enter into an agreement with them, the car is still legally yours if you have the title. That said, if you don't have an idea where the car is the police probably aren't going to go scouring the town looking for it. Like G35 said, if you do know where it is the police will stand by while you get it. Due to the circumstances I highly doubt that the police will take a stolen vehicle report and enter the car in NCIC as stolen. That may happen later on down the road if they don't return it, but not at first.

retdetsgt
07-18-12, 08:26 PM
Yep, once you give someone permission to drive your car away, it's not stolen. Just a dispute as to when they will bring it back. As DeltaV said, it would be a quite a while before the police would take a stolen.

It's always a good idea to check on contractors. With the Internet, it isn't that hard. I've found Angie's List to be well worth the money.