A "friend" of mine asked to borrow my car for a specific amount of time and purpose. His intension, however, was to take my car and not give it back. I didn't know when I lent him the car that he'd gotten into trouble with the law, and was intending to flee in my car. I let him borrow the car for a short time to run an errand, but it was not returned on time. In fact he had fled. I got the car back after it broke down and he took it to a shop for repair. He left my car at the shop and took their loaner, which he ran off in and abandoned in another state. Was my car stolen, and was there a crime? I live in Illinois.
2006-09-25 08:50:15 · 16 answers · asked by MaryBridget G 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I have not reported the crime because I wasn't sure it was theft, as I gave him the keys. I did get the car back after I paid the repair bill.
2006-09-25 09:12:37 · update #1
If you answer the question, please tell me what your answer was based on.
2006-09-25 09:13:57 · update #2
Yes, your car was clearly stolen. Some states have an unauthorized use or false pretense clause but no matter how you look at it, it is grand larceny of an automobile. Yes, report it because if you don't, you can be liable in certain circumstances.
2006-09-25 09:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by J D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question in reality cannot be accurately answered here, because there are very significant variables in the scenario you provided, and a slight change one way or the other can alter the entire perception of your stolen car report.
From a very literal sense, if your statement, if true, complete and accurate as it stands and there's no omitted relevant facts, it leans towards being a stolen car.
But it's my best guess that there's so much more to the story that if one knew what it was, it could reduce the entire event to you making a poor decision to who you permitted to drive off with your car and now you're left with a repair and towing bill and who knows what else.
Your scenario didn't state whether you have any objections to the way anyone has handled your report. What is the complaint that you have, or what is it that you want people here to agree with you about and why?
2006-09-25 09:13:47 · answer #2 · answered by nothing 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It will depend on how the laws are written in your state,
Nromally it is not theft but falls under a fraud charge, since he had legal custody of the car
also since you did not report it as soon as you found he had run off with it, the longer you wait, the less likely the police will take it seroius. next of course you will have to prove you did not ok him to use it this way, almost impossible to prove, sinc eyou gave him the keys and let him drive away
A crime yes, one that can be convicted, most likely not
2006-09-25 23:09:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Georgia it would not be theft of a auto it would be theft by converson. The reason that it is this is cause you gave him your keys to borrow your car to run a errand and to be back by a specific time. but since he had already plan to run in your car but he said that he was running a errand he knew what he was really going to do so that is why its then by conversion.
2006-09-25 11:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To prove it was a theft, you would have to prove his intent. Intent is necessary to prove a crime. If you can prove thru witnesses or other facts, that you knew for a fact he was taking your vehicle and not planning on returning it, then it is a crime. But it comes down to what your local district attorneys office will file any charges and what charge. Most of the time their office can file other charges that is related to a certain act..
2006-09-25 08:57:52 · answer #5 · answered by ROBERT H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it was a crime, and you should report your cars stolen. If you loan your car and its not returned in the specific amount of time it goes as stolen.
2006-09-25 08:53:46 · answer #6 · answered by david_d112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I understand the law to be on grand larcency is that it isn't theft if the owner of the vehicle gave the keys to the person that took it.
2006-09-25 08:58:18 · answer #7 · answered by Sandi A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends did you report the car stolen, that is the big question if not you could be liable for the repairs and also possibly be charged with aiding and abetting his escape
2006-09-25 08:54:04 · answer #8 · answered by kustomflames@verizon.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Filing a police report would not hurt you and also a civil claim against your "friend" for the repair bills
2006-09-25 10:31:35 · answer #9 · answered by Michael R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure is theft, he misrepresented his intentions and did not, nor have any intention of returning the car. (based on your side of the story). You should have reported it stolen (and still can if you choose)
2006-09-25 09:00:01 · answer #10 · answered by Bianca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