Traffic Question

[Ravendon]

In late 2006, I had my vehicle repossessed. The repo man physically blocked me from getting my plates off my vehicle and said he'd mail them back to me.

I didn't trust him and had the plates cancelled a few days later.

I didn't think anything more about this issue until a week ago.

I got something from the Illinois DOT stating that I had run several tolls and racked up fines totalling $250.

It had a snapshot of my car along with the license plates and it was from the night he took the car to a few days later when I had the plates cancelled.

Now they want a receipt or something that the repo guy should have given me, but I can't locate it.

What can or should I do now?

Is this an offense and if so, is it federal or state since he crossed state lines from Wisconsin to Illinois with my plates? And can I report it to the police, and if so, which ones?

I live in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Thanks for your assistance.

[lax854]

the way it works in ny is just like any other traffic offense....go to dmv and ask for paperwork showing you cancelled the plates...and maybe a receipt from the repo man that your car was taken and in their possession that night will help!

[Joeyd6]

Call the finance company. They will have a copy of all the repo paperwork.

[DeltaV]

Is this an offense and if so, is it federal or state since he crossed state lines from Wisconsin to Illinois with my plates? And can I report it to the police, and if so, which ones?

You may have a civil claim against the company, but he didn't do anything criminal with the exception of running some tolls. The plates are not YOUR plates. They belong to the DMV and are assigned to the vehicle, not the owner. If you no longer own the vehicle then you can cancel the plates, however most states require you to send the plates back (although very few people actually do).