Stolen trailer, police no help need advice

I was going to suggest dropping the suppose 'value' to $1 less than max small claims court. I think you said it was $10,000? I'd say it was worth $9,999. That does give the guy the option of 'taking' the trailer for that price though.

Parole Officer is probably the better route, but the man may turn spiteful and jack the trailer up before returning it.

Does this earn me one of those beers? :)
 
Atla said:
I was going to suggest dropping the suppose 'value' to $1 less than max small claims court. I think you said it was $10,000? I'd say it was worth $9,999. That does give the guy the option of 'taking' the trailer for that price though.

Parole Officer is probably the better route, but the man may turn spiteful and jack the trailer up before returning it.

Does this earn me one of those beers? :)
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They anywhere from 30,000-40,000 new so he would still be loosing going to small claims


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I think your best option is to continue to search out his business and find out where your trailer will be at one time and go get it without letting the guy know nothing till you get your trailer back. You are letting him know what you are doing by trying to get him to talk. If you keep researching him and keep a low profile he will let his guard down and you can find your trailer. That is the way I have recovered several things over the years. Plus I always have left them a little extra for my time and trouble.
 
I agree with above. Find the trailer, even if it means paying a PI. Place a NEW discrete tracker on it as soon as it’s spotted, and wait to be able to scoop up the trailer.

Even if it’s loaded. Then you can call whoever’s load it is and tell them the deal, you’ll either return their load, or make delivery so long as YOU get paid for it not him. Then they won’t do business with him after that I’m sure.

I’d also have any papers, like registration, loan documents, any and everything that shows the VIN and that you bought it. That way if the law gets involved, you show papers and say “I own this trailer and I’m here to take possession of it for breach of contract and non-payment”

They don’t need the full back story, and it sounds like he’s not really the type of dude to be sharp enough walking around with this contract, so if you’re standing there with him, a cop or 4, and you have all this paperwork showing it’s yours and he has a wrap sheet on parole and all, they don’t wanna get tied up in all that, they’re gonna make him give you the trailer and send you on your way so they can get back to important stuff.
I could be wrong about that, but I think showing up with ownership papers, being confident with cops that may get involved, and playing your cards right will go well.

Highly recommend you place another tracker on the trailer as soon as it’s found so you can keep up with it and wait for the easiest way to take it back with the least amount of altercation!
 
ltrpilot9 said:
Yes there will absolutely be a few revisions to our contract. That’s great advice i appreciate it.
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I'm going to go the @jeepinmatt route. I suggest you burn it never do business with him again.
 
Question for you? Was this lease agreement in writing or verbal only? If you have a written lease then this makes things a whole lot easier. Assuming you have a written lease with all the specifics spelled out and he his clearly in violation of said lease then then you would have a violation of GS 14-167. A police report could be made. Since it is a felony an officer/detective would have to paper the case with the DA's office. You just cant go to the Magistrate yourself. If the DA took the case then a warrant would be issued. The DA may choose not to take the case in which you are at a dead end. If the DA took the case this thread could be part of discovery so be mindful of what you say. If there was only a verbal agreement then its a he said she said scenario and I can see why the police didn't want to take a report and referred to it as civil matter.
 
You need some biker friends...REAL biker friends...or make a deal with some. "Here's his info, get my trailer back in sellable shape, I will sell it for $10K and give you half."
 
Have someone in the logistics biz call him up with a fake job ... have him come up to you with the trailer?
 
Not much to add here other than 2 things

1. Do you have insurance on the trailer? (this may have been stated already and I missed it)

2. Be prepared to identify the trailer when you do get back in front of it. Something OTHER than a VIN #.

We had a trailer stolen and then recovered (luckily we have a family connection in law enforcement and the idiot put it for sale on craigslist). Even with all the evidence against this guy, we needed PROOF it was our trailer. The vin had been ground smooth and painted over, so no go on that.

We ended up with a picture of a sketch that we had done on the deck of the trailer for a rigging plan. Showed this to the officer and that was enough to get the trailer into our possession.
 
Lizooki said:
Have someone in the logistics biz call him up with a fake job ... have him come up to you with the trailer?
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If guy works for a company w/ central booking, which seems likely, then there's no way to predict that he will be the one to take the job.
 
I spent all day yesterday in Charlotte talking to the Sherriff and Police. Its still a no-go on reporting it stolen but I did get a few more leads and one more possible address.

I have left several voicemails with his Parole Officer, but not received a call back yet.

I DID have insurance on the trailer. Long story short, It was due for renewal in April and I was honest with the insurance about my situation, because the last thing I need is to get caught committing fraud. I explained the situation on the phone and the lady was super nice and understanding, then a few days later I got a letter in the mail saying insurance has been terminated because operational control of the trailer could not be verified.

