Don't worry about statute of limitations. That starts ticking from the time you discover the tort or crime, not when it occurred. After all, the law can't force you to sue to get your bass back when you don't even know who stole it.
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Might have found my stolen bass-HELP!
- Thread starter faulknersj
- Start date
Don't worry about statute of limitations. That starts ticking from the time you discover the tort or crime, not when it occurred. After all, the law can't force you to sue to get your bass back when you don't even know who stole it.
You're kidding, right?!?! Basically give advance notice to a potential fence of stolen goods, or to someone who'd just like to cover their ass, that you'll be taking action? How utterly naive and irresponsible to be perfectly frank and frankly polite about it.
If the pawn shop got ID from the seller there's no crime or problem. Yes, they lose what they paid possibly. That's called "cost of doing business". Reimbursing some or all of it would be a kind gesture.
The cops should not hold up its return at all. A report would take them 10 minutes and should probably be filed by end of shift.
I've had this same thing happen, albeit in a different jurisdiction, and I didn't even have serial number proof but I was able to describe some markings I couldn't have otherwise known about or accounted for, cop took the item, handed it to me and said "this shop is a known fence" and told me to get out. With any luck, the cops gave the shopkeeper a beat-down after I left. Maybe they were still operating, thus inspiring thieves to steal, thanks to people like you.
Here is my strategy. The shop is closed now. Im going to get a copy of the original police report in the morning. Then, I'm going to go to the shop, and take pictures of the bass to prove that it is in that shop. I will have my pics of the bass on hand with pics of the serial number. I will then go outside and call the police.
I would contact the police before confronting the shop, but do it quickly. I'd also have in mind that you're not leaving without your bass once you do confront the shop as to not want the bass to disappear, so have all your proof in-hand. It might also be helpful to have a picture of you and the bass on a gig as additional proof if you have it.
Call police first and ask them to meet you. Your plan is good, but you're still tipping the guy off. I suppose there's no problem if you wait out front until the cops show, but if they're slow and you leave awhile don't be surprised if it was "sold" while you were gone.
In fact, call police NOW to at least get the ball rolling. And get their informed opinion instead of online guesswork.
If the guy saw you taking an interest in the serial number earlier, it might already be "sold" by morning. At least you'll have been on record tonight with the cops, though that might do no good it's better than waiting without any good reason.
In fact, call police NOW to at least get the ball rolling. And get their informed opinion instead of online guesswork.
If the guy saw you taking an interest in the serial number earlier, it might already be "sold" by morning. At least you'll have been on record tonight with the cops, though that might do no good it's better than waiting without any good reason.
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SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I'm so glad you found it and in my neck of the woods you will be paying the pawnshop to get your stuff back it sucks but the police care so little about this stuff in my area it's even difficult to press charges.
Having been through something like this more than once, here is my advice. This is all assuming the serial number is on the original police report.
If you filed an insurance claim and received a settlement, the bass belongs to your insurance company. You will still need to notify the police, who will come and pick up the bass to put into evidence, and the insurance company so that they are aware. You would then (more then likely) be able to but the bass back from the insurance company for a reduced price (in my case it equaled 35 cents on the dollar, so a $100 item I bought back for $35)
If you did not have an insurance settlement, then you need to call the police with the original report number and tell them you have located the stolen merchandise. I would do this from the store (outside) and ask the police to send an officer over. If it has been 5 years, it is ore than likely that the person who pawned the bass is not the person who originally stole it. it may have been sold several times over the last 5 years. But the police may still want to investigate. In one of my cases, there was never an arrest even though the police had the name and address of the person who pawned my stuff. In the second case, there was an arrest although I do not know the outcome.
If you tell the shop owner that you believe that is your bass that was stolen, and you have a police report. They will have to pull the bass down and hold it for the police to pick up. They could also offer to sell it back to you at a reduced price (i bought my Fender P and Ibanez Roadstar basses back for $50 each, just so I would have them and not have to wait for the police) and you can still update the police report and they may investigate.
Good luck.
If you filed an insurance claim and received a settlement, the bass belongs to your insurance company. You will still need to notify the police, who will come and pick up the bass to put into evidence, and the insurance company so that they are aware. You would then (more then likely) be able to but the bass back from the insurance company for a reduced price (in my case it equaled 35 cents on the dollar, so a $100 item I bought back for $35)
If you did not have an insurance settlement, then you need to call the police with the original report number and tell them you have located the stolen merchandise. I would do this from the store (outside) and ask the police to send an officer over. If it has been 5 years, it is ore than likely that the person who pawned the bass is not the person who originally stole it. it may have been sold several times over the last 5 years. But the police may still want to investigate. In one of my cases, there was never an arrest even though the police had the name and address of the person who pawned my stuff. In the second case, there was an arrest although I do not know the outcome.
If you tell the shop owner that you believe that is your bass that was stolen, and you have a police report. They will have to pull the bass down and hold it for the police to pick up. They could also offer to sell it back to you at a reduced price (i bought my Fender P and Ibanez Roadstar basses back for $50 each, just so I would have them and not have to wait for the police) and you can still update the police report and they may investigate.
Good luck.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I work in this world.
Fill out he report, gather any documentation of the stolen article (photos/serial data/etc) and present.
Now, here's where you might be hosed: If you failed to report it as stolen when it was first swiped, the popo might think you are a crank.
And here's what's really perverse: the pawn store may have the right to charge your for your bass even if the police determine it was stolen - depends on the state / county.
Pawn shop laws are really odd.
Good luck.
Fill out he report, gather any documentation of the stolen article (photos/serial data/etc) and present.
Now, here's where you might be hosed: If you failed to report it as stolen when it was first swiped, the popo might think you are a crank.
And here's what's really perverse: the pawn store may have the right to charge your for your bass even if the police determine it was stolen - depends on the state / county.
Pawn shop laws are really odd.
Good luck.
There is no insurance company involved. I have to go to the police station to get a copy of the report. I might have it in my house but I'm not counting on it.
I have lots of pics and friends who can attest that I bought it brand new. I don't intend to pay anything for it because it's my bass...is that unrealistic?
did you file an insurance claim back when it happened? If so, the insurance company owns that bass now
^ Don't waste your time getting a copy of the police report. Let the cops look it up. Should take them a minute via serial #.
I respectfully suggest your only concern should be calling the cops ASAP and following their advice.
I respectfully suggest your only concern should be calling the cops ASAP and following their advice.
I'm
I hear you...but it will still be there in the morning. I looked at a bunch of basses to make sure it's not obvious...I didn't take any pictures and I barely looked at it.
The pawn shop will not give the bass away...but some of them do work with police because I'm sure this is a regular occurrence for them. This is where that police report comes into play.
Subbed for the hope of a positive outcome!
Good Luck Brother!
Good Luck Brother!
