So I just bought a stolen Stark!

GrapeApe
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Mc Kinney, TX, USA
12/12/2024 10:43am
mrpip wrote:
Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of...

Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of security.
 I only found out it was stolen yesterday, a day after buying it from Guerette. I’m assuming somebody here knows this guy and can perhaps convince him to give me my money back as he’s been in our small community for a long time.

GrapeApe wrote:

Did you buy it from his business location, or meet him somewhere? Victim or not he owes you $9500.

mrpip wrote:

Yes from his business location hence the mistaken feeling of safety. 

He sounds like a fence, hopefully he hasn't snorted, er, spent the cash yet.

I'm sure you've looked but Curtis Crawford still has his profile up and his only friend on FB is "Shawn Topnotch". Shawn Topnotch has some pretty well known names amongst his FB friends. 

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12/12/2024 10:57am
GrapeApe wrote:

So Shawn Guerette is a real person with a real business and you paid him $9500 cash for a stolen bike, am I reading that right?

mrpip wrote:
Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of...

Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of security.
 I only found out it was stolen yesterday, a day after buying it from Guerette. I’m assuming somebody here knows this guy and can perhaps convince him to give me my money back as he’s been in our small community for a long time.

Mr Louisville and I would be persuading him to give the money back. 

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3strokemx
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12/12/2024 10:57am

Interesting story!  Sorry you're out the cash, that's terrible.  Are you sure the dealership didn't steal the bike from you?

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mrpip
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Murrieta, CA, USA
12/12/2024 10:59am
GrapeApe wrote:

Did you buy it from his business location, or meet him somewhere? Victim or not he owes you $9500.

mrpip wrote:

Yes from his business location hence the mistaken feeling of safety. 

GrapeApe wrote:
He sounds like a fence, hopefully he hasn't snorted, er, spent the cash yet.I'm sure you've looked but Curtis Crawford still has his profile up and...

He sounds like a fence, hopefully he hasn't snorted, er, spent the cash yet.

I'm sure you've looked but Curtis Crawford still has his profile up and his only friend on FB is "Shawn Topnotch". Shawn Topnotch has some pretty well known names amongst his FB friends. 

Yeah, i’m now assuming Curtis Crawford and Shawn Guerette to be the same guy. He was definitely doing some pretty good name dropping within the industry while I was at his shop, but I’ll keep those names to myself so as not too implicate anyone’s association with him.

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The Shop

mrpip
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12/12/2024 11:00am
3strokemx wrote:

Interesting story!  Sorry you're out the cash, that's terrible.  Are you sure the dealership didn't steal the bike from you?

😂 No, the cops were there waiting for the bike when I arrived at the dealership.

2
MxAddic
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12/12/2024 11:03am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2024 11:08am
mrpip wrote:

Yep, now bike-less and I just bought all new gear to celebrate the new arrival! 🤬

I would think there is a possibility you have legal title to the bike due to negligence in the original transaction. Not sure how that would work if the bike was stolen by an employee.

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Falcon
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Menifee, CA, USA
12/12/2024 11:06am

I'm still at a loss for how he had a title in the first place. 

CA dealerships file a report of sale with the DMV when they process paperwork, but they wouldn't let that bike roll without payment. He must have paid them fraudulently, then by the time the check bounced or the credit card got rescinded, the title paperwork was already at the DMV. I'm just surprised nobody at the dealership went looking for the bike before he had time to get the title and sell the thing. 

Thieves suck. I'd light that dude's business up with the BBB, on Facebook and all other forms of social media, take out an ad in the paper, and stand on his sidewalk with a bullhorn calling him a liar and a thief until he paid me back. 

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mrpip
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12/12/2024 11:08am
Falcon wrote:
I'm still at a loss for how he had a title in the first place. CA dealerships file a report of sale with the DMV when they...

I'm still at a loss for how he had a title in the first place. 

CA dealerships file a report of sale with the DMV when they process paperwork, but they wouldn't let that bike roll without payment. He must have paid them fraudulently, then by the time the check bounced or the credit card got rescinded, the title paperwork was already at the DMV. I'm just surprised nobody at the dealership went looking for the bike before he had time to get the title and sell the thing. 

