QUESTION
If I unknowingly bought a stolen item and later realized this, how can I recover my money while also reporting the theft?
Asked on Oct 07th, 2013 on Criminal Law - California
More details to this question:
Unknowingly bought a stolen phone, later found out through Verizon that it was stolen. I want to return the item from whom it was stolen from (no use having a locked stolen phone anyway) so I gave Verizon my information and the person from whom it was stolen from called me back. I told her to file a police report for the stolen device, and I have all the information including picture of the person that sold me the phone. I want to give her the item back, but is it possible to recover my money? Is there a law I can stand on to have the guy who sold it to me thrown in jail/refund my money before I give the item back? I feel like the police will give the phone back to the person and close the case.
1 ANSWER
To be charged with receiving stolen goods you have to know at the time that you get possession of the goods that they were stolen. Once you realize that the goods are stolen, you are required to contact the police and report the theft. The police will then take the stolen items into custody as evidence. When the thief is convicted as part of his punishment, he will be required to pay restitution to you.
Answered on Oct 08th, 2013 at 12:17 PM