Bought a stolen bike, suggestions?

oceantrav
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oceantrav
Bought a bike a couple weeks ago and listed it for sale. Guy contacted me and after comparing vins, it turns out it's his bike that was stolen 8 months back. So obviously I'm giving him his bike back.

However now I'm out $2,800. The guy I bought it from bought it from his friend who bought it from someone, etc. The guy I got it from I believe didn't know honestly, he drove a $40k truck and didn't seem like that kinda of guy.

The guy I got it from is responding to my calls and messages, and says the guy he bought it from is trying to contact the guy he got it from. I just don't see myself actually getting anything back?

So what steps should I take? Should I sue the guy I got it from? Should I file a police report?

I have his phone number, and name from Facebook.


Learnt a lesson from this none the less
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Sheriff245 2/8/2017 8:06am
2/8/2017 8:06am
I would file a police report and try to sue in small claims court for the amount you paid. Maybe it wasn't the seller's fault, but he still sold stolen goods. Here, that's how it would work. You sue him, he sues previous owner, and so on until someone has no "seller" to go against.
TeamPumpin 2/8/2017 9:13am
2/8/2017 9:13am
It seems strange to me that this bike has apparently been "bought and sold" several times in only eight months. Why would so many people, including yourself, buy this bike and then turn right around and sell it within a couple weeks? Not many people do that, as they buy bikes to ride them, not immediately resale them.
mjr119 2/8/2017 10:09am
2/8/2017 10:09am
TeamPumpin wrote:
It seems strange to me that this bike has apparently been "bought and sold" several times in only eight months. Why would so many people, including...
It seems strange to me that this bike has apparently been "bought and sold" several times in only eight months. Why would so many people, including yourself, buy this bike and then turn right around and sell it within a couple weeks? Not many people do that, as they buy bikes to ride them, not immediately resale them.
True to an extent. I buy a lot of bikes to resale. But also have personal bikes that I keep.
oceantrav
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oceantrav 2/8/2017 10:47am
2/8/2017 10:47am
TeamPumpin wrote:
It seems strange to me that this bike has apparently been "bought and sold" several times in only eight months. Why would so many people, including...
It seems strange to me that this bike has apparently been "bought and sold" several times in only eight months. Why would so many people, including yourself, buy this bike and then turn right around and sell it within a couple weeks? Not many people do that, as they buy bikes to ride them, not immediately resale them.
I've probaly bought and sold about 50 bikes in the past year. It's how I afford to pay for riding/racing for me and my son.

Never been Burnt before, so good lesson learnt. Actually sounds like the seller may reimburse me, not holding my breath though.

The Shop

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TeamPumpin 2/8/2017 10:53am
2/8/2017 10:53am
oceantrav wrote:
I've probaly bought and sold about 50 bikes in the past year. It's how I afford to pay for riding/racing for me and my son. Never...
I've probaly bought and sold about 50 bikes in the past year. It's how I afford to pay for riding/racing for me and my son.

Never been Burnt before, so good lesson learnt. Actually sounds like the seller may reimburse me, not holding my breath though.
That's cool if you're able to buy a bike and turn around and make some money on it. Nothing wrong with that, it's just odd that it has changed hands so many times (apparently) over a short period of time. It just makes it sound like someone is covering something. But I would definitely file a police report just to keep your own nose clean, and then work with who you bought the bike from. Eventually the chain of events will lead to the thief. Kudos for giving the bike back to it's original owner.
oceantrav
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oceantrav 2/8/2017 11:04am
2/8/2017 11:04am
I don't know if I want to file/call the police.

The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to be coming to get it on Monday from me. If I call the police and they come they could impound it or something, possibly get me in trouble, and the dude may have to pay fees to get it.

I have a secret clearance, so not trying to get my name on any reports if I don't have to
mxb2
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mxb2 2/8/2017 12:33pm
2/8/2017 12:33pm
oceantrav wrote:
I don't know if I want to file/call the police. The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to...
I don't know if I want to file/call the police.