Thieves suck. I'd light that dude's business up with the BBB, on Facebook and all other forms of social media, take out an ad in the paper, and stand on his sidewalk with a bullhorn calling him a liar and a thief until he paid me back. 

As I mentioned, it turns out the pink slip is a fake. Technology and thieves are always a step ahead of the rest of us.

1
MxAddic
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12/12/2024 11:10am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2024 11:13am
Falcon wrote:
I'm still at a loss for how he had a title in the first place. CA dealerships file a report of sale with the DMV when they...

I'm still at a loss for how he had a title in the first place. 

CA dealerships file a report of sale with the DMV when they process paperwork, but they wouldn't let that bike roll without payment. He must have paid them fraudulently, then by the time the check bounced or the credit card got rescinded, the title paperwork was already at the DMV. I'm just surprised nobody at the dealership went looking for the bike before he had time to get the title and sell the thing. 

Thieves suck. I'd light that dude's business up with the BBB, on Facebook and all other forms of social media, take out an ad in the paper, and stand on his sidewalk with a bullhorn calling him a liar and a thief until he paid me back. 

Again the dealer would have to take me to court if they wanted the bike back. I would have no interest in losing $9K to make up for the dealers screw up.

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Radical
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San Diego, CA, USA
12/12/2024 11:15am

I don't know the details of course, but if the title is real, and the dealer had transferred it, it seems the dealership should do far more than a $400 discount.  The bike can't be sold as new now, plus they just got a bike back that was for all intents and purposes gone.  So it seems fair for them to assume some of the loss, at least a few grand, and work out a deal with you.  Plus, it is good PR that they worked with an honest person, instead of letting you take 100% of the hit.  The dealer you bought it from should refund your money too, but, being a small shop, they may not have the cash take 100% of the hit either, and may not know that the bike was stolen.  The big question in my mind is whether the pink slip is real.

Ideally, the thief gets caught, and all of the money is recouped, but that's a long shot.

I'm not a lawyer, but this seems fair to me.

If the shop the bike was originally bought from didn't report it stolen, then they should have no recourse, and the bike should remain yours.  If they didn't report it stolen, then how would the second shop know it was hot?  If the title is real, If it were me, I'd speak to an attorney.

If they did report it stolen, then the second shop should've known, and not bought or sold the bike.  It seems they should be liable.

In any case, it seems fair that the 2 shops should make things right for you, and that you should end up with the bike, at worst case, by buying it again, but at a steep, steep discount.

Keep us posted.

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MxAddic
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12/12/2024 11:18am
mrpip wrote:

As I mentioned, it turns out the pink slip is a fake. Technology and thieves are always a step ahead of the rest of us.

Is that what the DMV told you?

1
12/12/2024 11:21am
mrpip wrote:
Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of...

Correct, as shown on the business card. Someone willing to sell a used bike from his business of 21 years definitely gave me some sense of security.
 I only found out it was stolen yesterday, a day after buying it from Guerette. I’m assuming somebody here knows this guy and can perhaps convince him to give me my money back as he’s been in our small community for a long time.

GrapeApe wrote:

Did you buy it from his business location, or meet him somewhere? Victim or not he owes you $9500.

mrpip wrote:

Yes from his business location hence the mistaken feeling of safety. 

So why the hell are you not at his business location raising hell with him to give your money back ?? 

5
BoxcarWilly
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Thunder Bay, ON, CA
12/12/2024 11:22am

If he's not giving you the $9500 back, he's going to be giving you $9500 and lawyers fees. 

12
3strokemx
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12/12/2024 11:24am
mrpip wrote:

As I mentioned, it turns out the pink slip is a fake. Technology and thieves are always a step ahead of the rest of us.

This diabolical criminal mastermind can replicate a vehicle title but uses his real name and business to advertise a stolen bike? On facebook in the same local area it was stolen from? and then gives you a sales receipt listing the place it was stolen from?    

 Did you notice the seller was walking weird due to his giant balls?

 

9
mrpip
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Murrieta, CA, USA
12/12/2024 11:25am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2024 11:28am
GrapeApe wrote:

Did you buy it from his business location, or meet him somewhere? Victim or not he owes you $9500.

mrpip wrote:

Yes from his business location hence the mistaken feeling of safety. 

lostboy819 wrote:

So why the hell are you not at his business location raising hell with him to give your money back ?? 

