Reporting a Vehicle as Stolen
 

Many of you know about lurkette's little brother's death about six months ago. For those of you who don't, there are lots of threads here about it, go search if you're interested.

Among the loose-ends we're cleaning up here is a motorcycle that he owned. His mother co-signed for the loan, and in his absence is responsible for the payments on it.

Here's the thing: Josh's then-roomate was the last person in posession of the motorcycle. We have no idea where he is, and have been unable to get a hold of him at any of the numbers we've had for him.

So we really have no choice but to report it as stolen. We don't want to get the roomate in trouble, but the bottom line is... he's stolen the motorcycle that belongs to his dead roomate's mother.

Problem is, we have no idea how to go about doing that. Anybody in California (L.A., specifically) ever have to do this?

just call the police station, they pretty much tell you the procedure (if there is one)

You might also want to help out finding this roommate. It is pretty easy these days to track someone down via their social security # or former address. You might have to get professional help, but at least it would mean that you aren't relying on the police to do it (since they probably won't).

That's pretty good thinking.

The roomate is a decent enough guy, just VERY flakey. We don't really want to get him in trouble, but he HAS basically stolen the bike...

We figure that Los Angeles has dozens of motorcycles reported stolen every day, and the likelihood anyone will ever track him down is pretty small.

Do you have the registration for the motorcycle? It contains the information you will need. In many places you can't just call in a stolen vehicle report you have to physically go to the station.

I believe there is a charge called unauthorized use of a vehicle that could apply in this situation. It's like if your brother takes your car to run to see his girlfriend and you don't want him to, this would apply.

Report it stolen NOW.
Otherwise, <b>Lurkette's</b> Mom is the responsible party for everything concerning that motorcycle. What happens if 'the roommate' runs over some kid, and an investigation finds that the brakes were faulty, and way past their replacement date? Lawyers would have a field day with that.

Sure - that's a stretch, but why would anyone want to be responsible for something that was stolen from them? Yes - he may just be "flakey", but let's not mince words here - he flat out stole the motorcycle. If you report it stolen, sure - nobody is going to go looking for it, but if he gets stopped for a traffic ticket, or gets in an accident, or is stupid enough to try to renew the registration, then the authorities will contact you. Chances are, when the registration is due, he'll abandon it - then it'll either be discovered in a parking lot after sitting there a few weeks, or it will get re-stolen and probably sold for parts.

Also to consider - why continue to pay for it if it's been stolen? I assume if there was a loan on the motorcycle, it was insured.

Bottom line - I wouldn't give a second thought to 'inconveniencing' the roommate - he knew what he was doing when he took off with the motorcycle. Fuck him. C.Y.A.