The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to be coming to get it on Monday from me. If I call the police and they come they could impound it or something, possibly get me in trouble, and the dude may have to pay fees to get it.

I have a secret clearance, so not trying to get my name on any reports if I don't have to
Actually just the opposite. Filing a report will help you keep your name. Clean, not filing actually makes you look like you are hiding something. A secret clearance has nothing to do with filing a police report.
walent215
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walent215 2/8/2017 2:23pm
2/8/2017 2:23pm
oceantrav wrote:
I don't know if I want to file/call the police. The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to...
I don't know if I want to file/call the police.

The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to be coming to get it on Monday from me. If I call the police and they come they could impound it or something, possibly get me in trouble, and the dude may have to pay fees to get it.

I have a secret clearance, so not trying to get my name on any reports if I don't have to
Can't blame you there. Jeopardizing my secret clearance is not worth $2800 by any means.
yak651
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yak651 2/8/2017 5:25pm
2/8/2017 5:25pm
sure it's not a scam to get the bike back and keep your money if they are not getting the cops involved?
Hondas4Life3
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Hondas4Life3 2/8/2017 5:47pm
2/8/2017 5:47pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2017 5:48pm
If you haven't confirmed with the police that the vin number has been reported stolen then I wouldn't just give it back. If you can get your money back from the guy you bought it from thats obviously the best option.
Monk
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Monk 2/8/2017 5:56pm
2/8/2017 5:56pm
I would just let him show up with the police and prove it. I wouldn't be giving it to him directly, could be a scam. Keep it as legal as possible...
Monk
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Monk 2/8/2017 5:57pm
2/8/2017 5:57pm
yak651 wrote:
sure it's not a scam to get the bike back and keep your money if they are not getting the cops involved?
+1
Bradj70
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Bradj70 2/8/2017 5:58pm
2/8/2017 5:58pm
yak651 wrote:
sure it's not a scam to get the bike back and keep your money if they are not getting the cops involved?
Yes, how do you know:?

I'd file a report also, especially if your planning on possibly suing. im sure a report will be necessary

next time you buy a bike try running the vin first. You can call the DMV or you can run the vin on NICB.org. I have even bought auto check before,just to run vins. though the dmv will do it for free, save the phone number and give them a ring next time your gonna buy.

also if your state does bonded titles you can buy this title and it would give anyone who is the rightfull owner to the bike money if the bike is stolen or "claimed" and i believe you keep the bike.

sorry about your luck, sounds like youve had a long good run withoout any problems. You will find a way to recover quickly from this.

Monk
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Monk 2/8/2017 5:59pm
2/8/2017 5:59pm
oceantrav wrote:
I don't know if I want to file/call the police. The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to...
I don't know if I want to file/call the police.

The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to be coming to get it on Monday from me. If I call the police and they come they could impound it or something, possibly get me in trouble, and the dude may have to pay fees to get it.

I have a secret clearance, so not trying to get my name on any reports if I don't have to
I wouldn't let the guy near my house. Tell him you'll meet him at the police station and hand the bike to the police first. DO NOT do this without the police involved...
F150Motocrosser 2/8/2017 7:04pm
2/8/2017 7:04pm
Sure hope the original owner is going to throw you a financial bone on this. No way I'd expect somebody to just give me my bike back for free, then let them be out that much money.
Kx125rider 2/8/2017 7:08pm
2/8/2017 7:08pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2017 7:09pm
oceantrav wrote:
I don't know if I want to file/call the police. The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to...
I don't know if I want to file/call the police.

The guy who had it stolen filed a report when it was stolen. He's suppose to be coming to get it on Monday from me. If I call the police and they come they could impound it or something, possibly get me in trouble, and the dude may have to pay fees to get it.