I have been working with a repo guy to set up a shipment, we had one scheduled but Devon sent the wrong truck and trailer. so we had to cancel at the last minute. He hasn't returned our calls since then, looks like he might have figured that out. I have been calling central dispatch trying to confirm or deny leads as I get them for association with Devan Washington. Their level of cooperation depends entirely on who answers the phone. Sometimes they tell me to get a subpoena, others are extremely cooperative.

I'm going to Greensboro today to meet with other asset recovery specialist and a PI to see if there is anything else they can offer.

Please keep the ideas coming guys, I really appreciate it.
 
It really sucks there is not a better way to get the law to help.

Basically, if someone leases your trailer, they have an open door to “steal” it and use it however they want without compensation and there is no easy way to get it back without going to court.
 
Not sure we got much done today but lunch was awesome!! Turns out I am the 'truck finance' guy mentioned on page two that was really helpful!! He saw the pictures of my Jeeps on the wall and got talking 4x4 stuff and NC4x4 and I had not read through this thread until now!! Gave him a couple more local addresses where trucks and trailers are parked here in Greensboro, hoping we can find the trailer that way.

On another note, we (my biz) repo'd the truck (attached to un-related trailer!) and basically told this guy to get truck back he has to catch up payments AND has to work with Mike to get his trailer back. So applied what pressure I could, fingers crossed, still hoping all this works out in the end and high fives all around!

Sam
 
SHINTON said:
Not sure we got much done today but lunch was awesome!! Turns out I am the 'truck finance' guy mentioned on page two that was really helpful!! He saw the pictures of my Jeeps on the wall and got talking 4x4 stuff and NC4x4 and I had not read through this thread until now!! Gave him a couple more local addresses where trucks and trailers are parked here in Greensboro, hoping we can find the trailer that way.

On another note, we (my biz) repo'd the truck (attached to un-related trailer!) and basically told this guy to get truck back he has to catch up payments AND has to work with Mike to get his trailer back. So applied what pressure I could, fingers crossed, still hoping all this works out in the end and high fives all around!

Sam
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Small world!
 
That's what I was thinking. I expect to see a post where home dude has his trailer back coming soon!
 
jeepinmatt said:
Small world!
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Sam lunch was AWESOME, What a small world. You have been my greatest source of information and advice, I hope somehow I can help you in the future.

I agree 100% that intercepting the truck and trailer is by far the best way to recover the trailer. Unfortunately I don’t have the information I need to do that yet but getting that information has been the focus of my effort. Unfortunately I don’t know how to get that information without shaking trees and I’m sure the more trees I shake the more likely it is that Devan is being made aware of my plans.

A secondary effort has been to hire a Repo company, and feeding them information as I get it. Unfortunately with my job I am out of town a lot and don’t have the ability to focus my attention to this 100% of the time, although lately it seems as though I have.

I did talk on the phone to my lawyer this morning. He said that if the Repo route was going to work, it most likely would have by now and that every day that passes is another day to give him the chance to get rid of m trailer. His idea is to sue both Devan Washington and Mike Medley for the full value of the trailer, plus my lawyer fees and the money he already owes me.

Sam mentioned yesterday that I could sue them for the money owed right now, or for the return of my personal property.

I am not sure what to do, i am getting damn tired of laying awake thinking about this.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone, we are going to get this done.
 
Most likely the dude(s) couldn’t pay if you did sue, so it wouldn’t do much but very well may cause him to return the trailer.

Could he even be found to serve the papers to?
 
Be aware that if you sue for the return of your property it’s very possible it will be returned in a condition that is likely not what you hope for or expect. Be sure to include verbiage stating such that the trailer should be returned in a reasonably acceptable condition reflective of expected value. It may not help but at least it is written and if it’s not returned in a decent condition you may could go after him again for additional damages, maybe.
 
Well Bros, Unfortunately I have no good news to report. I hired a Repo Company last week, Skyline Towing in Charlotte N.C. I spoke to Lisa Mattis and she told me if I paid half the fee, 900, they guaranteed success. I paid it, and handed her everything I had on the file. I even gave her a time and a place that Devan would be later in the week. At first communication was good, and I was confident she would find my trailer. The morning that Devan had an appointment, I fully expected updates regarding progress, but I didn't get anything from her at all. The rest of the weekend it was radio silence, and then Monday morning she finally replied to a text that she was with her husband at a Dr. appointment. Since then.....silence.

To say I am frustrated is the understatement of the year. I think dejected may be e better word. I think I am going to go to Charlotte tomorrow to try to get my money back from Lisa Mattis, Stop by the police station and plead my case once again, and then finally go knock in his mothers door. I will also stop by the court house and go ahead and file suit. I simply don't know what else to do. I expected to at least get a good address from my Lisa after they put eyes on Devan, but I have a strong suspicion that they screwed that up and now they don't have much to go on.

If anyone has a better idea, I would absolutely love to hear it.
 
I wonder if you can get an officer to go to his mothers house with you? That may appear more serious and put the pressure on.
 
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