Legal Ownership of a Car

[Rick H]

During that 2 year time frame were you ever in contact with the person that had possession or figured that since you held the title you didn't need too? As mentioned, abandoned vehicle laws come into play.

What year car was it? Anything prior to 1972 doesn't need a title and can be registered very easily. If it is reregistered it now belongs to the present holder.

Basically what the NY State law says is if the vehicle is older then 1972 and there are no numbered plates on the car when abandoned, ownership can be acquired through another form.

Rick H

[Donutblue]

I would definetly go back to the Town or City in NY where your car was stored and report the Grand Larceny Auto to the local or State Police. Make sure you have the proper paper work to show ownership of the car. Depending on the circumstances ( I don't know the complete story here) the Police may very well entertain the complaint and place the VIN number and car description in NCIC. Heck, it may even be registered to a new owner now. The statue of limitations in NY on Grand Larceny is 5 years. --- Possession of stolen property is a "on-going crime" (no statue). ---Good luck

[Charley Lillard]

"I was so shocked that people would be so brazen that I just turned around and left"....... Someone stole your car and you were so shocked you did nothing about it ? That makes no sense. Did you know these people ? Seems like there is more to the story.

[Hylton]

[ QUOTE ]
"I was so shocked that people would be so brazen that I just turned around and left"....... Someone stole your car and you were so shocked you did nothing about it ? That makes no sense. Did you know these people ? Seems like there is more to the story.

[/ QUOTE ]

No nothing more. Car was worth about 4 grand and I was paying the place for storage. Storage fees were up to date. What I figured would have happened is that the local police would have said it's a civil matter and then I would spend 7k in legal fees to get a 4k car back. I am in Canada and when you look at the time away from work, legal fees, traveling costs, etc to settle this matter, would you pursue it?

[Donutblue]

registered letter to the storage place looking for an answer as to where your car is would be a good start. A phone call to the local PD afterwards. For the car to have been titled in NY some papers would have to be forged to get a title. Seems win win to me, unless you have no problem losing 4 grand plus all the fees you paid.

[Rick H]

For some reason this story sounds very familiar. Has this incident been discussed on here or another site? As Charley said I think there is more to this then what is being said.

[ QUOTE ]
For the car to have been titled in NY some papers would have to be forged to get a title.

[/ QUOTE ]

If the car is older then 1972 and no plates are on the car then the car can be determined abandoned and transfeered. Section 215(a) and Section 1224(2) of the Vehicle and Traffic Law outlines the correct forms and procedure.

It has some very interesting information including how the previous owner does not have to be contacted.

I would have done something at the time you noticed it missing because I really think you have lost out on that car.

Rick H.