Stolen Horse--Man is BACK in jail!

[rodriguezpoultry]

I went ahead and filed the complaint last night at the courthouse to the deputy. He took my lease agreement and copied it as well as the photos I had of my horse. Took a statement and was going to send it to the DA for whatever it is they do there and I'm supposed to call back and talk to the investigator on Monday.

I am SO scared that the guy is simply going to sell the horse and I'll never find him again.

 

[Reinbeau]

I can't believe this, I do hope you get your horse back! Unbelievable

 

[Brindlebtch]

Man, go after him with teeth bared! This is UNbelievable!

 

[onthespot]

Your sheriff is a lazy sack of manure and should lose his job.

 

[wombat]

The horse that was stolen has now been SOLD. The man who leased MY horse sold MY horse to HIS uncle. The uncle knew and KNOWS about the lease agreement yet still bought the horse.

Clear-cut case of receiving stolen property.

The authorities will still want to locate the guy you leased the horse to before they charge the uncle, if possible, just to get his side of the story. The uncle and the guy you leased the horse to will probably change their story soon ... "I leased the horse, but then I bought the horse outright and paid cash, no, I never got a receipt, etc." ... so the authorities will want to get this guy's story before they get a chance to collude and change their toon.

Good luck. You might want to get an attorney and look into bringing a civil suit against these guys as well. Get the horse back and go after them for any transportation costs and rehabilitative care if you can.

Glad you at least know where your horse is. You might also want to see that lawyer about getting a court order barring that uncle from selling or moving the horse until this is resolved.​

 

[Cara]

Do you know where the uncle lives? I'd be going there, and if he wants to call the sheriff's dept. for trespassing, even better. Then they might wake up.

 

[briesberrypatch]

Is your horse valuable enough that this is a felony offense?

Both men have committed several crimes here - theft, receiving stolen property, selling stolen property (can't remember what the official charge is called for that one) - it's unbelievable that the sheriff is dragging his feet. Charging you $5000 to see a horse that the uncle knows is yours and that he bought illegally may be a crime also - perhaps extortion. Not sure.

I just keep shaking my head on this...

BTW, check what the wiretapping laws are in your state. If one-party recordings are allowed, record your conversations without warning him.

If you talk to him in person, record the conversation. I believe that is legal in all states (but check to be sure).

That way, if they do change their story, you have it on tape, including the attempt to shake you down for $5k.

 

[redhen]

I know! Can you find out where he lives? Just go get the horse..
And if he calls the cops on you have all your papers handy and maybe they'll even arrest the guy! At the very least they'll have to file a report..etc...

 

[redhen]

BTW..If you get one call..i'll bail ya out!

 

[onthespot]

Having papers in your hand does not prove ownership. If you go "get the horse" you will be committing theft in the eyes of the policeman who will come when they call on you for stealing, even though it is your horse in reality. Posession actually IS nine tenths of the law, until this is all straightened out in court. DO NOT go steal the horse back (unless you are absolutely sure you will not be caught in the act or in transit... evil grin, just kidding!!! DON'T do it!)