I have a secret clearance, so not trying to get my name on any reports if I don't have to
Monk wrote:
I wouldn't let the guy near my house. Tell him you'll meet him at the police station and hand the bike to the police first. DO...
I wouldn't let the guy near my house. Tell him you'll meet him at the police station and hand the bike to the police first. DO NOT do this without the police involved...
Couldn't agree more, if he won't go meet you there he's bad news.
td104
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td104 2/9/2017 4:16am
2/9/2017 4:16am
Is there a chance the original owners also been paid out insurance and is taking a bit more because he can?
oceantrav
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oceantrav 2/9/2017 4:18am
2/9/2017 4:18am
When he contacted me initially I was a little suspicious. I ran the VIN threw one of those apps, it came back clean. I then had one of my cops buddies run the VIN and it came back stolen.

I'm having my wife go and get a copy of the police report from Atlanta today, aslong as the name on the report matches the guy I'm giving the bike back too, I don't see the reason involving the police. I will print up a bill of sale type deal, explaining the situation, and get a copy of his ID and have him sign it. Then give him the bike

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oceantrav
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oceantrav 2/9/2017 4:21am
2/9/2017 4:21am
So are y'all suggesting I just call the police and have them come get the bike from me?
Freakazoid
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Freakazoid 2/9/2017 4:27am
2/9/2017 4:27am
This is why Ill never buy a bike without a signed title.

I would definitely go to the police. It looks suspicious if you dont IMO..
oceantrav
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oceantrav 2/9/2017 4:40am
2/9/2017 4:40am
Freakazoid wrote:
This is why Ill never buy a bike without a signed title.

I would definitely go to the police. It looks suspicious if you dont IMO..
Like I said probaly have bought 50 bikes in the last 12 months. If I only limited my self to bikes with titles, which are kinda rare in Ga, i would have lost out on a lot of money. I use a dealer license and buy bikes at dealer auctions too, half those bikes don't even have titles.

My lesson learnt is those apps to run the VINs don't always work. So my plan going forward is if no title or certificate of origin is involved, I will get the VIN from the seller prior and have my cop buddy run it, also I will be making detail bill of sales stating if for some reason the bike comes back stolen, seller will imidiatley return all funds to the buyer (me).

Dude found out Monday, and is trying to get the bike by Monday next week. Maybe I will just call the cops and let them come tow/impound the bike or whatever. Atleast then I'll have paper work to give to the guy I got the bike from. He wants some sort of documentation showing the bike was given back and case is closed, he wants to make sure that once I found out it was stolen I didn't just sell it and now trying to get my money back.
JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 2/9/2017 12:23pm
2/9/2017 12:23pm
Sorry to hear man. Even if the bike isn't titled, there should still be a manufacturers certificate of origin. Sadly the bike theft ring is pretty common and you really should be wary of buying a bike with no documentation.
oceantrav
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oceantrav 2/9/2017 12:29pm
2/9/2017 12:29pm
Followed yalls advice, filed a report and the police impounded the bike.

Now I feel bad for the kid. They said the impound fee is $120 and then $20 a day. Apparently he has no clue where the paper work is either, so now he's not sure if he'll even be able to get The bike
JBecker 72
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JBecker 72 2/9/2017 12:34pm
2/9/2017 12:34pm
That sucks, but you have to cover your ass, especially with stolen property.
Dtat720
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Dtat720 2/9/2017 1:47pm
2/9/2017 1:47pm
He has the original police report. Has all the info he needs. Unless he lost it as well. But thats on him, not you. Small claims court is your friend at this moment. Recover your money.
Slosh 112
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Slosh 112 2/9/2017 3:31pm
2/9/2017 3:31pm
Sounds like the people who had it before realised it was stolen and sold it quick so they didn't lose out and make it someone elses problem.

Lucky for old mate if he's the original owner sounds like he's been tracking it down for a long time. not often do you see someone get their bike back.
yak651
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yak651 2/9/2017 4:36pm
2/9/2017 4:36pm
Yep sucks that you cost the kid some money, but seems like the situation put you out a lot more than a couple hundred bucks. Sleep well that you did the right thing.
potatoflake
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potatoflake 2/13/2017 9:13am
2/13/2017 9:13am
It's the sellers responsibility to know it's not stolen I believe? I would ask myself what I would expect if I sold a stolen bike to someone then if you want to go after the money talk to a lawyer we ewhat he says?

Real sorry to hear about your situation! Sick

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