Because I was told not to by the police. Once the police are involved, which was the minute I found out it was stolen, I’ve been trying to stick to protocol. Trust me, it’s taking everything out of me!

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1
mrpip
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12/12/2024 11:27am
mrpip wrote:

As I mentioned, it turns out the pink slip is a fake. Technology and thieves are always a step ahead of the rest of us.

3strokemx wrote:
This diabolical criminal mastermind can replicate a vehicle title but uses his real name and business to advertise a stolen bike? On facebook in the same...

This diabolical criminal mastermind can replicate a vehicle title but uses his real name and business to advertise a stolen bike? On facebook in the same local area it was stolen from? and then gives you a sales receipt listing the place it was stolen from?    

 Did you notice the seller was walking weird due to his giant balls?

 

Insane, right? All of this gave me confidence in the transaction at the time. How the hell he thought he was going to get away with it, all things considered, is way beyond me!

Big balls indeed!

2
12/12/2024 11:34am
Radical wrote:
I don't know the details of course, but if the title is real, and the dealer had transferred it, it seems the dealership should do far...

I don't know the details of course, but if the title is real, and the dealer had transferred it, it seems the dealership should do far more than a $400 discount.  The bike can't be sold as new now, plus they just got a bike back that was for all intents and purposes gone.  So it seems fair for them to assume some of the loss, at least a few grand, and work out a deal with you.  Plus, it is good PR that they worked with an honest person, instead of letting you take 100% of the hit.  The dealer you bought it from should refund your money too, but, being a small shop, they may not have the cash take 100% of the hit either, and may not know that the bike was stolen.  The big question in my mind is whether the pink slip is real.

Ideally, the thief gets caught, and all of the money is recouped, but that's a long shot.

I'm not a lawyer, but this seems fair to me.

If the shop the bike was originally bought from didn't report it stolen, then they should have no recourse, and the bike should remain yours.  If they didn't report it stolen, then how would the second shop know it was hot?  If the title is real, If it were me, I'd speak to an attorney.

If they did report it stolen, then the second shop should've known, and not bought or sold the bike.  It seems they should be liable.

In any case, it seems fair that the 2 shops should make things right for you, and that you should end up with the bike, at worst case, by buying it again, but at a steep, steep discount.

Keep us posted.

Well said.

MOTO13
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12/12/2024 11:38am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2024 12:05pm

How is the dealer not 100% responsible for this? You purchased a bike in good faith from a motorcycle shop. The bike, if titled, should have gone into the shops name and then transferred to you into your name. The fact the shop wanted cash only is really strange. A legit MC shop receiving and then selling stolen goods sounds like a real scammer.

5
1
mrpip
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Murrieta, CA, USA
12/12/2024 11:40am
Radical wrote:
I don't know the details of course, but if the title is real, and the dealer had transferred it, it seems the dealership should do far...

I don't know the details of course, but if the title is real, and the dealer had transferred it, it seems the dealership should do far more than a $400 discount.  The bike can't be sold as new now, plus they just got a bike back that was for all intents and purposes gone.  So it seems fair for them to assume some of the loss, at least a few grand, and work out a deal with you.  Plus, it is good PR that they worked with an honest person, instead of letting you take 100% of the hit.  The dealer you bought it from should refund your money too, but, being a small shop, they may not have the cash take 100% of the hit either, and may not know that the bike was stolen.  The big question in my mind is whether the pink slip is real.

Ideally, the thief gets caught, and all of the money is recouped, but that's a long shot.

I'm not a lawyer, but this seems fair to me.

If the shop the bike was originally bought from didn't report it stolen, then they should have no recourse, and the bike should remain yours.  If they didn't report it stolen, then how would the second shop know it was hot?  If the title is real, If it were me, I'd speak to an attorney.

If they did report it stolen, then the second shop should've known, and not bought or sold the bike.  It seems they should be liable.

In any case, it seems fair that the 2 shops should make things right for you, and that you should end up with the bike, at worst case, by buying it again, but at a steep, steep discount.

Keep us posted.

Well said.

