car thief broke my ignition but police won't tell me his/her name?

Question

My car was stolen but the police were able to catch the thief. In the process of stealing my car the crook broke my ignition.

I know I am lucky to have my car back and am thankful to the police for catching whoever did it however I would still like the person who broke my ignition to pay for it.

The guy at the police station told me that there was no way they would give me the person's name and that I should just forget it and pay for the ignition myself.

Is this true, that someone can steal your car, damage it, and make you pay for the tow after it is recovered but not be liable for anything? It seems like a pretty lame system if that is the case.

Answer 1

Ask your insurance company for help. Or get a court order. Perhaps in your state you can file a John Doe summons in county court and then get a court order to the police to identify who "John Doe" is.

If they are going to prosecute the thief they will need you as a witness in court and so you will surely find out his identity.

Or in your state you may be able to file a Freedom of Information request.

The thief is probably judgment proof now. But if you get a judgment, it's enforceable for 20 years (probably) and if he wins the lottery . . . (it's happened).

Answer 2

That sounds pretty weird. You got a couple cops making up the law as they go along. In their heads, they probably think they are doing the right thing by protecting the peace and avoiding further instigation. Whoever took your car should be charged with grand theft auto, not to mention paying restititution. Cops are NOT lawyers. They are NOT trained to give you legal advice, nor are they allowed to. If they are, then that's the unauthorized practice of law. You need to get a lawyer to communicate what happened to the District Attorney or State Attorney and prosecute the scumbag who stole your care. It was obviously stolen, since when you steal a car and don't have the key, you gotta bust open the ignition housing to gett to the ignition wires.

Sounds like a drunk cop stole your car and that's why they won't tell you who did it.

Answer 3

Until they are found guilty in a court of law, then it is available to you through the access to public information. Unless the person is a minor, then you will never find out, because even when they become of age it is usually sponged from their record. And don't forget that you can collect for damages under your comprehensive coverage on your automobile policy, and it is a NO-Fault loss so your rates will not be effective. But I'm not sure regarding a no-fault state.