Re: Tracing Stolen Equipment

Posted by Hal/WA on April 21, 2003 at 23:48:07 from (208.8.194.57):

In Reply to: Tracing Stolen Equipment posted by G Taylor on April 21, 2003 at 07:12:36:

Yes stolen equipment is listed in the National Crime Information Computer system (NCIC), if the owner is able to come up with a valid serial number. Unfortunately in my experience, little of it is actually recovered, probably mostly because the cops that might check the serial numbers in the computer system seldom come in contact with such machinery. Another problem is that very often the serial numbers are not very secure and can be removed very easily. Lots of them are on adhesive labels or rivited metal tags that come off with little effort. And some older machines either did not have serial numbers or they were obliterated long ago. My old Ford 641D has no serial numbers because they were built with the battery over where the serial numbers were stamped. Battery acid has totally removed the serial numbers over the years.

It is sometimes hard or impossible to PROVE that something is actually yours, even if many factors suggest that it is stolen property. What was always suggested in my state was to carve your driver's license number into your property in a position where it would be difficult to remove the identification. Then if that property is ever stolen, you have very good evidence that it is actually yours. Cops hate to give stuff they believe to be stolen back to the crooks, but they often have to if they can not prove its identity.

Is there stolen machinery out there? Heck yes, there is a lot of it. That is why I always suggest knowing who you are buying from: ask to see the seller's driver's license, write down the information from it, write down their vehicle license number, and have them write you out a bill of sale for the equipment. If it is stolen and law enforcement finds that you have it, you will probably lose the equipment. But at least you will be less likely to be arrested yourself and will give the officers a direction to investigate.

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• Re: Re: Tracing Stolen Equipment jls 18:24:08 04/22/03 (0)

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