I was hoping for something along those lines, but unfortunately not. 
I have a pretty decent social media presence and would be stoked to shout from the rooftops if someone were to step up in securing me a “legal” Stark for a killer deal!

Maybe Anton will check this thread!😂

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2
3strokemx
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12/12/2024 11:49am
mrpip wrote:
I was hoping for something along those lines, but unfortunately not. I have a pretty decent social media presence and would be stoked to shout from the...

I was hoping for something along those lines, but unfortunately not. 
I have a pretty decent social media presence and would be stoked to shout from the rooftops if someone were to step up in securing me a “legal” Stark for a killer deal!

Maybe Anton will check this thread!😂

It's good marketing that emphasizes the theft prevention benefit of a Stark.  Hopefully they take notice of the opportunity and hook you up.

 As stated previously, if your Kawasaki is stolen you'll never get it back........unless they return it because the clutch doesn't work, suspension sucks, and something breaks every ride 😅

6
agn5008
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PA, PA, USA
Fantasy
12/12/2024 11:54am

Coming up with a story to try and guilt a manufacturer or dealer into giving you a better deal on a bike is wild. Can’t say I’ve ever seen someone go to this length before. 

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23
12/12/2024 11:59am
bradmx421 wrote:
Your a 45 minute drive away. I'd be sitting outside his shop waiting for him, F.......a call or a text. His shop wouldn't be operating until i...

Your a 45 minute drive away. I'd be sitting outside his shop waiting for him, F.......a call or a text. 

His shop wouldn't be operating until i had my money in my hand

Agreed. I would be a serious thorn in his side until I was made whole on the deal. 

2
12/12/2024 12:00pm Edited Date/Time 12/12/2024 12:04pm

Looking at a few reviews, it seems like the original dealer also has a reputation as a bit of a swindler. With the paperwork fully processed through the orginal dealer, but no vehicle unlock, I am wondering if there is more fraud that is going on than just whatever was happening with the reseller

5
mrpip
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Murrieta, CA, USA
12/12/2024 12:05pm
agn5008 wrote:
Coming up with a story to try and guilt a manufacturer or dealer into giving you a better deal on a bike is wild. Can’t say...

Coming up with a story to try and guilt a manufacturer or dealer into giving you a better deal on a bike is wild. Can’t say I’ve ever seen someone go to this length before. 

I’d like to think you’re joking. Feel free to contact Coyne motorsports in banning California to verify the “story”

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2
GrapeApe
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Mc Kinney, TX, USA
12/12/2024 12:09pm

I would be concerned the police will be satisfied that the stolen unit was returned to the original owner, and move on. You'll get a call or letter in a week or so saying the matter between you and Top Notch is a civil matter. The more time that passes the further you get from your $9500 cash.

7
12/12/2024 12:15pm

The DMV can charge a dealer with a felony for a few different things. I would think they should be involved as well.

1
groggylbc
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Location
Long Beach, CA, USA
12/12/2024 12:17pm

....why would a guy knowingly  with a stolen bike sell it sell it using his real name and at his business? Maybe he bought the bike not knowing it was stolen too.....

 
 


 

3
1
bar
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Location
Santa Ana, CA, USA
12/12/2024 12:49pm

Did you check the vin number yourself? If you didn't, how do you know it was stolen. The guy bought I from probably didn't have any idea either. Sorry about what happened. 

AMetts
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Lincolnton, NC, USA
12/12/2024 12:50pm

Did the dealer have any proof that the bike was actually stolen? Seems like the guy you bought it from has more proof he owned the bike than the dealership has that it was stolen from them. 

Did someone break in and steal just the one bike? Did he write a fake check that the dealer somehow didnt find out before giving him a title and the bike? Maybe this was some sort of demo unit they gave to the guy to help get more eyes on it and the relationship soured and he sold the bike instead of giving it back?

2
soggy
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12/12/2024 12:53pm
groggylbc wrote:
....why would a guy knowingly  with a stolen bike sell it sell it using his real name and at his business? Maybe he bought the bike...

....why would a guy knowingly  with a stolen bike sell it sell it using his real name and at his business? Maybe he bought the bike not knowing it was stolen too.....

 
 


 

Is it possible he didn’t know it was stolen and coyne had a disgruntled employee that ‘sold’ it and pocketed the cash?  

2

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